Polyphony isn't just adding useless cars: They're learning

[nachomim]

I want to address probably the most controversial topic and that is still talked about daily: The cars that Gran Turismo is adding to the roster.

It's well known that there is a debate between "They should add racing cars" and "Daily cars are what Gran Turismo is all about" and I don't wanna profundize on that. I wanna theorize:

I think Gran Turismo is experimenting with their car construction mechanical wise.

What I mean by that? In previous Gran Turismo games (and in the older automotive industry), was all about petrol cars (with some exceptions ofc). "Normal", petrol, manual or automatic transmissions but with "normal" gears and whatsoever. However, lately, the industry has changed: we have more types of drivetrains, software systems and engines in cars. These types of cars aren't classic to GT, so, Polyphony doesn't have the know-how for these, compared to all the years they have been improving and learning about classic gearbox engines.

So they're learning. They're trying. They're using the final stages of GT7 to try whatever they're coming up with.

I'm gonna adress the latest updates to let know what I meant:

Update 1.61: In the last update they added the Nissan Qashqai Tekna 190 2wd e-Power '22. This car is the first of the Gran Turismo Saga to be electric and use a petrol engine to increase the range (REEV). This is something "new" to the industry, being the first mass production car with this technology the Chevrolet Volt (2010) (that's what I found online).

Update 1.60: In the previous one they didn't add a car that could be defined as "new", but they add a change that wasn't requested nor necessary: they "fixed" the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO '15' hybrid system. Why would they work on that if it weren't because they're testing their mechanical models? I think that's the biggest clue to suspect they're working on this.

Update 1.59: Again, they added a controversial and "useless" car (no event) with an interesting drivetrain system: the Honda CR-V e:HEV EX・Black Edition '21. This car uses Honda’s e‑CVT (intelligent fixed‑gear electrical CVT) that uses the electric motor at low speed and the petrol one at the "high" ones. The first car to use this was indeed the Toyota Prius (already in the game), but what if they are learning about the implementation in a 4WD context?

Update 1.57: They fixed the "vehicle height adjustment range of suspension" of the Mercedes-Benz Unimog Type 411 '62. I'll explain that below:

Update 1.56: They added the Mercedes-Benz Unimog Type 411 '62, an unexpected car that has an interesting and curious quirk: Portal Axles. For those who didn't know (that includes me), some trucks use these axles to manage off-road or other situations where height matters. This should be the first GT car to have this characteristic. Also, with the fix of 1.57 we can theorize about PD caring about the results of their "experiment" with this system.

Update 1.55: They added the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N '24 and the Toyota C-HR S '18, but I want to focus on the other improvements they announced:

　- The performance of the following cars has been adjusted:
　　・Toyota Aqua S '11
　　・Toyota Prius G '09

Could this mean they're actively working on the hybrid systems and their performance? This makes sense considering both use Toyota’s HSD system, which is an e-CVT similar to that in the Honda CR-V.

Finally, i want to address the Xiaomi x Gran Turismo partnership. They have made very clear the slogan of this: "Exploring the vast potentials of EVs together". That clearly means they're interested in understanding the engineering behind these vehicles, and could mean they want to improve the mechanical models of the Electric Vehicles in the game.

That is my theory: They're facing a change in the automotive industry and they're trying to keep up with, using part of their game (because they add more things) to test and adapt.

Sorry for the grammar mistakes, not a native english speaker. I want to see ur opinions and maybe notice something I did not / correct me if necessary.

 

[Old_Setzer]

A very good analysis to the latest updates, compañero.

Looking back, it's clear the studio is interested in these new technologies, and it makes sense that they're already testing these types of cars for the next installment.

I'm not the biggest fan of these types of cars, but knowing PD and Yamauchi, they'll strive for perfection in their handling, and it's clear the industry has been focusing on these types of cars for years, and right now, it's the present.

It's clear we'll see more of this type of cars in the next installment.

Edit: Although I'm curious in try the SU7 Ultra, to be honest.

 

[MroczMR]

Nicely thought! It could be true.

