Assetto Corsa Competizione GT2 Pack: First Impressions

The latest DLC for the premier GT sim is here, and we got to try the Assetto Corsa Competizione GT2 Pack early. Here are our first impressions of the new cars and track!

While GT3 is the undisputed main focus of Assetto Corsa Competizione, many have been looking forward to the release of the GT2 pack. Featuring six cars and a brand-new track in the Red Bull Ring, the new DLC offers plenty to play around with for its €17.99 price tag.

And we did just that for the official preview event. Michel and myself joined content creators and esports drivers like James Baldwin, Jimmy Broadbent, Jardier, Nils Naujoks and others to see what the new pack would be all about. You can find the VOD on our Twitch channel if you missed the event!

While we both stuck to the same cars for both races that took place, we also had the opportunity to do some testing offline. Check out Michel’s video for his rundown of the pack at the top of the article – or continue reading below if you prefer!

Assetto Corsa Competizione GT2 Pack: Red Bull Ring​

What can be said about the Red Bull Ring that has not been mentioned already? Playing host to the Formula One Austrian Grand Prix since 2014 in its current guise (plus the Styrian GP in 2020 and 2021), from 1997 to 2003 as the A1 Ring, and from 1970 to 1987 in its longer, more fearsome form as the Österreichring, the Styrian circuit has a lot of interesting history behind it.

As the track is situated in the mountains, its surroundings are naturally spectacular, which ACC captures well. The layout, meanwhile, is relatively simple, featuring seven right turns and three to the left. Do not let that fool you into thinking that the 4.318-kilometer (2.683-mile) circuit is a walk in the park, though. Many of its corners are off-cambered or tighter than they may appear. Nailing a lap around the Red Bull Ring is a rather technical affair.

Its relatively short lap lends itself well to GT-style racing, however. The Red Bull Ring is just long enough to not feel miniscule. Plus, it is just short enough to encourage that “just one more lap” feeling when you know that there are a still two or three tenths out there.

Assetto Corsa Competizione GT2 Pack: The Cars​

While many will be pleased that the DLC contains a track, the stars of the Assetto Corsa Competizione GT2 Pack are the namesake cars. Six vehicles by five manufacturers make their way to ACC as part of the pack. Additionally, the Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo and Lamborghini Hurácan Super Trofeo Evo 2, while technically racing in separate categories, are also part of the GT2 Series preset in the menu.

Audi R8 LMS GT2​

The Audi is one of the tamer cars in the Assetto Corsa Competizione GT2 Pack. Just like other GT2 cars, it is more powerful, but heavier and less aero-reliant than a GT3 car. Compared to its big brother, the Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo 2, it did not feel all that different in our test drive. The braking zones are a bit longer, cornering speeds are a bit slower – it is still an R8 at heart, of course.

And you can also hear that. The soundtrack from the V10 engine is just as glorious as in the GT3 version of the car. Overall, despite its looks (and sound), the GT2 variant of the R8 feels a bit unspectacular. However, this also means it is very predictable, which might be just what some sim racers are looking for.

KTM X-Bow GT2​

Rolling to the grid with the lowest weight of all cars in the GT2 pack, the KTM is a bit of an oddball. For one, it does not feature doors, but rather a canopy at the front for drivers to enter and exit the cockpit. Plus, it uses a straight-5 engine rather than a motor with two cylinder banks.

Its low weight means that the X-Bow is certainly the most agile car in the Assetto Corsa Competizione GT2 Pack. However, it is noticeable that it is less powerful at the top end compared to other cars – which does not make it any less enjoyable.

Maserati MC20 GT2​

While GT2 cars have a tendency to feel rather tame or like less aggressive GT3 cars, the MC20 manages to convey that proper race car feel. It has a pointy front end, decent power and looks that scream ‘racing’. Overall, it gets close to feeling like a GT3 car.

However, the noticeable difference is that the car is much more lively, likely a result of the reduced aero compared to the faster class. It can get squirrely under braking, and quick corrections may be necessary here and there. The preview event also showed that it is possible to extract decent lap time out of it by throwing it through a corner with a slight slide. Despite all this, the car inspires confidence relatively quickly.

Mercedes-AMG GT2​

The Mercedes is the most powerful, but also the heaviest of the GT2s in the pack. And you can feel that. While it has a somewhat muted feeling in its FFB on turn-in and through faster turns, its noticeable grunt will see it pull away on most straights without any problem. The twin-turbo V8 is certainly the car’s strong suit.

However, packing about 400 kg (882 lbs) more than the KTM, for instance, its braking zones are considerably longer. It also is not as agile as the lighter competition, of course, so it may not be the go-to pick for twisty circuits.

Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport Evo / Porsche 935​

Finally, a pair of Porsches round out the Assetto Corsa Competizione GT2 Pack. Why do they share an entry on the list, I hear you ask? Well, both the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport Evo and the 935 share the same platform. The main differences are the bodywork, with the 2019 935 being an hommage to the legendary 935 that roamed the racing circuits of the world from 1976 to 1981.

The 935 GT2 is also slightly lighter, possibly to make up for how the different bodywork affects the aerodynamics compared to the 911. On track, both cars felt indistinguishable during our test drives. Their rear-mounted engines result in an agile front, but both Porsches are on the heavier side. This means longer braking zones and lower cornering speeds offset this advantage.

An interesting side note: Both cars only feature two traction control modes. By default, TC is not enabled. Setting 1 seems to be the go-to for dry races, as you hardly feel its effect. Setting 2, on the other hand, is interfering much more. It is likely intended for racing in the wet.

General Observations​

Of course, extending the track lineup with the Red Bull Ring is a welcome change. New tracks always add variety, and the Austrian circuit lends itself well to GT race cars. As many feared its track limits, keeping two wheels on the white line or a kerb will keep you safe in most instances.

The final two turns have a speed limit for when you go off track. If you exceed this in practice or quali, your current and next laps will be invalidated – so being careful is important here. In most other parts, accidentally running wide is no problem regarding track limit warnings, just like on other circuits.

The cars of the Assetto Corsa Competizione GT2 Pack all feel distinct from each other, with the Porsches being the exception. Their different strengths and weaknesses should make for engaging races, similarly to the GT3 and GT4 classes. However, especially compared to the latter, the GT2 cars feel a bit more exciting.

We hope that they will not fall by the wayside like the GT4 vehicles have since their release. Who knows – maybe the upcoming addition of the Nordschleife will encourage more multiclass racing, including GT2 and GT4 cars – or even the other classes in ACC.

What are your impressions of the Assetto Corsa Competizione GT2 Pack? Let us know on Twitter @OverTake_gg or in the comments below!