Yamauchi Talks Hybrid Cars in Video Interview

Thanks to gamer28 for digging up this short-but-sweet interview by AOL Autos with Kazunori Yamauchi, as he discusses the role that hybrid cars will play in Gran Turismo 5. Most notably, he also mentions you’ll be able to “tune” hybrids – with the recommendation of turbo-charging the new Honda CR-Z which will be featured in the game.

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Comments (160)

  1. BoBo

    All i care about is my bugattis,my ferraris , my lambos, my koenigseggs. but the hybrids different adding diversity.

  2. Marcus

    I wonder if there will be eco-races were your given a full tank and have to go around the course until you run out.

  3. Alex

    I really appreciate how Kaz said he’s including the Hybrid out of technical curiosity. His whole demeanor will help people accept the idea that this is the future of motorsports.

    Perhaps this why sound has been taking a back seat? I don’t understand the obsession with sound, it seems a tad…mid-twentieth century to me. But hey, there’s alot of cars out of that 1000 which aren’t hybrid so you never know.

    We have a nice amount of supercars already. Bring on all the hybrids/concepts you can get PD!

  4. Beezball

    I love that at the end of the video they are talking about how nice it would be if more people were like that inventor and were more friendly to the environment, when right across the street was an SRT-8 Jeep.

    It would have been a more interesting video if he just test drove that instead.

  5. cuco33

    Personally I see the additions of hybrids and electrics as dumb. Never liked the idea. The tech in hybrids won’t even work when mashing the gas most of the time, as in the electric motor and batteries won’t kick in. So what’s the point of a car that might already be modeled in the game and might just have a difference in weight distribution or center of gravity? And electric cars adds even more fuel to this questionable fire.. How are long tracks/events going to be like with electrics? Charging the cells up isn’t a quick fuel fill only pitstop, it takes hours to get a cell’s charge properly up. Unless of course, in the spirit of gaming, we’ll see limited events they will work with or the pitstops being adjusted to work like a normal and quick fuel stop. These are definitely cars I can care less about. I won’t use them unless I have to, like crap or truck vehicles in prior GTs and even in Forza I have never ran (nor purchased) a truck yet (I’m a car guy, don’t like trucks, hate hybrids, think electrics are stupid, if anything give me a high torque low powered diesel, mk5 tdi jetta cup anyone? ;) )

  6. umm_K

    Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for clean air, lighter materials, and all that, but am I the only one that misses the smell of a 1960’s semi tractor belching clouds of gray black smoke when pulling hard, or an old dodge black vinyle interior that gives your butt 3rd degree burns if parked in the sun too long?
    Hybrids are fine in the game I guess, but I’d rather have more historic models.

  7. FlareKR

    Hooray! More crap! Into the pile of junk you go hybrids, along with the Daihatsus, and the 30 useless editions of the GT-R and S2000.

  8. lez67

    I’D LIKE TO HAVE WORLD & BRITISH TOURING CARS IN THE GAME & SOME 80’S CLASSICS LIKE THE FORD CAPRI’S,ESCORTS MK1,MK2’S THINGS LIKE THAT WOULD BE NICE TOO(YES I NO MK1 ESCORT WAS EARLIER THAN THE 80’S BUT IT IS A GREAT CAR)

    1. Autavia

      Complete grids of Group 4, Group A, Class I and II Touringcars from the 70:s on through the 90:s and round the globe…
      You have my vote.

  9. TokyoDrift

    Cool, so we get new challenges where the aim of the game is go as far as you can on as little fuel as possible… *yawn*

    1. Autavia

      It’s all about getting the balance right.
      Racing does not mean You floor it’n haul a*s. Fuel economy is important as well as saving tyres, espcially over longer distances. GT offers endurance racing, but if they aspire to offer [i]the[/i]driving simulator No.5 really should address these areas. IRL You really can’t pit every three laps or so laps to if You expect to win.

