Autoblog

Sigh. Gran Turismo 5 reportedly shooting for Summer 2010 release

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:01:00 EST

The release date for Gran Turismo 5 hops around so much we're going to call the game The Flea from now on. From a couple of dates late this year to early next year in Japan to possibly, maybe, potentially a Summer release for the U.S. It's not that we can't keep up anymore -- we might just be tired of trying.

That summer date for our shores isn't even set: the folks at Sony are "eying" that window. Back in September Polyphony Digital head Kazunori Yamauchi said "I don't think it's going to be that different for U.S. and Europe" to get the game around the same time as Japan. Apparently the marketing department, which was given as the reason for the delay, remains deep in "discussing their issues."

We have but one issue: it's hard to keep hanging on for the supposed Second Coming (or is that Third? Fifth?) of driving games when the "Coming" part refuses to happen. And we sure hope they're working on GT6, because at this rate we're going to be buying that game with our Social Security check.

Gallery: Gran Turismo 5

[Source: Joystiq]

Sigh. Gran Turismo 5 reportedly shooting for Summer 2010 release originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gran Turismo 5 demo coming to PSN on Dec 17, GT Academy returns [w/VIDEO]

Chris Shunk — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Technology, Videos, Nissan, Toys/Games

Click above to watch the video after the jump

Just when we thought we were going to wait until the end of March to get our hands on Gran Turismo 5, our friends at Joystiq tell us that Polyphony Digital will release a demo version of hotly anticipated racing game on December 17. The demo will be available on the Playstation Network for download both in Europe and North America, giving long-patient fans a taste of what the full game will be like when it finally arrives in stores.

And as cool as it is that the demo arrives within two weeks time, even cooler is the fact that gamers will be given the opportunity to compete for some nifty prizes. All you have to do is post your best time trial by January 24, 2010. The best time from the U.S. and Canada wins a trip to the Indianapolis 500. A sweet prize, no doubt, but it doesn't come close to the top Euro prize. The best driver from select European countries gets to enter the GT Academy. After completing training the ~~lucky~~ skilled gamer will race in the European GT4 Cup in a non-virtual race-spec Nissan 370Z. How amazing is that?

It would be even better if GT5 actually shipped on December 17, but it looks like we won't be racing one of the world's best driving simulators until March at the earliest. Hit the jump to view a slick video that contains more information about the GT Academy.

Gallery: Gran Turismo 5 screen shots

Gallery: Gran Turismo 5

[Source: Joystiq]

Continue reading Gran Turismo 5 demo coming to PSN on Dec 17, GT Academy returns [w/VIDEO]

Gran Turismo 5 demo coming to PSN on Dec 17, GT Academy returns [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maserati rolls out limited edition GranTurismo for Middle East

Noah Joseph — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Maserati, Middle East

Maserati GranTurismo S MC Sport Line limited edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you thought Rolls-Royce had cornered the market on special editions for the Middle East, Maserati would like you to think again. But only if you've got a big wad of cash and actually, you know... live in the Middle East.

The Italian automaker just took the wraps off a limited edition of its GranTurismo S, specially outfitted with items from the company's MC Sport Line. The car, decked out in a matte white "ice" paint scheme, was unveiled at the Yas Marina Circuit that just recently played host to the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Not much in the way of details were given, but only 12 examples will be produced: one for each of the twelve Maserati dealerships in the region, also honoring the twelve trophies (including constructors', drivers' and teams' titles) that the GranTurismo's big brother, the MC12, has racked up in the FIA GT Championship since 2005. The Trident marque has also announced a second run of 11 examples decked out in matte white pearl for its domestic Italian market.

Gallery: Maserati GranTurismo S MC Sport Line

[Source: Maserati]

Continue reading Maserati rolls out limited edition GranTurismo for Middle East

Maserati rolls out limited edition GranTurismo for Middle East originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: Gran Turismo Best in Show is the Trans-Cammer Mustang

Frank Filipponio — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:33:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Coupe, Performance, Ford

Philip Koenen's "Trans-Cammer" 1970 Ford Mustang. Click above for high-res image gallery

Phillip Koenen brought a really gorgeous, miles-deep-black, 1970 Mustang to SEMA and came away with another fine piece of hardware:The Gran Turismo Best in Show award. For the past several years, Sony Computer Entertainment America has hosted these awards, which honor some of the coolest cars at SEMA.

