An exclusive downloadable demo of the new Gran Turismo®6 game for PlayStation®3 will be available for free download from 0900BST (1000CET) on Tuesday, 2nd July. The demo will remain accessible until 31 August 2013.

Gran Turismo 6 is the much-anticipated new iteration of the award-winning racing game franchise for PlayStation®, which has sold over 70 million units worldwide since its inception 15 years ago. Gran Turismo® is famed for its true-to-life graphics, accurately modelled cars and realistic handling, and GT6™ raises this to a new level. With completely renewed physics technology, a new tyre model and improved suspension and aerodynamics, the game offers the most impressive driving feel yet. The full game will be released later this year and with 33 tracks on offer plus 1200 cars to choose between, from historic classics to modern race cars such as the FIA GT3 racers, small hatchbacks and the latest supercar exotica such as the Corvette Stingray, it will prove a hugely varied and authentic racing experience. The demo gives PlayStation fans their first chance to play Gran Turismo 6 and experience some of the game’s new features on the Silverstone Race Circuit.

Kazunori Yamauchi, creator of the Gran Turismo series, has set an interesting challenge in the Gran Turismo demo, featuring stunningly re-created Nissan cars including the Leaf, 370Z and GT-R. The GT6 demo will guide players through beginner rounds of a GT Academy-themed driving school before unlocking the final challenge featuring the Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit. When players have completed the challenges, they will unlock further bonus content.

“This is an incredibly exciting demo,” explained Usama Al-Qassab, Vice President Product Marketing at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. “Having an insight into some of the features that will be seen on GT6 later this year will be interesting for the PlayStation community. The challenges encourage everyone to get involved and to become familiar with the new game and learn new skills before the full game is launched.”

The demo is based around the GT Academy competition that is available in 19 participating countries. The innovative co-operation between Nissan and Sony Computer Entertainment has attracted more than two million entrants since its inception in 2008, and created a number of successful racing drivers now competing for Nissan in top-level international motor sport. This includes Lucas Ordoñez and Jann Mardenborough, who both raced in last weekend’s world famous Le Mans 24 Hours in a Nismo-powered LMP2 car recording an impressive 4th place finish in class.

The free GT6 demo can be downloaded from the PlayStation®Store, with no ownership of the Gran Turismo game required.