PlayStation racing gamers should today be able to get their hands on the third download package for Gran Turismo 5, the console's seminal racing title.

Following on from the first downloadable content back in October and another just before Christmas, the third package gives GT5 fans the option of six new cars and a speed testing circuit.

The download package is part of update 2.03, full details of which can be found on the Gran Turismo News site.

Improvements include 12 new home themes and wallpapers, better tire wear prediction in B-Spec races and adjustments to the Chaparral 2J race car's performance point index, to take account of its fan-assisted downforce.

There have also been improvements made to the electric cars in the game, so they now creep forward like automatics, and regenerative braking has more of an effect.

Car Pack 3

That's good news for players wanting to make the most of one of the new downloadable cars, as the 2011 Nissan Leaf is now available.

It's joined by the 2010 Aston Martin V12 Vantage, 2011 Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4, 2011 MINI Cooper S Countryman, and the Jaguar XJR-9 LM race car from 1988.

Classic car fans will also be able to race a premium model of the classic Volkswagen Bug, the 1966 VW 1200. The pack of six cars costs $5.99.

Speed Test Pack

Previous Gran Turismo games have always had a huge circuit on which to test your car's acceleration and top speed. Until now, GT5 players have been denied that, but the Speed Test Pack adds a huge oval and several top speed and acceleration testing features.

How huge? Well, the new track is 18.82 miles long, with a longest straightaway of 7.46 miles. That should be long enough to test even the Red Bull X2011, the quickest-accelerating in the game. The price for the Speed Test Pack is $3.99.

GT5's download packs look like being a regular occurrence from now on, so if nothing takes your fancy from the latest pack, at least you can still make use of the 2.03 update improvements and bide your time for the next batch of content...

You can download the car and Speed Test packs from the PlayStation Store, via PlayStation Network on your PS3.