Koenen's SOHC 427-powered "Trans-Cammer" snagged the Best Hot Rod award in addition to winning Best in Show. Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi awarded the trophy himself at the awards ceremony, which rocked The Palms' Rain nightclub Wednesday night. In addition to the the trophy, Koenen's beloved "Trans-Cammer" Mustang wins the right to be featured in a future installment of the Gran Turismo series.

Other Gran Turismo Award winners included Scott Bailey and Tony Vanillo's Ford F-250 Unlimited 2 Class short-course race truck in the Best Truck/SUV category; Chris Rado's World Racing Unlimited front-wheel-drive time attack Scion TC as Best Asian Import; KC Howet's 2009 Underground Racing Lamborghini LP560-4TT in Best European Import; and Nicholas Ashby's Moment Carbon Camaro for Best Domestic Automobile. Sounds like a dream garage to us. Follow the jump to read the official press release, and don't forget to check out the gallery as well.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: 1970 Trans-Cammer Mustang

Continue reading SEMA 2009: Gran Turismo Best in Show is the Trans-Cammer Mustang

SEMA 2009: Gran Turismo Best in Show is the Trans-Cammer Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA Sweeps: Win one of five Sony PSP/Gran Turismo bundles - Day 4

John Neff — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:20:00 EST

Filed under: Toys/Games

It's Day 4 of our SEMA Sweeps! After giving away three of five limited-edition PSP/Gran Turismo bundles, we're ready to give away our fourth. Yesterday's winner has been randomly selected and contacted, so here's how you can win today.

We're doing this in honor of the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, and with it, the Seventh Annual GT Awards, so take advantage of our generosity and follow the directions below for your chance to win.

Today we're asking whether you prefer the PSP-3000 or new PSP Go. Your answer won't have any effect on your chances of winning since the sweepstakes winner is drawn at random, so pick your favorite portable Sony system, leave a comment and keep your fingers crossed!

Entering is easy. All you have to do is:

Leave a comment in this post telling us whether you prefer the PSP-3000 or PSP Go.
You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the U.S. or Canada (excluding Quebec, désolé!)
Limit 1 entry per person per day
This entry period ends at 3:00PM EST on Friday, November 6
At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive one PSP/GT bundle (ARV $199.99) that includes a Mystic Silver PSP-3000 system, Gran Turismo PSP game on UMD, a PlayStation Network downloadable voucher for a white Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo, PlayStation Network downloadable movie voucher (title TBD) and Sony MusicPass voucher good for 10 downloadable songs.
For a list of complete rules, click here

That's it - it's free and easy. Good luck!

SEMA Sweeps: Win one of five Sony PSP/Gran Turismo bundles - Day 4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA Sweeps: Win one of five Sony PSP/Gran Turismo bundles - Day 2

Chris Paukert — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST

We're on to Day 2 of the SEMA Sweeps in which we're giving to you, dear readers, five limited-edition PSP/Gran Turismo bundles over five days. Yesterday's winner has been randomly selected and contacted, so it's time to move on and give away our second of five prizes.

We're doing this in honor of the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, and with it, the Seventh Annual GT Awards, so take advantage of our generosity and follow the directions below for your chance to win. Note that we've changed our request from favorite cars in Gran Turismo PSP to favorite tracks, a partial list of which is linked to in the directions below. Your answer in the comment won't have any effect on your chances of winning since the sweepstakes winner is drawn at random, so pick a track, leave a comment and keep your fingers crossed!

Entering is easy. All you have to do is:

Leave a comment in this post telling us your favorite track featured in Gran Turismo PSP (Hint: Here's a partial list)
You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the U.S. or Canada (excluding Quebec, désolé!)
Limit 1 entry per person per day
This entry period ends at 1:30PM EST on Wednesday, November 4
At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive one PSP/GT bundle (ARV $199.99) that includes a Mystic Silver PSP-3000 system, Gran Turismo PSP game on UMD, a PlayStation Network downloadable voucher for a white Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo, PlayStation Network downloadable movie voucher (title TBD) and Sony MusicPass voucher good for 10 downloadable songs.
For a list of complete rules, click here

That's it - it's free and easy. Good luck!

UPDATE: Sorry folks, comments were accidentally disabled when the post went live. They're now active and we've extended Day 2's entry period to 1:30PM EST on Wednesday, November 4 to make up for the lost time.

