Such events are frequent, but today’s 1.71 update for Gran Turismo 7 doesn’t just bring four new cars, but also overhauled driving physics.
The changes are extensive (full list below), from tyre updates to force feedback tweaks.
Developers Polyphony Digital highlight in particular new tyre physics, with a particular focus on when they lose grip. Consequently, we’re expected to see different car behaviour on the limit. Related to this change is a tweak to tyre wear and heating properties, plus the amount of grip when off track.
Naturally, changes to the suspension model have also been made, with different steering geometry (the setup or layout of the steering system, which can affect how the car sits and moves relative to the surface) and damper attenuation (loss of force) characteristics.
How torque is simulated is now also different, specifically on partial throttle – this can be when fuel saving, or trying to catch a slide, for example.
This also possibly affects some driver assists too, with the Traction Control intervention levels ‘optimised’ and the ABS system when cornering ‘adjusted’.
Performance Points changed
Aside from the physics changes, and perhaps because of them, significant changes to base car setups and performance values have been made across the ginormous 580+ car roster.
For example, there’s a general note that initial (or base) suspension and differential settings and adjustment ranges have been ‘fixed’ (read, altered) across the car roster, plus for aerodynamics for all race cars and ‘certain’ road cars.
This will undoubtedly change the Balance of Performance (BoP) for the closely contested Gr.4, Gr.3, Gr.2 and Gr.1 race categories, popular within GT7’s Sport Mode and used during World Series competitions.
But also, the Performance Points (PP) system has been once again updated. Every car in-game has a PP value which provides a rough estimate for its overall performance. These are used for single-player and multiplayer race entry requirements.
Typically, with such broad changes, what can happen is a car you have previously tuned to a PP cap may now be over or under the previous limit, requiring a tweak to your settings each. And. Every. Time. You. Select. A. Car. Again. Gah!
There are also named specific tweaks to certain cars, such as different fuel economy rates for the Nissan Qashqai and Honda CR-V, adjusted torque control for the electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 N (in the real world you can be all-wheel-drive or send all power to the rear for drifting), different maximum RPM for the Super Formula single-seaters and two older GT500 models. Again, the full list is below.
Wheel force feedback and gamepad inputs adjusted
Right, so that’s car physics, assists and balancing addressed; what about inputs?
There are several changes here too.
For Fanatec wheel owners, listen up. There is now an ‘optimised’ set of parameters if you select ‘Auto Setup’ on your wheel’s Tuning Menu, specifically tailored for Gran Turismo 7. Neat.
Then, the additional FullForce haptic feedback effects have been enabled for the Fanatec GT DD Pro. This is an older wheel design (the newer DD Extreme had this already), which was recently firmware updated to support the feature, and now Polyphony Digital has enabled that through this game update.
Across all brands of wheels, the strength and ‘friction’ of the force feedback, vibration features while understeering and pedal inputs have all been tweaked.
Those racing with a gamepad should now see different steering, throttle and brake responses.
Leaderboard reset, target times altered
Across Gran Turismo 7, these physics, assist and input changes have naturally resulted in a leaderboard reset. So, be that for the World Circuits events, Licence challenge rankings, mission results and Circuit Experience events. Music Rally too, how could we forget Music Rally?!
Target times for the aforementioned Licences, World Circuit races and Circuit Experiences have also been changed to match the new driving behaviour.
These are the major physics and input changes, which directly impact the leaderboards. But there are new features too, which we’ve detailed separately, such as updated Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), fresh engine swaps, new single-player races, more Scapes, four additional cars, updated Seasonal Menu and a rallycross Circuit Experience.
Gran Turismo 7 update 1.71 patch notes
Main Features Implemented
1. Cars - The following four cars have been added: ・Caterham Seven Superlight R500 ’08 (Sold in ‘Brand Central’) ・Hyundai IONIQ 6 N ’25 (Sold in ‘Brand Central’) ・Toyota Chaser Tourer V ’97 (Sold at the ‘Used Cars’ dealership) ・Toyota Mark II Tourer V ’97 (Sold at the ‘Used Cars’ dealership)
2. World Circuits - The following new events have been added to ‘World Circuits’: ・Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya GP Layout No Chicane - European Clubman Cup 600 ・Suzuka Circuit - World Touring Car 600 ・Kyoto Driving Park – Yamagiwa - Japanese FR Challenge 450
– The following course layouts have been added to ‘Circuit Experience’: ・Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya Rallycross Layout
3. Brand Central - ‘Caterham’ has been added.
4. Café - Added new sets of conversations with the 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:
CHARACTERS - Chris ・Caterham Seven Superlight R500 ’08 ・Toyota Mark II Tourer V ’97
- Jeremy ・Toyota Chaser Tourer V ’97
- Stella ・Hyundai IONIQ 6 N ’25
- New ‘Seasonal Menu’ has been added, where different cars can be collected each season to unlock extra rewards. The ‘Seasonal Menu’ will appear after clearing Menu Book No. 39 (‘Championship: World GT Series’) and having watched the ending.