I will add upon these: Isn’t Citroen BX one of those with pneumatic suspension known for its superb comfort?

 

[Keef]

I can imagine it being quite a struggle to try and model all these different drivetrains that are entering the market and technology is changing rapidly, in many cases faster than PD can keep up.

They've still got a lot of classic issues to fix while balancing that with new challenges. For example, they may have tried to model the portal axles on the Unimog, however they are still visibly modelling camber and toe on live-axle vehicles like pickup trucks, an issue they need to completely revamp. That is actually an issue that has existed on classic sports cars like the AE86 and older since GT1 and has never been properly addressed.

 

[TurismoTalker]

I want to address probably the most controversial topic and that is still talked about daily: The cars that Gran Turismo is adding to the roster.

It's well known that there is a debate between "They should add racing cars" and "Daily cars are what Gran Turismo is all about" and I don't wanna profundize on that. I wanna theorize:

I think Gran Turismo is experimenting with their car construction mechanical wise.

What I mean by that? In previous Gran Turismo games (and in the older automotive industry), was all about petrol cars (with some exceptions ofc). "Normal", petrol, manual or automatic transmissions but with "normal" gears and whatsoever. However, lately, the industry has changed: we have more types of drivetrains, software systems and engines in cars. These types of cars aren't classic to GT, so, Polyphony doesn't have the know-how for these, compared to all the years they have been improving and learning about classic gearbox engines.

So they're learning. They're trying. They're using the final stages of GT7 to try whatever they're coming up with.

I'm gonna adress the latest updates to let know what I meant:

Update 1.61: In the last update they added the Nissan Qashqai Tekna 190 2wd e-Power '22. This car is the first of the Gran Turismo Saga to be electric and use a petrol engine to increase the range (REEV). This is something "new" to the industry, being the first mass production car with this technology the Chevrolet Volt (2010) (that's what I found online).

View attachment 1467356

Update 1.60: In the previous one they didn't add a car that could be defined as "new", but they add a change that wasn't requested nor necessary: they "fixed" the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO '15' hybrid system. Why would they work on that if it weren't because they're testing their mechanical models? I think that's the biggest clue to suspect they're working on this.

View attachment 1467357

Update 1.59: Again, they added a controversial and "useless" car (no event) with an interesting drivetrain system: the Honda CR-V e:HEV EX・Black Edition '21. This car uses Honda’s e‑CVT (intelligent fixed‑gear electrical CVT) that uses the electric motor at low speed and the petrol one at the "high" ones. The first car to use this was indeed the Toyota Prius (already in the game), but what if they are learning about the implementation in a 4WD context?

View attachment 1467359

Update 1.57: They fixed the "vehicle height adjustment range of suspension" of the Mercedes-Benz Unimog Type 411 '62. I'll explain that below:

Update 1.56: They added the Mercedes-Benz Unimog Type 411 '62, an unexpected car that has an interesting and curious quirk: Portal Axles. For those who didn't know (that includes me), some trucks use these axles to manage off-road or other situations where height matters. This should be the first GT car to have this characteristic. Also, with the fix of 1.57 we can theorize about PD caring about the results of their "experiment" with this system.

View attachment 1467362

Update 1.55: They added the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N '24 and the Toyota C-HR S '18, but I want to focus on the other improvements they announced:

　- The performance of the following cars has been adjusted:
　　・Toyota Aqua S '11
　　・Toyota Prius G '09

Could this mean they're actively working on the hybrid systems and their performance? This makes sense considering both use Toyota’s HSD system, which is an e-CVT similar to that in the Honda CR-V.

Finally, i want to address the Xiaomi x Gran Turismo partnership. They have made very clear the slogan of this: "Exploring the vast potentials of EVs together". That clearly means they're interested in understanding the engineering behind these vehicles, and could mean they want to improve the mechanical models of the Electric Vehicles in the game.

View attachment 1467363

That is my theory: They're facing a change in the automotive industry and they're trying to keep up with, using part of their game (because they add more things) to test and adapt.

