Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and Polyphony Digital have just sent word that Gran Turismo 5 Prologue - a prequel title showcasing the forthcoming Gran Turismo 5 - is to be released on Blu-ray and as a download from PSN at the end of 2007. Pricing and exact dates are still to be confirmed.

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue features new driving physics, improved AI and over 40 cars, such as vehicles by Lotus, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Ferrari, which can be flung around three real-life tracks: Eiger Nordwand, the London City Track and Suzuka.

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will run at 1080p with in-game racing at a full, smoooooth 60 frames per second.

Perhaps the most exciting news is that for the first time in the history of Gran Turismo, you can race online against up to 15 other racers, with Sony informing us that, “Once you’re up and revving, Global Online Rankings and the My Garage homepage feature will leave the world in no doubt as to just who is the best at Gran Turismo.”

More on Gran Turismo 5 Prologue as we get it.