Polyphony Digital

Each year at the SEMA Auto Show in Las Vegas, Sony and Polyphony Digital hold the Gran Turismo Awards to recognize the event’s best cars and exhibitors.  The awards include several categories, from “Best Domestic”, “Best European Import”, “Best Hot Rod”, to “Best Truck/SUV”.  The most coveted award, however, is “Best in Show”, handed out by GT series creator Kazunori Yamauchi himself.  The winning vehicle is digitized by Polyphony’s team and immortalized forever in the next version of the game.  This competition has proven very popular with both exhibitors and gamers alike, having provided us with some of the series’ more interesting cars.

Ever wonder what happens to the cars that appear in Gran Turismo livery at those posh launch parties?  Here’s one of them: a 2008 Lotus Exige S has remained untouched since Sony’s marketing department had their hands on it.  Apparently, it’s been serving in Manhattan Motorcars‘ “demonstration fleet”, making a bright statement in their showroom alongside a collection of 5 Rolls-Royce Phantoms.  Now, it can be part of your demonstration fleet for $59,900 via eBay Motors.  Described as the only “Gran Turismo 5 Edition” Exige S in existence, it includes special graphics work by Staple Design, metallic paint, Track and Touring packages, and 4,280 miles on the odometer.  However, the auction ends October 31, 2008, so you’d better hurry if you want to pick this up.

GT series creator Kazunori Yamauchi was on hand at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance last month to award the first “Polyphony Digital Trophy”.  As an honorary judge, Yamauchi was given the chance to recognize his favorite vehicle from the hundreds of elite and storied competitors at the event.  His final selection, a 1967 Lamborghini Miura P400 Bertone prototype, is certainly an exceptional automobile, but it got people talking in our forums.  Could his recognition of a Lamborghini be a sign of things to come?  It’s a fun theory, but don’t hold your breath.  Instead, consider this unprecedented event a landmark for Polyphony Digital, and one of the highest recognitions the Gran Turismo series could possibly ever receive.  Who could have dreamed the first new award in more than 7 years at Pebble Beach would be in the name of a video game developer?  This respect and recognition is a testament to the professional, mature style that Polyphony and Yamauchi have crafted into the GT series over the years.  Check out more details about the event after the jump…