Sorry for the grammar mistakes, not a native english speaker. I want to see ur opinions and maybe notice something I did not / correct me if necessary.

This is an excellent analysis. I don't know how true it actually is, given that there can't be any sources validated by PD, but I'm quite intrigued. As for the fact that they're using the LATEST GT updates to test it, no, because in my opinion, GT7 still has at least a few years left in it with this frequency of updates. But they are indeed bringing us innovations in terms of actual mechanics and technology, and it's also true that they've been paying particular attention to it lately. But what's the purpose? What could be the purpose for GT to have the ability to include so many different cars without these mechanics being exploited. You can even include the Qashqai with the fuel economy system... but if you don't give me a challenge where I can actually test it, it makes no sense.
Good point though.

 

[Voodoovaj]

It's a nice breakdown, but that's not how licensing works in game like this. How do I know this? Because they are/were hiring a liaison to the manufacturers to do this very job that I am describing below.

There are three parties. The team (Polyphony), Sony HQ, and the manufacturers.

Either the team, or the manufacturers, will start the conversation. Someone will say "I want this car in the game".

The team will have a list of cars and a time estimates to make them. Sony wants to spend as little money as possible, and the best money to spend is someone else's money. So, they'll set the boundaries of time and cost, but they may require the car makers to pay a little, or provide a free license. Someone from the team will solicit the car makers and ask about certain cars. The car makers want to advertise, so they're willing to waive licensing fees, or pay the cost of development, if they can get specific cars into the game.

(The scenarios below are hypothetical, but this is likely how the last two updates happened)

Last month we got the Lancia, the Citroen BX, and the Peugeot 2008, all of which are vehicles from the Stellantis group. Odds are that it started with Stellantis asking for the 2008 first, and then giving the team a list of cars that they could add with a low cost, or no cost license. So, the team looks through the list and decide upon the Citroen BX, and the Lancia Delta rally car because it's so heavily based on the Lancia Delta that's already in game.

This month is another great example. The team wants the make the Nismo Z-tune. Sony HQ gives them the go ahead because it's a modification of the R34, which is already in game, so it's less time to make it. The would speak with Nissan about the rights to add the car and Nissan could say "hey, I will give you the license for nothing, and PAY YOU, if you add the Qashkai. So, PD makes the Qashkai and they get approved to add the Z-tune. The N ONE was likely agreed to when they agreed to add the CR V


If the cars they are forced to add bring some new design challenge to the team, it's not the team trying to be innovative, it is some challenge imposed upon them by the business development people. The people actually doing the work likely had little to no say in the matter.

 

[nachomim]

It's a nice breakdown, but that's not how licensing works in game like this. How do I know this? Because they are/were hiring a liaison to the manufacturers to do this very job that I am describing below.

There are three parties. The team (Polyphony), Sony HQ, and the manufacturers.

Either the team, or the manufacturers, will start the conversation. Someone will say "I want this car in the game".

The team will have a list of cars and a time estimates to make them. Sony wants to spend as little money as possible, and the best money to spend is someone else's money. So, they'll set the boundaries of time and cost, but they may require the car makers to pay a little, or provide a free license. Someone from the team will solicit the car makers and ask about certain cars. The car makers want to advertise, so they're willing to waive licensing fees, or pay the cost of development, if they can get specific cars into the game.

(The scenarios below are hypothetical, but this is likely how the last two updates happened)

Last month we got the Lancia, the Citroen BX, and the Peugeot 2008, all of which are vehicles from the Stellantis group. Odds are that it started with Stellantis asking for the 2008 first, and then giving the team a list of cars that they could add with a low cost, or no cost license. So, the team looks through the list and decide upon the Citroen BX, and the Lancia Delta rally car because it's so heavily based on the Lancia Delta that's already in game.

