From GTPlanet Game Guides

Here, you will find the latest news on this demo of Gran Turismo! For the very latest, check out amar212's thread where he and the rest of the community will update us and discuss whatever news they find. We will try and add it in here as soon as we can. Check out their official website at http://www.gran-turismo.com/jp/ while you wait for more action!

Here are a few images to get your heart pumping! (56k user warning):

Many more images and videos can be found in GTP's gallery, here.

*Latest News* 1.12.06 - Gran Turismo HD has been officialy canned

Via its Japanese website, Sony has announced that Gran Turismo HD will only be available as a downloadable demo from PlayStation Store and will not be released as a full product.

Polyphony’s CEO and producer of the GT series, Kazunori Yamaouchi says the company has decided to focus directly on Gran Turismo 5 while offering consumers a work-in-progress via the GT-HD Concept demo. That will be available for download in Japan on December 24.

He said, ““GT-HD Concept” features 10 cars, 1 course with 2 layouts, Time Attack and Drift Trial modes. It also delivers a full HD visual experience reinforced with the new engine being developed for GT5. It has no online support other than a network ranking. The online experience will come with GT5."

No date has been fixed for GT5, although Yamaouchi says there may be further Concept demos in the future. He says the decision was made in the aftermath of TGS. Demos at E3 last year failed to impress gathered journalists, and the future of Gran Turismo has been the subject of much speculation.

More info at japanese site http://www.gran-turismo.com/jp/sp/d374.html.

*Old news below*

FIRST OFFICIAL PRESS-RELEASE (3th Oct 2006):

Gran Turismo HD ™ featuring Ferrari GT Cars

Paris, France, September 28, 2006 - Polyphony Digital Inc. announced today a new and exciting collaboration together with Ferrari S.p.A. Ferrari cars will appear starting with the upcoming Gran Turismo HD, coming to the PLAYSTATION 3 ® format in 2007 in Japan, Asia, North America, and Europe. The first models represented will be the 599 GTB Fiorano and the F430. The graphical power of the PLAYSTATION 3 ® will allow the display of these prestigious cars in never before seen in “Full HD” quality. The realism of the driving simulation proposed by Gran Turismo HD will allow millions of users to experience the thrills of driving Ferrari GT cars.

“It is with great pleasure and honor we announce this great partnership with our friends at Ferrari.”, said Kazunori Yamauchi, president of Polyphony Digital Inc. and creator of the Gran Turismo franchise titles, “We are looking forward to the exciting possibilities that await us in the future, and hope to share them with you when details are more visible.”

"We are enthusiastic to start this new collaboration with Sony, and are very excited that the Ferrari GT cars will be featured within the Gran Turismo series, one of the most successful driving simulations ever", said Giulio Zambeletti, director of Ferrari Brand Development & Partners department.

The latest issue of Famitsu has an interview with Kazunori Yamauchi for the new Gran Turismo on PS3:

• They'll release 2 versions for the new Gran Turismo (they use the same "Gran Turismo HD" name of the E3 demo for the product names) for the PS3 soon. Both support online multiplayer.

• The proper GT5 is going to hit in 2008. GT HD is meant to grow the rich network service before GT5. The online modes are based on the 4 modes in GT4nline beta (Quick Race/Tuned Race/Private Race/Time Attack) and several other modes are added. The online will be launched worldwide at the same time.

• Gran Turismo HD: Premium is essentially a GT5 prologue that uses the full graphics power of the PS3. (Pictures show a 3D spectator crowd, very detailed car models with interiors.) The weather changes while racing. It comes with 2 courses (both original and new, city and nature) and 30 cars including new ones. You can buy additional 30 cars and 2 courses (real circuits) later online. This version (or both GT HD, not sure) is a pure driving simulator and almost a tool. You don't get cars in in-game events, you just do whatever you want with games and courses or buy new ones via online.

• Gran Turismo HD: Classic is what adopts the GT:HD playable demo at E3 and meant to showcase the online aspect. A race is done with about 20 cars. Apparently this version starts with no cars or courses. You download a car for 50 - 100 yen (0.43 - 0.85$) and a course for 200 - 500 yen (1.71 - 4.26$). Over 750 cars and 50 tracks are available for purchase. Users can define race events freely and can hold online race events by themselves.

• Not all cars and courses are available on the release date, they are added monthly. Some models may be a limited release for 1000 units. New playing modes and tuning parts may be available via download. It's still undecided if they allow trade among users in fear of real money trade.

Source link: http://www.beyond3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33831

Additional information from various sources:

• Downloads are to be optional. Some sources has mentioned that translation for japanese articles is bad - exact translation should mean that downloads should be optional for players who doe not want to bother with playing the game in order to unlock something. This - as well as all other info - is still very unofficial.

• No official press-release about all features GTHD has been published yet.

NOTE: ALL STATED ABOVE IS STILL UNOFFICIAL AND HAS BEEN COLECTED FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.