Can’t afford a Huracan? Samsung’s Gear VR lets you get behind the (virtual) wheel

By Andrew Hard Published March 6, 2015

Lamborghini Huracan — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Lamborghini Huracan LP 610, with its onslaught of Italian horsepower and symphony of mechanical rage, is quite a nice car. It’s a nice car to look at, it’s a nice car to drive, and it’s quite simply a nice car to be seen in.

Unfortunately for most of us, $237,250 is just a smidge out of our price range. You could spend $4,995 on a one-day, professionally instructed driving school, but Samsung has an even cheaper way of getting behind the Huracan’s flat-bottom wheel. Sort of.

Recommended Videos

At the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, Samsung and Lamborghini are showcasing a virtual driving experience that incorporates the Samsung Gear VR and the aforementioned ‘Hurricane.’

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Wearing the Galaxy Note 4-equipped headset, visitors simply plop down into the LP 610’s bucket seat and travel to “a totally different virtual reality dimension, one where they can enjoy the thrill of speed and fulfill the dream of being a racing driving in a unique and unforgettable way.”

Once connected, Samsung’s VR unit will display three courses: ‘Sport,’ a sun-soaked route along Italy’s Amalfi Coast, ‘Strada,’ a windy road through the town of Amalfi, and ‘Corsa,’ a nail-biting rendering of the iconic Imola racetrack.

Samsung Gear VR — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Though the Gear VR is available to buy now, the company didn’t specify if the drive routes would be available for download or purchase after the event.

Lamborghini isn’t the first automaker to integrate virtual reality into the driving experience. In January, Audi announced the Audi Virtual Reality Experience, which brings the showroom to your living room.

Also using a Samsung Gear VR, Audi’s program gives users a virtual walk-around, interior inspection, and a simulated ride-along in select vehicles. The German brand reportedly recorded 30 million renderings of the Audi A3 and Audi S3 to make this possible.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…

Cars

Location data for 800,000 cars exposed online for months

A data leak led to around 800,000 Volkswagen (VW) electric vehicles (EVs) having their location exposed online for several months, according to a report by German news magazine Der Spiegel.

The global incident impacted owners of EVs from VW, Audi, Seat, and Skoda, with real-time location showing for the affected vehicles, whether they were at home, driving along the street, or, in the words of Der Spiegel, parked “in front of the brothel.”

Cars

Faraday Future could unveil lowest-priced EV yet at CES 2025

Faraday Future FF 91

Given existing tariffs and what’s in store from the Trump administration, you’d be forgiven for thinking the global race toward lower electric vehicle (EV) prices will not reach U.S. shores in 2025.

After all, Chinese manufacturers, who sell the least expensive EVs globally, have shelved plans to enter the U.S. market after 100% tariffs were imposed on China-made EVs in September.

Cars

Hyundai Ioniq 9 vs. Tesla Model Y: Does electric SUV beat the bestselling EV?

Hyundai Ioniq 9 driving

The long-awaited Hyundai Ioniq 9 is finally on the way, after months of waiting for what many hope will be a true competitor to the Kia EV9. The electric SUV is likely to be one of the go-to options for those who want a larger EV at a lower price than the likes of the Rivian R1S. But, while it's larger than the Tesla Model Y, it's also likely to be a little more expensive.

The two vehicles are a bit different when it comes to things like performance, range, and charging. Is the Hyundai Ioniq 9 worth the extra cash, or should you go for the cheaper, yet smaller car? We put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The overall designs of the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Tesla Model Y are pretty different, and that may be enough to sway your buying decision. The Ioniq 9 is a true SUV; it's big and boxy, and while it looks a little sleeker than some SUVs thanks to its curved roofline, it's clearly larger than the Tesla Model Y. At the front of the Ioniq 9 is a long light bar separated into pixel-like blocks that helps give the vehicle a unique design motif. At the rear of the Ioniq 9, you'll also find pixel lights curving around the sides and top of the trunk. The Ioniq 9 measures 199.2 inches long, 78 inches wide, and 70.5 inches high.