Last Thursday, July 30, it was revealed in an exclusive interview on MotorTrend.com that the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 was the car chosen to grace the cover the upcoming PSP version of Gran Turismo. Hitting stores and PlayStation Network on October 1, 2009, Gran Turismo will feature more than 800 cars, 35 tracks with 60 layouts, Ad Hoc racing for up to four players, and a unique feature that lets players quickly expand their car collection by trading and sharing cars.

Regarding the selection of the Corvette ZR1 for the cover image, Gran Turismo creator and producer Kazunori Yamauchi had this to say:

"This spring I visited Detroit a few times, mainly to see the factories of the Big 3, and their museums and archives.

What I came to realize in those visits, was that the designs and mechanisms of American cars, in all eras over the years, have always been aimed towards a bright new future that all little kids dream about, and just seeing them makes your heart race.

I found that when I’m surrounded by these generations of American cars, it just simply makes me happy.
There is a different experience in European car museums. In Europe I am more enveloped by a humbling, almost holy experience, in awe of the existence of the Automobile that was born out of practicality, and usually appreciate its rich, diligent history of engineering in silent respect.

And so I’ve really come to realize more and more lately, that “American Cars have always been looking straight into the future, and have always been full of dreams – and quite wonderful after all."

With all the automotive industry in the world at a crisis, I know that North American automakers are especially in a very difficult situation, and I understand the background and the reasons behind this.

And I can easily envision these things affecting our works as well. After all, as you well know, the game Gran Turismo is a video game that grew thanks to the insight and vision of the automotive industry, and in effect nurtured by its kindness, in its very womb.

And that’s why I wanted us to make something that could cheer up those in the industry.

Many GM cars representative from the Autorama days have really helped build the foundations of my adoration and sense of value for cars. And something that had always been deep within my heart over the years, is the long line of Corvettes;

As long as I’ve known in every era, even from when I was a very small child, the Corvette has always been one of the coolest cars around.

And that is the reason why the newest Corvette ZR-1, was selected for the package cover of Gran Turismo for the PSP that is planned for release.

Also, there’s a fun little bit at the ending of this PSP version Gran Turismo that is in concert with this package image of the Corvette.

I hope you’ll look forward to its release.”