GT5 signs deal with Top Gear

By Robert Purchese Published 24 October, 2007

Watch episodes, use test track.

Polyphony Digital has signed a deal with BBC Worldwide to let you watch Top Gear on your PS3.

You will be able to enjoy up to 40 episodes of the motoring show using the new Gran Turismo TV channel, which will launch on the PlayStation Network sometime next year and feature all the goings-on from the world of cars.

The BBC has also given the go-ahead for the famous test-track from the show to be replicated in Gran Turismo 5, so you can pop on some slightly bizarre music and thrash all sorts of expensive creations around the track just like the enigmatic Stig.

"We're sure that players will be as thrilled as we are when they get the chance to put their own driving skills to the test on the Top Gear Test Track in GT5, as well as enjoying classic episodes of Top Gear via GT TV," said Kazunori Yamauchi, end boss at developer Polyphony Digital.

Unfortunately Gran Turismo 5 still looks to be a long way off in Europe, with only a tentative date of July 2008 mentioned for Japan so far.

But those of you eagerly awaiting it will be pleased to know that a demo for Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is now on the Japanese PlayStation Store, and all you have to do to get hold of it is create a mock account for the region and begin downloading. But be quick, it will disappear forever on 11th November.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (81) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Steroyd #1 4 years ago

    :D

  • Whizzo #2 4 years ago

    Great idea.

  • Triggerhappytel #3 4 years ago

    Well, good news for car enthusiasts, not sure if this will mean much to people outside the UK though.

    I don't expect this game will be released in the UK before early '09 though.

  • Rodney #4 4 years ago

    I think this is going to shift quite a few PS3's because this is going to have a lot of mass appeal.

    Ps3's first system seller?

  • Agent_Llama #5 4 years ago

    Can't find the demo. On Japanese store, only GT5 thing there is a video.

  • drumbaby #6 4 years ago

    it's defo there.

  • Agent_Llama #7 4 years ago

    There's 3 videos, no demo.

  • jeroenj #8 4 years ago

    Not sure how you can trash the cars if there's no damage model...

  • The-Bodybuilder #9 4 years ago

    Nobody can beat mainstream association like sony.

    Here that MS? You and forza.

  • smoothpete #10 4 years ago

    I remember talking about this on the forum a while ago. Can I have my royalties please thank you.

  • myiagros #11 4 years ago

    Next series expect to see The Stig trying to beat his own best time round the track using GT5.

  • secombe #12 4 years ago

    Has the track ever turned up in GTR or GTL or anything? Surprised if it hasn't been done at some point.

  • Agent_Llama #13 4 years ago

    Is the demo not there because I've put Hong Kong in as my region (so it was all in English)? *cries*

  • Psychotext #14 4 years ago

    People outside of the UK had better be paying to watch those episodes...

  • t8yman #15 4 years ago

    @triggerhappy.

    you would be surprised how popular top gear is worldwide.

  • JYM60 #16 4 years ago

    Sweet!

  • asphaltcowboy #17 4 years ago

    Not sure about bothering to watch episodes on the PS3, but the test track in game is a great idea!

  • JYM60 #18 4 years ago

    "Not sure how you can trash the cars if there's no damage model... "

    Except there will be damage.

    Plus, he said thrash anyway.

  • JYM60 #19 4 years ago

    Episodes in HD?, that would be the business.

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #20 4 years ago

    I have been sold a PS3.

    I thought possibly Gran Turismo might persuade me to part with 300 notes, since I'm not too fussed about most of the other games coming but I've been waiting for a game to include the Top Gear Test Track for some time now. Thank god it's a decent one, not some shite like Juiced.

    I suspect the Star-in-a-reasonably-priced-car lap times will start hotting up next year. Or the year after next, given the projected Euro release data (and inevitable 6 month slip).
    Edited by 1 at 24/10/07 @ 10:35

  • slickster #21 4 years ago

    i probably watch all of them,the new series is on sundays now.but i do like top gear it will be cool to watch it in HD,by the way all the cars on GT5P demo are unlock check it out.