  10. GlobeKIDD

    Idk bout anyone else here, but when I hear hybrid, I think of Porsche and Ferrari HY-KERS systems, rather than ACTUAL hybrids.

    1. Autavia

      Hybrid? Well I’m thinking any kind of mix qualifies as hybrid. Holy or unholy. Take a “written off” Ferrari 512BB donor car, for example, rescued back to life with motor and tranny from a Porsche Boxster S. An “Inglorious Basterd” indeed.
      Or a custom built Nissan RB straight six with a 3-litre block from the aussie/South African Skyline R31 mated to a cylinder head from the RB20DE or, maybee, a head from the RB26DETT, with modified chambers for all motor purposes. Put that thing in a Datsun 240Z and voila: glorious, semi modern hybrid NA-power, in a retro rocket.
      Dream come true in GT5? One day less til’ launch.

    2. TokyoDrift

      Er, no. When I hear hybrid, I think of actual hybrids, such as the car mentioned in this very news article. What you hear is what you WANT hybrids to mean in GT.

    3. Autavia

      I expect nothing of that detail from a game. I’m however making a claim that the word hybrid is not synonymous to, or an exclusive description of, combustion-electric hybrid drive.
      If – and I do mean if – this rumoured, enhanced tuning feature allow swapping or building motors, those cars would qualify as a hybrid too, per definition. They just wont be the ones popularly known as hybrids. Could be fun, but not really essential to Gran Turismo in my opinion.
      I would have surprised me if “pop” hybrids were not included in No5. I expect them to be in there and to be tunable, just like they were in previous editions.
      Another day closer to launch.

  11. Alan

    Its mad the way americans slag the crap out of canadians for not pronouncing words properly when they themselfs cant say TURISMO right, what the f*ck is TUREEEEEESSMO, im not canadian by the way im european.

    1. TokyoDrift

      Well, for a start, they don’t say “TUREEEEEESSMO”. At best, it’s probably “TUREESMO” if you want to be phonetically-pedantic about it. Funny how you didn’t rip apart all of the numerous other words they pronounce differently… Either show some consistency, or don’t bother :o/

    1. JayKayEm

      Yep, sorry Niko, Gran Turismo does not recognise the role Porsche has played in motorsport.

      For whatever stupid legal/rights/lawer reason…..

    2. Autavia

      RUF:s got an all electric “eleven.” Not too unrealistic to expect that one in the game. As well as any other RUF, that is.

  12. chris

    wonder if the accelerator will get jammed on in the toyotas, now that would bring realism to a new high!!!

  13. Aero2000

    I like to see those hybridcars, and it’s not the first time either the first Prius was in GT2 and so on.. But I hope the Jay Leno car, Nike, Daihatsu Midget and those old Benz from the 1886 are out of the game…

    1. HenGTX

      Why? More cars is more fun though. I hope there will be more european hot hatches from the eighties and nineties.

    2. Aero2000

      HenGTX : I don’t like them that’s why… The Jay Leno car and the Nike are ugly, Daihatsu midget 60’s was fun at the first time and i don’t like the newer one either. Those four cars and both Benz from 1886 do not belong in GT5 in my opinion.. Not fun to drive specially those Benz…

  14. Honda-Crz

    Jordan, why is ”Honda CR-V” a tag? A Honda CR-V is a 4X4, the Honda CR-Z is the ”Sports hybrid”; the one in this interview.

  15. Smudgyboy

    The way I see it we ought to have cars that or not “Green” friendly, perhaps using endangered flowers or unobtainium to power them.

    Top speed what ever you like, you even make your own hybrid out of Balsa wood and titanium…electric drag cars that only last one run!

    Online figure of 8 racing last man standing, run what you make etc.

    Must stop taking to many hay fever tablets in one day they can really confuse you don’t you know!

  16. Paulpg87

    and what about the R8 le mans or the countach?.. oh ops are standard.. im’m surely more excited by the honda cr-z.. what a beast.