This month is another great example. The team wants the make the Nismo Z-tune. Sony HQ gives them the go ahead because it's a modification of the R34, which is already in game, so it's less time to make it. The would speak with Nissan about the rights to add the car and Nissan could say "hey, I will give you the license for nothing, and PAY YOU, if you add the Qashkai. So, PD makes the Qashkai and they get approved to add the Z-tune. The N ONE was likely agreed to when they agreed to add the CR V


If the cars they are forced to add bring some new design challenge to the team, it's not the team trying to be innovative, it is some challenge imposed upon them by the business development people. The people actually doing the work likely had little to no say in the matter.

I considered also that matter. However, I'm not sure about ur claims about the Delta Rally and the Z-tune being faster to model just because were modelled before. I think I saw comments in this forum about the both cars being made from the ground up and not using the base model as "base", but I couln't find them.

Anyway, if they were interested on promoting the brand, why didn't they go for the newer models?

 

[McLaren]

The team will have a list of cars and a time estimates to make them. Sony wants to spend as little money as possible, and the best money to spend is someone else's money. So, they'll set the boundaries of time and cost, but they may require the car makers to pay a little, or provide a free license. Someone from the team will solicit the car makers and ask about certain cars. The car makers want to advertise, so they're willing to waive licensing fees, or pay the cost of development, if they can get specific cars into the game.

(The scenarios below are hypothetical, but this is likely how the last two updates happened)

I don't know where you picked this idea up from, but the notion that Polyphony is approaching Nissan to license a car & Sony is the one proposing that Nissan pays them or charges them nothing at all in exchange for taking another car sounds like some cope attempt to explain why the "unpopular" car is there.

Last month we got the Lancia, the Citroen BX, and the Peugeot 2008, all of which are vehicles from the Stellantis group. Odds are that it started with Stellantis asking for the 2008 first, and then giving the team a list of cars that they could add with a low cost, or no cost license. So, the team looks through the list and decide upon the Citroen BX, and the Lancia Delta rally car because it's so heavily based on the Lancia Delta that's already in game.

Think about your first hypothetical. If Stellantis is offering the BX & Delta rally car "for free/low cost" in exchange for a car Stellantis "wants to advertise", why would Stellantis pick a 2021 model from 5 years ago? Why wouldn't Stellantis just pick the facelifted version that came out in 2023 instead? In what reasonable sense is Stellantis wanting Gran Turismo 7 to advertise a version of a car they don't build anymore?

Edit*

The N ONE was likely agreed to when they agreed to add the CR V

This would likely make less sense. The CR-V in the game is a 2021, 5th gen & the current 6th gen started production in late 2022. Why wouldn't Honda tell PD take that instead if they're in the interest of advertising.

Gran Turismo has a history of adding quirky and more tame/pedestrian style vehicles. It's easier to believe the 2008/CR-V are just another two of those additions than the hypothetical you've proposed.

 

[KAlex122]

I don't follow it that close but my guess was always that they don't add race cars anymore because they try to bring up a new Gr.3+4 lineup for GT8 all at once. Not even wishful thinking but also no evidence of course.

You could be right of course.

 

[Freeman_Cruz]

...

Update 1.56: They added the Mercedes-Benz Unimog Type 411 '62, an unexpected car that has an interesting and curious quirk: Portal Axles. For those who didn't know (that includes me), some trucks use these axles to manage off-road or other situations where height matters. This should be the first GT car to have this characteristic. Also, with the fix of 1.57 we can theorize about PD caring about the results of their "experiment" with this system.

View attachment 1467362

...

In Gran Turismo 6, both the Volkswagen Kübelwagen (Type 82) and the Schwimmwagen (Type 166) featured portal axles. The specific model of Type 2 'Samba Bus' in GT7, I believe, also uses this setup, though its main purpose is gear reduction.

 

[sonnyboychris]

In an interview for the upcoming Project Motor Racing title, their Audi liaison made an interesting comment that MIGHT shed light on the lack of newer GR3/competition vehicles in GT7.

The liaison mentioned that manufacturers are reluctant to share details on the EXACT dimensions of their vehicles that are still actively competing. We all know how detail oriented/anal-retentive PD is about their car modeling.

I can only assume that this is part of the reason why we haven't seen newer race cars.