  • Steroyd #22 4 years ago

    Triggerhappytel: Well, good news for car enthusiasts, not sure if this will mean much to people outside the UK though.

    Article: Polyphony Digital has signed a deal with BBC Worldwide to let you watch Top Gear on your PS3.

    Will probably mean as much as inside the UK.
    Edited by 1 at 24/10/07 @ 10:42

  • stephenb #23 4 years ago

    Some say his earwax can raise the dead and that in North Korea he was voted most elligible batchelor. All we know is...........

  • mazzl #24 4 years ago

    he's called the stigg

  • tonynibbles #25 4 years ago

    :D

  • monkie_king #26 4 years ago

    do they shoot Top Gear in HD? No. No they don't.

  • Spydez #27 4 years ago

    Great news - but are you able to drive the Suzuki Liana in GT5?

  • oreillymj #28 4 years ago

    After playing the GT5 prologue demo, I seriously tempted to buy a BMW 135!!
    The Lancer and Nissan are too twitchy/understeery but the Beemer looks gorgeous.
    When I understeered off the track at the 1st corner in the Nissan, I just thought, same old game since GT1. Understeer and bumper cars. Pity there's no damage in the demo. It's what the game really lacks.

    I haven't figured out how to unlock the other cars. Waiting for the Tokyo Motor show to kick off to see if they unlock.

    Wish I undertood what all the Japanese messages were on a bout.

  • bdgr #29 4 years ago

    driving the TG track?! That might make me get a PS3 just for that!

  • Fairlane #30 4 years ago

    TopGear is pretty popular in Denmark as well

  • MBar #31 4 years ago

    Argh.

    Awesome news.

    But I don't (and some say won't) own a PS3 ...

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #32 4 years ago

    They'd be silly not to have at least the Chevrolet Lacetti.

  • MBar #33 4 years ago

    Great news - but are you able to drive the Suzuki Liana in GT5?

    New car is the Chevrolet Lacetti.

    Fuck that though, let's get the Koensnosiojojjndxeeojojsaojxsxksncseggs out.

  • hp_on_toast #34 4 years ago

    "Well, good news for car enthusiasts, not sure if this will mean much to people outside the UK though. "

    Top Gear seems to be pretty popular all over Europe and it even picked up an Emmy in the States.

    I'm just surprised noone has tried to grab the Top Gear license for racing game, complete with poorly animated versions of the hosts and the Stig and some naff challenges.

  • Rodney #35 4 years ago

    Does anyone else think the PS3 might become popular with dads at christmas?

  • TommyUnderwear #36 4 years ago

    Hey, they say you can set up a dummy account for the region - how do you do that?

  • Ultra238a #37 4 years ago

    Top Gear is one of the BBC's biggest exports, especially to the US where it is huge.

    This is def. going to help sell units.

  • Mike1980 #38 4 years ago

    Having the Top Gear track is fine, as long as the Reasonably-Priced Car is there (Suzuki Liana). I'm sure i can beat Ellen MacArthur's time.

  • DDevil #39 4 years ago

    I remember Fruit_Salad saying he wanted the Top Gear test track on Forza 2 or PGR4... Shame neither of us have a PS3 really.

  • slickster #40 4 years ago

    i dont now why i come on this forum theres to many xbot wankers hire.you should just grow up.

  • the_sas_man #41 4 years ago

    Top Gear does get some solid viewing figures over here. but what many people dont realise is how big the show is overseas. its massive in many european countries (I believe its Belgium and Sweden) and let us not forget almighty America. There is a good reason why they wantd Top Gear to do an American season!

    So this is actually a great idea and has a much wider appeal than you think.

  • LeSpank #42 4 years ago

    VW Fox vs Toyota Aygo football mini-game please!

  • The_Inquisitor #43 4 years ago

    Video Gaiden and now this. There may be hope for the BBC yet.

  • Les #44 4 years ago

    Great. I don't give a toss about cars (well any car that's not a 911) but I do like Top Gear. Just quality entertainment.

