GTPlanet

If you’ve seen lots of pictures and videos from the show floor at last week’s GamesCom convention, you probably noticed this full-size, Audi TT motion simulator running what appears to be a special version of Gran Turismo 5: Prologue.  While this isn’t the first time we’ve seen a motion simulator hooked up to a copy of GT (indeed, this same Audi was brought to the Leipzig Games Convention last year), you can only imagine how badly manufactures of consumer-grade “motion seats” would love to interface their own products with future GT titles…

Did any GTPlanet readers at the show get to try this out?  What were your impressions?

When GTPlanet reviewed the VisionRacer VR3 earlier this year, we really loved what we saw. Anyone dedicated to their sim-racing hobby would be hard-pressed to find something to match the VisonRacer’s ergonomics, beauty, or quality of construction. Craftsmanship is not cheap, though, and the VR3 is still a significant investment for most gamers. To help out, the VisionRacer guys are offering a special price just for GTPlanet readers: $999 with free shipping to the U.S..

To take advantage of the offer, shoot them an email and let them know you’re coming from GTP. Shortly thereafter, you’ll have the perfect accessory for Gran Turismo 5 ready and waiting in your living room. I use a VR3 myself, and it has completely changed the way I view sim racing. If it’s something you’ve been considering, this promotion is a great opportunity to take your hobby to the next level for less money than ever before.

UPDATE: Just learned from the VisionRacer guys that, due to the incredible response from this promotion with free shipping for U.S. customers, the promotion will soon be coming to other countries as well.  If you’re in the UK, sit tight!

GTPlanet independently verified leaked shots of the new Logitech G27 a while back, but many of you still weren’t convinced.  Earlier this week, however, a VirtualR reader just happened to stumble upon the new wheel at Logitech’s own web site.  He wisely nabbed screenshots while the pages and images were still online to verify his discovery.  Although there doesn’t appear to be any new technical details revealed in the Portugese product description visible in the screenshots, it confirms the exterior design (including the six wheel buttons, thicker wheel, shift light indicators, and the suspiciously absent shift mode selector switch).  It’s becoming more and more likely, however, that the G27 is simply an evolutionary update to the G25, as opposed to a radical new design with lots of additional features.  We’ll keep you updated, of course, as more information is released.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is something that’s almost too good to be true – it’s the world’s largest gathering of the mostexotic, rare, and desirable cars you can imagine, and it takes place every summer in the beautiful English countryside.  Of course, it always attracts some of the biggest stars from motorsports, but Kazunori Yamauchi, GT Academy winner Lucas Ordonez, and the Citroen GT made this year’s show all the more special for GTPlanet members in attendance.

Yamauchi was particularly busy, spotted filming lots of material for what is assumed to be Gran Turismo TV.  He slipped behind the wheel of a 1966 Jaguar XJ13 – the only one ever produced, with an estimated value of $11 million (feel free to speculate about its inclusion in GT5).  He also sat down with F1 drivers David Coulthard and Mark Webber as “part of a documentary he’s making,” according to Red Bull Racing.  Lucas also got in on the action, hanging out with Yamauchi at the show and meeting current Formula 1 Championship points leader Jenson Button.  He also got the chance to drive the famous Goodwood Hillclimb himself, piloting a new Nissan 370Z.

A big thanks to RetroGlide for sharing these excellent pictures from the event with us!  Take a look at our full gallery after the jump for more…

UPDATE: Just added a new batch of photos TVR&Ferrari_Fan. Check out his full gallery on DeviantArt for even more!

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Now it’s time for something that’s strange, funny, and disturbing all at the same time!  In his weekly column for the Times Online, infamous Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has told a bizarre and hilarious tale on himself.  It all started when Clarkson’s wife purchased an offensive t-shirt for him, with a nasty word in big, bold letters on the front.  Of course, he couldn’t help but wear it to work for Top Gear rehearsals, providing lots of laughs until Kazunori Yamauchi and his team dropped in for a visit…

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The Logitech G25 was one of the first steering wheels to introduce a clutch pedal and gated 6-speed shifter.  It’s success has prompted other wheel manufacturers like Fanatec to jump in the game, fueling competition in this niche market to new heights.  Now, with the G25 pushing 3 years old, everyone is watching Logitech to make a move.

Rumblings about their next device have been occuring in all corners of the web, but we’ve just nabbed the best confirmation of the new wheel thanks to the keen eyes of GTPlanet reader “Homerfreak”.  One of the developers at Codemasters accidentally included the Logitech G27 in the list of compatable wheels for their new game, DiRT 2.  Unsurprisingly, the post was quickly edited, but not before Homerfreak wisely nabbed this screenshot.

This isn’t the first time the G27 name has been mentioned, though – if you take a look around the web, you’ll not only find rudimentary information, but pictures, too!  Of course, nothing has been confirmed officially by Logitech, but here are a few changes you can almost certainly count on from leaked photos:

• Thicker steering wheel.
• 6 buttons on the wheel.
• Shift indicator lights.

Few people gave much weight to these pictures when they surfaced late last year.  However, although the final design could obviously change, GTPlanet can independently verify their authenticity for now.  It’s important to closely watch the development of Logitech wheels, given the company’s long, close relationship with Polyphony Digital.  It would not be unreasonable to expect the G27 to hit at roughly the same time as GT5… Stay tuned!

Polyphony Digital’s Citroën GT is set to become one of the most expensive “production cars” (if you can really call it that…) sold today, coming in at £1.1 million pounds or approximately $1.8 million U.S. dollars.  AutoCar got the scoop from “senior inside sources”, who revealed that only six of the cars will be made -- all of which will be powered by either a “Ford or GM V8″.  That’s considerably less than the 20 production models that were hinted at before, but according to AutoCar, “most of the concept’s features should make the final production version, including the carbon-fibre construction and eccentric interior details such as the copper trim.”  Sweet!  The final production version of the car is expected to be launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September.

While you’re saving up, check out this video showing the GT’s recent tour around London.

Polyphony Digital’s Citroen GT concept car has been busier than ever – first appearing at the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring, hitting up the 24 Hours of Le Mans a few weeks ago, and now stopping traffic as it drives the London street circuit from GT5 Prologue.  Of course, this made for some pretty impressive photo ops, which you can see below.  The car is slowly making its way to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, taking place July 3-5.  Full press release after the jump…

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