GC '09: First screens of Asphalt 5 race into view

Paris, the Italian countryside, and the snow-capped Alps - three seemingly unrelated locales depicted in the first screenshots of Gameloft's highly anticipated Asphalt 5.

While we can't vouch for the locations precisely, a bit of close inspection reveals tantalising clues about this promising racer.

The screenshots, which were unearthed on MacNotes, show a nighttime city race with a lit-up Eiffel Tower on the left side of the road.

A second image follows a green sports car as it attempts to overtake a blue one for second place through snowy mountains.

Finally, another screenshot highlights the game's drift mechanic as a red car skids through what appears to be wine country in the Italian or French countryside.

What's really impressive about the screenshots is how much better they are compared to last year's Asphalt 4: Elite Racing.

Asphalt 4: Elite Racing is shown on the left, while Asphalt 5 is on the right. Not only are the graphics more detailed, but the interface is much cleaner.

One element in the screenshots we can't seem to place are a line of stars situated beneath the nitro gauge at the top of the screen. Could this be evidence of a new skill-based driving system?

We'll know more later this year when Asphalt 5 arrives on the App Store.