  17. Volk Zadovsky

    How is a Turbo gonna help an electric car anyway? If their saying that you can apply the turbo to the gasoline motor, whats the point of having that heavy battery in there in the first place if all I’m gonna have is an underpowered gasoline engine in an extra heavy car :l

  18. Mr. Premium

    I think it would be a shame if all the premium cars where just new (as in current model) cars, because most of the best ones are much older.

    For example: will GT5 have the BMW E30 M3? That wasn’t in GT4, but it’s a car they ought to include as one of the best handling road cars of all time. It should be a premium model! And what about the original Ford GT40, which was in GT4? What about icons like the Shelby Mustang GT350 or the Datsun 240Z? What about the Audi Ur (or Sport) quattro? The old Mini Coopers? And favorites like the Lotus Elise, and so on? These cars are way more important and interesting than alot of the brand new cars coming out today, why don’t they get the premium treatment?

    200 Premium cars might not be such a good idea if they’re biased specifically towards the brand new cars. I don’t want advertisements for any new cars either, hybrid or not! That’s the one thing the GT games have avoided, “recommending” cars to the player as opposed to equally displaying all of them.

  19. mcknight8279109

    i wanna see a hybrid camry in the game or even a camry SE for that matter lol and a 98 galant as well haha just to see how they portray the car lol just some normal cars that people drive maybe even a chevy tahoe lol everyone has one of those things lol

    1. bkeljda

      I would love to see a ’99 Chevy Suburban RWD with a 5.7 liter seeing as that’s the car I have.

  20. lado

    hmm i hope he impletates tuning for every car, at least the normal cars you can buy, the reace cars are tuned enough or ?! :D GT fiiiiiiiiiiiive :D

  21. Dave-o

    a few years ago people would have scoffed at diesels competing in racing. But then look at the LeMans victories to diesels. I am sure that one day electric cars will domintate in the same way. It’s when, not if IMO (although I still think hydrogen fuel cells and a pure electric cars are the way to go, as long as you can produce hydrogen in a green manner).

  22. p_kwiatek

    Is that mean that there is fuel consumption? And CR-Z will have got a Kinetic Energy Restore System?
    Can’t wait to play this and I hope that there will be my 1998 five door hatchback Civic :)

    1. KilzoneStrife

      Preeemiiium.all of them.including the ‘new’ cars to GTPSP ,thats the premium roster along with the GTP roster

  23. GT_Prologue5

    I think the CR-Z will be very fun to drive, and a hybrid sports race is not a bad idea. Teslas, Priuses, Insights, CR-Zs, maybe a Civic Hybrid, Ford Fusion Hybrid.

    What else would be a good race? Look above; SUVs such as GMC Terrain, Hyundai Tuscon, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4.
    And maybe they’ll replicate Toyota Prius ABS failures! :)

  24. Dom

    I’d love to have some bigger cars in the game, like SUVs or cars like the BMW 7 series, the new Jag or the Citroen C6.

    1. G

      I know GT5 will have pick up trucks. Ford lightening pick up, dodge ram quad cab… as for large saloons Im with you S class merc and 7 series would be cool… and although it sounds weird I would love to have rolls royce in there… no one says you can be classy while going around the ring haha

  25. KilzoneStrife

    I also just hope the biggest bank balance didnt determine which cars are in the premium pile..that would be not cool..

    1. ElieTheBear

      premium cars are new cars (gt5 prologue and gt5)… standard are old gran turismo cars they dont make new cars without interiors !

    2. Gamer GT5

      @ElieTheBear Yea I think PD are focusing on the new generation cars than the old. It maybe a few old ones though thats really a good classic like the skyline.

  26. KilzoneStrife

    Btw,Ive always loved the spectrum of cars,and I want the electric cars to be in.but you just know because of the deals going on between car manufacturers and PD,chances are all the electric cars ESPECIALLY this one will be premium……… ,with a possible 800standards not having,ahem,an interior point of view camera,dasboard view,in car view,cockpit view.etc etc.

