Gran Turismo 7: The seven best features in its latest game update

The latest game update for Gran Turismo 7 is now available for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 owners – and it is the most notable download for the title this year.

Yes, there are six new cars, fresh single-player events and new wheel designs within GT Auto. All are very welcome.

But, there’s a new track for the first time in eight months (a returning Gran Turismo classic) updated tyres and revised car performance across the board thanks to a physics system tweak.

Let’s dive into the details for version 1.49 which releases today, 25th July 2024, for both PS4 and PS5. It weighs in at 4.861 GB on the latter.

You can watch our Eiger Nordwand retrospective video embedded below, charting the track’s evolution over the past 18 years.

1. New suspension physics

The “car physics simulation model will undergo a significant transformation,” claims developer Polyphony Digital.

Following GT7’s initial release, notable updates changed car behaviour, in particular, how rear-wheel-driver road cars broke away when losing traction. However, for the most part, the physics system has not seen wholesale changes.

A “more natural weight shifting during corner” is how the creators describe it. This is through an updated geometry calculation for both suspension and steering, plus changes to damper performance – such as smooth landing after a jump.

As the top drivers exploit the handling further, we’ll no doubt know more and see if further hotfixes are required. For now, initially, this seems like a large change.

2. Michelin tyres

The in-game tyres, purchasable from the tuning shop, are now branded Michelin. In of itself, no big deal.

Except, you may also notice that the tyre treads are replications of real-world designs by the French manufacturer. Even more intriguing, alongside the fettled suspension system, how they wear and heat up has been altered.

Unlike many other contemporary sim racing platforms, you cannot see tyre temperatures on the driving display – so we must take the Kazunori Yamauchi-led team’s word for it. This could be pivotal for Sport Mode races where strategy is involved, in particular, and the upcoming World Series events. Simply, if you have in your mind an idea of how long a certain set of tyres will last for a specific car, the chances are this will now change.

There is the claim that stability during low-speed corners and over kerbs has been improved, the rolling resistance altered and the grip reduction on the racing line during wet conditions adjusted.

3. Sophy AI more accessible

Sony AI’s learning agent has not necessarily seen any changes to its behaviour, but it is now available in more circumstances.

As a refresher, it will learn, over time, driver behaviours. So instead of a fully programmed route to follow, it in theory has emotions and can be provoked. Now, it does not learn on the fly and then evolve in-game, data must be sent back to Sony AI for a presumed future iteration, but it so far is more naturalistic in its acts than the regular system.

You can now race against it in single-player races at the Nürburgring 24h and Autodrome Lago Maggiore (Full Course) layouts, bringing the roster to 11 locations. While it remains a feature only for those on PS5, the car roster you can race with an against has also expanded.

4. Eiger Nordwand track returns

There’s a whole generation of Gran Turismo drivers who skipped the tumultuous PlayStation 3 generation. For those, the mountainous Swiss Eiger Nordwand track will be a new experience. For others, it is a complete reimagining of a venue with a place in GT folklore.

It made its debut as the only location within 2007’s Gran Turismo HD Concept – a free tech demo available on launch day as a download-only title for the PS3.

The visuals were truly mindblowing back then, and as the series progressed through Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, Gran Turismo 5 and Gran Turismo 6, so too the track evolved.

But it has been absent since 2013, until now. We will have a video on our YouTube channel that covers its fascinating history plus gameplay of this new version.

The exaggerated jump into the first hairpin has been flattened out, and there’s a brand new pitlane inside a tunnel, too. But mostly, this is a breathtaking route great for trailers, photo mode, and time trailing, but its narrow confines aren’t historically the best for great racing.

Only the ‘short’ asphalt layout is here in forward and reverse layouts – the three rally spin-offs first seen in GT5 are absent.

5. Six more cars

Okay, now we get to the new vehicles. Those looking for new Gr.4 and Gr.3 race cars look away now…

But those looking for the ultimate versions of significant cars from series history are in luck.

