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However, as of release, Prologue still doesn’t allow any cosmetic damage to its range of motors. Not even a wing-mirror will snap off after a side-swipe and all your metallic paint will remain intact.We'll have towait for a later download before we see how the smashes will look.On the plus side, Prologue comes packing extra features to the Japanese version. We get a Drift Mode, which works well but it’s nothing compared to the arcade-style cornering from NFS: Pro Street and Juiced 2. There’s also a set of new online race days to compete in, two-player offline split-screen races and the ability to get under the hood of your motor and tweak your vehicle’s performance, rather than just relying on the Quick Tune option.

Prologue isn’t perfect, but even lapsed GT fans can’t deny the clarity of its 1080p visuals, or the thrill of taming its exacting physics. You might not like the idea of buzzing around in a VW Golf - chances are you know someone who has one - but it’s unlikely that you’ll get to thrash one around the F1 track of Fuji Speedway. For $40, you won’t regret test-driving GT Prologue - not only is it the perfect bridge between now and Gran Turismo 5 in 2009, but it’s also the best-looking technical demo your TV and PS3 have ever had.

GT5 Prologue is available at retail now, and as a download on April 17 via the PS3 Network.