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In a change to previous years, the seven-round Nations Cup Online Series will run in a consecutive block with Round 7 taking place on June 3. The Manufacturers Cup will follow, with Round 1 on June 7 and the final round on July 1 

The results of the Online Series will determine which players will be invited to the two live events of the 2023 Series, the World Series Showdown in Amsterdam (August 11-12) and the World Finals, which will take place in early December at a venue to be announced. 

In 2022, a thrilling World Finals in Monaco ended with Subaru and Toyota tied on points in the Manufacturers Cup, but the trophy was awarded to Subaru’s Daniel Solis (USA), Takuma Miyazono (JPN) and Kylian Drumont (FRA) thanks to their victory in the final race. 

The Nations Cup was no less hotly contested with points tied at the top. This time it was popular Spaniard, and World Series veteran, Coque López who was crowned champion having taken the race victory after an incident-packed last lap. Chilean Angel Inostroza was second while Brazil’s Igor Fraga, the inaugural World Champion in 2018, took the final podium place. 

A change to the Nations Cup format in 2023 sees the Showdown and World Finals contested as a team event, like the Manufacturers Cup, with three drivers from the same country competing for the title. 

“It is always exciting when a new Gran Turismo World Series gets underway,” commented Kazunori Yamauchi, Producer of the Gran Turismo series. “Each year we see incredible battles among our established stars, but there is always some new talent bursting onto the scene at the top level. 

As well as the Gran Turismo World Series, 2023 will also see the Olympic Esports Series gathering top players from around the world in Singapore at the end of June. Another exciting milestone this year will be the release of a Gran Turismo film in August, around the time of our Amsterdam Showdown event, that celebrates the success of the Nissan PlayStation GT Academy programme. 

“In an echo of GT Academy, we’ll enjoy watching our 2018 Gran Turismo World Series Champion, Igor Fraga, racing in the Super GT 300 class and Super Formula Lights in Japan this year. He’ll be busy, but we still expect to see him take on the World Series as well, having finished third in the Nations Cup last year.” 

Michelin, Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR), Genesis, Mazda, Brembo, Sony Alpha and BBS continue their support as official partners of the Gran Turismo World Series. 

The Gran Turismo World Series is open to all players with any PS Plus membership for the online rounds through Sport mode in Gran Turismo 7. The Online Series is organised into a league format with three leagues determined by Driver Ratings, so that players compete in races against opponents of a similar level. Qualification for the World Series Showdown and World Finals is subject to terms and conditions which can be found on the Gran Turismo website. 

In addition to the Gran Turismo World Series, the Toyota Gazoo Racing GT Cup is already underway. Seven online qualifying rounds will finish on August 27 and the finals will again be staged alongside the Gran Turismo World Series Finals at the end of the year.

For the first time since Sydney in early 2020, Gran Turismo fans will have the chance to watch the Gran Turismo World Series live and in person at both the Showdown event in Amsterdam and the World Finals. Keep an eye on gran-turismo.com and the Gran Turismo social channels to find out how to get tickets.  

* Internet connection and PS Plus membership are required for entry

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Introduction of 4 new cars

Jaguar XJ220 ’92
A road-going Group C car with breath-taking bodywork.

In 1988, Jaguar showed a prototype for their super sportscar at the British International Motor Show, and in 1991 they unveiled the final vehicle at the Tokyo Motor Show in the form of the XJ220. The XJ220 received its name from its maximum speed, which was 220 mph (220 mph), the fastest ever at the time for a commercially available car. Jaguar entrusted production of the XJ220 to Jaguar Sports, a joint venture with TWR. TWR developed the Jaguar Group C car and oversaw its racing team. The prototype engine was a naturally aspirated V12, but the XJ220 that debuted in Tokyo had been given a 3.5 L V6 turbo engine of the XJR11 Group C car. The chassis was a composite aluminum honeycomb and carbon Kevlar, and basically resembles a racing car. An under panel that produces ground effect was added to the bottom of the car and again, mechanically, the XJ220 was like a road-going Group C car. Of course the interior of the car was finished with the finest materials, just like any other of Jaguar’s luxury cars. In 1993, Jaguar entered the XJ220 into the GT class of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Taking the wheel was the team of David Coulthard, David Brabham, and John Nielsen, who safely completed the race and won in its class. One month later, however, the XJ220 was disqualified due to a violation of an exhaust regulation, and their record was stricken from the books. Later, the XJ220 was entrusted to the famous Team Chamberlain racing team, and continued to participate in GT races including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Mercedes-AMG GT3 ’20
An improved and more cost-effective GT3 machine.

The Mercedes-AMG GT3 is based on the Mercedes-AMG GT sports car, itself unveiled to the public at the Paris Motor Show in 2014. This FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) homologated GT3 race car appeared on the international motorsports scene in 2016. This 2020 update model was unveiled in 2019 with a focus on further reducing its running costs as a customer racing car. Improvements like a longer lifespan on the engine and better protection for the radiator through a redesigned front-end help make the high costs of running a GT3 car more affordable for privateer teams. In addition, the car’s aerodynamics were improved through the addition of a front splitter and winglets, as well as a large wing and diffuser on the rear. The designers have also tried to reduce the car’s weight by using carbon fibre in many of the parts. The lower portion of the front grille has been significantly widened, and the front and rear lights have also been updated. Though it keeps the distinctive design of the previous model, the details on the car have been updated to match the refreshed production model.

Dallara SF23 Super Formula / Toyota ’23
Dallara SF23 Super Formula / Honda ’23
The next evolution of Super Formula cars aims to bring sustainability to motorsports.