 

[tankuroded]

The liaison mentioned that manufacturers are reluctant to share details on the EXACT dimensions of their vehicles that are still actively competing. We all know how detail oriented/anal-retentive PD is about their car modeling.

This exact reason is why iRacing also failed to add the HSV-010.

 

[Theufcveteran]

In an interview for the upcoming Project Motor Racing title, their Audi liaison made an interesting comment that MIGHT shed light on the lack of newer GR3/competition vehicles in GT7.

The liaison mentioned that manufacturers are reluctant to share details on the EXACT dimensions of their vehicles that are still actively competing. We all know how detail oriented/anal-retentive PD is about their car modeling.

I can only assume that this is part of the reason why we haven't seen newer race cars.

IMO, the play there then is to get the road car version and make a fictional but clearly real life inspired GT3/4 version (or fully fictional in design if it has to be, but still looks like a modern GT3/4 car).

Hell, I'd love to see them make fictional LMP/LMH cars based off the existing modern road cars/brands in the game that don't cause license issues.

 

[Voodoovaj]

I don't know where you picked this idea up from

It's a common practice in the industry. EA's NFS teams worked like this (at least at the time I was involved with EA)

Think about your first hypothetical. If Stellantis is offering the BX & Delta rally car "for free/low cost" in exchange for a car Stellantis "wants to advertise", why would Stellantis pick a 2021 model from 5 years ago? Why wouldn't Stellantis just pick the facelifted version that came out in 2023 instead? In what reasonable sense is Stellantis wanting Gran Turismo 7 to advertise a version of a car they don't build anymore?

Like I said, hypothetical. Licensing is a negotiation. "We want this" ok "we will give you this". At best the team gets an approved list of vehicles with the exact prerequisite something only the bizdev people know about. It get complicated because of all the rights holders.

Like, Ferrari is publicly owned, but the Agnelli family still has control, and they still own a major stake in Stellantis as well. As does the Peugeot family. We got the Ferrari 812 Superfast, and part of that negotiation may have entailed the rest of the vehicles, or at the very least, "here's a list of cars you can make".

Whichever way you slice it, the team is the last place where these decisions are made. They are made in offices between business people who don't really care what we, or the team, like or don't like. I know we as fans hate to think of it that way, but that's how it works.

Sometimes it works out for us! Like the Suzuki Carry, or this month with the N ONE. Other car games aren't chasing those licenses, so they are cheap or free. Where other games say "who would want that?", the GT team knows that WE, the fans, would LOVE that, so it does work out well.

 

[Famine]

It's a common practice in the industry.

Since when did PD operate in a common manner?

Objectively, it's not quite how PD works though. Sony isn't directly involved in it (even if you mean PlayStation Studios, which is the overarching body for first-party developers, within Sony Interactive Entertainment; big Sony definitely wouldn't be involved) aside from giving them a couple of trucks of cash every few years, and there's a dedicated partnerships branch - with several sites - called GT Explore that performs a lot of the functions to which you refer. Everything from approaching manufacturers (whether car or not) and vice versa, through licensing, and down even to the vehicle capture process is managed by GT Explore. Nothing is green-lit or red-flagged by PSS/SIE/Sony.

 

[Voodoovaj]

Since when did PD operate in a common manner?

Objectively, it's not quite how PD works though. Sony isn't directly involved in it (even if you mean PlayStation Studios, which is the overarching body for first-party developers, within Sony Interactive Entertainment; big Sony definitely wouldn't be involved) aside from giving them a couple of trucks of cash every few years, and there's a dedicated partnerships branch - with several sites - called GT Explore that performs a lot of the functions to which you refer. Everything from approaching manufacturers (whether car or not) and vice versa, through licensing, and down even to the vehicle capture process is managed by GT Explore. Nothing is green-lit or red-flagged by PSS/SIE/Sony.

