Posted on 31 July by Penrose Tackie – European Brand Manager

GT PSP Packfront

Hello everyone, its Penrose Tackie here with more news from the beautifully rendered world of Gran Turismo.

Today we take another step closer towards the launch of GT-PSP as we officially reveal the pack image. The car featured on the packfront for those without an encyclopaedic knowledge of cars is the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.

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The choice of what to feature as lead vehicle of a release as big as GT was a carefully considered process.

The resulting selection of one of GMs’ cars is clearly a reflection of Kazunori Yamauchi at Polyphony’s respect and admiration for the global motoring industry and the American giants in particular.

And it certainly hasn’t escaped the notice of Yamauchi-san that these are difficult times for the global and American motoring industry.

In a recent interview that he gave to the PlayStation Blog he expands on this theme and also the inspiration that he has drawn over the years from motor manufacturing Mecca, Detroit.

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Kazunori Yamauchi

This spring I visited Detroit a few times, mainly to see the factories of the Big 3, and their museums and archives.

What I came to realize in those visits, was that the designs and mechanisms of American cars, in all eras over the years, have always been aimed towards a bright new future that all little kids dream about, and just seeing them makes your heart race.

I found that when I’m surrounded by these generations of American cars, it just simply makes me happy.

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There is a different experience in European car museums. In Europe I am more enveloped by a humbling, almost holy experience, in awe of the existence of the Automobile that was born out of practicality, and usually appreciate its rich, diligent history of engineering in silent respect.

And so I’ve really come to realize more and more lately, that “American Cars have always been looking straight into the future, and have always been full of dreams – and quite wonderful after all.”

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With all the automotive industry in the world at a crisis, I know that North American automakers are especially in a very difficult situation, and I understand the background and the reasons behind this.

And I can easily envision these things affecting our works as well. After all, as you well know, the game Gran Turismo is a video game that grew thanks to the insight and vision of the automotive industry, and in effect nurtured by its kindness, in its very womb.

And that’s why I wanted us to make something, that could cheer up those in the industry.

Many GM cars representative from the Autorama days have really helped build the foundations of my adoration and sense of value for cars. And something that had always been deep within my heart over the years, is the long line of Corvettes.

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As long as I’ve known in every era, even from when I was a very small child, the Corvette has always been one of the coolest cars around.

And that is the reason why the newest Corvette ZR-1, was selected for the package cover of Gran Turismo for the PSP that is planned for release.

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Also, there’s a fun little bit at the ending of this PSP version Gran Turismo, that is in concert with this package image of the Corvette.

I hope you’ll look forward to its release.

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Filed: PSP Games

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