  27. KilzoneStrife

    Did PD ‘sell’ us out? Kaz is whoring out that car.he appeared on that honda twitter thing for Honda.made that gps thing with toyota.designed the computer multifunction display in the skyline.I feel PD sold us out in a way.I’ll even throw in 3D in that mix.all the above affected the release date.yet in rolled the money and out rolled the time so we land on 200 premiums out of 1000 cars cuz of PDs outside gaming venture?

    1. P37Mac

      Unfortunatly PD have got to do a bit more than saying pretty please to get brand spankers cars in the game. A bit of collaboration with the bigger auto companies will always be necessary to ensure a sweet relationship and the future of GT.

    2. Simon H

      Have to disagree slightly with P37Mac, I think that GTs market and potential audience is so large that it simply acts as a great advertising billboard for anyone involved. An executive from Sony or PD will have said “We are going to sell X million games to people in a demographic that will buy your cars. What would you like us to put in?” at which point the car company drools and hands over the blueprints for the latest whatever!

  28. Allan

    *prays for the discovery of 100% environmentally friendly fuel which will not rob motorsports of its sounds*

  29. John Marine

    In my view, hybrids and electric cars and such have as much a place in Gran Turismo as… a Ferrari. That’s what makes Gran Turismo different from its Forza Motorsport rivals. They don’t only care about sporty and sports cars. Rather, basically the joy of driving and racing with a variety of cars. It would be more appealing just to have the fastest and most capable cars, but it’s the DEPTH (key word) of automobiles that has made the Gran Turismo series what it is. Hybrids only add to the illustrious appeal of cars in the game.

    Including these cars is almost like including the two Daimler cars from 1886 in Gran Turismo 4. I look at this more along the lines of a learning experience and a nod of importance than… driving really slow cars. Bring on the hybrids!

  30. BlackDog87

    I remember watching a short clip about the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid at the Nurburgring 24hr, and it described the relationship of braking and extra energy to the flywheel that gave an impressive power output (…or something). Even though the car retired after having an 11 hour lead, I’m thinking we’ll be seeing a lot more hybrids in future GT racing. So…I think this is quite important.

    1. Stu

      The 911 GT3 R hybrid will apparently be at PLM.

      Next year LMP1 cars will use hybrid systems.

      The system can be used for increased power or better fuel consumption (achieved by reducing revs/turbo boost).

  31. lilmann73

    Realism for hybrids: Totaled Priuses caused by electronic brake failure; Lexus’s engines failing to start. (Both Toyota, go figure)

    1. Zoork

      Bumper sticker I made for my car:
      “Caution: This vehicle makes frequent stops, but the toyota behind you might not….”

    2. JayKayEm

      Feel a bit sorry for Toyota. There are hundreds of recalls every year for all manufacturers, yet the media is focusing on Toyota :-S

    3. umm_K

      Very true, but at the same time, most of those recalls don’t involve serious critical failures of important things like brakes, has well has the failures also happening to involve a large percentage of the companies vehicle lineup. Doesn’t help when the company involved tries to hide it for has long has possible after they find out, and then when finnaly caught, blame the problem on everything but their own design. Top it off with minimizing the number recalled has much has possible, only expanding has complaints grow, and that makes it a news story.
      One of the toughest little cars my wife ever had was a little toyota carolla sold under the Geo Prizm name. She used to run it for months without more than a quart of oil in it. Good reliable car in many ways. So I expect better from toyota. Don’t feel a bit sorry for them.

    1. lilmann73

      I don’t suspect we’ll se a battery powered Dodge Charger or a ’69 Camaro plastered with solar panels.

  32. Super T

    Nothing wrong with hybrid racing, it sure spiced up the F1 racing last year.

    Is it just my imagination or is Kazunori looking older everytime we see him lately?

    1. Godzillla157890

      Yeah he sure does to me. I wonder if we’ll get more Gran Turismo games after Kaz dies sometime in the (hopefully) very late future.

