First look at Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown’s updated graphics

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is continuing on its redemption path, as the first two images of an updated graphics engine have been released. This follows the formal announcement that visual changes were in development earlier this year.

As the Hong Kong setting is mostly surrounded by the South China Sea, they depict the coastline. 

Part of the upcoming graphics overhaul to the ageing, proprietary KT Engine that powers the game is specifically for the water effects. These early, motionless signs do point to a genuine improvement.

These were a bone of contention even pre-releases, as shots of a Porsche Taycan splashing through a crossing in one of the trailers (and the water effects in the studio’s prior WRC titles) looked a little dated.

“Considering TDU is on islands, here is our new work in progress water shader. See other improvements next week!” reads the social media caption alongside the pictures.

“A big part of TDU is the coastal drives you can get on Ibiza and Hong Kong Island, and currently our water reflections/shaders aren’t the best. We need to improve this and other areas of the game’s engine,” reads a reply by the main Test Drive Unlimited social media account.

The visual enhancements are also said to change the overall lighting system, weather, shadows and reflections alongside the game’s performance. The latter element has been inconsistent since its September 2024 launch.

The changes to the graphics are set to arrive in a Season 5 update; the release date of which is not yet known. However, Racing Content Manager at Nacon, Alexander Arthur, says “this October” in a recent YouTube video. 

Meanwhile, the next update, Season 4, is expected later this month and will add the first stages of a casino. Further details about Season 4, Season 5 and the next year for Solar Crown are expected during a presentation at 6 pm CEST, 21st July 2025.