Kicking off with the 1998 Subaru Impreza rally car, the (outwardly very similar) ‘99 spec derivation was present in prior GT games, but never received the full ‘premium’ visuals including the interior – until now. Its bright blue paintwork and bulging arches are distinctive to this day. It is for sale within the Legend Cars pavilion.

Then we have a racing version of the Genesis Vision Gran Turismo – the striking virtual concept car was unveiled during December’s World Series World Finals at the end of last year. Now, there is an additional version with aggressive race-inspired aerodynamics and more power – the hybrid powertrain now up to 1540 HP.

Crucially, the Genesis also forms part of the Gr.1 race car category.

Another sportscar from German Porsche-tuners RUF will now be present – the RGT 4.2 ’16 based upon the 991 generation 911.

Two mid-engine rivals from the ‘00s also arrive, the Ferrari 430 Scuderia and Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4. The latter is the facelifted ‘entry-level’ Raging Bull, while the former is the most extreme version of the 430, released just before the Italian manufacturer switched to the 458.

Finally, available from the Used Cars dealership, is the E36 BMW M3 which should make for a highly tunable drift car.

• BMW M3 ’97 – 494.72pp – 74,600 credits – Used Cars dealership
• Ferrari 430 Scuderia ’07 – 617.08 pp – 380,000 credits (366,700 used) – Brand Central or Used Cars
• Genesis X Gran Racer Vision Gran Turismo Concept Gr.1 – 887.08 pp – 1,000,000 credits – Brand Central
• Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 ’08 – 614.47 pp – 260,000 credits (253,100 used) – Brand Central or Used Cars
• RUF RGT 4.2 ’16 – 646.99 pp – 360,000 credits – Brand Central
• Subaru Impreza Rally Car ’98 Gr.B – 572.32pp – 650,000 credits – Legend Cars

6. World Series events ‘dynamic viewing’

The Gran Turismo World Series is the pinnacle of competition for Gran Turismo 7 players, culminating in a live championship for the best drivers. Recently, the first in-person round of the 2024 season took place in Montreal.

In-game, you could predict winners to potentially win credits, and also pick up GT7 rewards for watching the livestream from within the title. Now, you can re-watch three of the races from the Canadian event through ‘dynamic viewing’.

Effectively, you get to watch it like a saved replay, allowing you to switch through the drivers and camera angles, while the race commentary happens. It’s a really unique feature.

7. Further single-player races and events

New tracks, new cars, new physics. All well and good, but you need events to race them within.

Handily, with the return of Eiger, there are three new single-player races at the alpine venue within the World Circuits area:

• European Sunday Cup 500
• Jimny Cup
• World Rally Challenge Gr.B

Also at the venue is a new Circuit Experience challenge – a great way to learn the returning venue and earn a stack of in-game credits

• Eiger Nordwand Circuit Experience – Alfa Romeo 4C Gr.4 – All gold, 1,000,000 credits

Two further World Circuits races are included in version 1.49 too at other venues:

• Autodromo Nazionale Monza – Ferrari Circuit Challenge
• Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta – World Touring Car 600

Next, there’s a fresh Online Lap Time Challenge (read, time trial) that lasts for two weeks starting from today within Sport Mode.

A regular occurrence on a Thursday, usually there is a fresh challenge each week, but this time two have arrived.

The first uses the aforementioned Subaru Impreza ‘98 rally car around Eiger Nordwand. With the top prize of two million credits (for those who hit the gold criteria) or one million for silver, this is yet another great way to experience the latest venue and potentially earn something back.

A second is at the familiar Tokyo Expressway East Clockwise but in the new-to-the-game Ferrari 430 Scuderia

• Online Lap Time Challenge – Eiger Nordwand, Subaru Impreza Rally Car ‘98 – ends 8/8/2024 at 07:59 BST
• Online Lap Time Challenge – Tokyo Expressway East Clockwise, Ferrari 430 Scuderia – ends 8/8/2024 at 07:59 BST

Finally, not race events, but there’s a 40th Extra Menu within the Café. Here, owning three specific cars nets a prize. This time it is:

Extra Menu No.40 – Collection: McLaren

Collector Level 50 and above.