  33. Sam__NY

    I’m glad that Kaz seems to be adding hybrid cars not because of their purpose, but because of their diversity.

    1. Gamer GT5

      @ Dylan

      Is Tourist Trophy really coming out next year? Where did you get that information from because i’m interested.

    2. snaketus

      We don’t want stupid motorcycles in a CAR racing game, really. Get a moto gp or something you want those.

    3. joe-tj

      in a recent interview,
      k-Yamauchi said that the addition of motorcycles in GT5 is technically possible
      but they have not yet thought about it

    4. Luke

      I ESPECIALLY want motorcycles in a car game. Racing a bike against a car on the tracks included in GT5 should be awesome.
      Is there a eMail address i can write my wish to ? ^^

    5. FlareKR

      In that case go buy Midnight Club and race the 3 bikes they have with the other 40 cars.
      Don’t forget the damage :-D

    6. Luke

      Sorry i forgot to mention that i want bikes and cars in one SERIOUS racing game :)
      Please don`t mention PGR4 now. A serious racing game does not reward you with points during a race. The reward should always be a better lap time :)

  34. UCLA'09

    This guy looked so surprised when Kaz talked about tuning the car in GT. WTH? didn’t he just say he played GT in college?

  35. CanAm1968

    I think the inclusion of the hybrids is really cool. This isnt something new from Kaz because he is also the same man who brought us the cool “concept cars” from the previous GT games. If you are truly a car guy…every car in the game will bring a new challenge to control. Sure, there is going to be cars you wont want to drive to often. For example…I loved the inclusion of the Model T in GT4. I thought it was interesting to drive…but it wasnt something I drove often because obviously, it was one of the slowest cars in my garage.

    I remember taking an awesome picture of the NIKE ONE concept car. I was at the Gran Canyon track on the section where the three jumps are back to back. I had all 4 wheels waaaaaaay off the ground and the car was coming straight at me with its bubble cabin and the driver(me) looked like Buzz Lightyear I swear… it was too funny!

    Well I just want to add GT5 cant come any sooner. Im so excited about driving the go kart for the first time and getting all of my licenses so I can race in any race. I hope they include the Missions section too. Hell yeah!

    1. Lachlan1662

      yer gokarts will be cool but also odd i mean is there any damage ? models /makes not much has been said about them and i think (but i hope not) they might be some lame gimik that we will rarely use :\

    1. Luke

      Oh my god, this car and this design is build to for a V10 or V12. How could they stick an muscle V8 in it ?

  36. Narly

    hehe so you would like to be killed? :D imagine one of the wires snap off and with all that electricity + rain emm… not a good idea :P XD

    1. gamer28

      haha didn’t think about that but I really don’t think damage model will be that advance to really affect the engine if the hood is slightly open and a drop of rains enters the engine bay haha….so we should be okay :p

    1. Jordan

      He can speak English but chooses not to for on-camera interviews as I don’t believe he is completely fluent.

    2. Nato_777

      He can say ‘thank you’. I suspect he can speak perfect english but doesn’t as a means of keeping everything obscure.

    3. Dom

      He is probably a typical japanese. They all get to learn english in school, but it’s rather pointless, as they are not really able to speak or understand english the way it’s useful in any way.
      I been in contact with high-end educated japanese people and for example, the say ‘koohhiii’ for ‘coffee’ and so on, which makes it really difficult to have a conversation. On the other hand, if we try to learn japanese it’s probably the same struggle for the japanese.

    4. Nemmeh

      I met him at GT Academy in 2008 when I got through as the top 3 UK players

      I had a cigarette with him and trust me, he cannot speak English, very limited – the guy on his left is his translator (who pretty much accompanies him everywhere he goes)

    5. Drogahnus

      Either that or they just cut out the parts of Translator-san translating back and forth because of time constraints.

  37. gamer28

    Well, hybrid cars behave a little different than regular cars because of the technology. Some are battery powered others are solar powered,etc. So I think it will be interesting to see what role they play in the game. Imagine a tesla roadster on fuji at night plus rain!! that would be something right there.