SEMA Sweeps: Win one of five Sony PSP/Gran Turismo bundles - Day 2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA Sweeps: Win one of five Sony PSP/Gran Turismo bundles! - Day 1

Chris Paukert — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST

Because our thumbs are practically aching in anticipation of the new Gran Turismo 5 game for Playstation 3, we've been hunting high and low for ways to keep our inner-child occupied until its release. Thankfully, the folks at Polyphony Digital and Sony have teamed up to make our wait more bearable with their new limited-edition PSP/Gran Turismo bundle, and we thought it'd be nice to share this welcome bit of relief with the Autoblog faithful.

As this week also marks the start of the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, and with it, the Seventh Annual GT Awards, we couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than by giving away one PSP/Gran Turismo bundle per day for five straight days!

Entering is easy. All you have to do is:

Leave a comment in this post telling us your favorite car featured in Gran Turismo PSP (Hint: Here's the compete list)
You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the U.S. or Canada (excluding Quebec, largely due to Celine Dion)
Limit 1 entry per person per day
This entry period ends at 12:00PM EST on Tuesday, November 3
At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive one PSP/GT bundle (ARV $199.99) that includes a Mystic Silver PSP-3000 system, Gran Turismo PSP game on UMD, a PlayStation Network downloadable voucher for a white Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo, PlayStation Network downloadable movie voucher (title TBD) and Sony MusicPass voucher good for 10 downloadable songs.
For a list of complete rules, click here

That's it - it's free and easy. Good luck!!

UPDATE - Date of Day 1's entry period ending corrected.

SEMA Sweeps: Win one of five Sony PSP/Gran Turismo bundles! - Day 1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: BMW looking at cheaper 5 Series Gran Turismo, rules out M model

Chris Paukert — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Wagon, Europe, Crossover, Hatchback, BMW, Rumormill, Diesel

BMW 535i Gran Turismo - Click above for high-res image gallery

The famed automotive pot-stirrers at Autocar are at it again. According to two blurbs from the UK publication, BMW's new 5 Series Gran Turismo may spawn at least one less costly, less powerful variant, but a high-performance M version is apparently off the table.

On the fuel and financial economy front, Bimmer is reportedly considering adding four-cylinder powerplants to the controversial new five-door, including the 175 bhp diesel from the 320d. A twin-turbo diesel may also be in the cards. The fear here is that the premium-priced 5GT may in fact be priced too aggressively, as it stickers above a comparable 5 Series Touring model. In any case, we don't expect to see the less-powerful diesel Stateside, although we wouldn't be terribly suprised if the company chose to shoehorn in something like the twin-turbo 3.0-liter diesel already on offer in the 335d.

On the M side of the equation, Autocar says that the gasoline V8-powered 550i will remain the pinnacle of the range, as BMW has "ruled out" a M-Technik variant. Given that BMW has recently seen fit to move M beyond traditional cars (see: X5 and X6) and that these higher performance models often have thicker margins attached, this strikes us as somewhat curious decision - especially as the 5GT figures to be the most dynamically promising of the bunch. This source also doesn't jibe with what we heard from BMW officials just last month when we drove the car in Portugal. At that time, the official line was that no decision had been made, but knowing glances and meek smiles seemed to indicate that things looked good for the model.

In other words, we'll believe it when we (don't) see it.

Gallery: First Drive: BMW 535i Gran Turismo

[Source: Auto car]

Rumormill: BMW looking at cheaper 5 Series Gran Turismo, rules out M model originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: Maserati relabels GranCabrio as GranTurismo Convertible for North American market

Noah Joseph — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Maserati

Maserati GranTurismo Convertible (nee GranCabrio) - Click above for high-res image gallery

What's in a name, you ask? A lot, especially when you're trying to increase market share against such storied brands as Aston Martin, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, to name just a few.

Maserati took the wraps off its first proper four-seat convertible at last month's Frankfurt Motor Show. But while the open-air version of the GranTurismo coupe will be sold as the GranCabrio in overseas markets, the Italian automaker has seen fit to give the vehicle a more straightforward name in North America.

When the GranCabrio goes on sale in the United States, Canada and Mexico - as well as Australia and New Zealand - it will be sold as the GranTurismo Convertible. Pricing has yet to be officially announced, but dealers are already taking orders for the new cabrio in advance of its arrival in time for next summer. Details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Maserati GranCabrio

[Source: Maserati]

Continue reading PSA: Maserati relabels GranCabrio as GranTurismo Convertible for North American market

PSA: Maserati relabels GranCabrio as GranTurismo Convertible for North American market originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Japanese market Gran Turismo PSP commercial is fantastic and revolting

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:55:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Videos, Toys/Games

Gran Turismo PSP Commercial - Click above to watch the video after the break

Don't worry, this video is totally safe for work. But we're saying revolting because we can remember back years ago we watched Clint Eastwood's Pink Cadillac with a friend's father who happened to restore muscle cars for a living. Anywho, as you might imagine the 1959 Cadillac gets pretty dinged up throughout the course of the film - fairly often, too. As such, my pal's dad was not only cringing at every dent, scrape and rumpled piece of metal, but actively screaming at the TV. Mostly stuff like this, "What not-nice-people! Why would they do such horrible things to such a wonderful, historic car?!?" More or less.

