As we near the end of the month, Polyphony Digital CEO Kazunori Yamauchi has once again shared a darkened image on social media, teasing new vehicles for Gran Turismo 7.
“Update is coming next week,” reads the caption from the series producer.
The Sony-exclusive driving video game is on a monthly cycle of updates since its launch in March 2022, with one exception being January 2023. However, February’s update was significant, adding not only new content but PSVR2 support.
Here are our best guesses and approximations of what these new cars are, and we’ll let you know as soon as they are formally confirmed.
Porsche 959
The Porsche 959 was a road-going supercar, arguably Porsche’s first, taking on the might of the Ferrari F40.
Except, it didn’t really. No, instead of taking on the Prancing Horse, it was built to Group B motorsport regulations. When you think of Group B, you instantly think of the World Rally Championship in the 1980s – Lancia Delta S4, MG Metro 6R4 and the like.
But, the Group B category was also designed for circuit-based competition too. So, the 959 not only competed in events such as the Memorial Bettega and Dakar rally raid, it won its class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Incredibly, René Metge drove a 959 to victory in both the Dakar and Le Mans in the same year, 1986.
We believe this to be the road-going version, with its pioneering all-wheel-drive system and automatic ride-height adjustment.
Porsche 904 / Carrera GTS
Often thought of as an exclusive purveyor of rear-engine sports cars, the Porsche 904 – aka Carrera GTS – of the 1960s showcases Stuggart’s dalliance with mid-mounted powertrains even in its nascent stages.
The 904 was one of those rarified vehicles that make aficionados particularly excited – a homologation special.
A road-going production version was created in order for Porsche to compete in GT racing, with a diminutive four-cylinder 2-litre engine between the driver and the rear wheels, paired with a five-speed manual gearbox.
Toyota Alphard
In many markets around the world, the humble multi-purpose vehicle, or MPV, has been superseded by SUVs, which families have flocked to for desirable transportation.
However, some countries stand firm by the boxy, practical, vehicles, Japan being one of them where the Toyota Alphard is seen as the ‘Rolls-Royce’ of the genre.
We’re not sure of the exact specification here, but the rectangular profile is a giveaway, alongside its giant teeth grille. In fact, the car’s distinct logo is clearly visible.
Will it set the leaderboards on fire? Almost certainly not, but it is a quirky, JDM, car we expect of the Gran Turismo games.
Mazda 3
The latest generation of Mazda 3, or Mazda3 as the Japanese company likes to stylise it, has a uniquely-styled rear haunch that is bad for rearward visibility but good for design awards.
It also means we think this is recognisable in the teaser image.
First introduced in 2019, the fourth-generation mid-size family car is also available as a four-door saloon, but here it’s the five-door hatchback.
While there isn’t a dedicated ‘sporty’ version of the 3, the top-of-line model in select markets does feature all-wheel-drive and a 2.5-litre turbo with 250 hp – we’re hoping for this as opposed to the 1.8-litre diesel variant…
Audi RS5 Class One touring car
The former DTM rules, also used by Japan’s Super GT championship in the present day ahead of a proposed switch in 2024, created purpose-built prototype silhouettes and a lot of political wrangling.
At the time – in Germany at least, until 2020 – perhaps the cars weren’t much loved, and grid numbers dwindled. However, since the DTM switched to the popular GT3 formula, it’s now easy to look back and miss the crazy, low-slung, Class One beasts.
Known for its ‘swan kneck’ rear wing, and in the case of the Audi RS5 a roof hatch for easy marshal access in the event of an accident, this shadowy image looks to match up with the Ingolstadt creation – but let’s find out for definite next week. It would certainly make for a fun ‘Gr.2’ addition.
The air-intakes on the bonnet suggest the specification that ran between 2019 and 2020 with a 2-litre turbocharged engine, as opposed to the earlier V8.
What do you think the new cars are? Let us know in the comments below.
Images: Motorsport Images
Chat with the Community
Sign Up To CommentIt's completely Free