The 5 best additions in Gran Turismo 7’s latest update

Six months – that’s how long it has been since a new circuit was added to Gran Turismo 7. Today’s Update 1.56 didn’t change that either, and while three vehicles for no extra charge are most welcome, there’s little to do with them in terms of game progression.

It feels like the popular PlayStation racer is nearing the end of its days as a priority for Polyphony Digital, eased aside for an inevitable Gran Turismo 8. Which, in many ways, is exciting, if that is the case.

But, for now, that means monthly updates that can be a little uninspired. Still, there is some fun to be had with February’s additions, you just have to dig a little deeper…

Unimog hay bales

The glacial Mercedes-Benz Unimog isn’t particularly good to drive, being by far and away the slowest vehicle in Gran Turismo 7.

Much to the chagrin of many racing car fans or Sport Mode competitors, its mere presence is unwarranted.

But – there’s something about a Dad’s Army-themed livery with hay bales on the back, or an overlanding campervan. The customisation options within GT Auto lend this car well to such creations, and combined with the livery editor, the game’s community has already shared some inventive creations less than a day after the update being available.

So – not one to enjoy driving and definitely not something for competitive racers. But, pop on an audiobook, make a hot chocolate and take your time to create something unique. If you’re feeling stressed, Polyphony Digital has added this Unimog for you.

V8 Suzuki engine swap

Did we say best? Well this isn’t that. Craziest, perhaps.

A compact, front-wheel-drive Suzuki Swift, even the Sport model, is more at home in St Ives than the Nürburgring. So fitting it with a V8 engine from a Gr.3 (read, GT3-aping) racer is… stupid.

Gran Turismo is charming – take the exaggerated engine swap animation – but this may be taking things a little too far.

Even with uprated suspension and slick tyres, the eight-cylinder shopping trolley wheelspins in fourth gear. Utter lunacy.

Escort Cosworth rally car mods

This is more like it, thanks to update 1.56, you can now pop an uprated, over 500bhp, Gr.B engine in the ‘90s Ford Escort Cosworth.

Paired with larger wheels and that WRC-style rear wing, this can now be a rally beast, especially when a fresh turbocharger can boost power north of 700bhp. Also, tweak the power distribution to be a bit more rearward, and this is a drift monster.

Daft, but in a more plausible and, crucially, usable way. This is a swap well worth testing.

All six new swaps are listed below:

• Ford Escort RS Cosworth ’92 – Ford Focus Gr.B engine
• Ford Sierra RS 500 Cosworth ’87 – Ford Focus Gr.B engine
• Mazda Demio XD Touring ’15 – Mitsubishi Evo Gr.B engine
• Subaru Impreza 22B-STi Version ’98 – EJ20 Impreza Rally engine
• Subaru Impreza Coupe WRX Type R STi Version VI ’99 – EJ20 Impreza Rally engine
• Suzuki Swift Sport ’17 – Suzuki Gr.3 V8

Peugeot 205 GTI accessories

Adding light pods and removing the GTI badging – someone at Gran Turismo 7 development team is clearly up to speed with French hot hatchback modification.

The 205 GTI in the game regardless is pleasing, such crisp design lines and panache. But allowing players to make it look like a privateer rally car (or even the real-world Rallye spec) from the early 1990s is a genius move. Those light pods are hard to resist.

Naturally, you can have the headlights with yellow bulbs, too, for the full Gallic flair.

That sweet, sweet, sound

Straight six engine, a free-breathing exhaust, rear-wheel drive and traction off. Residents of Cape Town will know the combination, and the robot burnouts. It’s what makes BMW so alluring for some.

That smooth running, raspy sounding, engine is definitely a major element. On paper, the BMW Z4 3.0i is the least inspiring of the new models in this update.

But, a little fettle. Exhaust mod here, maybe a modest turbocharger there. Somewhere around 400bhp, and it comes alive, especially the engine note.

“It sounds incredible, so angry,” said John Munro during our livestream of the latest update, which you can watch embedded above – the BMW is right at the start.

As monthly updates go, this is pretty weak – let’s be real. Even a Gran Turismo 7 zealot will have a hard time justifying its existence, especially considering how January started with a V12 single-seater and a significant physics overhaul.

However, car culture enthusiasts should be satisfied thanks to a tuned Beemer or rally-spec Pug. Some fresh Gr.3 cars wouldn’t go amiss next time though, please…