We knew it was coming this week, and now Polyphony Digital has lifted the bonnet on Gran Turismo 7 update 1.40.
Dubbed Spec II, update 1.40 is the biggest update since GT7 launched last March, bringing new cars, game modes, a new track, quality of life improvements, and much more.
Seven new cars
Following Kazunori’s teaser last weekend, Polyphony has revealed the seven new cars coming in update 1.40:
- Dodge Charger R/T 426 Hemi '68
- Dodge Challenger SRT Demon '18
- Lexus LFA '10
- Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II '91
- NISMO 400R '95
- Porsche 911 GT3 RS (992) '22
- Tesla Model 3 Performance '23
It’s a salivating selection from American muscle cars to the latest EVs. One of the most requested cars, the Lexus LFA is easily the star addition, appearing in a Gran Turismo game for the first time in ten years since GT6. Notably, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS makes its racing game debut in GT7. This is the largest number of cars we’ve had in a GT7 update yet, beating the previous record of five.
New Lake Louise track
While GT7 updates usually add new cars, we haven’t had a new track since Grand Valley Speedway returned in February.
Update 1.40 will add a new original circuit called Lake Louise. Set around the World Heritage Canadian Rockies, the new snow circuit includes Long Track, Short Track, and Tri-Oval variants.
Sophy 2.0
Alongside the new cars and track, update 1.40 will let you take on Gran Turismo Sophy 2.0. Developed in collaboration with Polyphony Digital and Sony AI, Sophy AI is a revolutionary AI learning agent that can beat the best Gran Turismo players in the world. Smarter AI opponents will make racing in Gran Turismo much more engaging.
Sophy AI last appeared in a trial earlier this year. Spec II will allow players to race with Sophy AI in the new Quick Race mode replacing Arcade Race but only on PS5. Not all cars and courses are available in this mode, however.
That’s not all, because update 1.40 will also add new Master License events, four-player split screen, and slower shutter speeds for photo mode. On top of that, Spec II also brings online Paddocks where players can chat with each other and zoom in on other player’s cars in a virtual car park while waiting for multiplayer races to start.
World Circuits also gets an overhaul with new Weekly Challenges and there are also three new GT Cafe Menu books to complete and a Polyphony Digital Tokyo Office Scape photo location.
Release date
Gran Turismo 7 update 1.40 launches on 2 November. It's probably no coincidence that GT7's biggest update yet is arriving just a few weeks after Forza Motorsport launched.
After months of disappointing monthly updates, Spec II is exactly what Gran Turismo 7 needs to get back in the race. This could be the update GT7 players have been waiting for.
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