Automobilista 2 | Game Changing Updates, Including Spa-Francorchamps 2022

Today is a very important day for Automobilista 2 with its most significant update so far set to be a game changer in all sorts of ways, and also the surprise addition of Spa-Francorchamps just in time for this weekend's Formula One Grand Prix

With all of this coinciding with the current Steam sale which ends on Monday, if you've not tried AMS2 in a while, now is surely the time to grab the update and see just how far this sims development has come!

The Reiza forums have been ablaze with anticipation last night and today, with the announcement of what's touted to be the biggest game changing update yet for Automobilista 2, being released today!

Update V1.4 brings the long awaited oval circuits and rules to the sim with the addition of full course yellows and several oval tracks!

Advanced Mechanical Damage Modeling​

It also expands on another recently introduced feature, AMDM (Advanced Mechanical Damage Modeling). There are more ways than one for a race car to fail, and with AMDM (previously covering clutch and gearbox damage modelling), engine damage is also more thoroughly simulated.

Running an engine too hot may not only wear it faster but also risk a sudden failure - these can range from oil or coolant leaks to misfires to an outright blow-up in a plume of white or black smoke depending on whether it was the result of an oil or coolant leak.

You (or your AI opponent) may even get tipped into a spin by the crankshaft locking up upon seizing!

Tire Updates​

Tire physics have been fully revised to bring much more of a connected feel to the road and thermal tire properties have also been revised to more realistically and accurately simulate its their behaviour within and beyond their optimum operating temperatures!

New Vehicles​

Several new cars have been added to existing classes such as the Mercedes AMG GT4, the 6th car to be added to the GT4 field. Ginetta G55 GT3 added to the new GT Open class, where it will share the grid with the Ultima GTR, and also a slick-shod 1965 Mini Cooper is the new competitor in Copa Classic, while the fictional Vulkan Truck will join the Copa Truck grid!

(On that last note from the looks of recent promotional videos we will also be getting proper black diesel smoke from the trucks which should look great in replays!)

New Area Packages​

With the game now supporting alternative configurations of the same cars to be used in different types of tracks, we have also been able to add various low aero packages for cars from F-Classic and up to the F-Ultimate Gen2 - this not only allows the cars to have more appropriate-looking wing configurations in tracks like Monza or the Old Hockenheim, but also offers a more suitable default setup for these types of tracks for player and AI cars. Like the oval configurations, these will be automatically selected by the game for the appropriate tracks in all game modes.

Yes VR = Yes Buy?!​

Adjustable mirrors have been a much asked for feature by VR users for quite some time now and in true Reiza style they have listened to their fanbase and these are now implemented within the sim!

Balance of Performance​

New BOP revisions should be very welcomed to fans of such classes as the GT3's and GT4's. Also a fixed a bug in restrictor code which caused naturally aspirated and turbocharged cars to be too wide apart in performance in some classes, which along with barometric pressure dependent turbo pressure downscaling in heavily BoPed classes like GT3 & GT4, has resulted in BoP being retained in high altitude tracks, so turbo-powered cars no longer having substantial advantages in tracks like Kyalami or Ibarra.

Multiclass Grids​

More customization of multiclass grids is now available with players being able to choose the exact amount of cars from each different class they wish to have on track with them!

More To Come​

There's more to come in the future as well with the news that the Racin' USA packs will be expanded to a part 4 further down the line!

This is without doubt one hell of an update! You can read through the full list of update and content notes below and find the entire changelog on the next page of this article.

Do you think AMS2's physics have now come into maturity, and do you think we finally have a well rounded sim for both off and online oval racing?

Let us know your thoughts and experiences with the new features, content and improvement in the comments below.

Automobiista 2 V1.4.1 has finally arrived - the new update packs a mega list of game-changing improvements, new features, cars and a great surprise - the 2022 reform of Spa-Francorchamps will available with V1.4 as a free addition to the existing Spa-Francorchamps DLC!

V1.3.8.3 -> V1.4.0.0 CHANGELOG

Cars

• Added F-USA Gen1-3 Short Oval, Speedway & Superspeedway configurations (part of Racin´USA Pt3)
• Added Ginetta G55 GT3 to GT Open Class
• Added Mini Cooper 1965 to Copa Classic B class
• Added Vulkan Truck to Copa Truck class
• Added Mercedes AMG GT4 to GT4 class

Tracks

• Added WWT Raceway Speedway and road course configurations (part of Racin´ USA Pt3)
• Added Autoclub Speedway (speedway & road course part of Racin´ USA Pt3)
• Added Daytona Tri-Oval layout- part of Racin´ USA Pt3)

