Gran Turismo 5 - PS3

Sony seems content to let Kaz Yamauchi talk about the game and reveal new Gran Turismo 5 details ... forever. We saw some of the new stuff in the game at E3, then even more at Gamescom, and we're here at the Tokyo Game Show where even more has been revealed. In fact, I'm starting to get the idea that this game would have been released months ago, if only someone had told Kaz , "Okay, that's enough. It's full. You can stop pouring now, we're overflowing." You want proof? The classic Volkswagen typ2(T1) SambaBus '62 (pictured above), is a raceable car in the game. I know what you're thinking right now. "FINALLY!" So, breathe easy, your wish has been granted.

For the rest of what we learned about GT5 in Tokyo, press on!

According to Kaz, the work put into GT5 is approaching the level of the Apollo Space Mission, and "We're almost ready to launch." After seeing the sheer amount of stuff they're putting in here, you have to wonder what they'll have left in the tank for GT6. But, Kaz said there was a lot he wasn't able to get to, and that he already has big plans for GT6. My idea? Remote control cars. Just a thought, Kaz.

In the meantime, he did go on to say that the sound of the engines was a major concern for GT5, and they've put a lot of effort into that aspect of the game. He also said that although the game runs at 60 frames per second, there may be times where that drops as there is a lot of activity onscreen. He asks for your forgiveness ahead of time. Granted, those drops may happen when there are a lot of cars onscreen kicking up dirt and water spray, but that's definitely the first time I can remember of a developer asking for forgiveness before a game ships.

New Cars

Volkswagen Kubelwagen typ82 '44

In addition to the Samba, GT5 is also getting the Kubelwagen from 1944. This was based heavily on the popular Beetle, and it was succeeded by the Volkswagen thing. Designed by Ferdinand Porsche, it saw heavy use during WWII.

Volkswagen Schwimmwagen typ166 '42

The most mass-produced amphibious car in history, the Schwimmwagen was built to cross bodies of water, and was used extensively by the Germans in WWII. Sadly, you can't drive this through the water in GT5, which underscores the fact that Kaz needs someone to say "Maybe we don't need this one."

Isuzu 4200R '89

This car was the star of the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show as a concept car from Isuzu. This mid-engine car had ultra-sleek lines, but sadly never saw production. Now you can take it for a spin and see how it handles.

GT by Citroën Race Car

This supercar concept was created especially for Gran Turismo 5 through a partnership with Polyphony Digital, and Citroën. It's a concept car powered by an all-electric drive train, and is designed to look like it's doing 100 mph, even when standing still.

New Courses

GT5 is getting three new courses as well, ranging from endurance tracks to raceways.

Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway

This should be no surprise, having appeared in previous Gran Turismo titles. The paved track raceway is located near Monterey, California, and is used for everthing from superkarts to the American Le Mans to motorcycle races.

Trial Mountain Circuit

This was put in the game to satisfy fans of the older GT titles who enjoyed this track. It has been completely re-done and remodeled using the GT5 engine and graphics.

Circuit de la Sarthe - Nighttime

This course was made famous as a mainstay of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, and at over eight miles long, it's one of the longest circuits in the world. This time it's been rendered at night, and Kaz says it looks "just like the Sarthe circuit does at night." Thankfully, you do have headlights.

Social Community

My Home

Although previously announced, they were showing off some of the menu screens from My Home, which is basically your home base where you have messages, photo albums, course albums, and so forth. This is where the social community functionality of the game takes place and allows you to interact with friends and other racers. 

GT Auto

This is where you service your car and customize certain options. Need a wash? Oil change? New rims? New seats? Trick out your ride, and put those little animated mechanics to work.

GT Anywhere & Remote Races

You'll be able to access your Gran Turismo profile from any web browser, and you can perform B-Spec races from there as well. You can log into your PS3 remotely, and allow it to host sessions online. You won't be driving the car, but you'll be issuing commands to your racer as he competes in different circuits. You can play with friends or other racers in this mode, just like you were at home. This bridges the gap between the console and the web browser.

Special Events

There are plenty of special events to choose from in GT5, like driving schools and kart racing. This is where you can have Jeff Gordon instruct you in NASCAR racing, or compete in the Gran Turismo Rally where the navigator calls out turns as you compete against another racer on a dirt track for the best time.

Weather Changes

There is now a dynamic weather system on certain tracks in the game, and it models temperature, pressure, and humidity. You'll kick up water sprays, drive through rain and snow, encounter fog, and so on. The process simulates actual weather, and each "forecast" is a guideline as the dynamic system models the weather. Which means it won't be the same each time. This only appears in endurance track races, but it's pretty stunning visually. Especially when the rain is hammering down and streaking across your windshield

Project X1 Prototype

In association with Red Bull Racing, Polyphony Digital is building a car that asks the question "What would a racing car look like if it was freed of all technical regulation?" The answers seems to be a car that still looks like a race car. They didn't show a fully finished design, but it's meant to be the "fastest race car on Earth" and will probably be Nirvana for car porn lovers. Designed by Adrian Newey, the short promo video for it that they showed us made it look like the Batmobile on steroids and Dexatrim.