  38. Wolgibkay07

    I’d rather see porsche carrera gt in my gt garage, than a toyota prius. (sry for prius fans)

  39. Mickle Pickle

    Because Electric cars will be the future of racing, and GT wants to be at the forefront of those noiseless cars…

    In GT5, they will consume less energy when you play, over the regular gasoline engine cars! A First!

    1. Unkr3at1v

      Hope you are wrong with the future of racing! The advantage for PD: no worries about sound anymore! xD

    2. viejaloca

      LOL, some actually make noise like the Tesla. they sound like RC cars mixed with Jets! It’s actually realy cool.

  40. Unkr3at1v

    just wanted to add: IS ANYBODY INTERESTED IN HYBRID CARS? For me it’s just another japanese car i never wanted to see in this game. (Same with probably 5 premium skylines, diffrent GTR versions, 10 different Evos, and so on….)

    1. Jordan

      While I agree with you on the numerous versions of popular models, the diversity of “everyday” cars found in GT games is something that I have always enjoyed and I welcome hybrids to the game.

    2. caasimun

      well the truth is i really dont mind having the “everyDay car” but if u can tune it into a sports car!! then bring em on KZ

    3. another3dartist

      Jordan is right. GT has always had cars from the whole spectrum of makes and wildly different time periods too.

      It’s really cool they are putting some hybrids in. GT truly is the game for any car lover (not just racing fans)

    4. Honda-Crz

      I was probably the only one in the world that wanted the CR-Z in the game, and it’s looking to be like its premium :D. Hence my GTPlanet username :)

    5. Unkr3at1v

      Sorry, that was misunderstood! It’s not like I don’t want to see ANY Skyline or GT-R…-but just not as many different models just to get the amount of cars.
      And thinking about the number of Premium Cars in the game, there are some older cars that would deserve a “premium-treatment”, if this makes any sense.

    6. viejaloca

      I think the CR-Z looks really nice so I wouldn’t mind having hybrids in the game. besides, some of them look really futuristic! I hope they put the Fisker Karma Hyrid in there.

    7. Luke

      I think it`s interesting. Image the long distance races. GT4 already had fuel consumption, and in GT5 you will be able to choose a hybrid car. You don`t have to pit stop that often to refuel. Or maybe you`ll have to recharge the battery ^^

    8. ADR_XCLUTCH

      Jordan. They showed new Madrid game play today. It’s called GT5 Madrid gameplay. Go watch it.

    9. Unkr3at1v

      This thing about the pit-stops is exactly the thing which makes things lame! See 24h of LeMans, where all the non-diesel cars had no chance.
      There should be seperate classes then to get a competition in, or everybody will drive hybrids then..

    10. FlareKR

      I get that GT want’s to bring more into the game, but bring more of the stuff we’ll probably never drive in our lives, not a Prius. I’ve always wanted to drive over one with a Hummer (the only time I would drive a Hummer, muahahaha!)

    1. Eggman

      I’ve never understood the point of putting ‘first comment’ and getting all excited about it…So your comment is first, so what!!!

    2. datsunrox

      Having a variety of cars to choose from in the game just makes the game more fun, imo. Taking the hybrids to the track and measuring how they match up with gasoline type cars should be alot of fun. Wish most of us could drive thr real things though as they would be alot of fun.

    3. TokyoDrift

      Wow, big deal, so you were sat there hitting refresh waiting for new news to appear so you could be the saddo who boasts about being “first”. Pathetic, truly pathetic.

    4. Ollie

      TokyoDrift you could be right. You’re also the only person who felt strongly enough to say it… jealous much? Even small victories are rare enough, we don’t need people berating us for being pleased with them.

    5. Unkr3at1v

      Came home from pub, computer still running, page still opened, so I saw the new post, sry for beeing first!

      Why everybody so serious?

      Greetz

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