"Sony announced today a major milestone for Polyphony Digital's banner racing series, Gran Turismo. The series has, as of May 9, crossed the 50 million shipment mark worldwide.

This figure includes shipments for seven titles, going back to the PlayStation original and continuing on to Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. Here's a game-by-game and region-by-region look.

Gran Turismo (PlayStation)
Total: 10.85 million
North America: 3.99 million
Europe: 4.30 million
Japan: 2.55 million
Asi..."

The ultimate website for people waiting for Gran Turismo 5 has been released today by Sony, and it's certainly got a lot of screenshots and videos to keep any GT fan happy till the release of Gran Turismo 5: Prologue

"It’s official - SCEA announced today the April 17 North American release date for Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, available exclusively for PS3. Developed by famed Polyphony Digital, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will be available for $39.99 on Blu-ray Disc (BD) and as a download via the PLAYSTATION Store.

The BD version will offer added value with an exclusive behind-the-scenes High Definition (HD) video feature called “Beyond the Apex”. This video will offer some awesome access to the folks at Polyph..."

"“Formula 1 racing drivers such as Toyota’s Jarno Trulli and BMW’s Kazuki Nakajima have been seen practicing in front of a console. Whenever a new track comes onto the racing calendar, like Fuji Speedway did last October after a 30-year absence, and drivers cannot get there to practice for real, many fire up “Gran Turismo.” They say it’s the only way to memorize the track layout and braking markers — the points where you must start killing the speed to take an upcoming corner.”

Now while th..."

This is absolutely stunning, my jaw almost dropped after I read which screenshot was which. I actually though that the real life photo was the PS3 screen and vice versa, the PS3 was the real life photo. Although, now that I take a third look at it, notice how in the HD version the wheels aren't even spinning yet the background is blurred as if the car is moving.

See the source for the much larger / better image.