Ferrari may be preparing to debut its all-new California hardtop convertible in the flesh at October’s Paris Motor Show, but the Italian automaker is delving into the world of virtual reality to give the car a bit of extra pre-show hype.

Ferrari has teamed with Polyphony Digital — the company responsible for iconic Gran Turismo franchise — to create a digital film of the newest Ferrari taking some hot laps. The video looks like it was plucked straight from Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, indicating the California could soon be ready for download. To see the video, follow the link and then click ‘Virtual Test Drive’ and then ‘Play Film’.

Despite the convertible’s move to the video game realm, it’s not known if the car will be marketed as simply “Ferrari California,” or as “Ferrari F430 GT California,” as a recent trademark filing suggested.

The all-aluminum California is the first Ferrari to feature its engine mounted in the mid-front position.

The car can hit 60 mph in under 4.0 seconds, according to the Italian automaker. A new seven-speed dual clutch transmission debuts in the California, and the F1-Trac traction control system which was first offered with the 599 GTB Fiorano is also included.

“The Ferrari California is aimed at owners who desire a car which embodies everything the Prancing Horse represents in terms of sporty design and innovation, but also seek a car with greater versatility than ever,” the automaker said in a press release.

Interestingly enough, the new Ferrari model actually started out life as a Maserati, according to our sources. The new model was developed under the codename M139 — M for Maserati — and was intended to complete Maserati’s current lineup — giving the Italian Marque the Quattroporte sports sedan, the GranTurismo coupe and a hardtop convertible. But after Ferrari’s 2005 split from Maserati, Ferrari decided to keep the M139 program entirely for itself. As a result, the California rides on the GranTurismo platform.