In spring 2023, Japan’s top formula racing series, Super Formula saw the debut of the new Dallara SF23 Super Formula car. The SF23 uses a number of new technologies from the ‘SUPER FORMULA NEXT 50’ motorsports sustainability project headed by Japan Race Promotion, the organizers of Super Formula. First, the body of the SF23, which is based on the SF19 introduced in 2019, uses bio-composite materials produced by the Bcomp company. This has allowed for a 75% reduction in CO2 emissions from the raw materials and construction processes while keeping the same weight and rigidity characteristics as the previous carbon fiber shell. The racing tires provided by Yokohama Rubber have also been developed for sustainability. The new tires use sustainable materials such as naturally derived polymers and recycled rubbers. And though they use 33% sustainably sourced materials, the tires achieve the same handling characteristics as before. With the Yokohama Carbon Neutral Racing Tires equipped, the car becomes the ideal of a carbon neutral racing machine as outlined in the ‘SUPER FORMULA NEXT 50’ project. To achieve another of the ‘SUPER FORMULA NEXT 50’ goals, increased entertainment value, the aerodynamics of the car have been overhauled as well. This will allow drivers more opportunity to show off their skills in close quarters racing than ever before. For the engines, as before, teams will have the choice between a Toyota or Honda powerplant.

World Circuits

Super Formula has been added as a new race to World Circuits. 

GT Café – Two Extra Menus added

–    Extra Menu No. 20: ‘Collection: Shelby’ (Collector Level 41 and above)

–    Extra Menu No 21: ‘Collection: Alpine’ (Collector Level 35 and above)

Scapes

‘North Yorkshire’ and ‘Miyazaki’ have been added to the featured section.

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Introduction of 5 new cars

Audi RS 5 Turbo DTM ‘19

A DTM machine with 2 victories in the Class 1 era.

In 2019, Audi introduced six of these RS 5 DTMs into the series in their works teams. With customer teams also added to the mix, the RS 5 DTMs were a force to be reckoned with, but the car that showed the most outstanding performance among all of them was car number 33, driven by ace driver René Rast. With victory after victory from the opening rounds, it finished the season with a pole to win in the final round of Hockenheim in race 2, winning against Nico Müller also in a RS 5. Not only did it take the championship title this year, Team Rosberg with René also won the team title, making car number 33 an iconic double title winner. The final round of the DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) was a mixed class race hosted together with Japan’s Super GT GT500 class machines, and an interleague match was hosted in Japan. However, the outbreak of Covid-19 prompted Audi to withdraw from the DTM competition. Class 1 regulations ended after only 2 seasons as a result. The Audi RS 5 was a car that truly embodied the ambition and sparkle of the short-lived Class 1 regulations and has made its mark in motorsports history.

Porsche 959 ‘87

A four-wheel drive road car that shines bright in automotive history.

This was a design study of a four-wheel drive road car that was being developed for competition in the “Group B” top category of the WRC (World Rally Championship), introduced in 1982. After this study was revealed 2 years later in 1985, the road-going version of this model was unveiled – The Porsche 959. While it carried over the basic structure of the Porsche 911, it was packed with revolutionary technology. The engine was a 2,850 cc twin turbocharged horizontally opposed 6 cylinder, with a maximum output of 450 horsepower, all mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. But the cutting-edge feature of this car was the electronically controlled four wheel drive system that would convey the power of this high output engine without loss to the ground. The system actively controlled the drive ratio between the front and rear wheels according to the road surface conditions, and gave the option to select a drive mode that matches your current driving condition. It was a new generation of four-wheel drive systems that provided not only control stability at ultra-high speeds, but also ease of use. 292 units of the Porsche 959 were produced for Group B homologation, but due to the termination of the Group B category it never made it into the WRC. It did go on to set great records in competition, even winning overall at the Paris-Dakar Rally which is considered one of the toughest rallies in the world.

Porsche Carrera GTS (904) ‘64

A masterpiece that brought great success to Porsche’s GT racing efforts in the 1960’s.

Soon after its establishment in the 1950s, Porsche gained great fame in motorsports around the world with cars like the 550 Spyder, derived from the 356 series. One important milestone that followed was the Porsche Carrera GTS, born in 1963. It’s also referred to as the 904 GTS from its development code name and was a sports car that was designed to meet the changes in the Sports Car World Championships regulations of its day. In the 1950s, the World Championship races were fought in low production, pure racing cars. But from the regulation revisions in 1961, its main event became the GT Class using mass production sports cars. To compete in the GT Class, it was necessary to clear a homologation production count of 100 cars. The Porsche Carrera GTS was developed and produced using a ladder frame more suited for mass production, that would then be covered by a lightweight FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic) body. For Porsche this was the first time utilizing this format. The car is also known for the low and beautiful styling by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the grandson of founder Dr. Ferdinand Porsche. The engine mounted midship is an air cooled horizontally opposed 4 cylinders, with the capability to mount a 6 cylinder or even an 8 cylinder for racing.

Toyota Alphard Executive Lounge ’18

Japan’s premium minivan evolved into a high-class luxury car.

