GTPlanet Weekly Rewind: Gran Turismo Gives You Wings!

There’s a lot to cover this week, so instead of me yapping (which I’ll do plenty of later on) we’re jumping right into things this week. Here we go!

GTPlanet Picture of the Week

This week’s featured image is all about the world beyond what happens on the track. As mentioned a few times in the past, the environment plays just a pivotal role and it’s time it’s once again recognized as such.

Courtesy of Kurei, this refreshing image was shot at SSRX and captures the brilliance of nighttime scenery with the added feeling of the soothing waters.

Have a suggestion for next week’s featured image? Drop me a private message, entitle it “GTPlanet Picture of the Week”, and fill it out with your two choices and they’ll be featured in upcoming Rewinds. NOTE: You cannot elect your own work.

Gran Turismo 6 Update 1.06

Another update has reared its likeness in Gran Turismo 6 and we are once again here to catalog the changes made to the ever-evolving world of GT6, this time with the newest 1.06 update that is now available and weighs in at a very conservative 295MB.

It introduces the data logger and GPS visualizer tools and a few other things. The overview of the changes are as follows:

Data Logger now available

• [Data Logger] has been added to the [TOOLS] section in “My Home”. The Data Logger analyzes the driving data stored on a Replay file and displays it in a graph, allowing users to view and compare variations in vehicle speed, acceleration points, braking points, engine rpm values and gear positions.

GPS Visualizer function introduced

• [GPS Visualizer] has been added to the [TOOLS] section in “My Home”. By driving a car equipped with the “Sports Drive Logger” (sold by Toyota) on a real-life circuit, the recorded GPS data can be transferred to “Gran Turismo 6” via a compatible USB storage media, and then subsequently converted into Replay file in the game. It’s be possible to compare and analyze these GPS data using the [Data Logger] feature. This feature is currently available with Fuji Speedway, Tsukuba Circuit and Suzuka Circuit, with more tracks to be added later on.

Custom Rear Wing option implemented

• [Custom Rear Wing] has been added to the [External Parts] menu, accessible from the [Custom Parts] options within the [Tuning & Maintenance] section in “My Home”. You can choose a combination of wing mounts, wing style and side winglets. Users can also adjust the height and width of the wing to their liking. (*Please note this feature isn’t compatible with certain cars.)

3DTV compatibility now added

• A [3DTV] option has been added to the [Display] category within the [Options] screen in the [MENU] (accessible by pressing the START button). A 3D compatible TV is required for this feature.

Adjustments to the Open Lobby

• From the Member List, it is now possible to see the Performance Points, maximum output and weight of the cars that have joined the room.
• An “Overall Best” time is now displayed on screen while in Practice, Qualifying, Time Trial and Drift Trial.
• The minimum value for [Max Power Limit] and [Minimum Weight] has been changed from 10 to 1.
• The options available in the [Race Type] menu within [Room Settings] of the “Event Settings” screen have been changed.

Other improvements and adjustments

• The Traction Control System (TCS) which is activated when driving off-track is now used only in sand/gravel pits.
• The strength of the “Real” option for the [Slipstream Strength] parameter within [Race Settings] when creating a room in [Open Lobby], has been weakened.

As always, keep an eye on our GT6 forum as our community explores and discovers more undocumented tweaks.

GTPlanet Quiz of the Week

The seventh week is upon us, and the question is and forever will be, how much do you know?

1. What was the first car to receive the Premium treatment as DLC for Gran Turismo 5 despite already having a Standard model present in the game?

2. This fictional racing track first debuted in Gran Turismo, re-appeared in GT3, and hasn’t been seen since.

Clues will be provided if necessary. The official thread is up and running but hasn’t been outfitted with the full breakdown of things just yet, so until that happens be sure to drop me a private message, entitle it “GTPlanet Quiz of the Week”, answering in the comments section does not count, and share your answers.

#CaptureGT6 Photo Competition

A new Seasonal Event has been released for Gran Turismo 6, which features the Toyota FT-1 Concept at Fuji Speedway in celebration of the car’s appearance at the New York Auto show this month.

Created in partnership with Polyphony Digital and Toyota, the new event has a special reward for the top time: the driver’s replay will be uploaded to the official PlayStation YouTube account, broadcast the channel’s 2.3 million subscribers.

Between April 7th and the 30th, Toyota and SCEA will also be monitoring the #CaptureGT6 hashtag on various social media networks for images posted of the FT-1 Concept, created using GT6‘s Photo Travel mode. They’ll be selecting their favorite shots to feature on their own social media accounts, sharing your image to a wide audience of hundreds of thousands of people.

We also have a dedicated forum topic for you to share your Toyota FT-1 Concept images, so be sure to post them here as well. Good luck!

GTPlanet Member of the Week

The prized status and stardom that only the Member of the Week can bring has once again arrived and thus, it is once again time to acknowledge a member of the GTPlanet community; a member who has stood out among the hundreds of thousands of members already here, both old and new alike for all that they’re worth and all they have contributed to the community.

Yet another Junior member is among the ranks, and this particular member has quickly made his rounds, so let’s welcome Villain to the ever-expanding MotW madhouse!

The interview is now live and provides the usual share of laughter, but more importantly provides the medium of getting to know your fellow GTP members a little bit better. For the whole kit-n-kaboodble be sure to stop by the official Member of the Week thread.

Anyone you’d like to see recognized as the Member of the Week? Drop me a private message, entitle it “GTPlanet Member of the Week”, and fill it out with your choices and they’ll be featured in upcoming Rewinds. NOTE: You cannot nominate yourself.

