Motor vehicle simulation system for simulating a virtual environment with a virtual motor vehicle and method for simulating a virtual environment

A method for simulating a virtual environment with a virtual motor vehicle by a motor vehicle simulation system having a virtual environment simulation system, a head-mountable display device, and a physical operating element operable by a user, the method comprising:

• setting, by the virtual environment simulation system, a perspective emanating from a virtual site;
• producing, by the virtual environment simulation system, images of the virtual environment presented from the perspective, including an exterior of the virtual motor vehicle and a virtual operating element at a location in the virtual environment having a first relative virtual position in relation to the virtual site corresponding to a relative physical position between the head-mountable display device and the physical operating element;
• ascertaining, by a position capturing system, the at least one relative physical position between the head-mountable display device and the physical operating element;
• taking into account, by the virtual environment simulation system, the relative physical position during the image production so that the virtual operating element is presented at the location in the virtual environment;
• configuring the virtual motor vehicle when a touch-sensitive operating surface of the physical operating element captures a user touching the touch-sensitive operating surface;
• capturing a touch location as a hand position of at least one part of a hand of the user when the touch-sensitive operating surface is touched;
• and
• presenting, by the virtual environment simulation system, the virtual operating element as a virtual touchscreen and the touch location at a corresponding point of the virtual touchscreen by a virtual display element.