Gran Turismo 5’s release window has just been set to March 2010 for Japan, according to Kazunori Yamauchi at the TGS press conference.  This, unfortunately, runs directly counter to everything that we’ve heard so far from a wide variety of sources for nearly an entire year:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I29SJlorlbI

Here we go again! After the keynote address a few hours ago didn’t bring any news about Gran Turismo 5, we’re looking to the main event: Sony’s Press Conference. As usual, keep an eye on the “live blog” above to “watch” the event. If you’re on Twitter, follow GTPlanet and include the #gtplanet hashtag in your tweets to join the conversation in the box below!

Gran Turismo 5 wasn’t mentioned during Sony’s keynote address at the Tokyo Game Show, but news is already starting to trickle out of the GT5 booth at the show. Our first peek comes from this guy who appears to have uploaded a clip from his cell phone. The quality is about as bad as it gets, but you can clearly see that quite a few cars are playable, including the Ferrari 458 Italia. The most exciting thing we can confirm right now, however, is the fully animated pit crews which can be seen working on a car as it enters the pits. I’ve grabbed the best shot I could find and posted it above, but you can watch for the scene yourself in the video around 8:00.

[HTML2]

Just as Mercedes-Benz told us, their new SLS AMG is on hand to represent GT5 at the Tokyo Game Show. 1UP.com offers this sneak peek at the show floor, and it looks like our favorite racing game is taking center stage at Sony’s massive booth. It’s hard to see much else behind the big display, but it’s a safe bet there’s a few PS3’s loaded up with a fresh new demo of the game hiding back there.

It’s here! At each major gaming industry conference this year, we’ve collectively held our breath for news about Gran Turismo 5 from the halls of Polyphony Digital. We got our first peek at the game in the E3 trailer, and then took a closer look at the new damage feature in a playable version of the game at GamesCom. Exactly what’s in store for Tokyo is still anyone’s guess, but significant details about the game (including the release date) are long overdue. Kazunori Yamauchi himself has already told us to expect a “major advancement” from the show, and both Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz have curiously started bragging about their latest vehicles getting featured in GT5 this week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a0MMk3VFps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=989wEe_PgXU

A Mercedes-Benz press release just hit the wires this morning, confirming that the new SLS AMG will be featured in Gran Turismo 5. It’s also going to be on display at the Tokyo Game Show later this week, along “with [the] latest information on Gran Turismo 5”. Apparently, the leaked video of Kazunori Yamauchi examining the SLS AMG meant something, after all!

We first learned about the Gran Turismo PSP pre-order promotions back in August, when it was revealed that automotive icons Bugatti and Lamborghini were coming to the series for the first time. Now that we’re closing in on the release date (October 1st), it’s crunch time if you want to get ‘instant access’ to one of the above cars. To help you decide, here’s a brief list of where you need to reserve your copy. Remember, promotions vary by country, and this is not comprehensive. If you find these cars offered by other retailers, please share them in the comments below and I’ll update the post accordingly. Keep reading for the complete list…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39omSixAX3s

If you’re in France, head on over to the Paris Game Festival for your chance to play on the Gran Turismo 5 build that we saw running at GamesCom last month. The show is open to the public September 18-20. Rumors are coming in fast, however, that Sony representatives on the show floor are confirming GT5’s release date will be announced next week at the Tokyo Game Show, and the playable demo there will feature the Ferrari Enzo.  Thanks to user jujub for the report and photos/videos!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DasR0Ac61qE

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past year (or just not reading the car magazines/blogs…), you probably know about the new Mercedes SLS AMG – the company’s replacement for the SLR McLaren and the spiritual successor to the classic 300SL Gullwing. It was only recently announced by Mercedes, but that didn’t stop Kazunori Yamauchi from getting the chance to slip behind the wheel. As you can see in these two apparently leaked videos (see the other one here), Yamauchi-san saw the car both with and without camouflage, outside and in.

Today the review embargo has been lifted on media outlets with copies of Gran Turismo PSP, and thoughts and opinions are quickly popping up across the web. Unfortunately, however, not all are postive, with critics missing the “career mode” that made previous GT games so enjoyable. Indeed, Kazunori Yamauchi has been telling us this game would be structured differently than any of the others since June, focusing on “driving missions and tasks” as opposed to working your way up the ladder, tweaking your cars to win more money.  Yamauchi defended this decision with the assumption that players will only play the game for short periods of time, and may not be willing to dive as deep as they would have in the console games.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyPS1b2tt7M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNr9UEhRPYk

Many people were quick to write off the Gran Turismo PSP “Collector’s Edition” boxart that popped up last month, but it’s looking quite legitimate after Sony announced it last week.  This version, available only in Europe, is going to include a black 2009 Bugatti Veyron 16.4, available right out of the box.  You’ll also get some Veyron “artcards”, and a special edition “rainbow silver foil effect” Collector’s Edition pack.

You might remember last year when Kazunori Yamauchi handed out the “Polyphony Digital Trophy” at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.  At the time, his selection of a Lamborghini raised eyebrows in our forums, and it did turn out to be a pleasant case of foreshadowing!  This year, the award goes to a 1965 Alfa Romeo TZ2 – the company’s “last purpose-built GT racer”, of which only 12 were produced.  Before you get too excited, though, we should mention that there is no indication this car will be included in any GT game. It would be great, however, to see Polyphony Digital Trophy recipients included, much like the annual winners of the SEMA Gran Turismo Award…