Sony Playstation PS3: Launch and Gran Turismo HD sneak peek

Gran Turismo HD is a playable prototype. It is not an upgraded version of PS2's GT4 but a bonafide PS3 game. And as the following screen shots will show, it takes full advantage of the PS3's considerable additional computing and graphics power. GT-HD is currently the best indication of the coming full fledged instalment of Gran Turismo, for the PS3. And I have to say... it looks pretty darn good.

For the first time, there'll be bikes as well.

Look at the in-game screen below. This is what the actual gameplay is going to look like. Beautiful! Btw, do you recognise the 10,000rpm tachometer from the picture I took during the Singapore Motorshow 2006? Yup, it's from the Ferrari 599 GTB.

And yes, you've guessed it. For the first time ever, Ferrari's are going to be featured in Gran Turismo. I hope this paves the way for other exotics, like the Lamborghini and please, please the Bugatti Veyron as well.

And just look at the detail of the cars. You can actually see the radiator, the bulbs in the headlamps...

The intercooler, tyre thread on the Lancer Evo. I hope the finished version has the new Lancer.

The detail of the brake calipers, the cross drills...

And also for the first time, you get to see into the cabin. The interior is as authentic and painstakingly detailed as the exterior...

And the Gran Turismo series has the best (and I do mean the BEST!), most realistic driving physics of any driving simulation out there. Forget all the rubbish like Project Gotham Racing, Need For Speed, Ridge Racer and what not. Those are big on graphics (actually very good), but it's as if the programmers just drew what they liked to see, not what the cars authentically look like.

And the driving... it's only in GT that you can actually feel the Vtec power lump at 5000rpm (with the accompanying Vtec wail), the wall of torque as the turbo comes on song, actually sense that the car understeering, oversteering, being nose heavy or tail happy... no other game manages to do that... no other game gives you this level of realism and involvement. I don't know about you... but I can't wait to get my hands on this.