An online direct used car sales specialist in the US has launched a new virtual showroom offering simulated tours and test drives across 15 brands.

VRoom’s virtual reality technology allows customers to explore a three-dimensional showroom stocked with vehicles currently for sale on Vroom’s website.

Using HTC Vive headsets, users can go on 360-degree-view test drives, access vehicle information, and hear the real sounds of specific engines roaring to life, all without having to spend the day at a dealership, reported Busnesswire.

For those without the high-tech headsets the experience is also being made available to try at the online retailer’s facilities in Dallas and Houston, as well as at a pop-up location in Phoenix.

VRoom’s Gaurav Misra said: “The majority of shoppers enter the market not knowing what car they want, so we are excited to use VR to give car buyers a truly immersive experience that lets them discover and explore cars at their leisure.

“To date, there’s been a lot of noise about VR experiences related to entertainment and gaming, so we are thrilled to be one of the first innovators offering a real-world shopping experience that is rich, meaningful, useful and entertaining.”