New Project Motor Racing update tweaks LMDh powertrain and brakes

• Revised powertrain and brake heat transfer model added to PMR’s LMDh class
• Bump stop behaviour also improved

A new update has been released for Project Motor Racing, focusing on the game’s LMDh category.

Comprising LMDh and LMH hybrid Hypercars used in the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA, LMDh cars came in for some stark criticism upon PMR’s launch, consisting of difficult-to-control prototypes, poorly optimised graphics and occasionally wonky physics.

However, V2.0.0.4 is the first update released since the announcement that Aristotelis Vasilakos, the physics guru behind NetKar Pro, Assetto Corsa, and Assetto Corsa Competizione, had joined Straight4 Studios’ development team.

Engine and off-throttle behaviour

Over time, Straight4 has released several updates to the game to alleviate some of the previously noted concerns, with the latest adjusting LMDh engine braking and fuel flow rates.

This should, according to Straight4, offer improved off-throttle performance, with ECU tweaks said to improve the way the cars regenerate energy under braking and deploy it on acceleration. The end result is ‘more predictable energy recovery behaviour from the hybrid system’, according to a statement from the developer.

Brake heat transfer

Additionally, a revised brake heat-transfer system has been applied to the LMDH class in the new update, with heavy braking noticeably contributing to overall tyre temperature. This system will likely drip-feed into other categories in future.

Suspension improvements

Bump stop behaviour has been revised to provide ‘a more natural load build-up at the limits of travel’. Cars should therefore feel easier to control under load, with a new bump stop visual indicator that turns redder the more the suspension compresses against the bump stop.

Several other bug fixes have also been added, with the full changelog listed below.

Project Motor Racing, V2.0.0.4 changelog

PHYSICS & HANDLING

• Improvements made to all cars that use the Multi-link type of rear suspension.
• Improvements made to steering response when using a controller.

PHYSICS & HANDLING – PER VEHICLE

BMW M3 GTR (E46)

• Improved suspension geometry to be more accurate to the real-world counterpart.

BMW M4 GT3 (G82) EVO

• Traction Control (TC) now enabled by default.

PHYSICS & HANDLING – PER CLASS

LMDH

• Updated ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) including engine braking and fuel rates.
• Updated ECU including shifting speed and deploy/regen logic.
• Improved progressive bumpstops for suspension.
• Heat dispersing from brakes now affects tyre temperatures.
• Reworked handling model.
• Improved tyre model.
• New default setups.

MAZDA MX-5 TROPHY

• Reworked handling model to more accurately match real-world specs.
• Rebalanced grip levels for wet tyres.
• New default setup.

N-GT

• Improved Traction Control (TC) and Antilock Braking System (ABS) assist when enabled.
• Improved tyre model.
• Improved suspension model.
• New default setup.

ART – VEHICLES

• Improved driver overall animations, such as gear changing and hand placement.

Aston Martin Vantage GT3

• Adjusted chassis around front tires to avoid clipping.

Chevrolet Corvette C7.R

• Fixed an issue with the fuel light on the MoTeC system not displaying correctly while in cockpit view.

Ford GTLM GTE

• Updated primary livery with correct sponsor logos.

Jaguar XJR-9

• Corrected interior glow map in the cockpit view.

Mercedes-AMG GT4

• Fixed an issue with rear view mirror displaying artefacts when in cockpit view.

Nissan Skyline (R34) JP2

• Updated steering wheel with correct brand logos.

Toyota Supra JP2

• Further updates to the car body, exhausts and fuel nozzle nodes, to accurately reflect the correct 2003 model.

TVR Tuscan T400R

• Fix for overly reflective digits on the MoTeC system when in cockpit view.

ART – ENVIRONMENT

Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit

• Adjusted car placement for pits to allow more space.

Lexington

• Adjusted track limits and penalty system detection to prevent unfair advantage on flying laps.

AI OPPONENTS

• Improved tyre wear to be more consistent and create more natural pit stops frequency.
• Rebalanced behaviour and tyre wear for wet conditions.
• Fixed an issue where AI Opponents tyre grip would not reset between sessions.
• Further improvements made to when AI opponents are under blue flag conditions.
• Lime Rock Park – Chicane layout: improved racing lines and entry into the pits.
• Northampton – Original Pits layout: improved racing line.
• Improved AI throttle and brake control.

GAMEPLAY

• Start lights timing is now randomised for all modes.
• Added option in the settings menu to change grass quality.
• Added option in the settings menu to change windscreen quality.
• Fixed an issue causing some players to soft-lock on a loading state in the Endurance Hall events.
• Fixed an issue preventing players from accessing previously saved replays.
• Updated pre-race and podium scenes so they are centred when using a widescreen aspect ratio.
• Fixed an issue that would automatically disqualify the player from a race when they ran out of fuel during a session.

HUD & UI

• Improved lighting and rendering for the car selection screen to better reflect cars’ materials.
• Changed the class icon on the car selection screen to act as a button to access the class selection screen.
• Fix for leaderboard failing to switch properly when transitioning from a qualifying session.
• Fixed an issue with the leaderboard for race session to display correct order.
• Fixed an issue preventing preferred units from displaying correctly in the Vehicle Setup menu.
• ModHub: added sorting filters; categories, top rated, and most downloads.
• Introduced “bumpstop” visual to the HUD tyres widget.

AUDIO

• Improved Race Engineer voice lines when approaching a backmarker.
• Improved Race Engineer voice lines when giving advice on tyre temperatures.

INPUT

• Fixed an issue preventing custom input settings from saving correctly.
• Added support to the following devices on the PC platform:
• CubeControls Formula Wheel.
• Pro Racing Simuladores Pedals.
• Logitech RS Pro Pedals (as a separate device).
• AW Tau Sequential Shifter V2.
• Derek Speare Designs 12bit Controller.

GENERAL

• The Eventhub page has been updated with next upcoming race and time within a series.
• Information on track and number of laps added.