Those of you who attend motor shows have no doubt seen concept cars, unique prototypes from auto manufacturers that show off the latest in car design and technology. Some of these cars eventually make it to the production stage, but, for the most part, the audience is left to marvel over the visual cues and never get the opportunity to sit behind the steering wheel. Until now.

Perhaps it is fitting that the latest GRAN TURISMO game was debuted the Fall 2001 Tokyo Motor Show. Just as the GT series offered mere mortals the opportunity to drive cars that we'd never be able to drive (much less afford) in real life, this special one-off edition, titled GRAN TURISMO CONCEPT 2001 TOKYO, allows car enthusiasts to sit in the driver's seat of concept cars and take them on a test drive.

Of the 51 cars included in GT CONCEPT, about 20 of them are concept cars, with the rest of the non-concept lineup consisting mainly of JGTC race cars with updated exterior markings. Some of the concepts we've already seen in GT3, such as the Nissan Z and the RX-8. Others, such as the new NSX-R and Skyline GT-R, are upgraded models of existing drives. But there are some that truly stand out, such as the Honda DualNote, a hybrid gas/electric with a 3.5 V6 that can keep toe-to-toe with a Skyline. Then there's the quirky Toyota Pod, an automotive take on the Sony Aibo, featuring neon lights on the hood that indicate the driver's mood and an antenna that wags like a tail.

The game is in many ways a slimmed down edition of GT3, with only five available tracks (three pavement, two rally) and a somewhat streamlined method of acquiring licenses and cars. Licenses are earned for each track instead of by license class. Also, the game doesn't use credits; instead vehicles are unlocked on each track by earning trophies on the license test and the normal and professional races. And while you're allowed to modify the settings on the existing equipment on each car, GT Concept doesn't have the option of purchasing upgrades such as car parts or tires. Last but not least, the difficulty level is more moderate than that of GT and, according to the package, this game is geared somewhat towards novices to the GT world.

All this, and the lower price point of ¥3200, makes GT CONCEPT something of a "GT Lite". While GT CONCEPT still offers two-player and i.Link options for multi-player mayhem, veterans shouldn't have much trouble completing the one-player mode within a few days. (Aside from getting golds on the licenses, I was able to complete the rest of the game in two sittings.) But if the ability to race concept cars isn't enough to entice existing GT fans out there, GT CONCEPT also offers an added incentive to purchase the game: at the 75% mark, the game offers to add 100,000,000 Cr to your existing GT3 save file (Japanese version only). This allows those new to GT3 to start out with more powerful cars and tuning options, while enabling veterans to purchase some of the really pricey vehicles at the dealership.

It remains to be seen whether this game will be released stateside, but if it comes at the same reduced price point as the Japanese release, I'd heartily recommend this to existing GT3 fans for the concept cars and the extra credits bonus. In fact, GT CONCEPT may urge those who haven't joined the GT3 bandwagon to do so, by providing them with an easier starting point and whetting their appetite for the full GT3 package.

Rating: 8 / 10.0