Gran Turismo 4/Regional Differences
This is a sub-page of Gran Turismo 4.
As with all PlayStation and PlayStation 2 era Gran Turismo games, there's bound to be regional changes.
It worth noting that the Japanese and Asian versions of the game were an earlier compile/build, as these versions lack some cars and features added in later versions.
Contents
Intro Movie
The game's intro is different in every region. Every version starts with the orchestral version of "Moon Over The Castle". The Asian version, including Korean release, uses "Moon Over The Castle" for all of its duration, meanwhile the North American version starts to play "Panama" by Van Halen once the Ford GT LM Race Car Spec II '04 finishes the pit stop. The same thing is done with the European intro, but the song used here is "Reason Is Treason" by Kasabian. All 3 intros also use different clips and different ordering, most likely to better fit the songs that were used for each region.
Prize Car Changes
A number of prize cars were changed between the Japanese/early Asian version and other releases:
| Event | Japan/Asia | International |
|---|---|---|
| Formula GT World Championship | Formula Gran Turismo '04 (black) | Mercedes-Benz Sauber Mercedes C9 Race Car '89 |
| Grand Valley 300km | Mercedes-Benz Sauber Mercedes C9 Race Car '89 | Audi Auto Union V16 Type C Streamline '37 |
| Nurburgring 4 Hours Endurance | Audi Abt Audi TT-R Touring Car '02 | Chaparral 2D Race Car '70 |
| NR-A Roadster Cup | Mazda Eunos Roadster J-Limited (NA) '91 | Mazda MX-Crossport Concept '05 |
| Audi A3 Cup | Audi quattro '82 | Audi Pikes Peak quattro '03 |
Because of this change, the black Formula GT was instead made available for completing 100% completion of the game in international versions of the game.
Additionally, the Korean version replaces Chrysler Prowler '02 with the Hyundai Tuscani CCS '03 as the prize car for the Spider & Roadsters event.
Dealership Changes
- Chaparral, Lexus, HPA Motorsports and Proto Motors are completely absent from the Japanese and Asian versions, although manufacturer description text are available in Japanese and Chinese for them.
- The Audi Abt Audi TT-R Touring Car '02 is not in the Audi dealership in the Japanese and Asian versions, as it is a prize car.
- Acura is an American manufacturer in the Japanese/Asian release and Japanese in the international versions. (Previous and later games treats Acura as an American brand.)
- Scion appears only in the NTSC-U release.
- Vauxhall appears only in the PAL version. For the first time in the series history, both Opel and Vauxhall are available at the same time.
- The Chrysler Prowler '02 is purchasable with the price of Cr. 47,430 in the Korean version, due to the prize car change as described above.
Car Changes
 | To do: Describe the JDM/USDM/EUDM Honda S2000 changes. |
The Toyota ESSO ULTRAFLO Supra (JGTC) '01 is absent in the NTSC-U version. This is due to Esso not existing in America, as the Exxon name is used instead. Although Polyphony Digital could have created an Exxon version, they chose not to and the car never appeared again as other games use only Exxon versions of cars that have Esso/Exxon branding issues.
Another regional change that is to be expected are the different names for some of the cars used. An obvious one is how the Opel Speedster in the American version is also known as the Vauxhall VX220 elsewhere; however the PAL version of the game features the car under both names. Another name change is the JDM Toyota VITZ, which is known as the Toyota Yaris in the PAL version. In the American version meanwhile, the Toyota bB 1.5Z X Version '00 and the Toyota ist 1.5S '02 are replaced with Scion xB '03 and Scion xA '03, which causes problems for the Japanese Compact Cup event as the Scion versions are flagged as American cars, preventing the player from using these cars even though the AI uses them.
Additionally, the Mini Cooper 1.3i '98 only appears in the Japanese and early Asian releases for some reason. In reverse, thirteen cars were not included in the original Japanese (and Asian) release:
- Alfa Romeo GT 3.2 V6 24V '04
- Audi Auto Union V16 Type C Streamline '37
- Audi Nuvolari quattro '03
- Audi Pikes Peak quattro '03
- Chaparral 2D Race Car '67
- Chaparral 2J Race Car '70
- Chrysler 300C '05
- HPA Motorsports Stage II R32 '04
- Jaguar XJR-9 Race Car '88
- Mazda MX-Crossport '05
- Mitsubishi Eclipse GT '06
- Peugeot 905 Race Car '92
- Proto Motors SPIRRA 4.6 V8 '04
Lastly, the Korean version adds four exclusive cars:
- Lexus IS 200 GT-1 Race Car '04
- Hyundai Tiburon Turbulence '99
- Hyundai Tuscani CCS '03
- Hyundai Click Type-R '04
All of the Korea-only cars would make their worldwide debut in the PSP game, except for the Click Type-R, which have to wait until Gran Turismo 6. Its price is Cr. 10,000, meaning if the car is purchased as the player's first car, the player is left with literally no money, a rare situation.
