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Assetto Corsa EVO Early Access Guide

Let’s dive into AC EVO early access, we look at the cars, tracks, features, the future, the physics and more

From the same developers who brought us the legendary Assetto Corsa and Assetto Corsa Competizione, Kunos Simulazioni has paused updates to those games to focus entirely on Assetto Corsa EVO. Finally, after years of anticipation, we have the first playable version of this title.

We will cover what is great and not so great and whether it is worth buying if you are still deciding. This is early access, meaning physics, tyres and features are still being refined. Kunos promised multiple updates during 2025 and beyond.

Cars and Tracks

The initial roster includes 20 cars. It is an eclectic mix, featuring everything from beloved classics to modern performance cars, electric vehicles to roaring V8s, and race cars spanning entry-level to the latest GT2 and GT3 machinery. Here is the full list:

  • Abarth 695 Biposto
  • Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm
  • Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica Veloce
  • Alpine A110 S
  • Alpine A290β Concept
  • Audi RS3 Sportback
  • BMW M2 CS Racing
  • BMW M4 CSL
  • Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
  • Ferrari 296 GTB
  • Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo
  • Ford Escort RS Cosworth
  • Honda S2000
  • Hyundai i30 N Hatchback
  • Lotus Emira
  • Mazda MX-5 (ND) Cup
  • Mercedes-AMG GT2
  • Porsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup
  • Toyota GR86
  • Volkswagen Golf Mk 8 GTI Clubsport

Ultimately, the full release aims to include approximately 100 vehicles, so there is more to come.

The early access features five circuits from four regions, each laser-scanned and brought to life with animated crowds and marshals:

  • Imola
  • Brands Hatch
  • Laguna Seca
  • Mount Panorama
  • Suzuka

The track roster is expected to grow to 15 by the full version launch. The heavily teased Nürburgring, including the much-anticipated open-world map, is also scheduled for later in 2025.

Requirements and Performance

Kunos has shifted from Unreal Engine to its in-house graphics engine for AC EVO. The tracks and curbing have been refreshed and updated, the visuals feel modern and polished. However, visual elements like tyre smoke and dust being kicked up on gravel are missing, and rain effects look worse than in iRacing.

The recommended specs are modest, but further optimisation is needed. You can hardly get more than 70-80 FPS even with a powerful computer during solo practice laps in clear weather. Performance dips further with more cars on track, night racing and rain enabled.

MinimumRecommended
OSWindows 10 64-bitWindows 10/11 64-bit
ProcessorIntel i7 8700 k / AMD 1500XIntel i5 10500 / AMD 2600X
Memory16 GB RAM16 GB RAM
GraphicsGTX 1070 / RX 580RTX 2070 / Radeon RX 5600
Storage100 GB SSD100 GB SSD
VRSteam VR, Oculus VR, OpenXRSteam VR, Oculus VR, OpenXR

AC Evo Physics

ACC allowed Kunos to focus on one category, leading to highly refined physics for GT3 racing. With AC EVO, they have evolved that foundation. 

A key improvement over ACC is the handling of suspension and body control. In ACC, cars bounced over bumps too much and became uncontrollable on gravel. AC EVO smooths out these issues and delivers better control over curbs and off-road, making cars more fun and predictable.

Kunos has done a great job capturing the nuances of road cars, including differentials and power distribution. Driving these cars on road tyres feels like a proper track day with plenty of understeer and long, controllable slides.

Force feedback is excellent, although more muted and dampened than in ACC. Depending on the wheelbase and software, you can tweak the settings to add more detail. The sound design is very similar to ACC but features additional details like subtle bumps and noises you would expect in a real race car.

Future Development

One limitation of the early access build is that it is single-player only. You can race against AI, complete license challenges, and test cars on tracks, but online multiplayer is unavailable.

The AI needs more refinement to provide a proper racing challenge. AI drivers are prone to frequent collisions and unpredictable movements, and their pace is quite slow even at the highest difficulty.

One big selling point of AC EVO, the open-world simulation with in-game economy, is not out yet. The same can be said about the rich modding ecosystem that made AC1 age well.

There is also the issue of online integration. While the game technically supports offline play, there is a heavy emphasis on online features like car unlocks and upgrades. This could lead to problems if the servers go down or updates introduce new bugs.

Final Thoughts

Assetto Corsa EVO shows significant promise and has the potential to be a worthy successor to both Assetto Corsa and Assetto Corsa Competizione. AC EVO physics, audio, and graphics demonstrate impressive potential, but it is still rough around the edges and feels more like a technical demo than a full simulator.

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