As part of Sony's E3 press conference, the company announced a few exciting things. One such title is Gran Turismo, for the PSP, which will launch later this year in October. The first portable instalment of the game will feature more than 800 vehicles (with over 4,500 possible configurations) and 30 tracks (with over 60 layouts) and to top it all off, the PSP game will runs 60 frames per second.

The PSP version of the game will offer "authentic and accessible racing" for all audiences, with something there for seasoned veterans of the franchise, and enough to keep new comers entertained.

The game will allow players of all skill levels to participate in more than 100 events in Challenge Mode, or simply tear it up in Arcade Mode. The game will feature an Ad Hoc online multiplayer mode allowing up to four players to race against one another. In addition, players will be able to trade and share vehicles they've unlocked with others, a feature that has not yet been seen in any PSP racing game.

The game will be available via both UMD and through the PlayStation Network, with a US release date of "just after" October 1st, 2009.

For a quick summary of the game's features, check out the official fact sheet:

Developed by Polyphony Digital Inc. for PSP – Gran Turismo’s debut on PSP is developed by the internal team behind the world’s best-selling racing series. Over 800 vehicle models – Players can race their favorite vehicles from the top manufacturers around the globe, including Ferrari, Nissan, and more. The vehicle model count climbs to over 4,500 when the various paint configurations are included. Over 30 Tracks from Around the World – Famous circuits and some of the favorite environments from the Gran Turismo series have been optimized for racing on PSP. Share and Trade Vehicles with Others – For the first time in the Gran Turismo series, players can share and trade the vehicles they have acquired throughout the game with others via PSP’s ad hoc mode. Certain vehicles will be acquired by trade only, so players will want to trade and share in order to virtually drive all of the meticulously designed vehicle models. Dynamic Vehicle Roster – Based on the amount of time Gran Turismo is played, the in-game calendar will change the dealer car lineup seasonally. Available via UMD and PlayStation Network – Offering convenience, choice and options for owners of the original PSP or the newly announced PSP go.

Gran Turismo will launch on the PSP around October, and will be the first time the series had made its way to a portable platform. More screenshots are available on the mirror.