Yes, as you described. I was generalizing. "GT Explore" as you mentioned, would be that branch that I refer to as "Sony"...in other words, it's not the coders or designers doing it, but bizdev people. So, the Unimog, as an example. It's very unlikely that anyone on the team first said "OMG, the Mercedes UNIMOG would be an awesome addition". More likely, when the team said they wanted the updated AMG GT3 Evo, Merc provided a list of cars that they would like to also see included as a condition on approving the license. Someone saw "Unimog" and said "hey, that's a good idea".

In that "truck of money" from Sony that you mentioned, there will be conditions and requirements that GT Explore would be trying to work within. Conditions like "try to get the car makers to pay". That's the extent of a green flag or red flag. Predefined boundaries on how the money is to be spent (or preferably not spent).

Point being that these additions are more likely coming top down, bizdev to team rather than from the team to bizdev. Obviously, I don't work there, but this is the process I have experienced in the past.

This is exactly how I have experience music licensing to work for game. Side note, the estate of Jimmy Hendrix doesn't like to associate his work with the war, so I was given a no go on the use of that music. I was told, at the time, that this is why the Stevie Ray Vaughn cover of Voodoo Child was in Black Hawk down rather than the original Jimmy Hendrix version (however, just hearsay)

 

[nathanh1108]

It's a good theory but I don't think it quite holds up. PD probably is trying to improve how its physics/driving model handles hybrid cars but I don't think that's why they're choosing to add them. Also, PD has added two CUVs with conventional drivetrains.

I don't think it's about marketing or manufacturers forcing PD to add those vehicles either, for what it's worth.

I think PD and perhaps even Kaz himself are actually choosing to add these cars out of a mistaken belief that stuff like the Qashqai is what fans actually want. The evidence is there - Kaz himself has said something to the effect of SUVs are the future because they're so popular and that if GT doesn't add them the game will die.

This, in my opinion, is based on a fallacy. Kaz is conflating car buyers in general with the kind of person likely to buy GT7, namely car enthusiasts and (increasingly so since GT Sport) sim racers.

A quick glance at any website aimed at car enthusiasts will make you very aware very quickly that people who like cars like pretty much anything but crossovers and SUVs.

People who don't like or don't care about cars like crossovers and SUVs.

People who like cars are more likely to buy GT7. People who don't like or don't care about cars aren't very likely to buy GT7. They don't even care about driving their Qashqai in real life, why would they care about driving it in a game?

 

[SSfox]

I always thought so also

 

[MatskiMonk]

mistaken belief that stuff like the Qashqai is what fans actually want

I think your mistaken in your belief that Kaz really factors in what fans want.

His game, his vision.

... and I'm alright with that.

FWIW though, I somewhat agree. It's a well laid out theory, but the fact is, PD don't have to license, model, and deploy a new car in an update to do this development work.

My two cents would simply be that these are very low cost inclusions to keep the game ticking along. If we didn't get them, it's perhaps likely that we wouldn't be getting anything in their place, and the updates would be even smaller.

 

[Mike Hamilton]

So, the Unimog, as an example. It's very unlikely that anyone on the team first said "OMG, the Mercedes UNIMOG would be an awesome addition". More likely, when the team said they wanted the updated AMG GT3 Evo, Merc provided a list of cars that they would like to also see included as a condition on approving the license. Someone saw "Unimog" and said "hey, that's a good idea".

This one is highly unlikely. For the AMG GT3 they would negotiate with Mercedes-AMG which is part of the MB cars company.

The Unimog however is a product of Daimler Truck, a separate company (commercial vehicles only).

 

[Famine]

"GT Explore" as you mentioned, would be that branch that I refer to as "Sony"...in other words, it's not the coders or designers doing it, but bizdev people.

Yes and no - GT Explore is part of Polyphony Digital, not Sony, and there's quite a diverse range of talents within it rather than just business development and partnerships people. Some of the best-known ones are on that side of it (and have their names on GT7 decals), but that's not the whole enchilada.

In that "truck of money" from Sony that you mentioned, there will be conditions and requirements that GT Explore would be trying to work within.

Again, GT Explore is part of Polyphony Digital. Its resource allocation is under PD's fiat, not "Sony" (which, again, is SIE, or PlayStation Studios); perhaps the simplest way of describing it is that SIE gives PD a couple of trucks of money every few years, which PD spends how it likes up until the point where SIE is wanting deliverables.

