Details You May Have Missed In The Assetto Corsa EVO Trailer

Details You May Have Missed in the Assetto Corsa Evo trailer.jpg
Images: Kunos Simulazioni / 505 Games
After a first glimpse of the upcoming Assetto Corsa EVO, there are several details you may not have noticed. Here are just some of the ones we spotted!

Sim racing fans rejoice: Assetto Corsa EVO is speeding onto Steam Early Access on 16 January, 2025. The direct follow-up to the acclaimed Assetto Corsa looks set to raise the bar for racing simulations again, with an announcement trailer giving us a first glimpse of gameplay footage.

While information on the highly-anticipated racing simulation is still limited, there are plenty of hidden details in the trailer you may have missed.


New Cars​

Assetto Corsa EVO Hyundai Ioniq 5.jpg


When the Steam Page went live in April, we were treated to screenshots showing close-ups of immaculately detailed cars, from the Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm to the Alpine A110. Now, the reveal trailer has showcased several new cars in motion for the first time.

While a few thoroughbred race cars like the Mercedes-AMG GT2 and Porsche 911 GT3 Cup are shown, there is an emphasis on production road cars. This suggests that Assetto Corsa EVO will return the series to its roots with an eclectic car roster after Competizione focused exclusively on GT racers.

New cars highlighted in the trailer include the track-focused BMW M4 CSL, the Ferrari 296 GTB hybrid supercar, the McLaren 765LT, a three-wheeled Morgan Super-3, and a classic Mini Cooper. Kunos Simulazioni’s close relationship with Ferrari has resulted in the Ferrari Daytona SP3 appearing for the first time in a PC racing simulation, while a Ferrari F40 Competizione is also shown in an official screenshot – the Competizione variant of the iconic F40 is rarely seen in racing games.

Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 N hot hatch is also thrown around corners towards the end of the trailer, confirming that production electric cars will feature in Assetto Corsa EVO – a series first outside of mods. It will be joined by the Alpine A290 electric concept, first shown in early screenshots. It will be interesting to see if Kunos replicate the IONIQ 5 N's various functions such as driving modes and sound settings.

Assetto Corsa EVO trailer toy cars.jpg


A shot of scale model cars displayed on a shelf at the trailer's beginning may also offer more clues: several historic race cars are shown, such as the Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI and Lotus 49 from the original Assetto Corsa. Look closely, and you can also see a Tyrrell P34 model, teasing that the six-wheeled Formula 1 car could be coming to Assetto Corsa EVO.

From modern hypercars to classic sports cars and quirky three-wheelers, it's clear that Assetto Corsa EVO will celebrate different aspects of car culture. However, Japanese cars were notably absent in the trailer. Iconic models like the Toyota Supra MKIV and Mazda RX-7 will hopefully return from the first game, along with new additions like the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo and Subaru Impreza rally legends, but we will have to wait until Kunos releases an official car list.

Free Roam?​

Assetto Corsa EVO free roam.jpg


While several iconic circuits such as the Nürburgring Nordschleife have already been confirmed, the trailer gave a brief glimpse of Imola, Brands Hatch and another track - a viewer of our live stream spotted a Panasonic banner, which may be from Fuji or another Japanese track.

And then there was a big surprise: public roads. Open roads are nothing new in Assetto Corsa. Fans of the original game will remember driving along the winding country roads of the USA’s Black Cat Country, and there are plenty of Assetto Corsa mods that allow you to enjoy some open-world cruising.

However, what is surprising here is that the BMW traffic car driving on the opposite side of the road in the trailer. This may suggest that Assetto Corsa EVO will have free-roaming elements on open road courses, possibly inspired by the myriad of mods created for the original game. While nothing is confirmed yet, this will be uncharted territory for Kunos, which has focused exclusively on track-based racers throughout its history.

The country road appears to be based on an actual road near the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Comparing photos from Google Maps, the location in the trailer looks nearly identical, from the placement of the cobble stones to the angle of the guardrail.

If open roads are coming, it will be an exciting and unexpected new direction for the series. Assetto Corsa EVO’s state-of-the-art physics would provide a far more realistic open-road driving experience than Forza Horizon 5, The Crew Motorfest, and Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, broadening the appeal of sim racing to more casual players.