The minivan is a popular category of utility cars specific to Japan. It is a highly competitive segment with each manufacturer always vying for the upper hand. But the car that has held onto the undisputed title of the ultimate premium minivan, is the Toyota Alphard. Since its first appearance in 2002, there has been an ongoing pursuit and evolution of what makes a “premium minivan”. Today, the Alphard is often one of the first choices when looking for a limousine to host VIP guests and is one of the most premium luxury cars of Japan. The 3rd generation Alphard that appeared in 2015 was polished one step further for quality and comfort. A prime example of this effort was the “Executive Lounge” luxury grade model that really pushed the level of comfort in the 2nd row of seating. The “Executive Lounge Seats” made special for this model are independent seats that are one size larger than the seats of the standard model, equipped with heating and ventilation features as well as a folding mini-table. The quality of the leather and stitching was a major point of focus to provide a level of comfort equal to a first-class airline seat. A minor model change was introduced in 2017, with the 3.5L V6 engine being upgraded from 276.1 BHP to 296.8 BHP. The transmission was also optimized with more gears going from a 6-speed automatic to an 8-speed automatic. And with additional improvements to increase rigidity on the floor and openings, its driving performance and comfort has improved an additional notch.

Mazda Mazda3 X Burgundy Selection ’19 

An elegant fastback with a revolutionary combustion system.  

The Mazda3 is a 4th generation C-segment passenger car of Mazda first released in November 2018, and was called the Axela in Japan until then. With this 4th generation model being the first car in a new generation of products at Mazda, the name was unified globally under the “Mazda3” name. As before it features fastback and saloon models, but with the application of Mazda’s “Kodo” design, the character of each car became more defined. The shape of the fastback model was especially impressive, with the delicate form of the body panels beautifully expressing the transition of light. The engine powering the car is from the new generation SKYACTIV engines of Mazda. The mainstay models were the 1.5L and 2L direct injection petrol, and the 1.8L diesel turbo engine, with a 2L “Mild-Hybrid” (M-Hybrid) model following a little later. This Mild-Hybrid is powered by a SKYACTIV-X engine that introduces proprietary spark controlled compression ignition, and is a revolutionary engine that suppressesds NOx output without using expensive solutions like the Urea-SCR. The X Burgundy Selection is a special model with burgundy coloured interior on the Grade X model. Equipped with wine coloured genuine leather seats and dashboard, this is a special model with a classy, mature aura. 

Two new layouts for Nurburgring

Nurburgring Endurance

Total Length: 23,864m, Elevation Change: 300m, Number of corners: 85, Longest Straight: 2,135m

Nurburgring Sprint

Total Length: 3,629m, Elevation Change: 33m, Number of corners: 12, Longest Straight: 620m

Introducing two new layouts for Germany’s ‘Nurburgring’. The ‘Endurance’ layout combines the ‘Nordschleife’ and the ‘Grand Prix’ courses into a total 23,864m long track. This challenging technical course takes a shortcut through the Grand Prix section for a faster return to the Nordschleife. This layout has famously been used in races like the Nurburgring Endurance Series (NLS). The ‘Sprint’ layout takes a shortcut on turn 4 of the ‘Grand Prix’ circuit to form a 3,629m short course. The compactness of this layout makes it perfect for exciting races between lower speed road cars.

Scapes

‘Cherry Blossoms’ have been added to the featured section

120FPS Support (PlayStation 5 Only) 

Gran Turismo 7 will support up to 120FPS with the latest 1.31 Update. PS5 and display capable of 120 Hz output required 

*Internet connection and Gran Turismo 7 game required for update

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PlayStation VR2 (PS5 only) for Gran Turismo 7 arrives

With the 1.29 update at no additional cost, players will be able to for the first time experience all the races and game modes (excluding ‘2P Split Screen’ mode) with a whole new level of realism. PS VR2 players will also be able to access an exclusive ‘VR Showroom’ area from their ‘Garage’ or the in-game car dealerships where they can admire all the stunning details of the ultra-high-definition car models in a variety of locations and lighting settings.

GT7 takes full advantage of PS VR2’s next-gen features – Utilizing specially optimized HDR tone mapping, as well as foveated rendering from the eye-tracking feature (a technology that renders areas of the screen that the player is directly looking at in high definition), and dynamic 3D audio support, players will experience a whole new dimension of highly immersive gameplay.

Take your Gran Turismo 7 experience to new heights with PS VR2 (launching February 22).

Experience Gran Turismo Sophy in Race Together mode (PS5 Only)

Gran Turismo Sophy is a revolutionary superhuman racing AI racing agent developed in a collaboration between Sony AI, Sony Interactive Entertainment and Polyphony Digital. “Gran Turismo Sophy Race Together” mode gives Gran Turismo players of all levels and abilities the opportunity to go head-to-head against GT Sophy in GT7. The special mode, available as a time-limited in-game event (From Feb 21 to end of March), is a first look at GT Sophy in GT7 and is designed to maximize the fun and excitement of racing against GT Sophy for everyone. Player feedback on this initial special feature will be used to continually improve the GT Sophy Race Together mode feature for future releases. 

In GT Sophy Race Together mode, players can race against GT Sophy in a series of four circuits of increasing difficulty, as a Beginner / Intermediate / Expert driver. In each of the four races, the player races against four GT Sophy cars of different performance levels. Players can also challenge GT Sophy in 1VS1 mode, where GT Sophy and the player race one-on-one with identical car configurations and settings, which showcases the superhuman racing skills of GT Sophy. The excitement of GT Sophy Race Together mode is enhanced with GT7’s new emoticon feature, which displays emoticons on the GT Sophy cars throughout the race to react to the in-game action.

The mode can be accessed directly from the top right panel on the GT7 World Map, and the player can start a race against GT Sophy once the player has reached Collector Level 6. For more information on GT Sophy, please refer to the official site.

Grand Valley returns with Highway 1

A Gran Turismo classic, Grand Valley returns to the series with an all-new look. The full ‘Highway 1’ layout is a challenging course featuring full-throttle high speed sections along with tight winding technical corners. The shorter 2000m ‘South’ layout features harsh elevation changes and blind corners to keep drivers on their toes. An expansive environment where the ocean meets the mountains, as well as large bridge and tunnel sections makes for a dynamic location that recreates the excitement of driving the world’s great winding seaside roads.

