Sony announces Gran Turismo Sport

Sony and Polyphony Digital are still working on Gran Turismo 7, but in the meantime they've announced a new edition of the world's most popular automotive video game.

To be released exclusively for the PlayStation 4 gaming console on November 16, GT Sport will feature 19 racetracks and 140 cars, including new additions like the latest Mazda MX-5, Ford Mustang GT Fastback and Mercedes-AMG GT S.

Details remain thin on the ground, but the new game is claimed to offer even better graphics and a focus on racing classes including "GT3, Prototype, Rally and more".

As you can see from this teaser trailer, included in the 27 circuit configurations are several new tracks including a new road course set in New Zealand, but there's no sign yet of any fresh Australian venues beyond Mount Panorama.

Also new are two FIA-certified 'Sport Mode' online championships -- Nations Cup and Manufacturer’s Cup – in which players around the world can represent either their country or their favourite car-maker.

Spectators will able to live stream the races and, making the competition even more life-like, the winners of both championships will even be recognised at FIA’s annual prize-giving ceremony.

Along with the usual 'Vision' concept cars will be original race cars created for Gran Turismo, which feature actual FIA-spec components like rear wings, front spoilers, steering wheels and instrument panels.

Another new feature of GT Sport will be the 'Livery Editor' that allows players to create and customise their own original car graphics, or to recreate the colour scheme of their favourite race cars.

All this will be on top of the standard GT6 racing platform, in which racers progress through various race licences and special tests to win more credits and unlock more expensive cars.

Sony claims its first Gran Turismo game available to PlayStation 4 owners is the "world’s first racing experience to be built from the ground up to bring global, online competitions sanctioned by the highest governing body of international motorsports, the FIA (Federation International Automobile)".

"The award-winning Real Driving Simulator series speeds onto PlayStation 4 for the first time, putting you on course for high octane thrills to truly get your pulse racing," said Sony.

"Sharing the wheel with FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile), Polyphony Digital has engineered a finely tuned and accessible game that everyone from casual drivers to petrol heads can enjoy.

"Buckle up for two online championships – represent your country in the Nations Cup, and drive on behalf of your favourite car maker in the Manufacturer’s Cup.

"Can you claim a historic victory in the first video game to be officially recognized as part of the real motoring world?"

The latest chapter in the world's top-selling video game franchise, with almost 80 million copies sold since 1997, is available to pre-order now.