Our Thoughts

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VW W12

EVO

Alan: Gran Turismo Concept appears to offer slightly improved graphics. We especially noticed this when taking our screenshots and videos. Polyphony Digital appears to have obtained an even better grasp of the PS2 hardware and push out larger textures, resulting in better looking cars and tracks. Of course, aliasing is still a problem. Special effects, including lighting, also seem to be improved. The occasionally blocky dust cloud textures found on the rally tracks, and heat wave artifacts that were found in GT3 have been corrected in GTC. Now, you almost never see the square textures of the dust cloud, and the heat wave effect looks smoother, free from the matrix artifacts.

FX45 racing – 672KB (11 sec)

The addition of new cars is excellent. Yes, there are more than a few different Skyline GT-Rs, but most of the new cars are cars I actually care about. Moreover, the new cars aren’t simply new geometry and textures – they drive differently. The Infiniti G35 and FX45 both handle in the game as they do in real-life. What are some of the other new cars in the game? Try the Volkswagen W12, Cadillac Cien, Audi RS6, the production Ford GT (formerly known as the GT40, Ford no longer owns the rights to this name), Mazda 6, Mercedes SL55 AMG, Lexus SC430, and Honda Dualnote.

Nice rims

Caddy Cien

Another Lotus

Alexis: The Honda Dualnote (Acura DN-X) is probably the car every other Gran Turismo Concept article talks about because it’s significantly different from anything you’ve seen before. The Dualnote is Honda’s NSX-replacement Concept, and is a gas-electric hybrid vehicle. Unlike the slow-as-molasses Toyota Prius or Civic Hybrid, the Dualnote is designed as a performance hybrid vehicle. The 3.5L i-VTEC V6 gas engine provides 300 hp to the rear wheels, and a 100 hp starter/generator/electric motor powers all four wheels. Oh, by the way, this car does 42 mpg with 400 hp.

Alan: In Gran Turismo Concept, the Dualnote appears to be modeled in the same way. While driving, a blue electric meter located within the tachometer shows you the current charge in the electric battery. While electric power is available, the Dualnote operates at peak performance. Once the electric motor is discharged completely, the car acts like a RWD car, losing 100 hp in the process. The electric battery is recharged by braking. One concern we have with the game is that the batteries appear to recharge far too quickly. In the GTC, recharging occurs faster than you drain the battery, suggesting a perpetual motion machine.

While graphics have been improved slightly, the physics also seem to have been upgraded. We suspect the changes are mild as we did not find it to be significantly different initially. There appeared to be two differences, however. Heavier cars appeared to move more realistically in the rally tracks, and during the replays, the graphics looked even more realistic than before. For the force feedback steering, “Simulation” mode isn’t available, but the “Professional” steering assist works well.

Clio Renault

RS4 wagon

Cadillac Cien

With only a $30 list price, one new track, and cars such as the Cadillac Cien, it is clear that GTC would have been successful in the United States. We’re not sure why the game never made it here, and can only suspect that licensing agreements of some sort prevented Gran Turismo Concept from reaching the United States, even though it was released in Asia, Europe, and Australia. This wouldn’t be the first time it’s happened – the US version of Gran Turismo did not have the Lamborghini Diablo.

Bottom line? If you’re a Gran Turismo fan and have access to a Japanese PS2 unit, you’ll definitely want to pick this game up. Gran Turismo Concept 2002: Tokyo/Geneva is the best rendition of Gran Turismo Concept, but it is a dual-layer game meaning that it’ll only work on original Japanese PS2s and not with most mod-chips.

Alexis: One thing you didn’t mention was the pairing up of cars. The game is supposed to have you race against equal opponents. If you’re in a VW Golf, the game won’t have you race against the Ford GT40. However, there’s a bug or overgenerous setup for the Audi RS6. With the RS6, you’re not racing against peers such as the Jaguar S-Type R -- they pit you against RUF RGT’s (modified Porsche 911), Vipers, Lotus Esprit Sport 350’s, and Corvettes. The S-Type R is in the opposite situation. You race against Integra (RSX) Type-R’s, WRX STi’s, and EVO VII’s.

FX45 at the track

Alan: Final Verdict: 94% No editor’s choice this time… maybe for GT4.