GENERAL

• Added support for Full Course Yellow
• Added support for cars to use different aero packages depending on track
• Fixed bug allowing player livery to be selected by AI in championships
• Added low downforce aero packages for F-V12, F-V10 Gen1 & F-V10 Gen2 classes (affects physics & default setup for both player and AI)
• LiveTrack developments: Added support for custom min-max grip ranges per track to account for tarmac quality / dirtiness / maintenance and other such variables from track-to-track; Adjusted baseline minimal grip and range (generally lower mininum grip, higher peak, slightly slower buildup, offline isn´t as globally poor grip as it was before); Adjusted Livetrack presets for better scaling & set light rubber as baseline starting point instead of Green in Default progressing configuration)
  Fixed potential freeze when a new participant joins Multiplayer session while session is alredy in progress
• Added some mitigation to help reduce extreme wheel movement of remote clients in Multiplayer

UI & HUD

• Extended Opponent Settings to allow user to set the number of AI vehicles per class in single player
• Opponent Aggression setting now uses 5 predefined levels rather than 0-100% slider.
• Enabled seat/mirror adjustment for non VR users accessed via in-game Cockpit Configuration options
• Updated various vehicle specifications to recent revisions & added specs for new cars & associated aero packages
• Fixed livery limit warning not displaying on Opponent Settings screen
• Prevented livery name from expanding beyond container bounds on livery selection screen
• Revised vehicle information according to latest physics adjustments

PHYSICS

• Fully revised physics for Caterhams, ARC Camaro, GT Classics, Vintage TCs, Street Cars
• Revised tire thermodynamics covering ideal temperature ranges, heating & cooling rates and fallout rates when outside ideal operating window
• Added Qual / Soft / Medium / Hard compounds to F-Classics (all); medium & hard compound records for F-Reiza; Hard compounds for F-V12, F-V10 (both gens)
• Added bespoke wet compound records for Formula Classic, Formula V10, Formula Reiza, F-USA, Formula 3, Proto2-4, GT4, GT5, Sprint Race
• Added bespoke intermediate records for Formula Ultimate (both gens)
• Further development to F-Vee, Vintages, Copa Fusca, Copa Uno, Opala 79, Old Stock, TSI Cup, Street Cars
• Revised various existing compounds for GTE, GT1, F-Ultimate (both gens), Super V8, Stock Car 2019; Revised wet & intermediate compounds (WIP)
• Extensive engine revisions (torque & compression curves, inertia, turbo models, fuel consumption, heating & cooling rates & associated wear) to GTE, GT3, GT4, GT1 (all), Porsche Cup, F-Classic Gen3 (all), Cadillac DPi, Sprint Race, P1-P4 prototypes, ARC Camaro, Stock Car 2019-2022, Group C, Vintage TCs, F-USA (all) Mini JCW, Corvette C3, TSI Cup, Ginetta G40 GT5 & G40 Cup, Copa Classics, Hot Cars, Copa Uno & Copa Fusca
• Fixed bug leading to extreme engine cooling
• Revised clutch LSD models for F-Vintages (both gens) F-Retro (all gens) Cadillac DPI, P1 , P2, P3, P4 (MRX), BMW 2002 Turbo, F-V10 (both gens), F-V12, F-Ultimate (both gens), Corvette C Caterham Supersport, Superlight, 620R, F-Classic G1-3, F-USA G1-3 Stock Car 2019-2022, Copa Montana, Ultima GTR Race & revised default setups to suit (setup reset recommended)
• Changed radiator & brake duct ranges to 5% increments for cars that have it adjustable
• Added throttle maps for cars that still missed it: BMW 2002, F301 & F309, Caterham Superlight & Supersport , F-Classic Gen2M1&2, G3M3, F-V10 Gen2
• GTE, GT3 & GT4 BoP revision complete, including various adjustments to turbo downscaling depending on environment pressure (so turbo cars no longer have substantial advantage on tracks at higher altitude)
• Copa Truck now features more detailed modelling of each truck´s engine with performance differences
• Adjusted CoG height for F-Trainers, Ginetta G40s2
• Various fuel tank size corrections & corrections to discrepancies between fuel tank pistop ranges; corrected tank ranges that didn´t factor initial minimal 1L in tank
• Adjusted center of fuel tank height for various cars to rectify minor inconsistencies
• Added custom draft production scale per car, accounting for variations in drag & dimensions
• Slightly increased lift & drag increment per radiator & brake duct setting for cars that still had that specially low
• Disabled lingering redundant one-step setup ranges that made options appear adjustable in setup screen even though they weren´t
• Further adjustments to FFB Max force in various cars
• Fixed diff ramp angles in GTE / GT3 to current defaults / disabled redundant range in Mclaren 570 & Ginetta G55
• Further adjustments to slick behavior on a wet track
• Ginetta G40 Cup: Correted mass (925kg with driver)
• Reduced rate of artificial pre-race tire heating without formation lap
• Minor moment of inertia corrections for Stock Omega, Opala (all models), Lancer Cup (both models) GTE / GT3 / GT4, GT1, Street Cars
• Ultima GTR Race: Revised specifications to suit new GT Open class it now belongs to, with adjusted tire dimensions & weight; Disabled onboard adjustable ARB
• Mercedes AMG GT3: Minor adjustments to default setup (slightly lower rear slow rebound, increased diff preload to 110 Nm)
• Adjusted fuel tank positions for Porsche RSR, Corvette C3.R
• F-Classic G2M3: Added boost function going to full boost pressure setting (100%) temporarily while boost button is is held; Slight adjustment to turbo efficiency; adjusted boost map for improved driveability
• F-Ultimate Gen2: Adjusted mass (798kg as per latest regulation update)
• F-3: Fixed syntax error causing its tires to use the wrong components as of V1.3.8.3
• F-Ultimate (both gens): Reduced front & rear wing drag-to-lift efficiency