Own the:

• McLaren F1 ’94 (Legend Cars)
• McLaren MP4-12C ’10 (Brand Central)
• McLaren Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo (Brand Central)

Win a: Six-star roulette ticket

There are further smaller changes, like updates to Logitech and Fanatec steering wheel peripheral performance, more engine swap possibilities and Eiger-themed scapes. Alongside the physics updates, several leaderboards have been wiped and performance point ratings changed accordingly.

The full changelog is listed below, let us know in the comments how you are finding the new physics and content.

Gran Turismo 7 Update 1.49 changelog

Main Features

1. Cars
　- The following six new cars have been added:
　　・BMW M3 ’97 (sold at the Used Cars dealership)
　　・Ferrari 430 Scuderia ’07
　　・Genesis X Gran Racer Vision Gran Turismo Concept
　　・Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 ’08
　　・RUF RGT 4.2 ’16
　　・Subaru Impreza Rally Car ’98 (Sold at the ‘Legend Cars’ dealership)
　　
2. Tires
　- French tire manufacturer Michelin has been added.

3. Tracks
　- Eiger Nordwand joins the race-track list with two different layouts:
　　　・Eiger Nordwand
　　　・Eiger Nordwand Reverse

The new track will be unlocked at Collector Level 25.

4. World Circuits
　- The following events join World Circuits:
　　・Eiger Nordwand
　　　- European Sunday Cup 500
　　　- Jimny Cup
　　　- World Rally Challenge Gr.B
　　・Autodromo Nazionale Monza
　　　- Ferrari Circuit Challenge
　　・Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta
　　　- World Touring Car 600

5. Gran Turismo Sophy
　- Gran Turismo Sophy is now implemented in the following track layouts:
　　・Nürburgring 24h
　　・Autodrome Lago Maggiore – Full Course
　- More cars have been added for you to race against.

Please note that the Gran Turismo Sophy mode is only available on the PS5 version of Gran Turismo 7.

6. Café
　- The following Extra Menu has been added:
　　・Extra Menu No.40: Collection: McLaren (Collector Level 50)

　- There are also new sets of conversations with the Car Designers and Characters appearing in the Café. These new conversations can be accessed by changing to the following cars in Garage and speaking with the characters in the Café:

　CAR DESIGNERS
　　- Ikuo Maeda
　　　・MAZDA3 ’19
　　　・MAZDA3 Gr.4
　　　・MAZDA RX-VISION ’15
　　　・MAZDA RX-VISION GT3 CONCEPT
　　　・Mazda Atenza Sedan XD L Package ’15
　　　・Mazda Demio XD Touring ’15
　　　・Mazda LM55 VGT (Gr.1)
　　　・Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A (FD) ’02
　　　・Mazda RX-8 Spirit R ’12

7. Brand Central
　- Visit Volvo’s New Museum section for Europe (Sweden).
　- New Museum entries have been added for the following brand:
　　・Subaru

8. GT Auto
　- Car Maintenance & Service
　　Engine Swaps are now available for the following cars (unlocked at Collector Level 50):
　　　・BMW M3 Sport Evolution ’89
　　　・BMW M3 ’97
　　　・BMW M3 Coupé ’07
　　　・BMW M4 Coupé ’14
　　　・BMW M4 Gr.4
　　　・Honda S2000 ’99
　　　・Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track ’13
　　　・Mazda Atenza Sedan XD L Package ’15
　　　・Mini Cooper S ’05
　　　・Nissan Skyline GTS-R (R31) ’87

　- Car Customization
　　The following brand has been added to Wheels:
　　　・pokal CUSTOM FELGEN

　　Eight new wheels have been added for the following brand:
　　　・WORK

　　These new brands join Preset Decals in the Livery Editor:
　　　・pokal CUSTOM FELGEN
　　　・The Check Shop

