Gran Turismo 6: Version 1.12 – The Beat Goes On with a Tuned Toyota FT-1

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Ten months post release and Polyphony continues to bring out new cars, new modes and new tracks. We took the newest addition to the stable for a spin and took some photos of it alongside it’s just as impressive street version that was previously released.

You can find the full patch notes below, but we were more interested in the super tuned version of the Toyota FT-1 concept car (free in-game for finishing one lap in a seasonal event). I recently sat down with Ken Chan, Product Manager for SCEA and Brand Manager for Gran Turismo, at Toyota’s Onramp Event at the Mazda Laguna Seca raceway and learned the back story to this awesome concept car.

Street Ready FT-1
Street Ready FT-1

What you may not know is that the car was built, from the ground up, with the idea of putting it into GT6 and then using that virtual car to convince not only Mr. Toyoda, but also the entire board of what Toyota could do if they really put their best and brightest on the task of creating a high end, luxury based super car.

Super-tuned FT-1
Super-tuned FT-1

Unknown to Mr. Toyoda at the time of creation, the FT-1 was introduced to him in GT6, with a complete racing rig for him to sit in and virtually drive the car at Fuji Speed Way. Some may not know this, but Mr. Toyoda has some real life driving skills and has driven a Lexus LF-A at Fuji himself with some decent lap times. Once he strapped into the racing rig and saw first hand the virtual model of the car, he fell in love with the design. He then took the car and drove it at Fuji Speedway in-game. The fact that the car made an appearance at the Detroit Auto Show should tell you his overall reaction. He was not only sold on the concept car, but the idea of using GT6 as a tool to help further the cause of bringing car lovers back to the fold.

We found both in-game versions of the car to handle nicely, but the super-tuned version seemed more stuck to the track thanks in-part to the new aero body kit that was installed. Acceleration, once the tires were warm and sticky, was also improved. The tuned car cornered better while racing through the cork screw at Laguna Seca, and we were able to take almost a full 6 seconds off of our previous in-game track times there using the un-tuned FT-1. It is a very impressive machine, both tuned and un-tuned.

Developer Polyphony continues to deliver fresh content to not only please those that already own the game, but to  nudge those thinking about picking it up now. This is a solid title and if you don’t own it already, there’s no time like the present to pick it up.

Full 1.12 Patch Notes

Vision Gran Turismo

  • The “Toyota FT-1 Vision Gran Turismo” has been released. The design concept FT-1 is honed to perfection in this rendition to enhance its features and designs required for pure racing competition.
  • The car can be purchased in the “Vision Gran Turismo” section after the update, but you can also acquire the car by completing a full lap in the limited time seasonal event, regardless of the lap time achieved.

Sierra Time Rally

  • The “Sierra Time Rally” has been added to [Special Events]. In the first original long course “Circuit de La Sierra” modeled after the Ronda region of Spain, players will attempt to complete a lap around the course within the allotted time.
  • Time will be extended by passing the checkpoints, and your score will be calculated according to your distance driven. Overtaking other cars will raise your combo level, and there are other possibilities of raising your score based on your driving skills. We invite you to check it out.

Quick Match

  • [Quick Match] has been added to [Online]. When the event is selected, players will automatically be matched to other players around the world for a quick and easy online race.

Additional Cars

  • The following cars have been added to the [Dealerships]. You can also access these easily from the [Recommended Cars] section: Toyota FT-1 graphite, Nissan GT-R NISMO ’14 (players who participated in the “GT Academy 2014” Online Qualifiers will receive this car free of charge).

Additional Gauges

  • [Additional Gauges] have been added to [Custom Parts]. You can select instruments to add to three gauge slots, selecting from boost meter, water temperature gauge, oil temperature gauge, tachometer, speedometer, oil pressure gauge, and fuel pressure gauge.

Steering Controller

  • Official compatibility has been added for the Thrustmaster T300RS. It is possible to reassign keys from [START] – [OPTIONS] – [STEERING CONTROLLER]

Force Feedback

  • [FORCE FEEDBACK] that could only be adjusted from [START] – [OPTIONS] – [STEERING CHARACTERISTICS] before can now also be adjusted from the [DRIVING OPTIONS] displayed in the [QUICK MENU] before driving.
  • Also, the force feedback that was only adjustable under [FEEDBACK STRENGTH] can now be adjusted in [FEEDBACK MAXIMUM TORQUE] and [FEEDBACK CENTER SENSITIVITY] sliders. Now it is possible to set the steering sensitivity near the centered position, and the strength of the feedback during extreme cornering independently.
  • Force feedback can now be adjusted on 200 degree lock-to-lock type controllers such as the GT FORCE RX.

Other

  • The motor assist control for the Toyota TS030 Hybrid ’12 has been changed. Because the motor assist only works when the car is at full throttle (over 80%), the motor no longer comes into effect during partial throttle positions while cornering.

Louis Edwards

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