After a nearly four-month wait for another major update to arrive in Assetto Corsa Evo, it’s finally time for version 0.3 of the early access title to enrich the lives of sim racers globally.
Worldwide Open Beta is here for you to try the game out right now before its official release.
Its official release date has yet to be communicated, though developers Kunos Simulazioni have at least outlined the list of new content and game improvements that we can look forward to once the update officially drops.
In this guide, Coach Dave Academy will run you through the main new content and game features that you can soon sample for yourself.
For those who can’t wait, the 0.3 update is available in Open Beta form through Steam, allowing you the chance to give feedback to Kunos as they look to refine it ahead of the public release.
If you want a rundown of the features and content currently available, Coach Dave Academy’s Assetto Corsa Evo Early Access Guide is here to help.
Multiplayer Finally Comes To AC Evo
The headline addition arriving to AC Evo in 0.3 is the first version of the titles’ online multiplayer system, which will allow players to race against real opponents rather than just the clock or AI for the first time since the sim launched in January 2025.
Public and custom racing servers will be available upon release, with the latter coming with the associated costs of renting a private server.
- According to Kunos, each grid slot will cost 1 euro plus VAT for a month, which adds up to around 18 euros for a 16-person private server over the period.
The public servers set up by Kunos will be free, allowing drivers to eventually take part in daily races. The developer is currently working on a Daily Racing Portal, which is where you’ll be able to sign up for a variety of daily races, much like you can in other sims like Le Mans Ultimate, or via the third-party Low Fuel Motorsport service.
- The Daily Racing Portal is set to release in the following version of AC Evo, 0.4
- In the meantime, each server can host up to 16 players, a number that’ll be increased as the Early Access period continues
SimGrid Support
Currently in Open Beta, SimGrid are supporting Kunos by helping them with a plethora of online public lobbies.
Right now, you can access Multiplayer mode and enter any one of their 40 public servers running, which give you access to all of the new content, including cars and tracks, in a race environment.
Nine New Cars Will Arrive In AC Evo
A further nine vehicles will also arrive as part of AC Evo 0.3, with the list of new metal ranging from one of the most dominant Formula 1 racers of all time, to a rapid German station wagon that comes with sharpened claws. Here are the nine vehicles you’ll soon be able to sample in AC Evo:
- Audi RS6 Avant
- BMW M3 E30
- BMW M4 GT3 Evo
- Caterham Seven Academy
- Dallara Stradale
- Ferrari F2004
- Mercedes-Benz 190E Evo II
- Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo
- Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport
Refer to Coach Dave Academy’s full car list for Assetto Corsa Evo if you’re unsure about which cars have already been introduced to the sim.
Two New Tracks Will Also Enter The Fray
Alongside the new vehicles, AC Evo 0.3 will also introduce two new venues to test them at.
- Circuit Spa-Francorchamps
- Red Bull Ring
Both circuits have been built using laser scanning technology, with the Red Bull Ring also coming with shorter layouts alongside the full-length grand prix configuration.
If you want to find out which tracks already feature in AC Evo, then Coach Dave Academy’s extensive track list has you covered.
Physics Improvements Are Set To Enhance The Driving Experience
Kunos is striving to ensure AC Evo provides a realistic driving model, and thus will bring several improvements to the physics of the sim in Version 0.3.
- 1000 Hz Damping Algorithm
- Evolution of thermal behaviour of the tyre model
- Updates to tyre compounds
The first of these improvements regards the damping algorithm used by the game, which has now been upgraded to run at a superior 1000 Hz, which improves the fidelity of the dampers on every car in the title. The enhancement means that the dampers will react quicker and more naturally to bumps and impacts, which should result in smoother and more responsive handling across the board. The suspension algorithm itself has also been tweaked, which should send more precise information about the vehicle’s behaviour to the sims physics calculations, resulting in more natural handling behaviour.
The tyre model has also received some love, with the various tyre compounds featured in the game being revised. The Eco and Road tyres offer less peak grip, though they are more consistent across the board, making grip levels easier to feel. Stickier compounds like Slicks, HC and SC have all been granted extra grip.
Alongside this, the tyre thermal model has also been further developed. The tyres will now gain and lose heat quicker than before, making sliding feel more progressive and intuitive. As a byproduct, the temperature of your virtual rubber has a greater effect on grip than it did in AC Evo 0.2.
AC Evo’s Audio System Has Been Reworked
Alongside the physics updates, AC Evo’s audio setup has also been overhauled. Some vehicles have received completely new audio samples to improve realism, while the ignition and start-up sounds of every car have been enhanced to ensure they sound closer to their real-life counterparts.
- Revamped ignition and startup sounds
- Realistic backfire implementation
- Physics-based audio improvements
Exhaust backfire has also now been implemented into the title, meaning you can now see and hear flames spitting from the tailpipes of vehicles as they shift gears or lift off the throttle. Alongside this, sounds now also take into account the inertia of vehicles, which ensures they change depending on how the car is moving. This ensures the audio effects are less canned, and output a larger variation depending on the situation.
Plenty Of Graphic And UI Changes Have Been Included In 0.3
Kunos have also worked to improve the graphics of AC Evo. The titles’ anti-aliasing and upsampling algorithms have been tweaked to reduce jaggies and introduce a smoother aesthetic, something further assisted by an improved post-processing system. Dynamic Global Illumination has also been tweaked to ensure light better interacts with objects around AC Evo’s world.
- Improved Anti-Aliasing and Upscaling
- Improved Post-Processing effects
- Improved implementation of Dynamic Global Illumination
- Optimised CPU and GPU performance
- Optimised VRAM usage
Alongside the improved graphical fidelity of the game, Kunos has also worked in some optimisation to help it run better on a range of systems. AC Evo should now be less intensive in CPU and GPU usage, as well as in VRAM.
AC Evo’s in-game UI has also received a much-needed upgrade.
- Speedometer widget now features pit speed limit readout, and also functionality for manual starter and ignition
- Pitlane menu receives quality of life improvements
- Home menu receives quality of life improvements
Alongside this, a new MFD has been developed, which offers a range of new benefits:
- Real-time opponent gaps display
- Official leaderboard display
- Input and Force Feedback settings display
Kunos has also brought a long list of other developments that include offline AI opponent refinement, graphical tweaks to individual vehicles, as well as other gameplay and behind-the-scenes tweaks. Version 0.3 looks to be a big step forward for the title, and if you fancy getting properly set up, why not refer to Coach Dave Academy’s guide on getting your AC Evo wheel setup correctly.
Open Beta Access
If you would like to access the AC Evo Open Beta, you can do so by following a few simple steps.
All these steps have been outlined in SimGrid’s new blog here. Along with a few other bits and pieces to help you along your way.