  • Shyvah #45 4 years ago

    You can actually do driver training round it in RL. I have a voucher, I just need to find the time and book it. THey have their own lap time board with lots of crazy exotica on it. Be interesting to see how the VXT holds up with me at the wheel... :)

  • TriggerHippie #46 4 years ago

    Sweet, how about a race to the North Pole game mode :p

  • Rirekon #47 4 years ago

    Or just watch it on TV... *doesn't understand the point*

  • menage #48 4 years ago

    Smart fuckers.

    Sony may have done shit wrond or stupid. But sometimes they have flashes of brilliance.

  • steoc4 #49 4 years ago

    I swear Sony must be spying on me and custom making everything on PS3 to meet my tastes exactly. I know a lot of people complain about the PS3 but I love it more with every announcement.

  • bonker #50 4 years ago

    "When I understeered off the track at the 1st corner in the Nissan, I just thought, same old game since GT1. Understeer and bumper cars. Pity there's no damage in the demo. It's what the game really lacks. "

    "Nissan" and "understeer" in the same sentence??

  • Hughes. #51 4 years ago

    ZOMG, I was watching yet another repeat of the show on UKTV rust the other day and thinking how great it would be to have the track in a game, so I could pit my wits against Johnny Vegas or Terry Wogan's lap-times. I'd also like to beat Simon Cowell. That has nothing to do with driving games, I'd just like to beat him, with a stick.

  • cheese001 #52 4 years ago

    I like this idea. I like I like

  • KingOfIceland #53 4 years ago

    Well, that settles it, I'm getting a PS3 when this comes out

  • Darkflight #54 4 years ago

    Damn, was just thinking the other day I'd love this to be in PGR4 as DLC, if only I liked the GT games, License tests, noooooooooooooooooo thank you.

  • OldK1ngCole #55 4 years ago

    "VW Fox vs Toyota Aygo football mini-game please!"

    Been watching re-runs on Dave have we?

  • JediMasterMalik #56 4 years ago

    Top gear is top entertainment, I'd love to go around that track too.

  • BlueDot #57 4 years ago

    "do they shoot Top Gear in HD? No. No they don't."

    The Artic Special was in HD and it looked really, really good. The first one I watched in HD that convinced me that I should get a HDTV telly soon.

  • rhinoxious #58 4 years ago

    Quite a lot of BBC programmes are shot in HD, they just don't broadcast them in HD.

  • Arwin #59 4 years ago

    Top Gear is popular all over the world ... BBC are a very forward looking company in terms of new media so it's a perfect match! Hopefully the series will still be running when GT5 proper comes out. ;) Maybe they can release a demo / mini-game with just the reasonably priced car challenge with clutch simulation, and in future let all stars practice on a PS3 with a G25 wheel first, so you can try to beat them in the online rankings. :)
    Edited by 1 at 24/10/07 @ 14:37

  • Captain Jax #60 4 years ago

    TG is also the most downloaded show on the planet. I think they reckon over 200 million people watch it.

  • Wyrm #61 4 years ago

    This makes me want to buy a PS3.

  • Kami #62 4 years ago

    A stroke of utter genius to show the shows on the GT Channel, and an even bigger flash of genius to include the fabled test track as well.

    ... just add that ridiculously pretty and fast Koenigsegg and one non-racing gamer may end up converted.

  • LeSpank #63 4 years ago

    "Been watching re-runs on Dave have we?"

    Dave!? Is that some satellite channel? I don't even have channel 5 yet! No, I just remember that part of the program being quite good.

  • hp_on_toast #64 4 years ago

    They'd better get the Stig to set some online lap times for us all to have a go at beating.

  • Hypnopedia #65 4 years ago

    Dave is available on Freeview - great news as I did miss the TG re-runs on UK-summat-or-other when I ditched SKY+ for my Humax!

    Great move by Sony, TG had the Laguna Seca GT4 Episode with Jezza trying to beat his PS2 laptime at the real track...he failed obviously...

