Gran Turismo 7 Update 1.61 Launches Today – PlayStation.Blog

So, here’s the wild ride. Imagine this: just 19 ’05 NISMO R34 GT-R Z-tune gems out there in the universe. Nineteen, yup. When you break down the numbers, that’s a unicorn for every 424,315,789 human souls. Who’s gonna be that lucky? If you’re one of them, hats off. Seriously.

But for the rest of us mere mortals? Well, dive into the free Update 1.61 from the Polyphony folks. Guess what? You can rev that Z-tune virtually, and not just it — the ’22 Honda N-ONE RS and ’22 Nissan Qashqai Tekna 190 2wd e-Power join the party too. It’s like a digital playground for your inner speed demon.

Oh, by the way, there’s this video. No clue why they decided to put it there, but it’s like having a postcard of what you might be missing out on. Anyway, uh, where was I? Lost my train of thought for a sec.

Right, new events are popping up — there’s this Lone Pine spot added to Scapes. Plus a new ’17 Lexus RC F GT3 with snazzy “ANEST IWATA Racing 2025” vibes. And for those looking to match wits with AI — Sophy’s ready to challenge you on the High-Speed Ring track. Kind of like a robo-rival showdown.

So, what’s next? The update’s here today — check your watches — around 10:00pm PT / July 24 at 6:00am GMT / 3:00pm JST, if you’re a stickler for time zones.

Anyway — wait, no — cars! Let’s chat ‘22 Honda N-ONE RS. This firecracker’s got the first front-wheel-drive turbo with a 6-speed manual deal in a kei car. It’s kind of a nod to the OG N360. I’m confusing myself… but it hit the scene in 2012 and was a hit, so there’s that.

Moving along, the second-gen popped up in 2020 — some folks really didn’t want it to change too much, so the design’s a homage to its ancestor. Keeps the charm, tweaks a bit, you know the drill. It’s called ‘RS’, which means “Road Sailing.” Why? No clue — marketing, maybe.

For you tech-heads, it features a front turbo engine with a 6-speed manual, which… Okay, honestly, I’m not sure why that’s super exciting, but it seems to get people jazzed. Makes your ride all sporty without losing the chill vibe. It’s compact, under 1,000 kg. Light as a feather… in car terms.

Let’s circle back to the ’05 NISMO R34 GT-R Z-tune. Only 19 existed including a prototype. Nismo crafted these rides to mark their 20th birthday… Why 19? A mystery. They handcrafted those babies from 20 select used cars — what a retouch job. Neat, huh?

It’s got fancy components: RB26DETT Kai-Z2 engine, real race vibes, turbochargers, titanium exhausts — like strapping on wings. Those CFRP parts help with weight and heat — save that for the BBQ. Brakes meet Brembo tech. Suspension tuned from GT500, whatever rhythm gets your gears in motion.

Exterior’s lightweight, aerodynamic — bumper, fenders, bonnet, all swanky CFRP. Just 19 of these legends exist. Move fast — except not in real life. You mightn’t legally outrun a light.

Then there’s the ’22 Nissan Qashqai Tekna 190 2wd e-Power. Another Brand Central find. Qashqai, a compact SUV, jumped on board in 2006 — then rolled out a second-gen in 2013. Flash forward to 2021 for what you see today. Sleeker looks, tech upgrades — a quest for ride comfort. Seems familiar, like a retro yet futuristic dance.

It’s gone ‘e-Power’ hybrid, using an engine to charge a generator — a bit like modern steampunk, no? Tekna trim? Comes loaded — bigger wheels, ambient glow, head-up display. Suits anyone dreaming of a virtual cockpit with flair.

And those new courses: Nürburgring Nordschleife for the K-Cup, Alsace for Japanese FF Challenge 450, Turbo Sportscars at Fuji International. Whew! Makes your palms sweat just reading.

The AI opponent, Gran Turismo Sophy — I mean, battling bits and bytes? Choose your own adventure. High Speed Ring’s the battlefield.

And just when you think it’s over, Lone Pine drops in Scapes — scenic bliss awaits.

Lexus lovers, rejoice — the ’17 RC F GT3 dons a fresh “ANEST IWATA Racing 2025” look — collector’s eye candy right there. Did they choose this color by tossing paint chips around? We’ll never know.

Oh, and you’ll need internet and the game for this update — obviously. Can’t buy those sweet rides without either credits (cough, cash) or leveling up — the usual virtual economy. So gear up, gamers. Keep your engines running — or your controllers, at least.