Greetings everyone!
The checkered flag is almost in sight for 2025, but we are still pushing to the finish line in order to deliver our final update of the year!
2025 was another exciting year for AMS2, and one of record-breaking growth for Reiza; to celebrate the occasion in style with all AMS2 fans and keeping to the spirit of the season, all the new content presented in this Dev Update will remain free for all users to try and enjoy through the Holiday season until the early days of 2026.
So let´s look into what is packed in this Holiday Special, along with some of the other highlights to look forward to in the upcoming release of AMS2 V1.6.9!
Complementing our Nürburgring 2025 release from earlier in the year – the most accurate & up-to-date version of the world´s greatest race track - we are adding the one important feature still missing from that original release: the Tourist layout of the famous Nordschleife, accessible most of the year to the visting public. With AMS2 now supporting alternative pit garage paths split S/F timing so uses the “bridge to gantry” timing points informally used for visitors benchmarking their results we can also provide this side of the Nurburgring experience.
For the ultimate track day experience one must have at least some of the ultimate track day cars; the experience of driving the Nordschleife might range from meditational to downright terrifying depending on machinery of choice - it is to expand on those options that we will be offering a new Supercars Pack, featuring the ultimate Hypercar along with three very distinct Supercars.
First and foremost, the Aston Martin Valkyrie – arguably the most hyper of all hypercars, with its screaming V12 engine with an additional electric motor delivering a total of 1160 HP, active suspension and active aero - all duly simulated in AMS2 - combining into a singularly impressive machine. This is one car that could be driven straight from the public roads straight into any track - and immediately obliterate the existing lap record.
For a slightly less frantic but no less impressive drive, the Maserati GT2 Stradale, the high-performance track day variation of the Maserati MC20, capable of producing 500kg of downforce to keep its 645 HP in check, the sleek looking Stradale adds a bit of Italian flair to the mix.
The Audi R8 V10 GT is the choice for those looking to go extremely fast while still providing a level of comfort and control of a germanic high-end Sedan, with the beautiful melody of the V10 soundtrack ensuring a pleasant ride.
Finally for the old school types who think that cars ought to be manhandled to be driven fast and who don´t agree with gear shifting without a stick, we have some American muscle in the Dodge Viper ACR – the latest representation of the classic, still true to its design roots with a 8.4L V10 outputting 645 HP, with its Extreme Aero Package as we have it here it can also hold its own against the more modern cars in the hands of a capable driver.
The new Supercars and the introduction of the Nordschleife has also led to existing Hypercars and Supercars (which include modern icons like the Lamborghini Revuelto, Mclaren Senna and Corvette C8 Z07 as well as all-time classics like the Mclaren F1 LM and the amazing Ultima GTR) have also been thoroughly overhauled and brought up to par with the latest content, making up growing roster of diverse high performance Track Day experiences in AMS2 – to be driven at the Touristenfahrten or wherever else you may feel like taking them.
The new Supercars Pt2 DLC will sell for US$ 7.99 or equivalent local currency conversion.
Racin´ USA Bonus Pack
The next update includes some exciting new content that will at once introduce a complete new style of racing to AMS2, and also fulfill an old promise to expand the Racin´USA Expansion Pack – the Stock USAs are making their debut, inspired by three completely distinct generations of Stock Car Racing in the United States from the 1980s, 1990s and the current era.
Primarily built for oval racing, the American Stock Cars gradually grew more suitable for road racing as well, with the latest generation being equipped with a modern LSD and higher end aerodynamics; so much so that it could be taken to Le Mans and with a few modifications more than hold its own against the elite of GT racing – the result of the experiment you will now be able to try for yourself in AMS2:
As the name suggests, this Bonus Pack will be free to all owners of the Racin´ USA Expansion Pack and all the bundles that include it.
Upon launching V1.6.9, fans of the Formula Reiza and Formula Ultimate classes should not be concerned about their apparent absence; these classes are still there but have now been rebranded as Formula V8 Gen3, Formula Hybrid Gen2 and Formula Hybrid Gen3 respectively as per the graphics below
Main reason for this rebranding is to follow a more cohesive standard in the naming standards Formula classes from the last 30 years since they each represent specific powertrain regulations.
AMS2 users may look forward to having the generation gaps made evident with this rebranding to be covered over the course of Q1 2026.
Work continues on the ongoing HUD overhaul previewed in the last update; although it is unlikely that it will be completed in time we are looking into the possibility of providing a Beta option alongside the existing HUD for gathering user impressions before full integration of the new version.
We have another round of physics updates across the board coming with v1.6.9, once again primarily focused on further refining tires - specifically tread friction coefficients, hysteresis, thermodynamics and the effects from being outside the optimal temperature window in said coefficients and the tire wear properties. These refinements are similar in nature to the ones continuously delivered since the v1.6 overhaul released last year, but v1.6.9 packs the heaviest punch so far with the volume and value of the updates; they are “minor” in dimension but still provide another notable step-up in the quality of the simulation.
V1.6.9 also packs another round of AI improvements focused primarily on three fronts: AI first corner / first lap performance and dynamics have been generally improved; performance under hard braking zones such as chicanes and hairpins where AI in some classes could often still be a little tentative, in parallel to new logic added so that AI drivers may decide to brake harder in particular circumstances (when being challenged or challenging for position for ex). Further calibration passes on both car and track side have also been carried with various performane discrepancy reports getting addressed.
Further developments to be heard also on the audio front, with improved logic and effects for suspension / chassis sounds in steel frame cars.
A much-requested feature making its debut is the addition of a "free camera" option , to allow users to free roam the track (especially useful for video creators out there).
Some good optimization has been achieved for Temporal Antialiasing since its inclusion in the last update, with a new option added to combine both TAA with Super Sampling AA.
Another QoL worth of note is the doubling of custom championship template slots and single championship save slots.
Last but certainly not least, v1.6.9 significantly improves detection & display of yellow flags in non-FCY sessions and improve triggers for FCY in both road and oval tracks.
A reminder to all that the Winter Steam Sale is currently on and AMS2 features in it with a massive 70% discount – best bang for the buck in sim racing!
AMS1 and all DLCs for both titles are also featured in the sale, including the latest releases. Great opportunity to complete your AMS collection!
For anyone who might still be in the fence about AMS2, an updated demo is also in the works with a wide range of content so sim racers can have a thorough taste for the game before having to pull out their wallet.
That covers all we had to share for this 2025 wrap-up! It is far from a wrap for Automobilista 2 however as we have some exciting plans to make 2026 its best year yet – we look forward to sharing more on those plans soon!
In the meantime, we hope you all enjoy the update as well as a great Holiday Season full of Sim Racing!