5. GT Auto - Car Maintenance & Service Engine Swaps are now available for the following cars (unlocked at Collector Level 50): ・Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG ’71 ・Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG ’10 ・Caterham Seven Superlight R500 ’08 ・Ford Focus RS ’18 ・Gran Turismo Red Bull X2014 Junior ・Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX MR GSR ’06 ・Porsche 911 GT3 (996) ’01 ・Suzuki Swift Sport ’07 ・Toyota Chaser Tourer V ’97 ・Toyota Mark II Tourer V ’97
6. Scapes - ‘Whistler’ has been added as a featured Curation in Scapes.
Other Improvements and Adjustments
1. Physics Simulation Model - Adjusted the tyre physics algorithm: ・The algorithm has been updated, focusing on the simulation when tyres are slipping; ・Road surface resistance (rolling resistance) has been optimised; ・Tyre heating and wear values have been adjusted; ・The amount of tyre grip lost when ‘Grip Reduction Off Track’ is set to ‘Real’ has been adjusted.
- Adjusted the engine torque control: ・Throttle control characteristics when drifting have been improved; ・Car speed control on partial throttle has been improved.
- Adjusted the physics models for the suspension and steering characteristics: ・The steering geometry for each car has been optimised, improving the simulation of turning forces; ・Damper attenuation characteristics have been changed to make stance changes and road surface tracking feel more natural.
- Adjusted the values for the Default settings: ・Initial suspension settings and adjustment ranges have been fixed; ・Initial differential gear settings and adjustment ranges have been fixed; ・The initial aerodynamics settings and adjustment ranges on race cars and certain road cars have been fixed.
- Adjusted the Performance Points (PP) of cars in-game.
- Adjusted the parameters of each individual car.
- Adjusted the maximum engine RPM for the following cars: ・Lexus RC F GT500 ’16 ・Nissan GT-R NISMO GT500 ’16 ・Super Formula SF19 Super Formula / Honda ’19 ・Super Formula SF19 Super Formula / Toyota ’19 ・Super Formula SF23 Super Formula / Honda ’23 ・Super Formula SF23 Super Formula / Toyota ’23
- Adjusted the gear shift-up simulation on the following cars, wherein the gear will not shift up unless the throttle is engaged: ・Gran Turismo Red Bull X2019 Competition ・Gran Turismo Red Bull X2019 25th Anniversary
- Adjusted the torque control on the following car with electric motors, wherein the ‘front:rear’ values can be freely set from 0:100 to 100:0 from the ‘Car Settings’ or the ‘Multi Function Display’: ・Hyundai IONIQ 5 N ’24
- Adjusted the maximum RPM of electric motors on the following car: ・Audi e-tron Vision Gran Turismo
- Adjusted the fuel consumption rate for the following cars: ・Nissan Qashqai Tekna 190 2wd e-Power ’22 ・Honda CR-V e:HEV EX・Black Edition ’21
- Adjusted the car’s behaviour in response to forced downshifting on cars where ‘Manual’ shifting is available within ‘Assistance Settings.’
- Adjusted the following Driving Assistances: ・The behaviour of the Traction Control (TCS) assist intervention has been optimised; ・The slip ratio control and cornering brake behaviour under ABS (Anti-Lock Brakes) has been adjusted.
2. Controllers - Wireless Controllers ・Adjusted the steering characteristics of the analogue sticks and directional pad; ・Adjusted the response of the throttle and brake.
- Steering Controllers ・Adjusted the Force Feedback torque strength and friction; ・Adjusted the vibration features while understeering; ・Adjusted the input characteristics of the throttle and brake.
- Adjusted the parameters of the Tuning Menu Auto Setup on the Fanatec® GT DD Pro / GT DD Extreme / Podium: ・Selecting ‘Auto Setup’ (AS or A SET) from the wheel’s tuning menu will now apply an optimised set of parameters for Gran Turismo; ・The Auto Setup function may require a device firmware update to enable; ・On the Podium, Auto Setup has been adjusted for Low Torque mode. Parameters must be manually adjusted when using High Torque mode.
- Enabled FullForce feedback effects on the Fanatec® GT DD Pro: ・The device will provide haptic feedback if the FullForce feedback function is available; ・A planned firmware update is required to use this feature. (Please consult manufacturer support for firmware updates.)
3. Mechanical Damage - Adjusted the collision forces under which damage is incurred as well as the effects of damage to driving.
- Added a ‘Championship’ setting under the ‘Mechanical Damage’ options. Choosing this setting, cars will be damaged in the same way as on the ‘Light’ setting, but from more minor collisions. Furthermore, with this setting enabled, recovery time will vary depending on the severity of damage sustained.
4. Music Rally - All event ranking boards have been reset.
5. World Circuits - Adjusted the target times for all Circuit Experience events and demonstration replays. Additionally, all event ranking boards have been reset.
- Adjusted the Performance Points (PP) regulations for the following event: ・Lightweight K Cup
6. Licence Centre - Adjusted the target times for all events in the Licence tests, and the demonstrations have been updated accordingly. In addition, all event ranking boards have been reset.
7. Missions - All event ranking boards have been reset.
8. Penalties - Toned down the Shortcut Penalty judgement criteria.
9. Display Settings - On the PlayStation®5 Pro, when PlayStation® Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) is enabled, the latest version of PSSR will now be applied.
10. Power Pack - Adjusted the Performance Points (PP) regulations for the following event: ・Bump Drafting
(The ‘Power Pack’ is a paid DLC available only for the PlayStation®5 version of ‘Gran Turismo 7’.)
11. Localisation - Fixed various text localisation issues.
12. Others - Various other issues have been addressed.
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