    This defineately has me thinking of a PS3 purchase next Xmas (yes, yes, I am that sad)...might actually have a HDTV by then and Blu-Ray mayhave conquered the planet....

  • Hughes. #66 4 years ago

    And that gorgeous German woman should have a ghost replay for the Nordschleife, in both the Jag and the Transit.

  • Corben_Dallas #67 4 years ago

    Finally Sony does something right for the PS3.

    GT5 next year Sony........i'm watching ya.

    Oh and pleeeeeeeeaaaaaaaassssssssseeeeeeeee have the stig in game :)
    Edited by 1 at 24/10/07 @ 15:51

  • syphon92 #68 4 years ago

    thats really good news :) i like both, the top gear show and gt :p

  • X201 #69 4 years ago

    "And that gorgeous German woman should have a ghost replay for the Nordschleife, in both the Jag and the Transit."

    /awards Hughes the Golden Jaffa Award for the best idea of the day

  • rob230 #70 4 years ago

    Weird how everyone assumes Top Gear is made by the BBC, when in fact it's actually made my Clarksons own production company and then SOLD to the Beeb

    Boring factoid then :D

  • Miths #71 4 years ago

    "Has the track ever turned up in GTR or GTL or anything? Surprised if it hasn't been done at some point."

    It has - but if I recall correctly the couple of versions released had problems with timing because of the track layout, and additionally they weren't quite accurate enough to truly work as comparisons against the real track, which is of course sort of unacceptable when we're talking about sims and not arcade racers.

  • JohnDonson #72 4 years ago

    I really love this idea. I'm a big fan of the top gear series, if I find myself in the happy position to see them on german telly.
    I hope they integrate that in Germany, too.
    Name of the women that tried to beat the 10 Minutes on the Nordschleife with the Transit is Sabine Schmitz, she is doing some "Ring Taxi" things on the "Green Hell" (worth the money) and is a co-hoster of a car show on german Television.

  • Downside #73 4 years ago

    absolute genius. The first reason I've had for even considering one.

    /checks article to see if the track is an platform exclusive or if they'd license it for, say, PGR4

  • Artemis_Matsas #74 4 years ago

    Ok, minigame ideas:

    Set a Yugo on Fire.

    Crush a Hyundai.

    You get the idea.

  • Scimarad #75 4 years ago

    Fantastic news! I remember playing another GT and mentioning I was suprised they hadn't put the Top Gear track on there yet...

  • SAH1977 #76 4 years ago

    Top Gear will be on GT TV, which is included in GT5P, you won't have to wait for the full GT5 game.

    Shows from all over the world will be shown, including Best Motoring, D1 Drift and Super GT.

  • Kami #77 4 years ago

    "And that gorgeous German woman should have a ghost replay for the Nordschleife, in both the Jag and the Transit."

    Her name is Sabine Schmitz, and hell yes.

    I still wish they'd give her more time on Top Gear... something about her in a fast car, a harness and a leather seat that is rather appealing...

  • gamerbunny #78 4 years ago

    Sold!

  • Kill_Crazy #79 4 years ago

    mem wrote: "DEMO IS OUT NOW ON UK PS STORES ..................FORZA WHO.........CANT WAIT FOR FULL GAME.............................."

    You Sir, are a liar!

  • Corben_Dallas #80 4 years ago

    "which is of course sort of unacceptable when we're talking about sims and not arcade racers."
    Mith

    Forza and GT5 (no doubt) will/are as good as most PC sim racers, these consoles racers are more sim quality racers these days.

  • Benjaminos #81 4 years ago

    Weird how everyone assumes Top Gear is made by the BBC, when in fact it's actually made my Clarksons own production company and then SOLD to the Beeb

    Boring factoid then :D

    More like a boring made-up factoid, perpetuated by some chumps on the Digital Spy forums.

    IMDB has the BBC credited as the production company for Top Gear. Even the Clarkson spin-off straight-to-video titles are produced by a company called North One Television, who actually produce the far inferior Fifth Gear for Channel 5.