Like in previous games, all regional variations of the cars, including the Mini, but not the Korea-exclusive cars, are included in all copies of the game for ease of localization. However, the body for the Esso version of Peugeot 905 Race Car '92 and Vauxhall Astra Super Touring Car '00 are missing or not yet coded in the US version of the game, possibly as neither were in the Japanese version of the game.
Other car-related regional changes:
- The Ford GT '05 has an unlisted drivetrain in the Japanese version.
- The FPV GT '04 has missing side stripes in the Japanese and Asian versions, although it was added in the Japanese Online Test Version.
- The Dodge Viper GTS-R Team Oreca Race Car '00 uses the ALMS version (#91/Dodge windshield banner) in the American version and the Le Mans (#51/Chrysler windshield banner) in other versions, the same with the previous game. The same also applies to Esso/Exxon badged versions of Toyota GT-One Race Car '99, Peugeot 905 Race Car '92, and Peugeot 206 Rally Car '99.
Car Name Changes
Several cars saw name/badge changes within each version:
| Japan/Asia | North America | Europe | Korea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daihatsu MIRA TR-XX Avanzato R '97 | Daihatsu CUORE TR-XX Avanzato R '97 | ||
| Daihatsu STORIA CX 2WD '98 | Daihatsu SIRION CX 2WD (J) '98 | ||
| Daihatsu STORIA CX 4WD '98 | Daihatsu SIRION CX 4WD (J) '98 | ||
| Daihatsu STORIA X4 '98 | Daihatsu SIRION X4 (J) '98 | ||
| Honda ACCORD Coupe (US) '88 | Honda ACCORD Coupe '88 | ||
| Honda ACCORD Coupe EX V6 (US) '03 | Honda ACCORD Coupe EX '03 | ||
| Honda CIVIC TYPE R (EP) '01 | Honda CIVIC TYPE R (EP, EU) '01 | ||
| Honda DUALNOTE '01 | Acura DN-X '02 | ||
| Honda Fit W '01 | Honda Jazz 1.4 dsi Se Sp '01 | ||
| Honda HSC "The 37th Tokyo Motor Show Concept Car" '03 | Acura HSC '04 | ||
| Honda S2000 '01 | Honda S2000 '01 (US) | Honda HONDA S2000 '01 | |
| Honda S2000 '03 | Honda S2000 '04 | Honda HONDA S2000 '03 | |
| Honda S2000 '99 | Honda S2000 '99 (US) | Honda HONDA S2000 '99 | |
| Honda S2000 Type V '00 | Honda S2000 Type V '00 (US) | Honda HONDA S2000 Type V '00 | |
| Honda S2000 Type V '00 | Honda S2000 Type V '00 (US) | Honda HONDA S2000 Type V '00 | |
| Honda S2000 Type V '01 | Honda S2000 Type V '01 (US) | Honda HONDA S2000 Type V '01 | |
| Honda S2000 Type V '03 | Honda HONDA S2000 Type V '03 | ||
| Hyundai Accent Rally Car '01 | Hyundai Verna Rally Car '01 | ||
| Hyundai Coupe FX '01 | Hyundai Tiburon GT '01 | Hyundai Tuscani '01 | |
| Mazda Atenza Concept '01 | Mazda Mazda6 Concept '01 | Mazda Mazda6 Concept '01 | |
| Mazda Atenza Sports 23Z '03 | Mazda Mazda6 5-door '03 | Mazda Mazda6 5-door '03 | |
| Mazda Atenza Touring Car '02 | Mazda Mazda6 Touring Car '02 | Mazda Mazda6 Touring Car '02 | |
| Mazda Cosmo Sport (L10A) '67 | Mazda 110S (L10A) '67 | Mazda 110S (L10A) '67 | |
| Mazda Cosmo Sport (L10B) '68 | Mazda 110S (L10B) '68 | Mazda 110S (L10B) '68 | |
| Mazda DEMIO GL-X '99 | Mazda DEMIO (J) '99 | Mazda DEMIO (J) '99 | |
| Mazda DEMIO SPORT '03 | Mazda Mazda2 '03 | ||
| Mazda efini RX-7 '91-'96 models | Mazda RX-7 '91-'96 | Mazda RX-7 '91-'96 | |
| Mazda Eunos Roadster NA models | Mazda MX-5 Miata | Mazda MX-5 | |
| Mazda Familia Sedan Sport 20 '02 | Mazda Protege '02 | ||
| Mazda Lantis Coupe 2000 Type R '93 | Mazda Mazda 323 F '93 | Mazda Mazda 323 F '93 | |
| Mazda Mazdaspeed Atenza '05 | Mazda Mazdaspeed 6 '05 | Mazda Mazda6 MPS '05 | |
| Mazda ROADSTER NB models | Mazda MX-5 Miata | Mazda MX-5 | |
| Mazda SAVANNA RX-7 GT-Limited (FC) '85 | Mazda RX-7 GT-Limited (FC, J) '85 | Mazda RX-7 GT-Limited (FC, J) '85 | |
| Mazda SAVANNA RX-7 GT-X (FC) '90 | Mazda RX-7 GT-X (FC, J) '90 | Mazda RX-7 GT-X (FC, J) '90 | |
