To make next year's release of Gran Turismo 5 even sweeter, Sony Computer Entertainment confirms that it will team up with the BBC to digitally distribute past episodes of "Top Gear" over the PlayStation Network for the PlayStation 3. Forty episodes of the BAFTA and Emmy Award-winning high performance automotive/racing show will be made available in 2008 for download initially. That's not all: developer Polyphony Digital will also include Top Gear's famous test track as a racing course in GT5, so you too see if can join the ranks of esteemed Top Gear alumni.

"We at Polyphony are great fans of the world’s best motoring programme, Top Gear, so we’re delighted to be collaborating with BBC Worldwide to deliver Top Gear content via Gran Turismo," said Kazunori Yamauchi, President, Polyphony Digital, "We’re sure that players will be as thrilled as we are when they get the chance to put their own driving skills to the test on the Top Gear Test Track in GT5, as well as enjoying classic episodes of Top Gear via GT TV."

Simon Danker, Director, Digital Media, BBC Worldwide commented, "BBC Top Gear is the world’s number one motoring media brand and we’re thrilled to make it accessible to Gran Turismo gamers. We continue to explore different avenues to share our content with an expanding audience, and are delighted to participate with Polyphony Digital in the launch of this exciting new opportunity."