AI

• AI can use more then one tire compound
• Addec custom AI driver names & personalities for Vintage Touring Cars 1/2, Copa Classic B & FL, GT Classics, HotCas, Opala Stock, Formula Vee, Copa Uno, Copa Fusca and Lancer Cup
• Further adjustments to AI movement when pulling out from behind another car to overtake
• Revised AI performance for Adelaide Modern
• Generally raised AI overtaking parameters & reduced gaps between minimum and max aggression for AI rates
• Dsabled function that was added to prevent AI from cutting corners but was actually making the issue worse
• AI calibration pass for all cars
• Adjusted AI performance for Nurburgring Nordschleife layouts, Adelaide
• Adjusted performance levels for all classes with custom AI driver
• Restored AI aggression for practice and qualifying when dealing with other AI cars
• Slightly improved AI overtakes of slow/lapped cars.
• Added table of contents and sub headings for each class in AI driver list to facilitate editing by end users
• Globally reduced rolling resistance for AI on most cars to compensate error in benchmarking AI straightline speed (further per car fine tuning still pending)
• Added automatic radiator adjustment for F-USA 2022 AI (oval spec only)
• Added functional differential for all AI physics according to car spec to improve their ability to negotiate corners
• Implemented AI mistakes for oval tracks (AI spins)
• Added new AI personality parameter 'fuel_management' that works in oval tracks and is customizable by end user as explained here

AUDIO

• AI / Remote / replay cars now have same drivetrain sounds & surface sounds as player car
• Grinding gears sound effect should now play continuously on H-Shifters instead of infinite restarting
• Added ambient reverb for Buenos Aires and Galeao
• Removed artificial reverb parameters from Adelaide, Imola, Interlagos and Montreal tracks.
• Adjusted F-Classic V6 Turbo internal sounds, adjusted external volume.
• Increased volume of audio effect from running off the ideal racing line
• Added crowd sounds (Auto Club only for now)

TRACKS

• Interlagos: Restricted track cut limits at pit entrance

VEHICLES

• Restricted available car liveries to a limit of 40 total for all classes in the game
• Added actual driver helmet designs and outfits to Stock Car Pro Series 2019-2022
• Updated F-USA driver helmet model
• Puma P052: Added damage/dangling parts; Fixed the reverse lights (wasn't working before); Adjusted lights glow texture, lights uv map (ch5) and adjusted the material; Revised collision.
• Caterham SuperSport: Fixed the H-pattern movement to reflect the correct gear sequence
• Opala 1979: Fixed the cockpit shift light
• McLaren F1 GTR: Fixed windscreen issue
• Ginetta G40 Cup/GT5: Fixed gauges lights
• F-USA Gen1: Added magnesium wheels for cars that should have them
• Montana: Adjusted onboard cameras
• Camaro GT4R: Updated position of look back camera so as rear wing doesnt obscure
• Various onboard camera corrections for Copa Classic models & Copa Fusca
• Updated F-USA G3 LCD steering wheel to include water temp in Fahrenheit
• Fixed inaccurate RPM bar calibrations on F-USA G1 and G2 cockpit displays
• Switched water temperature on F-USA G1 and G2 displays to fahrenheit
• Added custom driver outfits & helmets to Stock Car 2019 + new entries to 2020-22..
• Updated driver outfits for Stock Car drivers that participate outside series that use the Modern GT driver outfits
• Updated liveries for Copa Uno, Copa Classics

V1.4.0.0 -> V1.4.1.0 CHANGELOG

CONTENT

• Added Spa-Francorchamps 2022 layout (part of Spa-Francorchamps DLC)

