Wipeout 3/2097 Hybrid?

[username]

While searching online about the PS1, and polygons. I came accross this image:
2097 Hybrid.jpg

As you can see, depicted is a Wip3out style Piranha, on Manor Top.
But also, the thrust trail appears the same as it does in 2097, as well as the plasma bolt (in the bottom right).

I own both Wip3out and Wipeout 3 SE. But neither of these games use this style of thrust trail, or plasma bolt.
I also remember seeing a picture of a goteki 45, with a teal coloured thrust trail, similar to the style of this picture (but this was more than 8 years ago, most likely long lost on the internet).

Can anyone tell me if this picture is perhaps an early game test screen shot, or perhaps a modified version of the game that might have once existed?

[Aka-sho]

I think it is development prototype version of "WipEout 3". It has not been released.

WIPEOUT 3 Prototype movie - YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M26wQ4F6kZ4

We love WipEout

[username]

Ahh I see! Thanks for the link to the video. Have never seen that before either!

[Amorbis]

IGN has a gallery with plenty of early screenshots here: http://uk.ign.com/images/games/wipeout-3-ps-11070

I've never seen the video Aka-sho posted either, it looks like a lot of changes were made late in the development, or these are really early pictures.

[username]

I think I prefer the look of the 2097 thrust trails, they look more fluid. Wish they would have kept that idea.

[Rapier Racer]

All these years and I never saw that footage or those photos. It's cool to see Wipeout 3 mixed with so many parts of 2097.