5 new added cars

Honda RA272 ’65

The F1 machine that garnered Honda their first victory.

With their innovative ideas and forward-thinking engineering skills, Honda has achieved a number of technological revolutions. A great example of this is their first endeavors in F1 in 1964 when there were still relatively unknown as a car manufacturer. The machine they developed was the RA271 which used an aluminum shell over a space frame body, with a 1.5L V12 engine in an unusual transverse midship position. Its uniqueness however would be its downfall and it failed to make any achievements in its debut year. In 1965, Honda put the machine through a radical overhaul resulting in the RA272. The RA272E engine was a more efficient version of the previous V12 using lightened components. The construction of the rear suspension was changed from an inboard to an outboard setup, which allowed the weight to be reduced from 525 kg to 498 kg, a major improvement. At the steering wheels sat Ronnie Bucknum in his second year as well as new driver Richie Ginther.

Italdesign Exeneo Vision Gran Turismo Street and Off-Road Mode

A high-performance luxury car prepared as a ‘beautifully wrapped gift’.

Italdesign was founded in 1968 in Turin, Italy, and has designed and engineered more than 300 production cars and premiered more than 100 concept cars at the most important world auto shows. Many of its pieces have been featured in Gran Turismo. Some of the cars designed by Italdesign have gone on to become genuine movie stars, such as the De Lorean DMC 12, which starred in the ‘Back to the Future’ trilogy, or the Lotus Esprit, which was driven by Roger Moore in ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’. The Italdesign Exeneo Vision Gran Turismo continues the long Italian tradition of Gran Turismo automobiles, though updated with cutting-edge technology. Inspired by the 2013 all-road, mid-rear engine, compact GT Italdesign Parcour, this concept car features four different chassis settings (track, snow, off-road and urban), and was designed to be driven both on circuits and off-road tracks. A powerful V10 midship engine, together with two 200 kW (268.2 BHP) electric motors, assures a total output of 910 kW (1,219.9 BHP) of power, allowing the Exeneo VGT to reach a top speed of 236.1 mph, with an acceleration from 0 to 62.1 mph in 2.5 secs. A 7-speed gearbox, Individual Wheel Drive (IWD) and KERS recovery system complete the power train. To ensure maximum stability, intelligent suspension adapts automatically to different types of terrain.

DS 21 Pallas ’70

A historic vision of the future from France.

Citroen were committed to front-wheel drive, and this DS is their masterpiece, made with all the most cutting-edge technologies of the time. It first appeared at the 1955 Salon de l’Automobile. While many other manufacturers were still producing cars in the pre-war style, the DS was a stunning vision of the future. With its avant-garde aerodynamic body and revolutionary hydropneumatic suspension system it was nicknamed the ‘flying saucer’. Development was lead by Andre Lefebvre, while the comparatively large 4.8 m long body was design by Italian Flaminio Bertoni, who had also worked on the classic 2CV. With such a forward-thinking design, the popularity of the DS did not wane for some time. Including various equipment and engine upgrades, the car continued to be produced for 20 years. In 1964, the ‘Pallas’ grade was added with luxury interior and exterior fixtures. Then in 1967, the car was given a more modern visage with the 2 round headlights replaced by 4 headlights in covered units.

Porsche 911 Carrera RS (901) ’73

A first in Porsche 911 history, the elusive RennSport.

Appearing in 1973, the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 was the first model in the long history of the Porsche 911 to feature the RS badge. RS stands for ‘Rennsport’ or simply ‘racing sport’ in English, and as this name suggests it was developed as a homologation model for the FIA’s Group 4 category. The 2.4L engine from the base model 1973 911 S has been enlarged to 2.7L, now producing 207.1 BHP. The front end features an air dam which allows for the addition of an oil cooler. The rear of the car features the iconic duck tail spoiler as standard, with stretched rear fenders to house the new wider rear tires. The Carrera RS 2.7 was available in 3 grades: Touring, Sport and Racing, though even the luxury Touring model weighed less than 1,100 kg.

Scapes

‘‘Drift Stage’ and ‘Move the camera up and down’ have been added to the featured section. Support for drift photos has also been added with this update. A tutorial will be available the first time you play after the update, which guides you through the steps for taking drift photos. Follow the on-screen advice and have fun shooting the perfect drift shots.

*Internet connection and Gran Turismo 7 game required for update

Here are four reasons to be excited about buckling up for GT7 in PlayStation VR2.

Big surprise—it looks amazing

Gran Turismo 7 is a stunner, but I assumed the conversion to PS VR 2 might entail some obvious (but understandable) compromises. That said, I’m pleased to report that my concerns were unfounded, as the game looks marvelous in its VR conversion. Image quality and clarity are dramatically improved over those of GT Sport, and I never felt myself weighing the pros and cons of the visuals compared to simply playing on a “flat” TV display. In short, the game looks great and really highlights the virtues of PS VR2.

Ogle your all-time favorite cars in the VR Showroom

Players can now look around any of the 450+ cars in the game using the VR Showroom, which is accessible from your Garage. This feels like the natural culmination of Polyphony’s incredible efforts in bringing each car to life; the plastics, wood paneling, leather, vinyl, and plastics are now viewable at your leisure. Getting up close and personal with various stereo systems, dashboards, and dials is (weirdly) one of the things I’m most looking forward to once I have a PS VR2 at home. The novelty of peering around the back seats of each car can’t be understated.