While a "first-party" studio, PD effectively operates as its own independent enterprise. Sure it gets most of its money from and delivers its product to SIE (and all its PR and comms, and community moderation and social media, is handled by SIE) but it doesn't quite function on the whole collar-and-leash system you describe. Japanese business setups are weird.

And I largely concur with the posters above. There definitely are some examples of brands approaching PD (via GT Explore) for inclusion - and I can say that with quite some certainty as I have spoken to a brand's marketing manager that wanted to do just that previously, and sent their contact details to GT Explore after that conversation; they haven't yet appeared in GT - but the opposite is more commonplace; PD already has the industry contacts and knows who it should speak to with regards to any particular car(s) and this expands all the time as we just saw with Xiaomi.

A lot of the time, the cars we're getting seem to be the precise ones PD - if not Kazunori Yamauchi himself - want to include, not brand PRs.

Literally only three cars added this year have been "new" - two new-new and one old but still current. These are the cars PRs promote because they want to sell them. I can't conceive of a brand marketing manager so bad at their job that they're only promoting pre-facelift (Nissan Qashqai, Peugeot 2008, Aston Martin Vantage, Honda CR-V), last-gen (Toyota C-HR, Ferrari 812 Superfast, BMW Z4), or just plain old (Citroen BX, Corvette C5, Peugeot 205, R34 Skyline) cars and not trying to get new and flashy (IONIQ 5N, Mazda CX-30, Honda N-One) in, unless Honda/Hyundai/Mazda are the only brands with a competent PR team. In the UK, that's definitely not true (they're largely all pretty good at it).

 

[Nakano219]

In an interview for the upcoming Project Motor Racing title, their Audi liaison made an interesting comment that MIGHT shed light on the lack of newer GR3/competition vehicles in GT7.

The liaison mentioned that manufacturers are reluctant to share details on the EXACT dimensions of their vehicles that are still actively competing. We all know how detail oriented/anal-retentive PD is about their car modeling.

I can only assume that this is part of the reason why we haven't seen newer race cars.

I don't buy this. I'd buy it from keeping them out of games completely, but I don't think only PD would balk when every other sim has healthy numbers of new GT3s and LMDhs. Especially since we know from the GR010 that PD are fine not implementing all the complications around hybrid systems if they can't or don't need to.

 

[KKHN]

I really can’t stand SUVs and there was a time when I thought Gran Turismo would never add Chinese manufacturers. But I'm happy with these decisions because every classic GT reflects the automotive market of that era, and nowadays SUVs and Chinese cars play an important role.

 

[Fernando_DSF]

Hopefully they will model eletric cars energy consumption as it existed in GT5 and GT6

 

[kjb]

It's a good theory but I don't think it quite holds up. PD probably is trying to improve how its physics/driving model handles hybrid cars but I don't think that's why they're choosing to add them. Also, PD has added two CUVs with conventional drivetrains.

I don't think it's about mar
People who don't like or don't care about cars like crossovers and SUVs.

People who like cars are more likely to buy GT7. People who don't like or don't care about cars aren't very likely to buy GT7. They don't even care about driving their Qashqai in real life, why would they care about driving it in a game?

I love cars but I also like Crossovers and SUVs (some of them) so it's not so black and white

 

[McLaren]

It's a common practice in the industry. EA's NFS teams worked like this (at least at the time I was involved with EA)

NFS cars were also on a more common ground, so that would make sense. They were also adding multiple cars from a manufacturer at the same time, which could help negotiate licensing fees. Even then, NFS has a history of manufacturers flat out denying them as well.

I know for a fact this definitely isn't PD's approach to every car, though.

Like I said, hypothetical.

Hypothetical that made zero sense when you took the actual cars into account; Honda isn't wanting Gran Turismo 7 to advertise a 5th gen CR-V that's older than the game itself when there's a 3 year old 6th gen currently available.

Someone from Polyphony made that decision.