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Gran Turismo 7 Spec II: Game-Changing Update Breakdown

Last Updated: October 25, 2025

Gran Turismo 7 Spec II update featuring new cars and Lake Louise track.

Gran Turismo 7 received one of its most significant content drops and structural overhauls with the release of the Spec II (Update 1.40) patch in November 2023. This massive, free update injected a fresh wave of content into the acclaimed racing simulator, headlined by the arrival of seven new vehicles, a brand-new racing circuit, and a host of game-changing features.

The update served as a major milestone, rebranding the game as "Spec II" and fundamentally reinvigorating the experience for seasoned veterans and newcomers alike. It signaled Polyphony Digital's long-term commitment to the platform, continuing the series' tradition of robust post-launch support.

Spec II Arrives: A Breakdown of the Landmark Update

The Spec II update for Gran Turismo 7 was far more than a routine patch; it was a statement. Arriving on November 2, 2023, the update delivered one of the largest infusions of content the game had seen since its launch, overhauling core systems and expanding gameplay possibilities across the board.

Seven New Cars

A significant expansion to the already encyclopedic vehicle roster added seven meticulously modeled cars, further diversifying the driving experience. The curated list blended modern performance icons with legendary classics:

  • Dodge Charger R/T 426 Hemi '68
  • Dodge Challenger SRT Demon '18
  • Lexus LFA '10
  • Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II '91
  • NISMO 400R '95
  • Porsche 911 GT3 RS (992) '22
  • Tesla Model 3 Performance '23

These additions provided new machines to collect, tune, and master, immediately shifting the competitive balance in various race categories within the popular Sport Mode.

One New Track

Perhaps even more impactful for long-term replayability was the introduction of the Lake Louise circuit. This original, fantasy snow track, set in a fictional Canadian ski resort, provides a fresh and challenging low-grip driving experience. It comes with three distinct layouts (Long Track, Short Track, and Tri-Oval), offering new racing lines to master and a stunning new backdrop for the game's Scapes photography mode.

Game-Changing Features

Beyond the new content, Spec II introduced a suite of features and quality-of-life improvements that redefined the GT7 experience:

  • New Opening Cinematic: The game's boot-up sequence was replaced with a brand-new, spectacular opening movie.
  • GT Sophy 2.0 Integration: PlayStation 5 players gained access to race against the revolutionary superhuman AI, "GT Sophy," in the Quick Race mode, offering a more dynamic and challenging single-player opponent.
  • 4-Player Local Split-Screen: A much-requested feature was expanded, allowing up to four players to race together locally on a single PlayStation 5 console.
  • The Paddock: A new social hub was added to the Multiplayer Pavilion, allowing players to see each other's cars and communicate before heading out onto the track.
  • New License Challenges: 50 new "Master License" challenges were added, providing difficult new tests for expert drivers to conquer.
  • New Café Menu Books: Three new Extra Menu books and two new standard Menu Books were added to guide players through new car collections and challenges.

Celebrating a Legacy: An Update of Milestone Proportions

The timing and scale of the Spec II update served as a powerful celebration of the Gran Turismo franchise's legacy. It functioned as a major relaunch point for the game, building on the foundation of nearly two years of consistent monthly updates. By continuing to add historically significant cars, innovative new features like GT Sophy, and fan-requested improvements, the developers honored the automotive world they have so lovingly recreated for decades.

This update reinforced Gran Turismo 7 as a dynamic, evolving platform. Each content drop feels like a new chapter in a living automotive museum, and Spec II was its most significant chapter yet. It strengthened the game's reputation as "The Real Driving Simulator" not just through physics, but through a deep, ongoing commitment to automotive culture that respects its past while driving toward the future.

How Spec II Reshaped the GT7 Experience

The immediate impact of the Spec II update was felt across every mode of Gran Turismo 7. For the competitive community in Sport Mode, the new cars immediately upended the established meta, forcing drivers to find new fastest car-and-track combinations. The introduction of the Lake Louise snow circuit provided a completely new type of challenge that leveled the playing field, rewarding adaptability.

In the single-player realm, the new content provided dozens of hours of new gameplay. The Master License events and new Café Menus gave veterans a reason to dive back in, while the integration of GT Sophy offered a fundamentally new way to race against the AI. For the creative community, the new vehicles and the stunning Lake Louise environment were a massive boon for livery creation and Scapes photography, sparking a fresh wave of user-generated content central to the GT7 ecosystem.

The Road Ahead for Gran Turismo 7

The Spec II update was a powerful affirmation of continued support for Gran Turismo 7, setting a new benchmark for its evolution. It demonstrated a clear roadmap focused on expanding the game's core offerings in meaningful ways. By delivering such a substantial package of cars, tracks, and features at no additional cost, Polyphony Digital built immense goodwill and ensured the title remains the premier destination for console-based sim racers. Spec II was not just an update; it was a major event that redefined the game and solidified its place as a platform that will continue to grow and evolve for years to come.