Head tracking is a game changer

While it may sound unremarkable on paper, being able to freely look around during a race—with your view untethered from the front of your car—provides tangible benefits, both in terms of performance and presence within the virtual world. For example, while driving into a sharp corner, it’s possible to look beyond the immediate turn to the rest of the track and plan your next move. This is one of those intuitive “real life” driving behaviors that feels somewhat uncanny to experience in a game.

A newfound sense of scale and speed

Another upshot of the “I’m actually driving a Mazda 787B” feeling is a newfound sense of…claustrophobia and danger (in a good way!). Motorsport can be quite dangerous, and those of us with no personal experience can get a better sense of that in VR: the increased tangibility of a race car’s purpose-built, rough-and-ready interior, along with real limitations on visibility (narrower windshields, roll-bars, etc.), dramatically heightens the sense of speed and intensity of a race.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, PS VR2 offers a new perspective on the track environments themselves. For example, the mountain range at Dragon Tail feels genuinely huge and imposing, and the desert at Willow Springs somehow feels, well, more desert-like—the vast emptiness of this Southern California expanse is perceptibly vast and empty. It’s a sensation I’ve never had in a game before and it made tearing around the arid landscape feel liberating. 

My time with GT7 also highlighted one incidental benefit of the new PS VR2 hardware that I hadn’t previously considered: since the headset no longer requires a camera to track your position in 3D space, you no longer must be overly concerned with your position relative to the TV. It’s a small change that I anticipate will make me far more likely to use the headset during daily play sessions. 

The free Gran Turismo 7 PS VR2 update hits February 22.

Back in 1992, Gran Turismo was the first project plan I created out of close to 100 others I came up with when I first started my career in this industry, so it means a lot to me.

While making video games was something I started from 10 years old as a hobby, I had never thought about making it a career.

I started a movie production club when I was 14, and had been producing movies, so I first joined Sony hoping to create image products. But the department they assigned me to was not what I was expecting.

It was a department where the PlayStation console was just about to start, and was a place where Kutaragi-san was working feverishly to bring the concept of PlayStation to life.

That place was not what I had hoped for, but looking back now, you could say that I was very lucky.

I was fascinated by real time 3D graphics that many had been waiting for, and created and presented plans for all kinds of video games, not just limited to race games but RPGs, adventure games, action games, puzzle games, and more.

As a result, Gran Turismo took a more fantasy race game format in the “Motor Toon Grand Prix”, becoming one of the first 1st party titles for PlayStation, but if a plan for something other than a racing game had been the one that was approved, there is a good chance that I might have been making a title other than Gran Turismo today.

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Thereafter the Gran Turismo project started from gathering a team of two part time artists and three engineers.

From there, the number of comrades have continued to increase in number for over quarter of a century, and has become Polyphony Digital today, a company with over 200 staff members.

I don’t think there are many video game franchises in the world that have continued for 25 years with the same title, and with the same team.

The founding members of the company are still working on the front lines, and I am thankful and proud that all 200 of our staff are a team that have the same motivation and love that the company started with in the beginning.

In the last 25 years, the cumulative sales total of the series have reached over 90 million copies as of November 16, 2022.

And this result is something that could not be accomplished by ourselves alone.

Behind that 90 million figure, there are all the people of the media who conveyed the allure of Gran Turismo to their readers. There are the people of PlayStation who sold GT for us around the world with passion, and there is the incredible amount of support from the retailers who interfaced with our users.

My heartfelt thanks goes out to all of them for their support.

And above all else, I can’t ever thank enough the GT users and people of the GT community who have played our new titles, which at times could be said to have been very experimental.

We are here today because of all the people who supported us.

I believe the Gran Turismo series have always pursued “Beauty”. The beauty of the cars, the beauty of the scenery, the beauty of the lighting, the beauty of driving, the beauty of sounds / music and the beauty of the graphics.

The “pursuit of beauty” is the motivation for creating Gran Turismo.

We have newfound determination to continue our progress into the future with a strong sense of purpose.

We appreciate all of your support over the last 25 years. Thank you.

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December brings five exciting new cars and Scapes – Norway being added 

For those that participated in the limited timed Viewers Campaign in GT7 and answered the Day 4 question correctly, you will be given early access to the Ferrari Vision Gran Turismo vehicle as a gift on December 15. For more information, be sure to visit www.gran-turismo.com

For everyone else, the Ferrari Vision Gran Turismo will be available to everyone within Ferrari’s Brand Central, Ferrari starting December 23.

Ferrari Vision Gran Turismo

A single-seater concept that pushes the boundaries of the hyper car genre.

The Ferrari Vision Gran Turismo is the first Ferrari single-seater concept car dedicated to the world of virtual motor sport, with a spectacular and futuristic design founded in the Prancing Horse’s unequalled racing heritage. The Ferrari Vision Gran Turismo draws its inspiration from the fascinating world of Ferrari’s hugely successful 1960s and ‘70s sports-prototypes. Below hyper-modern bodywork and dramatic proportions, the car hides the DNA of masterpieces such as the Ferrari 330 P3 and the 512 S. It is a nod to the past, yet a powerful hint of the future of endurance racing. The Ferrari Vision Gran Turismo’s architecture is crafted around an advanced aerodynamic design and is equipped with the same engine architecture that powers the Ferrari 499P. Here, though, the engine has been made more extreme to develop no less than 1,030 CV (1,015.8 BHP) at 9,000 rpm, with an additional 240 kW (321.5 BHP) available through three electric motors, one on the rear axle and one on each of the front wheels.

Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm ’20

The peak of the Giulia line-up, this model celebrates 110 years of Alfa Romeo.