| Mazda SAVANNA RX-7 INFINI III (FC) '90 | Mazda RX-7 INFINI III (FC, J) '90 | Mazda RX-7 INFINI III (FC, J) '90 | |
| Mitsubishi GTO | Mitsubishi 3000GT | Mitsubishi 3000GT | Mitsubishi 3000GT |
| Mitsubishi GTO SR | Mitsubishi 3000GT SL | Mitsubishi 3000GT SR | Mitsubishi 3000GT SL |
| Nissan 180SX Type X '96 | Nissan 240SX '96 | Nissan 200SX '96 | Nissan 240SX '96 |
| Nissan Fairlady 240ZG (HS30) '71 | Nissan 240ZG (HS30) '71 | Nissan 240ZG (HS30) '71 | Nissan 240ZG (HS30) '71 |
| Nissan Fairlady Z 300ZX Twin Turbo 2seater (Z32) '89 | Nissan 300ZX 2seater (Z32) '89 | Nissan 300ZX 2seater (Z32) '89 | Nissan 300ZX 2seater (Z32) '89 |
| Nissan Fairlady Z 300ZX Version R Twin Turbo 2seater (Z32) '98 | Nissan 300ZX 2seater (Z32) '98 | Nissan 300ZX 2seater (Z32) '98 | Nissan 300ZX 2seater (Z32) '98 |
| Nissan Fairlady Z 300ZX Version S Twin Turbo 2by2 (Z32) '98 | Nissan 300ZX 2by2 (Z32) '98 | Nissan 300ZX 2by2 (Z32) '98 | Nissan 300ZX 2by2 (Z32) '98 |
| Nissan Fairlady Z Concept LM Race Car '02 | Nissan 350Z Concept LM Race Car '02 | Nissan 350Z Concept LM Race Car '02 | |
| Nissan Fairlady Z Roadster (Z33) '03 | Nissan 350Z Roadster (Z33) '03 (US) | Nissan 350Z Roadster (Z33) '03 (EU) | Nissan 350Z Roadster (Z33) '03 (US) |
| Nissan Fairlady Z Version S '03 | Nissan 350Z (Z33) '03 (US) | Nissan 350Z (Z33) '03 (EU) | Nissan 350Z (Z33) '03 (US) |
| Nissan March 12c 5door '03 | Nissan MICRA '03 | Nissan MICRA '03 | Nissan MICRA '03 |
| Nissan Primera 2.0Te '90 | Infiniti G20 '90 | Nissan Primera 2.0Te '90 (J) | |
| Nissan PRIMERA 20V '01 | Nissan PRIMERA 20V '01 (US) | Nissan PRIMERA 20V '01 (EU) | Nissan PRIMERA 20V '01 (US) |
| Nissan SILVIA K's AERO (S14) '96 | Nissan 240SX (S14) '96 | Nissan 200SX (S14) '96 | Nissan 240SX (S14) '96 |
| Nissan SKYLINE COUPE 350GT '03 | Infiniti G35 Coupe '03 | ||
| Renault Lutecia | Renault Clio | Renault Clio | Renault Clio |
| Toyota ALTEZZA AS200 '98 | Lexus IS200 '98 | Lexus IS200 '98 | Lexus IS200 '98 |
| Toyota ALTEZZA Gita AS300 '01 | Lexus IS300 Sport Cross '01 | Lexus IS300 Sport Cross '01 | Lexus IS300 Sport Cross '01 |
| Toyota ALTEZZA RS200 '98 | Lexus IS200 (J) '98 | Lexus IS200 (J) '98 | Lexus IS200 (J) '98 |
| Toyota ARISTO 3.0V '91 | Lexus GS300 '91 | Lexus GS300 '91 | Lexus GS300 '91 |
| Toyota ARISTO V300 '00 | Lexus GS300 '00 | Lexus GS300 '00 | Lexus GS300 '00 |
| Toyota ARISTO V300 Vertex Edition '00 | Lexus GS300 Vertex Edition (J) '00 | Lexus GS300 Vertex Edition (J) '00 | Lexus GS300 Vertex Edition (J) '00 |
| Toyota bB 1.5Z X Version '00 | Scion xB '03 | ||
| Toyota ist 1.5S '02 | Scion xA '03 | ||
| Toyota MR-S S Edition '99 | Toyota MR2 Spyder '99 | Toyota MR2 S Edition (J) '99 | |
| Toyota MR-S V Edition (6MT) '99 | Toyota MR2 Spyder (6-speed sequential manual transmission) '02 | Toyota MR2 V Edition (J) '99 | |
| Toyota SOARER 2.5GT-T '97 | Lexus SC300 '97 | Lexus SC300 '97 | Lexus SC300 '97 |
| Toyota SOARER 430SCV '01 | Lexus SC430 '01 (US) | Lexus SC430 '01 (EU) | Lexus SC430 '01 (US) |
| Toyota VITZ | Toyota Yaris |
License Test Changes
The Japanese version of the game had the player drive the Pescarolo Sport Pescarolo-Courage - Judd GV5 Race Car '04 in License Test S-11 and Mercedes-Benz Sauber Mercedes C9 Race Car '89 in License Test S-16, each a one-lap trial around Opera Paris and Nürburgring Nordschleife respectively. Outside Japan, the use of Le Mans racers in such tight courses were deemed overkill, so both cars were replaced by Clio Renault Sport V6 Phase 2 '03 and Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5 - 16 Evolution II Touring Car '92, respectively. The required times were also adjusted accordingly.
