GT 5 Prologue vehicle & track list announced, makes real-life racing obsolete

Rev those engines, folks: yesterday, Sony released the full list of courses and cars that will be playable in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. The game will be out on April 17th in North America for $39.99 (PSN or Blu-ray Disc). The grand total amounts to 6 tracks and 76 vehicles: 62 regular cars, and 14 extra “tuned vehicles”. Along with all the good stuff that has been previously promised — 60 fps, 1080p, DualShock 3 compatibility, cockpit view with real-time gauges, etc. — the full press release (available after the jump, natch) details the game’s feature set.

North American driving die-hards will be able to race in a number of different ways, including a Drift Mode and two-player split-screen action offline. Of course, there’s also the requisite car tweaking, a staple of the series (gotta get that extra downforce!). Finally, there will be a variety of new racing events and time trials for offline or online play (the latter will support up to 16 players).

Wait, you thought that I was done when I said “finally” in the last paragraph? Pfft. It seems like Sony’s making a legitimate effort to squeeze a lot of content into the $40 package, as the press release also mentions a desire to promote the development of “an automotive lifestyle and global community”. To that end, Sony will be launching Gran Turismo TV, a video on demand PSN channel that will be dedicated to the worldwide car culture. Also, the game’s interface is called My Page, and it will be personalized for each user.

So who’s a fan of car porn? Come on, get those hands up high; don’t be ashamed to admit it. I’m right there with you, though I still think I’m going to hold out for the full release (whenever that comes). What about you?

VEHICLES, TRACKS AND ADDITIONAL FEATURES CONFIRMED FOR GRAN TURISMO™5 PROLOGUE IN NORTH AMERICA
Famed Racing Franchise’s 5th Installment Will Include Over 60 Vehicles, Six Tracks and a Host of Additional Features for North American PLAYSTATION®3 Users

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FOSTER CITY, Calif., March 6, 2008 – Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) announced today the robust vehicle roster, track list and a host of additional features for the April 17 North American availability of Gran Turismo™5 Prologue, exclusively on PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™). Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is the latest installment of the billion dollar selling racing franchise and intense precursor to Gran Turismo™5. Headlining the roster of over 60 vehicles and 14 additional tuned cars is the Ferrari 599, the Nissan GT-R and the Audi R8 4.2 FSI R Tronic. Players can race these cars and many more around six meticulously rendered tracks, including Daytona International Speedway®, London City track and a series favorite, High Speed Ring. Furthermore, additional features will be available to North American consumers, including a Drift Mode, Car Tuning, two-player split screen racing and a new set of offline and online Race Events.

“This impressive vehicle lineup and the additional features that cater to North American racing fans are great compliments to Gran Turismo 5 Prologue’s stunning 1080p graphics and revolutionary online features,” said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president, product marketing, SCEA. “Fans are sure to be pleased with the first Gran Turismo product for sale on PLAYSTATION 3.”

Vehicle Roster
Acura NSX ’91
Alfa Romeo 147 TI 2.0 TWIN SPARK ’06
Alfa Romeo Brera Sky Window 3.2 JTS Q4 ’06
Amuse S2000 GT1 Turbo
Amuse/Opera Performance Gran Turismo 350Z RS
Art Morrison Corvette’60
Aston Martin DB9 Coupe ’06
Audi R8 4.2 FSI R tronic ’07
Audi TT Coupe 3.2 quattro ’07
Blitz Dunlop ER34 ’07
BMW 135i Coupe ’07
BMW 135tii ’08
BMW M3 Coupe ’07
BMW Z4 ’03
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C6) Tuned Car
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 ’06
Citroen C4 Coupe 2.0VTS ’06
Clio Renault Sport V6 24V Tuned Car
Daihatsu Copen Active Top ’02
Daihatsu OFC-1 ’07
Dodge Viper GTS
Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe
Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Tuned Car
Ferrari 512BB ’76
Ferrari 599 ’06
Ferrari F40 ’92
Ferrari F430 ’06
Ford Focus ST ’06
Ford GT ’05
Ford GT Tuned Car
Ford Mustang V8 GT Coupe Premium ’07
Honda Integra TYPE R ’04
Honda NSX Type R ’02
Jaguar XK Coupe ’06
Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione ’91
Lexus IS F ’07
Lexus IS F Tuned Car
Lotus Elise 111R ’04
Lotus Elise 111R Tuned Car
Lotus Elise ’96
Lotus Elise Tuned Car
Mazda Atenza Sport (2007 Tokyo Motor Show reference exhibit)
Mazda RX-7 (FD) Special Tuned Car
Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A (FD) ’02
Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A (FD) Tuned Car
Mazda RX-8 Type S ’03
Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG ’02
Mine’s BNR34 Skyline GT-R N1 base ’06
Mini Cooper-S ’06
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR ’05
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR Premium Package ’07
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR Tuned Car
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR Tuned Car
Nissan Fairlady Z Version S ’07
Nissan GT-R ’07
Nissan GT-R Proto ’05
Nissan Skyline Coupe (V36) Tuned Car
Nissan Skyline Coupe 370GT Type SP ’07
Nissan Skyline Coupe Concept ’07
Nissan Skyline GT-R V-spec II Nur ’02
Nissan Skyline Sedan 350GT Type SP ’06
Peugeot 207GTI ’07
Peugeot 307cc Premium AVN ’04
RE Amemiya FD3S RX-7
Renault Clio Renault Sport V6 24V ’00
Subaru Impreza Sedan WRX STI spec C Type RA ’05
Subaru Impreza WRX STI (18-inch BBS Wheel Option) ’07
Suzuki Cappuccino ’95
Suzuki Cappuccino Tuned Car
Suzuki Cervo SR ’07
Suzuki Swift Sport ’07
Suzuki Swift Sport Tuned Car
TVR Tamora ’02
TVR Tuscan Speed 6 ’00
Volkswagen Golf GTI ’01
Volkswagen Golf V GTI ’05

Track List
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will feature six tracks, each with two track layouts.

Suzuka Circuit	Eiger Nordwand
Fuji Speedway	London City Track
Daytona International Speedway®	High Speed Ring

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Additional Features for North America

• Drift Mode – The player’s drifting technique is measured based on drift angles, racing lines, and speeds within evaluation zones located at various turns on the course.
• In Depth Car Tuning – Players have the ability to adjust the vehicle’s performance, including power, weight, tires and suspension.
• Two-player Split Screen Racing – Allows players to race head-to-head against friends and foes offline.
• New Race Events – New racing events and time trials are available for players to race both offline and online. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue supports up to 16 players racing online simultaneously.

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will feature various innovative and revolutionary modes to harness the PS3’s capabilities while further developing an automotive lifestyle and global community. Among them is Gran Turismo™TV, a new dedicated online channel available exclusively from PLAYSTATION®Network that delivers worldwide motorsport programming and manufacturer content. A new in-cockpit view features real-time gauges and human animations that accurately represent the true performance and handling of each vehicle. More dynamic and adjustable Artificial Intelligence, a user homepage called My Page and a new physics engine round out some of the other features players can expect in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. To extend the realistic driving experience, Prologue is also compatible with the new DUALSHOCK®3 wireless controller, which has vibration functionality.

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will be available for $39.99 SRP on Blu-ray Disc™ (BD) and as a download via PLAYSTATION®Store. The BD version will offer added value with an exclusive behind-the-scenes High Definition (HD) video feature called “Beyond the Apex”.