The Giulia GTA and GTAm are special editions of the Giulia released to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the founding of Alfa Romeo in 2020. Based on the high-performance Quadrifoglio model, performance has been increased even further for these anniversary editions. The power output of the 2.9L V6 twin-turbo engine has been increased to 532 BHP. Use of lightweight construction materials throughout the car has decreased the weight by 100 kg and the front and rear track width has been increased by 50 mm to shorten the effective wheelbase, all resulting in a significant improvement to handling. Additionally, the car features enlarged front fenders and arching over fenders on the rear, as well as several aerodynamic parts developed in conjunction with Alfa Romeo’s F1 partner Sauber. The GTAm offers a more hardcore setup designed for circuit use. It adds a larger front splitter and carbon fiber rear wing, while replacing the rear seats with a roll-cage.

Bugatti Chiron ’16

The successor to the ultra-high performance Veyron.

The Chiron is a super sports car unveiled by Bugatti in 2016. This limited production model was introduced as a follow-up to the Veyron, with only 500 units available worldwide. The exterior features large C-shaped lines that encircle the cabin and serve as air intakes. It also features an accentuated center-line inspired by the Type 57 Atlantic Coupe that increases straight line stability. The carbon fiber chassis provides the same level of rigidity as an LMP1 race car and houses an 8L W16 quad-turbo engine. This engine has been extensively tuned since the Veyron iteration to a maximum power output of 1,479.3 BHP and a maximum torque rating of 163.1 kgfm. The car is able to accelerate from 0-62.1 mph in 2.5s and a pre-production prototype was able to reach a maximum speed of 304.8 mph. In 2018, the Chiron Sport was introduced featuring an improved chassis weighing 18 kg less than the original. In 2019, the limited edition ‘Chiron Sport 110 Ans Bugatti’ was released to celebrate the 110th anniversary of Bugatti. Only 20 of these cars were made.

Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray ’20

The new generation midship Corvette.

The byword for the all-American sports car, the Chevrolet Corvette saw a historic change in 2019. Introduced that year, the eight generation Corvette became the very first in the line to use a midship layout. This revolutionary change is apparent from a single look at the exterior. The Chevrolet’s iconic long nose is nowhere to be seen, and with the cabin moved forward, the body fits the classic midship profile. Without an engine, the front section now serves as luggage space, meanwhile behind the engine sits another luggage area big enough for a golf bag. The V8 engine at the heart of the car is a new generation small block LT2 which was developed from the previous generation model C7’s LT1 engine. With 6.2L of displacement, it can produce 495.1 BHP/65.0 kgfm but also features fuel saving features like cylinder deactivation. The transmission is now only available as an 8- speed dual-clutch automatic but manual control is also possible using steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. The suspension uses double wishbone construction on all 4 corners and is available with a height adjustment system for handling high kerbs and other obstacles. The driver centered cockpit features a multifunctional infotainment system controlled by an 8-inch touchscreen. With the engine bay moved to the rear of the cabin, the new generation Corvette has shown itself to be a contender with exceptional performance in GT car racing.

Toyota Celica GT-FOUR Rally Car (ST205) ’95

The rally machine that left an impression on many fans, though it only competed for a short time.

After capturing the double title of both driver and maker championships thanks to the ST185’s brilliant showing in 1993, Toyota introduced the new ST205 Celica the following year, aiming to achieve even more victories. Although the new Celica had a bigger body, it had better weight distribution due to the enhanced stability from the expanded wheelbase and wheel track. Works team TTE was involved from the start of development, and key contributions were the improvement of overall aerodynamic and cooling performance. The Celica was planned to debut in the 1994 1000 Lakes Rally, but due to unexpected delays in undercarriage development it spent the season running trial races. Entering in 1995 as a full-scale participant, the Celica battled with the newly improved Subaru Impreza, and Didier Auriol brought in the first win in the 4th round at the Tour de Corse. Although Toyota continued to be afflicted by problems with the super strut suspension, the team continued racing and making improvements throughout the season to overcome the handicap. In the 7th round at Catalonia, the Celica was found to be in violation of the intake restrictor diameter regulation and was stripped of all points for the season. In opposition to the decision Toyota ceased participation in the WRC and the ST205’s appearance on the gala stage of the event was limited to just one season. Although it was only active for a short time, these machines gallant silhouette imprinted itself on the hearts of many fans. When discussing the Toyota rally scene, it is one car that must be mentioned.

Scapes – Norway have been added to the featured section

*December 15 at 6am GMT / 3pm JST..

First up was the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing GT Cup on Thursday, 24 November. After two highly-competitive Semi-finals and a last-chance Repechage, 12 drivers lined up for the Grand Final, 30-laps around the Fuji International Speedway in the TOYOTA GR010 HYBRID – the real version of which was displayed at the event. It was 2018 Nations Cup champion, Brazilian Igor Fraga, who delivered a dominant performance to take the win and a trophy presented by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Europe’s Vice Chairman Kazuki Nakajima.

On Friday it was time to narrow a 30-driver Nations Cup field to a final 12 – and crown three regional champions in the process. Takuma Miyazono (JPN), a triple champion in 2020, took the honors for the Asia-Oceania Region. The EMEA race was won by Spain’s Coque López, a player who has been at every GT World Series event since its inception in 2018. Finally, it was the turn of the Americas Region and in-form Chilean Angel Inostroza was crowned champion and booked his place in Sunday’s Grand Final.

With Sunday’s Nations Cup final line-up confirmed, Saturday saw the focus switch to the Manufacturers Cup. Twelve three-driver teams represented the leading World Series manufacturers, including series partners Toyota, Genesis, and Mazda. With points already accrued from the three World Series events and July’s Salzburg World Series Showdown, more points would be awarded in Race 1 and a double-points Grand Final.

