GT5 gives the Honda NSX new lease of life, more DLC announced

It's time for our traditional moan about Gran Turismo 5's new DLC content! Well, with slightly less moaning. But there’s still a bit of moaning, promise.

Let’s start with the good: the Honda NSX is making a triumphant comeback, and that’s cause for celebration. Revealed at the Detroit Motor Show just yesterday as a Concept that aims to be put into production within the next three years, Polyphony proudly announced its inclusion as GT5’s latest star car.

For once, we actually share their enthusiasm – this is easily the most exciting new car that GT5 has gloated about, and the fact the announcement came almost simultaneously with the NSX’s real life debut is commendable. Of course, the fact it’s a car of Japanese origin is no coincidence…

But let’s not get too negative just yet. As with most of their notable car announcements, such as the Toyota 86, Polyphony have produced a typically lavish promotional video, complete with a heart-warming tribute to the original NSX before its replacement takes centre stage:

Confusingly, it has not yet been confirmed when we’ll be able to actually drive the NSX. However, Polyphony also went onto reveal the new 2.03 update, which will be rolling out on January 18th with further updates, so it seems likely the NSX will be bundled with it since the Toyota 86 was released the same way.

Here’s a list of what the 2.03 update will include:
• New themes for My Home in GT Mode.
• An option for tire wearing in Pit Strategy (B-spec).
• Simulates regenerative braking on electric cars.
• Chaparral 2J Race Car ’70: Fan down force option.
• Fixed unintended pit stop error in the final lap of a B-spec race.
• 12 new colors and 12 new wall papers for My Home theme.
• Electric cars run slowly without applying acceleration.
• Regenerative braking affects the cruising distance.

So far, so good. But wait, there’s more!

You guessed it, there’s another car pack in-store, charged at £4.79/€5.99 on the same day. But does it disappoint like the past packs consistently have? Take a look for yourself:

• Aston Martin V12 Vantage 2010
• Volkswagen [Beetle] 1200 1966
• Jaguar XJR-9 LM Racecar 1988
• Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 2011
• Mini Mini Cooper S Countryman (R60) 2011

So, Aston Martin V12 Vantage: Good mark for Polyphony.

Jaguar XJR-9 LM Racecar: Sublime!

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4: Power!

Mini Cooper S Countryman: Okay, we’ve now gone from a curvy Lambo to a Mini with hideously oversized buttocks.

Nissan Leaf: Just what you would want after parting cash for a car pack: an electric car that does 0-60 mph in about 3 weeks with an engine that emits the same excitement as sitting in a library.

Volkswagen Beetle: Need I say more?

Finally, a new track will also be available for £3.19/€4.99. Known as the “Speed Test Pack”, it’s really not quite as exciting as it sounds. In fact, it’s simply an oval track called “Special Stage Route X Oval” designed tospeed  test your cars using attributes such as quarter-mile, acceleration, and g-force. Fine in principle, but did we have to pay for the privilege?

So, while we were initially excited by the unveiling of the NSX, we’re once again left a little underwhelmed by the remaining DLC. Truth be told, this is a better selection of cars than before, but only 3 out of the 6 available are what we’d class as desirable. Meanwhile, the Speed Test Pack will probably be fun for about 5 minutes. Maybe next time.

Words by Martin Bigg (Twitter: @drivinggamespro)

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