| Test | Japan | International |
|---|---|---|
| S-11 | Pescarolo Sport Pescarolo-Courage - Judd GV5 Race Car '04 | Clio Renault Sport V6 Phase 2 '03 |
| 1:18.500 1:20.855 1:28.000 |
1:36.620 (US); 1:37.200 (EU) 1:38.500 (US); 1:39.000 (EU) 1:44.230 (US); 1:45.000 (EU) | |
| S-16 | Mercedes-Benz Sauber Mercedes C9 Race Car '89 | Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5 - 16 Evolution II Touring Car '92 |
| 5:47.510 6:09.919 6:43.420 |
7:07.700 7:30.000 7:58.300 |
In a total coincidence, the Japanese version of the S-16 license test would resurface in Gran Turismo Sport as part of the Lewis Hamilton Time Trial Challenges DLC, as Nürburgring Nordschleife is one of the featured tracks and players drive the Sauber C9 in it.
Driving Mission Changes
Mission 34 has a 123 second gap in the American and Japanese versions of the game. This gap was reduced by 8 seconds to 115 seconds in the European version, making this mission easier, but the car is harder to control in this mission in the European version.
Music Playlist
The Japanese and Asian versions feature 100 songs. The European version replaces Masahiro Andoh-composed songs with "Can't Get Enough" by The Infidels, "I Predict A Riot" by Kaiser Chiefs, "Michael" by Franz Ferdinand and "Swollen Summer" by The Bravery are added. In total are 97 songs. The North American playlist is the shortest, featuring just 65 songs. Unlike in Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec, where the North American soundtrack mostly consists of songs exclusive to that version, Gran Turismo 4's songs in the North American version exist in the Japanese and European versions of the game as well. The Korean version is based on the North American soundtrack, but re-adds Masahiro Andoh's songs to the playlist.
Other Changes
- The Japanese (except the Online Test Version) and Asian versions by default has 16:9 option enabled.
- The Progressive (480p) and HDTV (1080i) video output options were made inaccesible in the European version of the game. It is possible to forcibly enable the video outputs by setting memory address A57E70 to 1 (for 480p) or 2 (for 1080i), but doing this also switches the game's frame rate to 60 FPS, thereby speeding up the game by 20% in the process, as the game's code does not have a delta time mechanism.
- The Japanese and Korean versions includes car descriptions in the garage and in the dealerships (for new cars, after the color has been chosen; for used cars, when the car is being displayed). On other regions, the space is left blank due to the lack of description text files for any of the remaining languages.
- In Japanese (including the Online Test Version), Asian and oddly even the North American Public Online Beta versions, weight is also displayed on the car settings screen from Garage; in other versions, only power is displayed.
- It is not possible to switch between A-spec and B-spec in the pit menu in the Japanese/Asian version.
- In Japanese and Asian versions, it is not yet possible to jump to the next license test from a current license test's overview menu.
- The Japanese (except the Online Test Version and Korean version) and Asian versions have a different placement of car dealers and events, where the closest to garage are Asian manufacturers.
- Similarly, the order of the car regions in the Arcade car selection menu prioritizes the cars from the region of the game version. For example, the PAL version places all European regions with numerous car brands first, starting with the UK.
- In the Japanese and Asian versions, the player allows ASM and TCS to be set to 21, before being reduced to 20 in later versions (including the Online releases).