　　The “HIGHSPEED Étoile” official Preset Decals in the Livery Editor have been discontinued and are no longer available. Please note the following points regarding the usage of these decals after the end of service:
　　　- Livery Editor
　　　　・These official decals will be removed from the Brand Logos (F-O) section in Preset Decals and will no longer be available to add to liveries.
　　　　・Saved Styles that use these official decals will remain available to edit and save with the decals intact after the end of service.
　　　- Showcase
　　　　・Saved Styles that use these official decals, which can be viewed by other players, will remain visible in the Showcase and will be available to use after the end of service.

9. Scapes
　- “The Eiger” has been added as a featured Curation in Scapes.

10. Replays
　- There is now a Playback Bar Option where the playback position can be adjusted.

11. Dynamic Viewing
　- “Dynamic Viewing,” which allows more control over Race Replays is now active. Select the “Gran Turismo LIVE” icon from the World Map to view Race Replays from World Series Round 1 – Montreal. If you enable Broadcast Mode, you can watch races exactly as they appeared on the live stream with full commentary. Alternatively, you will be free to change between different cars and camera modes.

Other Improvements and Adjustments

1. Physics Simulation Model
　- The behavioral models for the suspensions and the steering have been adjusted:
　　・The calculation of suspension geometry has been improved, resulting in more natural cornering physics and acceleration/deceleration stability levels.
　　・The calculation of steering geometry has been improved, resulting in more accurate simulation of steering forces.
　　・Damper attenuation behavior was adjusted, resulting in more natural physics on road bumps and curbs.

　- The tire physics simulation model has been enhanced by:
　　・Turning stability on low speed corners and curbing has been improved.
　　・Surface resistance (rolling resistance) has been optimized.
　　・Heat and wear behavior were adjusted on racing tires.
　　・Grip reduction on the racing line in wet conditions, and hydroplaning physics were adjusted.

　- Default settings have been improved.
　　・Initial suspension and aerodynamics settings have been changed on all race cars and certain road cars.

　- Performance Points (PP) for all featured cars have been updated.

　- The wireless controller steering algorithm was updated.
　　・The steering algorithm when using the analogue sticks and the directional pad were enhanced, resulting in better handling.

　- Controller behavior for steering wheels have been updated.
　　・The force feedback algorithm has been adjusted, allowing devices to use their full torque range.
　　・The steering geometry calculation have improved, resulting in better force feedback feeling.

　- The effects of the following driving assists have been improved.
　　・The Traction Control (TCS) assist intervention has been optimized;
　　・Corner braking control for ABS (anti-lock brakes) has been optimized.

2. Controllers
　- We addressed an issue in which force feedback vibration on the Logitech® G923 was too sensitive.
　- The strength of the vibration effect on the Logitech® PRO Racing Wheel has been adjusted.
– The performance stability for all Fanatec® steering controllers has improved.
　- The LEDs of the four sticks on the Fanatec® GT DD Extreme will now light up in the color of the corresponding MFD.
　- We also adjusted the Tuning Menu Auto Setup parameters for the Fanatec® GT DD Pro/Extreme, and Podium.

Selecting “Auto Setup” (AS or A SET) from the Tuning Menu on the wheel will load the optimal parameters for playing Gran Turismo. A firmware update may be required in order to enable the Auto Setup function on your device. In Podium mode, Auto Setup is intended for use in Low Torque mode. The use of High Torque mode will require manual adjustments.

3. World Circuits
　- Time settings have been adjusted for all Circuit Experience events, and all demonstration replays have been updated. Also, all rankings boards have been reset.

4. License Center
　- Time settings have been adjusted for all License events, and all demonstration replays have been updated. Also, all rankings boards have been reset.

5. Missions
　- All rankings boards have been reset.
　- The difficulty level has been adjusted for the following event:
　　・Tsukuba Circuit One Hour

6. Localization
　- Fixed various text localization issues.

7. Others
　- Various other issues have been addressed.