Forza Motorsport 5 – Long Beach Add-on Available Now!

http://youtu.be/oaR-16oAbfQ

It’s been a long time since I’ve featured Forza here so you know it has to be something big, and I’d say this fits the bill nicely. Long Beach is now available for the first time in the Forza Motorsport series, all for an amazing price of $0 – that’s right, it’s free!

The Long Beach circuit is coming to Forza Motorsport 5 for free! Available on April 10 as part of the latest content update for Forza 5, this amazing track has been brought to life in the game using state-of-the-art techniques like laser-scanning, recreating the track’s stunning beauty and amazing challenge with sub-centimeter accuracy.

Check out the trailer for Long Beach and hear from IndyCar star driver Josef Newgarden, who will be driving in the 40th running of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, then experience this amazing Southern California racing icon for yourself in Forza Motorsport 5!

Oh but it doesn’t end there, no, what good is a new track without some new toys to take around said track? Introducing the Long Beach Booster Pack:

1977 Ford Coyote Gilmore77

1974 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale

1956 Jaguar D-Type

1998 Mercedes-Benz AMG Mercedes CLK GTR

1971 Ferrari #2 Ferrari Automobili 312 P

The Booster Pack is available to Season Pass holders at no additional cost, and $4.99 for those without.

GTPlanet Vehicle of the Week

This week’s featured vehicle, recommended to us by Nelsonatormjin16, is the 2012 Tajima E-Runner Pikes Peak Special.

The Monster Sport E-Runner is an all carbon fiber hill tackling machine supported by an all-aluminum space frame. Two liquid cooled motors mounted in the rear are powered by a 650v MLiX lithium-ion battery. Tajima says that he is confident that the technology used on the E-Runner will one day make it way into the civilian sector.

Switching to an all-electric racer was a risk that clearly didn’t pay off for Tajima this year, but there are many rational reasons an EV can be successful at Pikes Peak. For EVs, engineers have the ability to place batteries in any location to help with weight distribution and handling.

Further, the electric motor’s high levels of immediately available torque are great for pushing up a steep grade, which at the top of over 14,000 feet has relatively low oxygen content–an advantage over gas engines. Finally, EVs are great for Pikes Peak because of the relatively short amount of time it takes to get up the hill. (Range anxiety does not apply here.)

However, there are still risks. And although Tajima has won 6 years in a row, his E-Runner failed to grab him a seventh victory.

(Borrowed from Translogic)

Have a suggestion for next week’s featured vehicle? Drop me a private message, entitle it “GTPlanet Vehicle of the Week” and fill it out with your two choices and they’ll be featured in upcoming Rewinds. NOTE: You cannot elect your own work.

GTPlanet Tune of the Week

This week’s featured tune, recommended to us by GTP_CargoRatt and courtesy of yannagas, is a Seasonal Special for the Subaru Impreza Super Lap challenge found in GT6.

Victory is the name of the game as usual and if it’s a deserving victory that you’re after and you want to do so while using the proven prowess of a rally-bred sports car, then you’ll want to stop by and see the tune for yourself!

Exactly like the Picture and Vehicle of the Week features, if you have any suggestions for the upcoming Rewinds be sure to drop me a private message, entitle it “GTPlanet Tune of the Week” and let me know. NOTE: You cannot elect your own work.

Inside Koenigsegg 2 – One:1 Active Rear Wing

GTPlanet Photomode Competitions

We’ve reset the counter for the sixth chapter in the Gran Turismo series and the photomode competition is back and better than ever.

In Week 18 of the Standard and Advanced competitions for GT6 you are to put your best foot forth and show the community just how seriously you take your in-game photography. All you need to know is as follows:

Week 018, Standard: Matte Is Where It’s At! – “My favorite paint in real life is matte, I just love the understated yet aggressive look it gives the right car. So this week spray any car in matte paint and snap away!”

Week 018, Advanced 2.0: Naughty vs. Nice (Head 2 Head) – “The mission is to create an image that portrays a car as either being naughty or nice. I’ll leave the interpretation of how you do that totally open. Here are some definitions to help the creative juices.

Naughty: bad, disobedient, mischievous, indecent, evil, improper, risqué, undesirable, wayward, aggressive, playful.
Nice: Pleasing and agreeable, attractive, polite and courteous, good, precise, skilful, respectful, kind and friendly, refined, harmonious.”

For all of the relevant information pertaining to this week’s challenges be sure to stop by here and here.

Closing Thoughts

What a crazy week this has been. I’ll spare you the gross of the details as I don’t want to bring down the cheer that the Rewind undoubtedly brings, but there is one thing that needs to be addressed in spite of what I’ve just said: Pastor Maldonado needs to go. Now.

I have never seen a more careless threat of a driver that I so often wanted someone to blast in the face. If you missed the Bahrain Grand Prix last weekend – which was the best race the venue has ever held in its entire 10-year tenure – Pastor did, well, he did this:

No words. Which is exactly why I’m going to switch over to talking about The Winter Solider now, and if I could sum it up in a few words they would be words I’m not supposed to use here. Go see it. It’s really just as great as you’re being told or hearing. Next up is Guardians of the Galaxy, and then Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Back to The Winter Soldier, I don’t want to spoil much but the ramifications the events in the movie will have on every forthcoming movie (with the only possible exception being Guardians of the Galaxy) are profound. If you caught this week’s episode of Agents of SHIELD then you’ll already know how profound things have become; a world turned upside-down by any other definition.

Hail Hydra. Until next week, keep racing!

GT6 Photomode images by StrayShadow, KaterMusch, Creative87, Dodzzz, and andre_pt.

See more articles on GTPlanet Member of the Week and GTPlanet Weekly Rewind.