Realistic Reflections​

Assetto Corsa EVO ray tracing reflections.jpg

Whereas Assetto Corsa Competizione runs on Unreal Engine 4, Assetto Corsa EVO will be powered by an in-house engine like the original. The results are striking, judging from the trailer. Early gameplay footage showcases 24-hour race cycles, realistic lighting and cloud formations, and impressive weather effects, with rain droplets gathering on windows and water flowing along the track.

We also noticed a lack of water spray effects, but the gameplay is not representative of the final game, so this should be added in a later build. This confirms that rain will be available from the start when the final game launches, although it remains to be seen if wet weather racing will be in the initial early access build. Racing in the rain was only possible with mods in the original Assetto Corsa, but was a staple feature of the Assetto Corsa Competizione spin-off.

Another shot towards the end of the trailer shows an Alpine A110 appearing in reflections on a Lotus Emira’s rear bodywork during an intense battle. This could mean that Assetto Corsa EVO will boast ray-tracing reflections during races like Gran Turismo 7 on PS5 Pro – but you may need a powerful PC to take advantage of these effects.

Customisable Drivers?​

Assetto Corsa EVO driver.jpg

While the cars are the stars of the Assetto Corsa EVO trailer, the drivers also get some attention. Drivers are shown wearing licensed Bell helmets, while another shot shows a driver picking up a pair of OMP racing gloves. In another shot, a driver sits inside a luxurious Mercedes interior, wearing a casual jacket and turning the wheel with no gloves.

We also get a closeup of a driver’s shoes working the pedals in a slick animation. This focus on licensed clothing suggests that Assetto Corsa EVO may feature customisable drivers, adding a new level of personalisation to the series.

This, of course, opens up more room for speculation. For example, Kunos could use this element to further monetise the game or introduce season passes, similar to the F1 series or Forza. Clothing options are now common in major racing franchises, so we will not be surprised if Assetto Corsa Evo joins this trend.


Did you notice any new details in the Assetto Corsa EVO trailer? Let us know in the comments below or join the discussion in the forum.
About author
Martin Bigg
Arcade racing addict. Can usually be found causing carnage in Wreckfest and still craving a new Driver and Burnout game. Car movie nerd.

Comments

Ok it is ridiculous, small trailer and i have missed details :))) jokers totally:) wait at least for gameplay even this dows not decide anything till you played by yourself!
 
Premium
Why do people keep making assumptions by looking at the scale models?
Those are present in the new Kunos office since they have moved in and are nothing but a collection of models especially dear to Massarutto.
Does this mean he has an interest in licensing them? Sure. Does it mean they are actually gonna be in the game? Absolutely not.
 
Or we could just arrange an interview with Kunos and get facts.

I wanna complain that the rain doesn't look wet! We had Ferrari in Assetto Corsa 1, it's not fair to force them on us again! What about Saab and caravans!?! Any road isn't real without a caravan, what a joke! Come on Kunos, we need a Swift Corniche with double glazing! I'm sick of it! I wanna complain that we have dark! Many people get confused in the dark! It's a health hazard!

I wanna complain because AC1 and mods equals 6,000 tracks and 4,000,000 cars! EVO will launch with less! I demand more! I wanna complain because nobody has told us anything about the game, which obv means the end of the world and repeats of Cagney & Lacey at Christmas! I wanna complain about motorbikes! They're faster than my skateboard. The grass never looks freshly cut! It has to be cut! I saw it once with my own eyes! Fresh cut grass Marco, or I take the game from my wish list!

No simulated wear on the brake pedal rubbers, we've sunk to new lows! I wanna see ice cream vans! Lord, hear my prayers! Give me something else to complain about in another Assetto Corsa Evo thread! Oh, almost forgot, the wood looks less wooden! What a joke! 300 years EVO has been in development! I wanna complain because it deffo might have, or might not have bird tables! Winter is coming! They need food! If they were in EVO, Kunos would've shown them in the trailer!

The sun is too bright as well! Look at the glint on the glass and body panels! Everyone knows the sun is purple! I'll never ever upgrade my PC or buy any other game that doesn't simulate the velcro on race gloves! It's taking the mickey and I've had enough. I want a free RTX4090 voucher, or it's no buy from me! I wanna complain about mods too! Why are there no rocker's or goth's in the game! This is 2024 people, let your complaints be heard!!