Now, we're not prudes. We like the destruction of cars. From the Jeremy Clarkson style (kill bad cars!) and the Ca$h For Clunker$ style (Kill ALL cars - hey, creative destruction is a valid economic theory) to 24 Hours of LeMons style (let's race dead cars! Er, kill that one car!). There's just something wonderful about smoking engines, twisted sheet metal and precious fluids spilled all over tarmac -- no matter what the car. That said, the video you're about to watch, well, it's a little hard to stomach. So, let's just call it mildly revolting. Also, we're supposed to mention something about damage rendering, or the lack there of, but, uh... Ready? Jump!

Continue reading VIDEO: Japanese market Gran Turismo PSP commercial is fantastic and revolting

VIDEO: Japanese market Gran Turismo PSP commercial is fantastic and revolting originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Gran Turismo 5 box art and packaging, SLS AMG may be cover car

Chris Shunk — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:19:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Mercedes-Benz, Toys/Games

Click above to watch the video after the jump

Gran Turismo 5. We've teased you in the past with constantly shifting debut dates and posted most every video we can find. But today is a new day, and this time we're going to show you... another video. GT5 creator Kazunori Yamauchi sat down with GT Planet to discuss how much work goes into the five-year project known as Gran Turismo 5, along with some speculation as to which vehicle will grace the game's cover.

It's no secret that the Mercedes Benz SLS AMG will be featured in GT5, and Yamauchi actually took the uber-exotic gull-winged supercar for a spin on the legendary Nürburgring to ensure that GT5 has the proper driving dynamics. Both the 'Ring and the SLS AMG were digitally rendered pixel by pixel, aided by the game's physics calculation model. Yamauchi calls the game a driving simulator because the calculation model adds exact information about every physical aspect of each vehicle, ensuring that each one behaves in the game exactly how it drives on the road because "that's something we can't actually touch. If the original car is made well, it'll drive well."

Yamouri likes the SLS AMG so much that the vehicle could hold the honored position of being the cover girl on the upcoming game's packaging. And speaking of the game's cover, the video also shows a few seconds of Yamauchi handing over what appears to be a GT5 box set to a co-worker. The glossy box contained what appears to be black, red and blue Blu-ray cases. We're thinking it's a special edition box set for the most rabid of fans, and we hope we're right.

Hit the jump to check out the video. Let's hope that Daimler's newest supercar isn't ready for a refresh by the time GT5 finally hits stores.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG in Gran Turismo 5

[Source: Joystiq]

Continue reading VIDEO: Gran Turismo 5 box art and packaging, SLS AMG may be cover car

VIDEO: Gran Turismo 5 box art and packaging, SLS AMG may be cover car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Has Gran Turismo 5 been postponed?

Chris Shunk — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:57:00 EST

We don't know if the marketing folks at Polyphony Digital are messing with us or if building one of the most impressive racing simulators of all time is just really, really hard. For some reason, the rumored release date of the hotly anticipated Gran Turismo 5 is jumping around like the rear axle of a gen one Cadillac CTS-V. We've heard December 29, 2009, late 2009 and even a March 2010 Japan release. Now comes word on the Amazon website that GT5 is going to be released on March 31, 2010. Frankly, we liked "late 2009" a lot more, but it appears we have little say in the matter.

Who knows, the constant date-shifting could be a heartless attempt by Kazunori Yamauchi and his minions to keep their perpetually forthcoming release in the news. We're thinking it's time to stop with the tomfoolery and get this thing launched. Five years and an all-new gaming console is long enough to wait for the answer to GT4.

Gallery: Gran Turismo 5 screen shots

[Source: Gran Turismo]

Has Gran Turismo 5 been postponed? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Toyota FT-86 Concept finds its way into Gran Turismo 5

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Japan, Videos, Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota

Toyota FT-86 concept - Click above to watch video after the jump

That didn't take long. Hot on the heels of the Toyota FT-86 Concept's reveal, we've got videographic proof that ToMoCo's new boxer-powered 2+2 is bound for the virtual circuits of Gran Turismo 5.