Team Porsche took the maximum from Race 1, with pre-event points leaders, and favorites, Team Toyota in second. Team Mercedes-AMG rounded out the top three, while World Series Showdown winners in July, Team Subaru, looked to have dropped out of contention with a sixth-place finish.

Taking to the famous Spa-Francorchamps track for the Grand Final, the skies looked ominous and the weather would prove to be a decisive factor in a mesmerizing endurance race. Rain started to fall causing the drivers to pit for intermediate or full-wet tires. Intermediates looked to have been the better choice as the conditions improved. However, the rain started again in the latter stages of this 30-lap race and this time it didn’t clear, leaving those that switched to full wets finishing stronger. Team Subaru’s superb race craft and great tire choices saw them win just ahead of Team Toyota and Team Mercedes-AMG in third.

The result left Subaru and Toyota tied on points, but it was Subaru’s Daniel Solis (USA), Takuma Miyazono (JPN), and Kylian Drumont (FRA) who lifted the stunning Boccioni-inspired Manufacturers Cup trophy as World Champions thanks to their win in the Grand Final.

And so to Sunday’s Nations Cup Grand Final for even more excitement. French Formula 1 driver Esteban Ocon was in the crowd at Le Sporting Monte Carlo (the venue for the World Finals) that was treated to some compelling entertainment. A packed Nations Cup broadcast saw Ferrari’s Chief Design Officer Flavio Manzoni unveil the stunning Ferrari Vision Gran Turismo that will appear soon in Gran Turismo 7. The crowd went on to witness racing no less spectacular.

A single-lap Qualifying Session set the grid for 30 laps around the Trial Mountain Circuit (reverse) in the Red Bull X2019 Competition in national liveries. Japan’s Takuma Miyazono qualified on pole, but Spaniard Coque López was just a thousandth of a second behind.

In what turned out to be a magnificent race full of intrigue and differing tire strategies, López and Miyazono were leading the field on the penultimate lap but had one mandatory pitstop to make to switch onto the slower hard tires. As they emerged from the pitlane, the pair were dissected by Chilean Angel Inostroza who was on soft tires. After an action-, and incident-, packed final lap, López took the checkered flag from Inostroza and Miyazono, but celebrations were muted as an ‘incident under investigation’ notification went up and the drivers, and audience, awaited the verdict of the stewards. When the judgement came through that the collisions were ‘a racing incident,’ the celebrations could start in style for the Spaniard. As in the Manufacturers Cup, there was a points tie at the top of the leaderboard. López and Inostroza were both on 30 points, but the Spaniard’s victory in the Grand Final gave him the World Championship and left the Chilean bitterly disappointed. The third step of the podium was taken by Brazil’s Igor Fraga.

It had been a highly entertaining four days of racing with drama, excitement, high-profile guests, and some Monaco glamour. If you missed it, check out the streams on the Gran Turismo YouTube channel – https://www.youtube.com/@GRANTURISMOTV

Celebrating 25 years of Gran Turismo continues

The Gran Turismo 25^th Anniversary celebration continues as the Increased Rewards Campaign, Day 4 of the ‘Viewers Gift’ campaign for the Ferrari Vision Gran Turismo, and World Finals livery distribution are still available (see below for specific details. Internet connection required to access.)

Increased Rewards Campaign

For a limited time (Ends December 5), there will be increased rewards for each race in the ‘Sport’ mode!

• Daily Races
  • Ends December 5
  • Daily Race A will feature a race like the World Finals 
  • Within this period, the Credit rewards for applicable events will be 5x more than usual

• Online Time Trials
  • Ends December 5
  • Complete recreation of World Finals races to be held as a time trial event 
  • Within this period, credit rewards for applicable events will be 2x more than usual 

‘Viewers Gift’ campaign rewards the Ferrari Vision Gran Turismo

• The ‘Viewers Gift’ campaign is to reward anyone watching our streams live each day via an online quiz mechanism.
• Watch the World Finals and answer the Day 4 question to get early access to the Ferrari Vision Gran Turismo
• Reward ends December 4 at 7:59am PST / 3:59pm GMT

World Finals livery distribution

Until January 3^rd 2023, the special GT World Series World Finals liveries will be available through the ‘Recommended’ section of the Showcase pavilion, including the X2019 in national colors and some of the special Manufacturers Cup liveries.

Happy 25^th birthday to Gran Turismo. If the GT World Series World Finals are anything to go by, the next 25 years are going to be even more exciting.

If you missed out on Red Bull Capture Point, let’s bring you up to speed. The competition took place between September 5 and October 30, with budding virtual photographers tasked with capturing beautiful, awe-inspiring moments on either PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 in Horizon Forbidden West and Gran Turismo 7.*

The competition was split into four rounds, with opportunities to show off portraits, landscapes, and technical prowess, as well as a final open category for all entrants. The winners of each round were then moved into the Best of Show, where the four winning entries were judged side by side to determine one overall winner.

Eight countries took part in the competition – Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Chile, France, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and the United States – with the best virtual photographers picked out by our panel of judges, led by head judge Mik Bromley.  Mik is owner of TheFourthFocus.com, a website dedicated to the modern artistic medium of virtual photography, is a capture artist and web writer based in the UK and has been involved with Capture Point since it debuted in the US in 2021. So, without further ado, let’s meet the Best in Show winners of Red Bull Capture Point.

