Some other impressions:
"... the physics behind car and track are powerfully realistic. Developers worked on a new suspension model and refined the aerodynamic model to boot. The result, at least in our ten minutes at the helm, is remarkably true to life; satisfying to get right, and sometimes quite frustrating during the hard bits."
"I also noticed a slightly more gritty engine sound than what I have heard in previous builds. A Sony representative confirmed that several of the cars were equipped with updated audio."
"Once the races started, though, it was immediately clear that there have been significant changes to the artificial intelligence of the other drivers, as confirmed by U.S. Gran Turismo producer Taku Imasaki."
"This gave the racing a different and more challenging feel. I felt like I would need to push and drive defensively if I wanted to get ahead and win."
"Polyphony Digital are notoriously anal-retentive about these things, so it is no surprise that the engines sound beautiful (and different, depending on the car) and the tracks look more beautiful than ever."
"All of that, of course, is pointless if it doesn’t drive well, but this is Gran Turismo, so no worries, it drives like a dream.
"Front-wheel-drive cars drive differently than rear-wheel drive, 4WD have better handling but are heavier, turbos perform differently than naturally aspirated engines, etc. Gran Turismo has always done this stuff well, so this is not a surprise. But everything is just that much better. The blades of grass are more subtle, the reflection of the car in front of you is a little more clear."
