A fan-favorite circuit from the PlayStation 3 era is making a return to the Gran Turismo series, as Polyphony Digital has revealed that Eiger Nordward is coming to the Gran Turismo series. GT7 in update 1.49 this month.
The update was revealed, unusually, today during the Gran Turismo World Series live event in Montreal, between Manufacturers Cup races. A short trailer, similar to the ones we usually see, previewed its contents, and it’s fair to say it was a surprise – not least because it’s the first street circuit added since Grand Valley in February 2023.
GTPlanet first reported back in August 2023 that the Eiger track would be getting a makeover for a return appearance in the series, when the region appeared in a presentation at the Sony Creators Conference. The PD crew was shown shooting the landscape from a helicopter, and the slides included a number of 3D models of buildings such as the Kleine Scheidegg train station.
The original Eiger Nordward circuit first appeared in Gran Turismo HDas the only course in the game, along with the reverse variant. Although it was only a short 1.5 mile course, the course was difficult and had some spectacular scenery.
After appearing in Gran Turismo 5 Prologuethe location was expanded for Gran Turismo 5 And 6 with three more off-road courses. However, it joined so many other locations in the big GT recycle bin (or rather ashtray) as it was cut from the selection for Gran Turismo Sport.
For the 1.49 update, only the Eiger Nordwand circuit itself is mentioned, so it looks like we’ll only be getting the original hardtop circuit and not the later rally additions. It also looks to be very close to the original layout, unlike some other classics that have been modified, although we’re not entirely sure where the pit lane is this time around.
This very welcome addition is also accompanied by one of the larger sets of cars to be seen in a game update in GT7’s lifespan, as six new vehicles are added to the list. It’s also a list that’s heavily tinged with PS3-era nostalgia, with two cars making their series debut and one that GT fans may recognise from the GTHD trailers, but not the game itself.
Those first two are the track-perfected Scuderia version of the Ferrari F430 and the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. They’re joined by another supercar, in the form of the brand-new 2016 Ruf RGT 4.2 — a rare addition to the Ruf marque in the era of freely available Porsche licensing.
One we weren’t expecting fills a long-standing gap in the Gran Turismo car line-up, as the 1997 E36-generation BMW M3 will be part of the update. It’s not the first time we’ve seen an E36, but it does mark the first appearance of this generation’s M3.
Finally, there are two more race cars. The 1998 version of the Subaru Impreza WRC will likely join Group B, and the expected race version of the Genesis Vision Gran Turismo, which we expect to be a Gr. 1 vehicle.
- BMW M3 (E36) 1997
- Ferrari F430 Scuderia 2007
- Genesis Gran X Racer Vision Gran Turismo Concept
- Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 2008
- Ruf RGT 4.2 2016
- Subaru Impreza WRC 1998
But that’s not all in the update, as the Gran Turismo Sophy offering has been expanded with two new circuits: the Nürburgring 24-hour circuit and the full Autodrome Lago Maggiore circuit.
There are also calls for new tyres, new wheels and, interestingly, “new physics”, although we’ll likely have to wait a while to find out exactly what that means – beyond a likely reset to the Circuit Experience and Licence standings and possible changes to the time targets.
The update itself is scheduled for Thursday, July 25, so there is plenty of time to save up for the new fleet of vehicles.
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