Argentina – @Ioahnis

Belgium  – @Olivier__Cesar

Canada  – @PhotogenicPete

Chile – @Sebassimracing

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France  – @Photoingame

Netherlands – @Photo_Ra_Phy

United Kingdom  – @GAMEBLEED_

United States – @AliensElement

“This year, Capture Point winners from all around the world showed off their talent with some skillful use of photo mode features,” says Mik Bromley. “Through careful composition, authentic depth of field, and mastery of the available light, they managed to take advantage of the in-game elements to create some beautifully detailed, stylish and photographic shots.”

The virtual photographers who captured these magnificent pictures will now be flown to New York City, where they’ll get a chance to recreate some of these shots in real life and receive professional photography lessons. And on top of that, they’ll then get to see their creations presented in a gallery setting, all while rubbing shoulders with industry professionals.

You can see all the winning photos from Red Bull Capture Point – both the Best in Show entries and the individual category winners from each country – over on Red Bull’s official Red Bull Capture Point event page. There are some truly stunning photos over there, so be sure to check them out to see two of the PlayStation’s most visually impressive games in ways you’ve never see them before.

You can also see the winning photos at the gallery on the evening of December 10 in the Lower East Side of New York City. Pick up your free ticket right now – they’re first come, first serve, so you’ll want to be quick if you want to see these stunning shots in all their glory.

Thank you again to everyone who took part in Red Bull Capture Point, and to our panel of judges for picking out the winning entries. We’ve seen some truly incredible virtual photographs in this competition, which truly captured the beauty of Gran Turismo 7 and Horizon Forbidden West on PS4 and PS5 consoles. Taking photos in your favorite games couldn’t be easier – go pick up your controller and get snapping.

*Gran Turismo 7: Internet connection required for features shown. Game progression required to access most vehicles.

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Three new exciting cars being added 

BMW M2 Competition ‘18
A hard-boiled FR that hides the power of a demon in its compact body.

The BMW 2 Series coupe is popular as a high-performance rear-wheel drive compact. The BMW M2 Competition is an extreme machine that fills the same engine compartment with the3L twin-turbo inline-6 ‘S55’ engine from the M3 and M4. What you’ll notice first is the captivating bodywork. With its bulging over fenders, the exterior is the embodiment of speed. Though it measures only 4,475 mm in length, it’s roughly the same size as the E36 M3. Whether in the city or out in the winding backroads, the car offers an incredible sense of control, as if the drivers own nerves reached out to the far corners of the body. The S55 engine offers a maximum power output of 404 BHP with 56.1 kgfm maximum torque. Even up against BMW’s long history of peak performance inline-6 engines, this model has an exceptional high revving performance, and as the boost builds its explosive power emerges.

Ford Sierra RS 500 Cosworth ‘87
A Cosworth tuned masterpiece that dominated touring car racing 

The Sierra was a relatively standard family car with an aerodynamic hatchback body, produced by Ford Europe from 1982. But in 1985, the impression of car enthusiasts regarding the Sierra took a big turn. This was because the famed Cosworth added the Sierra RS Cosworth to the selection, known affectionately as the “Cossie” among enthusiasts. The Sierra RS Cosworth was powered by a 2 liter inline 4 tuned to 203 BHP with DOHC and a turbocharger. The chassis was reinforced, and the exterior was upgraded with fender extensions and a large rear spoiler. A year later it was further increased in power to 223 BHP, and a 500-unit limited Sierra RS 500 Cosworth was added to the lineup, with an engine reinforced for racing use, and better aerodynamic details. And of course, all of these improvements were developed for touring car racing. From 1988 to 1990, the Sierra won several series championship titles in the international Group A category in countries such as Germany, UK, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. 

Nissan Silvia K’s Aero (S14) ‘96
The top grade of the S14 adds a rear spoiler and leather wrapped steering wheel.

The S14 Silvia debuted in October 1993 as the successor to the hugely successful S13 model, and with a new larger body Nissan hoped to continue their previous success. The S14 is 1,730 mm wide compared to the S13’s 1,690 and the track width has also been increased to match. The new model is also 30 mm longer at 4,500 mm, and 5 mm taller at 1,295 mm for an overall larger body. The softer lines of the body design though make width of the car stand out the most. The K’s grade model also featured 16-inch wheels as standard. The engine is a retuned version of the S13’s SR20 series. The highest-grade K’s model features an intercooled turbocharger and produces 14 BHP more than the previous generation at 216 BHP/28 kgfm with the naturally aspirated Q’s and J’s models producing 157 BHP/19.2 kgfm. The basic suspension structure has also been carried over from the S13 utilizing front struts with a multilink system on the rear. The car was also available with the ‘Super HICAS’ electronic rear wheel steering system. In 1996, Nissan released a facelift model with an extensive redesign. The exterior’s soft image was tightened up with scowling headlights and a large real spoiler for a more sharp and striking appearance.

Introducing Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta Race Circuit 

Total Length: 4,088m, Elevation Change: 38m, Number of corners: 12, Longest Straight: 1275m 

The Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta is a historic US road course built in 1970 and located just north of Braselton, Georgia. Renowned for hosting touring car and prototype car races, it is also the venue of the 10-hour ‘Petit Le Mans’ endurance race. A technical course featuring a series of flowing high-speed corners that require full throttle acceleration and hard braking, it’s tight track and dramatic elevation changes result in multiple blind corners where drivers must carefully consider their overtaking points.

Ability to sell vehicles 

With the latest 1.26 patch update installed (internet connection required), players would be able to sell cars within their personal garage once the GT Café Menus are completed.

Scapes
‘Illuminations’ and ‘Road Atlanta’ have been added to the featured section

*Internet connection is required for update