Although Polyphony Digital's Gran Turismo 5 has been on the production line for some time, the game has proved to be more elusive that spotting an exotic supercar on the streets. However, racing fans may soon find temporary relief in the form of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, a "lite," stripped-down addition to Sony's seminal racing series.

　　Sony Computer Entertainment today confirmed that more than 70 vehicles will feature in the PlayStation 3 game. Old favourites will make a comeback, including the Nissan GT-R, Honda Integra Type R, Subaru Impreza WRX STI, and the Dodge Viper GTS. Along for the ride will be a plethora of car models including the prancing horse, with four Ferrari models queuing up on the starting line.

　　Available on Blu-ray Disc or as a download over Sony's PlayStation Network, GT5 Prologue is the first in the series to support online play, with up to 16 racers being able to compete on track. Additionally, GT5 Prologue will feature split-screen for head-to-head local multiplayer, as well as a drift mode and extensive options for in-car tuning and telemetry tweaking.

　　Polyphony previously announced that the Dunsfold Park test track from the BBC's Top Gear would feature in Gran Turismo 5, as well as 40 episodes of the show through the game's Gran Turismo TV feature on PSN. It looks as if GT5 Prologue will miss out on the test track, but owners will still be able to download episodes via GT TV.

　　SCE also confirmed some of the tracks that will feature in the game, including Eiger Nordwand (previously seen in Gran Turismo HD Concept), Daytona International Speedway, London City Track, Fuji Speedway, Suzuka, and the High Speed Ring, all with alternative layouts.

　　GT5 Prologue is currently on track for a March release in Europe and April in the US. Prologue's bigger brother, Gran Turismo 5, is expected to appear sometime in 2008.

　　The full vehicle list for GT5 Prologue is below.

　　Acura NSX '91

　　Alfa Romeo 147 TI 2.0 TWIN SPARK '06

　　Alfa Romeo Brera Sky Window 3.2 JTS Q4 '06

　　Amuse S2000 GT1 Turbo

　　Amuse/Opera Performance Gran Turismo 350Z RS

　　Art Morrison Corvette '60

　　Aston Martin DB9 Coupe '06

　　Audi R8 4.2 FSI R tronic '07

　　Audi TT Coupe 3.2 quattro '07

　　Blitz Dunlop ER34 '07

　　BMW 135i Coupe '07

　　BMW 135tii '08

　　BMW M3 Coupe '07

　　BMW Z4 '03

　　Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C6) Tuned Car

　　Chevrolet Corvette Z06 '06

　　Citroen C4 Coupe 2.0VTS '06

　　Clio Renault Sport V6 24V Tuned Car

　　Daihatsu Copen Active Top '02

　　Daihatsu OFC-1 '07

　　Dodge Viper GTS

　　Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe

　　Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Tuned Car

　　Ferrari 512BB '76

　　Ferrari 599 '06

　　Ferrari F40 '92

　　Ferrari F430 '06

　　Ford Focus ST '06

　　Ford GT '05

　　Ford GT Tuned Car

　　Ford Mustang V8 GT Coupe Premium '07

　　Honda Integra TYPE R '04

　　Honda NSX Type R '02

　　Jaguar XK Coupe '06

　　Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione '91

　　Lexus IS F '07

　　Lexus IS F Tuned Car

　　Lotus Elise 111R '04

　　Lotus Elise 111R Tuned Car

　　Lotus Elise '96

　　Lotus Elise Tuned Car

　　Mazda Atenza Sport (2007 Tokyo Motor Show reference exhibit)

　　Mazda RX-7 (FD) Special Tuned Car

　　Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A (FD) '02

　　Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A (FD) Tuned Car

　　Mazda RX-8 Type S '03

　　Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG '02

　　Mine's BNR34 Skyline GT-R N1 base '06

　　Mini Cooper-S '06

　　Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR '05

　　Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR Premium Package '07

　　Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR Tuned Car

　　Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR Tuned Car

　　Nissan Fairlady Z Version S '07

　　Nissan GT-R '07

　　Nissan GT-R Proto '05

　　Nissan Skyline Coupe (V36) Tuned Car

　　Nissan Skyline Coupe 370GT Type SP '07

　　Nissan Skyline Coupe Concept '07

　　Nissan Skyline GT-R V-spec II Nur '02

　　Nissan Skyline Sedan 350GT Type SP '06

　　Peugeot 207GTI '07

　　Peugeot 307cc Premium AVN '04

　　RE Amemiya FD3S RX-7

　　Renault Clio Renault Sport V6 24V '00

　　Subaru Impreza Sedan WRX STI spec C Type RA '05

　　Subaru Impreza WRX STI (18inch BBS Wheel Option) '07

　　Suzuki Cappuccino '95

　　Suzuki Cappuccino Tuned Car

　　Suzuki Cervo SR '07

　　Suzuki Swift Sport '07

　　Suzuki Swift Sport Tuned Car

　　TVR Tamora '02

　　TVR Tuscan Speed 6 '00

　　Volkswagen Golf GTI '01

　　Volkswagen Golf V GTI '05

　　The full track list for GT5 Prologue is below.

　　Suzuka Circuit

　　Fuji Speedway

　　Daytona International Speedway

　　Eiger Nordwand

　　London City Track

　　High Speed Ring