Jordan Greer

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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…

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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!

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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.

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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…

Tensions were high last June at E3, when everyone and their brother expected something about Gran Turismo 5 to be announced at the largest trade show in the gaming industry.  We got a cool trailer, but nothing else about the game was revealed.  Next up was GamesCom, where the first playable version (with damage) was demonstrated.  These delightful tidbits were released despite the fact that the game was not released on Sony’s “official list” of game titles to be highlighted at the show.

For those of you who still aren’t conviced of a 2009 release date for Gran Turismo 5, here’s something new to consider.  In a comment on PlayStation’s official blog, Peter Dille, Senior Vice President of Marketing, dropped this remark after someone mentioned they were hopeful for a commercial about the game:

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Shortly after Gran Turismo 5‘s feature list popped up on Polyphony Digital’s website, pandemonium broke out as everyone rushed to secure an accurate translation.  With the added excitement of the playable demo at GamesCom and our first look at damage, some pretty remarkable new features slipped under the collective radar.  We’re going to put the spotlight on one of them today which could have an major impact on the racing game genre across platforms: “head tracking” with the PlayStation Eye.

One of the developers behind the latest iteration of Need for Speed, NFS Shift, commented on the Gran Turismo 5 damage engine shown off at GamesCom last month. Obviously, his words weren’t exactly glowing, but you’ll find he provides interesting insight into the creative restrictions placed on racing game developers:

In the latest edition of the the PlayStation Qore video magazine, it’s revealed that popular TV comedian and car-guy Jay Leno will be lending his voice for Gran Turismo PSP.  We don’t know the specifics just yet, but from what we see in the video (and the game menu screens), it looks like he’ll be offering hints and tips on how to ace the license tests and challenges.  Those of you outside of the United States may not be that familiar with Jay Leno (he’s had a weeknight television show here for 17 years), but he’s widely known in the automotive world for his impressive collection of rare and exotic cars.  He’s also responsible for inventing and building the notorious, unwieldy “Tank Car” found in Gran Turismo 4. Watch his interview with Qore right here.

According to a report by VideoGamesZone.de, Gran Turismo 5* is at Berlin’s IFA trade show…in 3D. The news comes off Sony’s press conference at the show, focusing on their consumer electronics products. The theme of IFA seems to echo what all the big players first started promoting at CES last January: 3D movies and games.