GT7 Photo Mode Image by Andy Voong Gran Turismo 7 update 1.71 arrived just a few days ago, and while four new cars is a fairly modest haul, the underlying changes are anything but: this is the biggest shake-up to the game’s physics since update 1.49 in 2024, with new behavior for tires, suspension, steering, and input devices. Our forum members have spent the last few days finding out exactly what has changed, what is better, and what needs improvement. The main update thread alone has racked up almost 900 responses, so consider this your guided tour of the discussion and an open invitation to participate yourself. Physics: A Genuine Improvement GT7 Photo Mode Image from oldvictory The general consensus, particularly among road car fans, is that the new physics model is a step forward. One word that keeps coming up is “progressive,” and the transition between grip and slide is no longer an on/off switch. The overall grip seems to be softer and “progressive,” as others have noted. It’s not the on/off switch it was before and it feels really good to drive FR cars. For racing cars, the GR010 Hybrid, known for its terrible low-speed oversteer, feels much better now, for example. TL;DR: In general, we handle physics much better. For homeless people, it could be even higher. Personally, I would rate the new physics a 10/10. I love drifting and have enjoyed it in other simulators and simulations such as Forza, AC and LFS. However, in GT titles since GT4, the transition between losing and regaining grip felt incredibly “peaky”, almost like an on/off switch. It was impossible to drift properly anywhere other than gravel, much less enjoy it. (Since I’m playing on PS4, the lack of trigger feedback is probably one of the contributing factors.) However, the new physics have greatly improved this problem, allowing for smoother tail slide control, similar to the aforementioned games, and finally making free drifting enjoyable in Gran Turismo. Intentionally slamming the handbrake to drift for fun during a race? That was something unthinkable for years! GT7 Photo Mode image by VTiRoj GTalaune, a self-described critic of the GT7’s handling, went so far as to favorably compare the new feel to that of the GT Sport, describing the slide as “more progressive and natural in a very satisfying way.” Methodical tests are also being carried out. lbpomg95 ran back-to-back laps at the Nürburgring in a tuned Mk4 Supra, beating his pre-upgrade pace on his first post-upgrade attempt, while Bonneville120, halfway through the Le Mans endurance race since the Power Pack, cataloged shorter braking distances, slower tire wear and an AI that finally obeys blue flags. Of course, not everyone is convinced: ArronWestley finds road cars too soft even at maximum rigidity, concluding that “honestly, all chassis are made of paper mache.” The long-running Gran Turismo 7 Physics thread is where the most in-depth analysis is being done and is worth a read. Controller Question GT7 photo mode image by RandomCarGuy17 Update 1.71 didn’t just change the physics; It changed the way standard drivers translate your inputs into steering, acceleration and brakes. For the pad players who make up a significant portion of the player base, those two changes came together and untangling them has become its own discussion. The most common observation is a movement when the steering returns to the center. The main thing I’ve noticed is that the car seems to move when the steering wheel is centered. So if I touch the steering lightly, it seems like the auto center is much more aggressive than before? I’m not sure I’m explaining this correctly. But instead of a more gradual return to the center, it now feels much more digital to me. They are not alone, and several players report that reducing steering sensitivity in the game helps relieve stress. It’s worth noting that many pad players still consider themselves fans of the update in general – Voodoovaj acknowledges that controller sensitivity has “finally been fixed”, and SoulSilvera’s glowing impressions above also come from a controller. Dirt is a sore spot GT7 Photo Mode image by z1rkz1000 If there’s one area where the reaction has been consistently harsh (pun intended), it’s in dirt racing, especially on the controller. Buckethead75 doesn’t mince words: dirt racing is completely broken, at least on one platform. It’s like the game is constantly trying to correct the steering when the car slides, even though all assists are disabled. The result is that the car zigzags all the time even though I’m not touching the pad. But the more I drive with this update, the more I feel like this is also affecting road racing, although much less. Highlandor tested a stock Lancer Evo on dirt tires to isolate the variables and came away lamenting what the discipline used to be: I’m not a big rally fan, but it’s always been fun, a lot of fun. Once you learned the track and the braking/turning points, being able to “throw” a car into the corner and then try to balance and turn on the throttle… Now it’s just horrible, really bad. What a shame, rallying was a real alternative to really “fun” if you got a little tired of road or racing cars and just wanted something different. Nakano219 highlights the asphalt sections of the Barcelona Rallycross layout (home of the update’s new Circuit Experience) as “absolute death traps.” Since this week’s weekly challenges include dirt racing, this conversation isn’t going away. Ditch Your Tunes The update’s new default suspension, differential, and aerodynamic settings, along with changes to performance point calculations, have rendered virtually all existing custom tunes and races obsolete. suomi1 captures both sides of that coin in one post: as an example, they again totally destroyed the Gr.1 cars, or at least all the Hypercars which are now 20 km/h slower in straight lines and 5 seconds slower per lap at Le Mans. The changes made to the physics are really good as a controller player. The downside is that all my setups have to be thrown away, as have all my custom racing grills…. Add in the general reset of event leaderboards and target times, and there’s a lot to relearn. In the Online Time Trial thread, pabloprp69 summarizes the first session: “After hearing some first impressions from our community, I jumped into the game after the update… and boy… they weren’t kidding.” The new cars (and their customization options) GT7 Photo Scape by RaY29rus Amid all the physics talk, the update’s four new cars have quickly gained a devoted following, led unsurprisingly by the Toyota siblings of the Chaser Tourer V and Mark II Tourer V. The star attraction is the sheer volume of customization. Razgriz2118 has cataloged the full list of options for both Toyotas, and WanganDream spotted a nice detail: the optional yellow taxi sign on the roof of the Mark II. Livery creators wasted no time either, as Imbissbrunto recreated the Toyota TOM team’s 1998 JTCC racers a day after the update. The Caterham also gets a bit of customization, and you can even put a suitcase in the back. The star car of this update receives a host of benefits. This has to be the most customizable car in the game. Thanks PS! 👍🏼 As for the returning Caterham Seven Superlight R500, Cowboy predicts “it’s going to be a really fun race”, although the time trialists battling it at Caterham’s new event are less delighted. rheinaoi speaks for them: Cateram’s persistent nervousness bothers me on a deep personal level. I may learn to hate the car by the end of this TT. Decreasing controller sensitivity has helped. Maybe activate the countersteer assist later. At least the Cateram feels much better than the BAC Mono… Although, honestly, the Mono set that bar in hell. Join the conversation Three days later, the community is still mapping the boundaries of this update, and the undocumented changes thread is always showing new details. Whether the new physics have won you over, the feel of the controller has you reaching for the settings menu, or you’ve simply fallen in love with the Chaser, the discussion is taking place right now in our GT7 forum. See you there! See more articles about the Gran Turismo 7 game update and GTPlanet Community Spotlight.
