Gran Turismo 6 announced, due out this year

The sixth iteration of a franchise that began with the original Gran Turismo driving simulator in 1998, Gran Turismo 6 was announced at the UK’s Silverstone Grand Prix circuit by the game’s designer Kazunori Yamauchi.

Promising new levels of authenticity, new tracks (including Silverstone), new cars, and a revised user interface, the game that has sold 70 million copies worldwide will also be expanded to be compatible with other devices outside the PlayStation 3 console including smart phones, tablets and PCs, with a mobile version and web application version to be created.

All cars and tracks from Gran Turismo 5 – released in 2010 – remain in GT 6, but new additions boost the total to 1200 cars and 33 locations, with more cars and tracks to be continually added and made availale online.

The game’s physics engine for tyre and suspension kinematic modelling is also new, and has been developed with new partners Yokohama and KW Automotive respectively.

Yamauchi said things had changed a lot in the 15 years since the original game was launched globally.

“It is amazing to think that it is 15 years since we first released Gran Turismo.

“Things have changed a lot since then and now Gran Turismo 6 is a further evolution of my dream.

“I am very pleased with everything about the new game and the new additions, but the launch will be only the beginning for GT 6. The game will continue to develop throughout its life. I already have many ideas for things I want to achieve in the next 15 years of Gran Turismo.”

The 15th anniversary event also included a demonstration of the new game, featuring the Silverstone circuit.

A version of Gran Turismo 6 for the PlayStation 4 is also believed to be on the cards, with the new console due to be launched in Japan, the UK and US this year.

Click on the Photos tab for a full gallery of Gran Turismo 6 images.