Make the jump to see a darkened shot of the C-4S flat-four underhood, followed by the FT-86 romping through some European backroads, running a street circuit and then sliding sideways at Tsukuba with its predecessor and inspiration, the original Toyota AE86 Corolla.

Gallery: Toyota FT-86 Concept

Continue reading VIDEO: Toyota FT-86 Concept finds its way into Gran Turismo 5

VIDEO: Toyota FT-86 Concept finds its way into Gran Turismo 5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Behind the scenes of the PSP vs Driver ad

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Videos, Chevrolet, Ford, Nissan, Toys/Games

Gran Turismo for PSP - Click above image to view the video after the jump

If you missed the Gran Turismo Playstation Portable ad we featured earlier this week, have a look. We'll wait...

Back? Great. What you saw was Tanner Foust and Rhys Millen running around Laguna Seca, with Millen behind the wheel of a Corvette ZR1 and Foust riding shotgun while running the track on Sony's PSP.

Millen was kind enough to sent us a link to a behind the scenes video of the shoot, and along with Foust and Millen, we also get to see director Jeff Zwart and Rhy's rally champion father, Rod Millen, driving a few other cars during filming. Zwart is a long time rally driver/racer along with being a photographer and filmmaker, and in the new clip we get to see a few other cars (GT-R, Ford GT and... is that an E39 M5? Awesome!) mixing it up and getting sideways at speed with a camera car in the middle of the action. Best job ever? Pretty close. Make the jump to check it out.

Continue reading VIDEO: Behind the scenes of the PSP vs Driver ad

VIDEO: Behind the scenes of the PSP vs Driver ad originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Gran Turismo PSP ad at Laguna Seca is art imitating life imitating art. Or something.

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising, Toys/Games

Gran Turismo for PSP - click above image to watch the video

In terms of tracks, we'd guess that while the Nürburgring gets the most press, Laguna Seca is number two. And with good reason, as Mazda's Raceway is fast, technical, beautiful and challenging. Plus, because the famed track's in Caramel, California, you get gorgeous, picture postcard weather for ten months of the year. If not more. Then, of course, there's the famous Corkscrew, and all of the hijinks that it ensures.

So large is Laguna's legend that Sony is now using to the track to sell its newly PSP ported version of Gran Turismo, the ever popular racing game. And as far as commercials go, this is one of the few we wish were a few minutes longer. The 'vert takes place on track at Laguna Seca where a Corvette ZR1 is chasing down a Ford GT and Nissan GT-R. And is that Tanner Foust? We think it is. Also, bonus points for whoever can identify the car the Blue Devil passes at the very beginning. Okay, we've stalled long enough. Make the jump to watch the video.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Gran Turismo PSP ad at Laguna Seca is art imitating life imitating art. Or something.

VIDEO: Gran Turismo PSP ad at Laguna Seca is art imitating life imitating art. Or something. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Gran Turismo PSP opening movie - Here come the supercars

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Toys/Games

Gran Turismo for Sony PSP - Click above to watch the video after the break

The folks who have crafted Gran Turismo for Sony's PSP have put together an opening movie sequence, and as you might imagine, it is chock full of supercars. And we mean bursting-at-its-pixelated-seams with just about every hot car you could ever want to drive on the road, the dirt, and the track.

The rendered moments are drop dead (especially for a handheld), but even the gameplay intercuts look pretty sweet. Click through to the jump and check it out - it will give you something to until GT5 comes out. Thanks for the tip, Will!

[Source: GranTurismo.com]

VIDEO: Gran Turismo PSP opening movie - Here come the supercars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gran Turismo 5 to ship internationally in late 2009 after all?

Chris Shunk — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Toys/Games

Gran Turismo 5 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Last week, Sony announced that Gran Turismo 5 would launch by March 2010. The folks at Polyphony Digital don't see things that way, though, as company boss Kazunori Yamauchi told reporters at a GT5 event that the game could launch in late 2009. And Yamauchi has apparently mentioned that both U.S. and European street dates won't be far behind the game's Japan launch, but the GT5 founder says that the exact launch date will be determined by marketing. Marketing? How about a soft launch for the hardcore GT5 enthusiasts while the ad geeks figure out how to sell the most advanced version of one of the most popular racing game franchises in history?

In the meantime, our compatriots over at Joystiq have the lowdown on some additional gaming specifics that could be of interest to rabid GT5 fanboys. For starters, there will be over 70 variations of 20 or more locations, and some 950 cars will be on offer. Check out our high-res image gallery and learn more at the link below.

