Gran Turismo[a][b] (GT) is a series of sim racing video games developed by Polyphony Digital.

[7] Released for PlayStation systems, Gran Turismo games are intended to emulate the appearance and performance of a large selection of vehicles, most of which are licensed reproductions of real-world automobiles.

[8][9][10] Handling of the vehicles in Gran Turismo games is based on the principles of real-world physics, requiring the player to understand real race driving techniques to be competitive, although various assists are available for less experienced drivers.

[19] Gran Turismo games typically feature a single-player campaign with numerous races, championships, license tests and other challenges.

[25][26][27] Newer instalments in the series have also included an online multiplayer element, which features both competitive and casual play.

[48] In order to enter and progress through more difficult races, a license-testing system has been implemented, which guides players through skill development.

[49][50][51] Players may apply prize money won in events to upgrade their existing car or buy a new one, collecting a garage of vehicles.

Endurance events are racing marathons where the player drives around the same track for a long time, performing pit stops, with the winning prize being a new car.

[38] The sim received post-release content at no charge, including cars and tracks, along with offline events, as well as bug fixes.

[76] Due to a delay in the release date, the name of the final version of the sim was changed to Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec.

[77] A demo version of the sim was given out for the visitors of PlayStation Festival 2000, allowing the players to drive a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V in Seattle Circuit for two minutes.

In the summer of 2004, Toyota sent a demo disc of GT4 along with a marketing brochure for its 2004 Prius hybrid car by way of customer request from their website.

Toyota stopped offering the demo discs when the requests for the marketing brochure became disproportional to the real interest in their cars.

BMW customers in the United Kingdom who ordered a 1-series before its official release date were invited to a private event at the Rockingham Motor Speedway in Northamptonshire.

One of the discs included in this kit is an official Gran Turismo demo named Nissan Micra Edition.

Tourist Trophy is one of only four titles for the PlayStation 2 that is capable of 1080i output, the others being Gran Turismo 4 and the Japanese version of Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria.

Polyphony Digital reused the physics engine, graphical user interface and all but one of the circuits found in Gran Turismo 4.

[79] It featured the Indianapolis GP Circuit for the first time in the franchise's history and also included a tuned and stock Nissan 370Z.

Polyphony Digital has collaborated with peripherals manufacturer Logitech and auto parts maker Sparco to design official driving simulator kits for the Gran Turismo franchise.

[83] Participating manufacturers in the Gran Turismo World Series are Alfa Romeo, AMG, Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Citroën, Dodge, Ferrari, Ford, Genesis, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Lexus, Mazda, McLaren, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Porsche, Renault, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, and Volkswagen.

[84] The series has been involved in sponsoring various sporting events and teams, including Super GT, Super Formula, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb as of November 2014,[86] D1GP since the 2008 season, the 2004 Race of Champions, the first chicane on the Mulsanne Straight at Circuit de la Sarthe until 2012, and racing teams/drivers such as Prost Grand Prix, Pescarolo Sport, Audi/Oreca, Peugeot, Abt Sportsline, Signatech-Nissan, Audi A4 DTM, Vita4One-BMW Z4, Aston Martin Rapide S, Igor Fraga, Lewis Hamilton, and Sébastien Loeb.

Winners of the Gran Turismo Academy include Lucas Ordóñez, Jordan Tresson and Jann Mardenborough, who have all gone on to compete in professional real-life racing.

Gran Turismo Sport's changes to series tradition were initially controversial among fans, but it ultimately became a popular game for esports competitions.

In 2005, Maeda Corporation, in association with Tokyo University of Science, researched the feasibility of making a real-life replica version of the fictional Grand Valley Speedway used in the series.

According to Ronda's city mayor Maria de la Paz Fernandez Lobato, "There is no doubt that his work has a huge cultural resonance with people today.

Ronda’s association with Gran Turismo is also a reflection that our ancient city is a modern, vibrant place to live and very much part of the 21st century.

[130] In 2013, Sony Pictures announced it was developing a Gran Turismo film with Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti producing it,[131] with a script by Alex Tse.

[136] On 14 June 2022, it was confirmed that Blomkamp would direct and announced that the film would be released on 11 August 2023, which is intended to be a non-fiction Bildungsroman focusing on GT Academy 2011 graduate Jann Mardenborough and his transition from gamer to race car driver.

David Harbour is set to star in the film as Jack Salter, who teaches Mardenborough how to drive a real car.

[140][141] Darren Barnet will play a racer who is ranked at the top at the GT academy and who is not thrilled to see Mardenborough excel.