Gran Turismo 7: A Four-Year Evolution Reviewed by GTPlanet
Gran Turismo 7, a notable racing game in the franchise, recently celebrated its fourth anniversary. This milestone emphasizes its significant transformation since launch. Initially facing a turbulent start, the game is now one of the most enduring titles in the Gran Turismo series.
A Look Back at Gran Turismo 7’s Evolution
The first year for Gran Turismo 7 was marked by several challenges, including a notorious extended outage and debates surrounding the always-online requirement. A roadmap was provided, setting clear expectations for fans. Additionally, support for PSVR2 was integrated towards year-end.
In its second year, the game underwent major improvements with the release of “Spec II.” This update introduced extensive quality-of-life enhancements and added more cars and events than any previous patch. The launch established a monthly content delivery rhythm that fans began to expect.
The third year maintained this momentum, though it did not reach the peaks of earlier updates. The PlayStation 5 Pro featured dedicated graphics improvements, and a demo called My First Gran Turismo became available. However, the absence of new tracks for a full year raised concerns among players.
Year Four: Spec III and the Power Pack
The fourth year marked a pivotal moment for Gran Turismo 7. The game received eight updates in this period, culminating in the major Spec III update in December 2025. This update was one of the largest in the game’s history, introducing two new circuits, eight new cars, permanent Invitations, and a telemetry tool known as the Data Logger.
- New Circuits: Added Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve and Yas Marina Circuit.
- New Cars: Introduced eight new vehicles, a single-update record.
The year also saw the introduction of the Power Pack, a paid DLC priced at $29.99, exclusive to PS5. This addition included 50 races against the new “Sophy 3.0” AI, which enhanced the single-player experience and addressed community requests for structured content.
Noteworthy Vehicle Additions
During its fourth year, Gran Turismo 7 expanded its vehicle roster by 33 cars. A standout inclusion was the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, marking the first Chinese car in the series. Other notable additions include:
- Xiaomi Vision GT concept
- Yangwang U9 Xtreme
- Polestar debut
- Renault Espace F1
- Ferrari 296 GT3
This diverse array of vehicles represents an expansion of Gran Turismo’s cultural and geographic appeal.
New Tracks and Esports Events
After a prolonged absence of new circuits, Spec III brought significant tracks back into the game. Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve and Yas Marina Circuit, both current F1 venues, were added, marking a meaningful step forward.
The Gran Turismo World Series experienced a notable season, highlighted by Jose Serrano’s impressive performance. He won three preliminary rounds and the World Final, achieving a rare double title. Porsche made history as the first non-Japanese brand to win the Manufacturers Cup.
Gran Turismo 7’s Continuing Growth
As Gran Turismo 7 enters its fifth year, it maintains over two million monthly active users—a remarkable achievement for a game over three years old. The franchise has also surpassed 100 million copies sold globally, celebrated at a recent year-end event.
Looking ahead, questions about the future linger. With the successful Power Pack and ongoing interest, there appears to be no immediate need for a sequel. However, as the series approaches its 30th anniversary in December 2027, anticipation for new developments continues to grow.
In summary, four years after launch, Gran Turismo 7 remains vibrant and engaged, setting the stage for an exciting future.
