North American Playstation 3 users will also get to enjoy Gran Turismo HD Concept along with their Japanese counterparts on December 24th. The “concept” edition of Gran Turismo will be offered for free via the Playstation Store, and will includes the Eiger Nordwand course, and ten cars. The cars include both a standard and a tuned model:

• 1995 Suzuki Cappucino
• 1989 Mazda Eunos Roadster 2004 Honda Integra TYPE R
• 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV GSR
• 2006 Infiniti G35 Coupe
• 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR
• 2005 Lotus Elise 111R
• 1994 Nissan SKYLINE GT-R Vspec II
• 1995 Toyota Celica GT-FOUR Rally Car
• 2006 Ferrari 599

Gran Turismo HD will offer both a time trial and drift trial mode, online rankings, and replay upload and download. While the official release date is December 24th, but some users are reporting that the download is available now.

The full press release continues below.

PLAYSTATION®Store offers GRAN TURISMO™HD CONCEPT free for PLAYSTATION®3 owners this holiday season
World’s Most Popular Driving Videogame Franchise Available In Full HD*

FOSTER CITY, Calif., December 22, 2006 Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) announced today the December 24 North American release of Gran Turismo™HD Concept, available for free download, exclusively on the PLAYSTATION®Store (PS Store) for the PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system. Developed by Polyphony Digital Inc., this driving game features an all-new course for players to be the first to drive a Ferrari on a PS3, as well as have the option to select a car from nine other worldwide manufacturers that include Infiniti, Lotus, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Suzuki. Available only for a limited time, Gran Turismo HD Concept takes full advantage of the PS3 PLAYSTATION 3 hardware performance by providing full HD 1080p* resolution and next-generation car physics ushering in a new era of racing for the gaming industry.

“Gran Turismo HD Concept provides PS3 and automotive fans a glimpse into the future of Gran Turismo,” states Kazunori Yamauchi, famed creator of the Gran Turismo franchise. “With the power of the PS3 technology, the world of Gran Turismo is refined by its full HD visual presentation and unique interactive experience, resulting in an even more realistic and true driving simulator.”

Upon downloading Gran Turismo HD Concept, PS3 users have access to the Eiger Nordwand course and can compete in Time Trial races to collect and unlock new cars. Upon unlocking the initial 10 cars, the player has access to 10 more “Tuned Cars,” as well as access to a new driving mode called “Drift Trial.”

In the “Drift Trial” mode, the player can master the art of drifting and achieve ultimate control of their car. Furthermore, when connected to the PLAYSTATION®Network (PS Network), the player can upload their times and view the Top 10 rankings for each car and mode, as well as play and save replays online.

Featured Automobiles in Gran Turismo HD Concept (Year, Manufacturer, Model)
In order of appearance in game (available in stock and “tuned” versions):
1995 Suzuki Cappucino
1989 Mazda Eunos Roadster
2004 Honda Integra TYPE R
1996 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV GSR
2006 Infiniti G35 Coupe
2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR
2005 Lotus Elise 111R
1994 Nissan SKYLINE GT-R Vspec II
1995 Toyota Celica GT-FOUR Rally Car
2006 Ferrari 599

Additional Information About The Game Modes in Gran Turismo HD Concept

In “Time Trial” mode, the player selects a car and must complete the Eiger Nordwand course within the target time indicated at the top of the screen. Each time the player beats the target time, a new car is unlocked and made available for selection. As stated, upon unlocking all of the cars, the player can access tuned cars, along with the option to race Eiger Nordwand in the opposite direction.

In “Drift Trial” mode, the players drifting technique is tested, rather than their lap time. The player earns drift points based on their drift angles, racing lines, and speeds within evaluation zones located at various turns on the course. For each evaluation zone, the results are based on the number of flags and a numerical figure. The point total from all zones determines the players drift points for the lap and is counted toward the rankings.

The following settings are available during gameplay: 1) Transmission the player can select either Manual or Automatic. 2) Stability Management (SM) the player can turn this ON or OFF during gameplay. ASM is designed to prevent vehicle skidding by controlling each of the four wheel brakes independently. 3) Traction Control (TC) Level the player can set the TCS level, which senses drive-wheel slip and prevents wheel spin. 4) Tires the player can select front and rear tires from nine types of brands.

About Gran Turismo

With more than 45 million units sold worldwide, the award-winning Gran Turismo franchise for the PlayStation® platforms serves as the racing game of choice amongst the automotive and gaming audience due to its true-to-life graphics, physics and real-life cars and tracks. Since the inception of the Gran Turismo franchise, famed creator Kazunori Yamauchi and Polyphony Digital Inc. in Japan have revolutionized the racing category as we know it today. His offerings provide the gamer with the most true-to-life driving simulation within the industry and a unique medium for automobile manufacturers to showcase their products. In Motor Trend Magazines February 2005 and 2006 issue, Yamauchi was selected as #17/50 most powerful people in the automotive industry. For more information, please visit http://www.gran-turismo.com.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated all Gran Turismo properties “E” for Everyone. For more information about the ESRB, please visit www.esrb.org.

About The PLAYSTATION Store

Utilizing the PS Network on PS3, the PS Store is an integrated and streamlined online storefront that allows all PS3 users to browse and download available entertainment content, including free** high-definition game videos and playable demos. On an ongoing basis, users will also be able to purchase full games exclusive to the PS3, as well as classic PlayStation (PS one®) software titles that are playable via the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, and the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system.
Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets, and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the PSP system and the PS3 system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

“PlayStation”, “PLAYSTATION”, “PSP” and “PS one” are registered trademarks and PS3 is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Use of “Gran Turismo HD Concept” (the “Software”) is subject to the PLAYSTATION®Network Terms of Service/User Agreement. If you do not wish to accept all these terms, do not use this item. The Software download service is offered on a limited time basis. An advance notice of service termination is given on PlayStation®Store. The ranking service for the Software may be discontinued or suspended as necessary.
© Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All manufacturers, cars, names, brands and associated imagery featured in this game are trademarks and/or copyrighted materials of their respective owners. All rights reserved. Any depiction or recreation of real world locations, entities, businesses, or organizations is not intended to be or imply any sponsorship or endorsement of this game by such party or parties. Gran Turismo is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
*Full HD 1080p requires an HDMI cable and a 1080p native display with an HDMI input supporting HDCP. This game supports displays ranging from standard definition to 1080p displays.
**User responsible for all applicable internet fees. Some services or features may require additional fees.