Gallery: Gran Turismo 5

[Source: Joystiq]

Gran Turismo 5 to ship internationally in late 2009 after all? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gran Turismo 5 will launch March 2010... in Japan

Chris Shunk — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Toys/Games

Gran Turismo 5 - Click above for high-res image gallery

When Gran Turismo 4 was launched in Japan for the Playstation 2, George Bush was just getting ready to start his second term and the Chrysler 300 was the big buzz in the auto world. In other words, January 10, 2005 was a very long time ago, and we're probably going to have to wait a while longer before we can finally get our hands on the highly anticipated Gran Turismo 5. After half a decade of waiting for GT5, Sony has finally announced that the racing franchise will go on sale - in Japan - in March 2010. That's six months after the PSP version of the game goes on sale, and we still don't know when we'll be able to get our hands on the PS3 version here in the States.

When GT5 does arrive, all evidence points to a very dynamic gaming experience. Advanced damage rendering, weather changes, night races, NASCAR and incredible detail have all been promised, and since we're being forced to wait so long, we're holding Kazunori Yamauchi personally responsible for GT5's success or failure.

Gallery: Gran Turismo 5

[Source: Kotaku]

Gran Turismo 5 will launch March 2010... in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: BMW 535i Gran Turismo evolves the wagon with clever packaging, solid dynamics and... a prehensile tail?

Chris Paukert — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Crossover, Hatchback, BMW, First Drive, Design/Style, Diesel, Luxury

BMW 535i Gran Turismo - Click above for high-res image gallery

Evolution is a tough thing to watch - and not merely because it takes millions of years. While the developmental pace of the automobile has proven to be rather quicker than the natural world surrounding it, the car industry's recent house-on-fire rush into new niches and sub-genres has often been similarly challenging to make sense of. Like those primordial fish that beach themselves, drag their bellies on the sand with their fins and eventually mutate into, say, Adriana Lima, you just have to know that the industry's recent diversification efforts will eventually yield a timeless beauty or two. But thus far, you could be forgiven for thinking that the process will take a few hundred millennia - especially where it concerns the industry's nascent call-me-anything-but-a-station-wagon movement.

While the burgeoning four-door coupe segment has already yielded some supermodels, the kinlugger set has yet to work out the same way. This, despite seemingly every automaker downing the midnight Red Bull in an effort to hit upon a package that bundles the functional attributes of a family hauler without their social stigma. Some companies are disguising their efforts as SUVs (traditional square-rigged crossovers); a few have waded in with quasi-minivans, while others are staking their claim to the muddy hatchback middle ground. Enter the latest automotive platypus, BMW's 5 Series Gran Turismo, a distinctive new five-door that aims to meld the practical utility of a CUV and a station wagon without the either genre's dynamic and civil penalties.

Gallery: First Drive: BMW 535i Gran Turismo

Continue reading First Drive: BMW 535i Gran Turismo evolves the wagon with clever packaging, solid dynamics and... a prehensile tail?

First Drive: BMW 535i Gran Turismo evolves the wagon with clever packaging, solid dynamics and... a prehensile tail? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Beyond Gran Turismo 5 - Koenigsegg CCX

Chris Shunk — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:33:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Videos, Toys/Games

Koenigsegg CCX rendered - Click above to view the video after the jump

We're pretty excited about the new Gran Turismo 5 video game for the PlayStation 3 and PSP, and the sneak peeks we've seen so far have been astonishingly good. We know GT5 will have some sweet damage rendering capabilities, night racing and weather changes. Plus, we know the graphics are damned impressive. But clearly there's more on the table.

GT5 will be all well and good, but what we're about to show you is about as eye-popping as anything you're going to see. After the jump is a video rendering of the rare and alluring Koenigsegg CCX done by a company called Proper Graphics. It is not, as originally thought, a teaser from GT5.

The clip is only 1:47 long, the engine doesn't start and the tires don't even budge. It's just a series of hovering camera shots of the CCX on a beautiful cobblestone road, and the detail is just shy of breathtaking. The sheetmetal, carbon fiber and interior appointments are about as detailed as anything we've ever seen, and we're hoping that we can expect a taste of this sort of thing in future GT installments. Hit the jump to see it for yourself.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Beyond Gran Turismo 5 - Koenigsegg CCX

VIDEO: Beyond Gran Turismo 5 - Koenigsegg CCX originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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