Beep beep
 
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Premium
Why do people keep making assumptions by looking at the scale models?
Those are present in the new Kunos office since they have moved in and are nothing but a collection of models especially dear to Massarutto.
Does this mean he has an interest in licensing them? Sure. Does it mean they are actually gonna be in the game? Absolutely not.
They know people will dissect the trailer like this. I on the contrary am sure no one car in that display is just there without a reason. These guys are more clever than that ;)
 
What we saw looks like mix of gameplay and intro (like in GT for example). Free roam etc. are things I don't believe to be implemented in the game. Maybe something like California Highway in PC2 but nothing more.
The most important thing from what they presented is weather. The rest is nice and looks great. But some fragments looks like nothing more like intro or staged promotional shots. It's 'only' a trailer:)
My only concern is about tyre physics (deformation).
 
One feature we have in CSP on AC is "real mirrors", I like that feature very much, in VR particularly it brings a feeling of authenticity.
The "real mirrors" are clearly working in AC Evo as well from what we can see in the video.
It's all very well having real mirror if you can see them, some of us don't do VR and don't get to see the mirror* because driving position is too close to the dashboard (like in GT7)
What we NEED in ACE is the option to move the seating position, not just back and forward but raise and lower it too, this was a standard in GTR2 twenty years ago ands I've not found it in AC yet.

*Flicking view left or right is out of the question in a race, especially in a corner... at least for me!

:Edited for typo's
 
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I've not found it in AC yet.
Moving up down back forth and even side to side is definitvely there in AC, in game while driving, the pop up menu on the right of the screen, which appear by hovering the mouse, the icon with the driver helmet, you can save the changes for each car and even adjust the dashcam. Dashcam is great as you do not have to remove the wheel and driver, it does that for you. switch back and forth between views with F1 key.
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Premium
Well-known YouTubers have analyzed the AC EVO trailer down to the smallest detail. This article also describes many details. I like that I see a detail that has not yet been mentioned. The first generation Volkswagen Golf was in two variants. The older and the newer. The difference was clearly visible at the taillights and bumpers. The older variant has narrow taillights and smaller bumpers and the newer variant has wider taillights and larger bumpers. The Golf GTI in the AC EVO trailer is the old variant, really the first generation. I like that, because the first car I bought myself was one of those.

vlcsnap-00013.png

vlcsnap-00015.png
 
Moving up down back forth and even side to side is definitvely there in AC, in game while driving, the pop up menu on the right of the screen, which appear by hovering the mouse, the icon with the driver helmet, you can save the changes for each car and even adjust the dashcam. Dashcam is great as you do not have to remove the wheel and driver, it does that for you. switch back and forth between views with F1 key.
View attachment 788627
Oh! wow, top man,
I'd not found any of that, that will make things easier, I prefer to see the car steering wheel for some odd reason, it kinda makes my brain feel happy, the rest will be history :thumbsup:
Some of the mods have me sitting so close I feel clostrafobic, but this will sort it!
 
I saw some level of detail pop in at the "traffic" at 1:30, hopefully this can be eliminated with ultra settings.

If it's already visible in the trailer then it will surely be distracting while racing in VR.
 
So you're telling me that I will be able of driving directly to the Nordschleife, do a lap and then drive back to home?? If that's the case then we have the goat simulator.
I hope that people could and will genuinely do that. It would be super immersive.

But 99.9% times it will be just flat out out of garage all the way in every scenario.

AC actually had very fun time trial mode. Which rewarded starting driving very slow, and gradually increasing pace all the time. Those who tried that mode and did it successfully must have felt extremely enhanced immersion of track experience. Because that is exactly how it would be driven IRL with a car that you respect and value a lot. You'd start very slow, and would go gradually faster as much as you dare and can. Just jumping into a car for first time is like eating delicious meal without ever chewing it. There are so many cars in vanilla AC with all the DLCs even more so, not even mentioning mods. Then there are many cars and tracks in other simulations.

Tons of valuable simulation experiences and immersion were killed because of not giving at least couple underpaced crash and spin free laps, or just simply tasting how car feels at slow pace, before going flat out.

Although we are all Chris Harris in our simulator.
 
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