GENERAL

• Added new exhaust smoke type for diesel vehicles
• Fixed Green LiveTrack preset not being fully green & revised grip levels for other presets
• Reduced FFB fade in timer from 5 to 3s

UI & HUD

• Added Official Events page and menu entry
• Updated Main Menu art panels
• Added Manual Grid and Full course Yellow options to championship editor
• Added Single Player Gameplay option to enable/disable random failures
• Changed Damage Scale option to use predefined levels instead of percentages
• Fixed ICM being unable to choose 'auto' ERS mode
• Altered vehicle/livery selection, showroom, and lobby to display appropriate downforce variant for current circuit
• Changed vehicle reliability to be based on mean time to failure directly
• Disabled redundant turbo setting from showing in Copa Uno & Mini 1965 setup screen

PHYSICS

• Completely revised thermodynamics for all tires
• Added Advanced Mechanical Damage Modelling for: F-Vintage (both gens), F-Retro (all gens), F-Classic (all gens), F-V12, F-V10 (both gens), F-Reiza, F-Ultimate (both gens)
• Updated traction control functionality for all cars that feature the device
• Fixed autolift value keeping throttle @ 100% during autoclutch upshifts with F-Vintage (all), F-Retro (all but G3 TE), F-Vee & corrected various semi-automatics that were blipping to 100% in downshifts
• Added new tire model parameters to more accurate modelling of slick behavior & performance in a wet surface
• Adjusted FFB for F-Classics, F-V10 Gen1, F-V12, F-3
• FFB adjustments for F-Ultimate Gen2, F-V10 Gen2
• Adjusted brakeduct cooling rates for BMW M6 & M8
• Camaro SS: Revised body inertia
• Mclaren 720S GT3: Slightly raised front splitter height sensitivity
• ARC Camaro:Adjusted CoG height
• Ginetta G55 GT3: further adjustments to aero balance and suspension Adjusted brake heating & cooling rates
• F-Ultimate Gen2: Fixed asymetrical front brake cooling rate
• Sigma P1: Fixed TC & ABS not being enabled
• Added LD variants for F-Classic Gen3, F-Reiza & F-Ultimate Gen1
• Ginetta G55 GT3: Suspension geometry update & suspension and ride height adjustments
• GT1: Corrected engine output of Porsche and Mclaren F1 GTR
• BMW M4 GT4: Minor power multi & rear ARB adjustment; Reduced default steering lock
• Completed tire revisions for Street Cars, F-Vintage Gen1&2
• Adjusted FFB max force & pneumatic trail on F-Vintages, Super V8, Stock Cars and BMW M6
• Corvette C3-R: Reduced brake torque & heating
• Mclaren F1: Reduced diffuser baseline downforce & adjusted center of pressure
• BMW M6: Default setup refinements
• Lancer Cup: revised fuel consumption, engine heating and wear

AI

• Prevented AI taking damage from small contacts in the wall or in other AIs (could lead to AIs coming to the pits too frequently)
• Fixed AI not pitting for engine repairs if they have an engine related failure
• Improved the way that the AI retires to off track due to terminal damage
• Added initial extra compounds for AI on F-Classic, F-Reiza & F-Ultimate Gen2 (WIP)
• F3, Copa Truck, Group C AI calibration pass
• F-USA (all gens): Added automatic radiator settings for AI for short oval and speedway variants
• Slightly increased AI draft scaling
• Revised F-V10 Gen1 & F-Classic Gen1 AI names and performance
• Revised AI paths & performance for Adelaide Historic, Nurburgring (GP & Veedol layouts) & Hockenheim (GP & National layouts), Spieberg
• Prevented AI vehicles from speeding up when they are trying to retire
• Fixed some issues with AI behaviour during full course yellow
• Implemented AI differentials
• Improved AI response to overheating due to damage

AUDIO

• Wall reflections: increased in volume, altered profile.
• Enabled new high speed passby wind "woosh" sound
• Decreased-distant live-play opponent sound attenuation max parameter, increased close distance parameter.
• Ginetta G55 GT4 & Supercup: Adjusted on-power volume for trackside & opponent view
• Fusca Classic FL: adjusted internior engine sound transition from idle to 3000 RPM
• Adjusted engine samples mixing on idle to mid-rpms for Copa Fusca, HotCars Fusca M1 & M2 and Puma GTE.
• Copa Truck: adjusted tire skid parameters, increased base pitch.
• Mercedes AMG GT4: increased interior engine volume, adjusted mixing in lower rpm band (cockpit sound)
• Adjusted trackside camera and opponent volume for BMW M8 & Corvette C8.R
• Turned off doppler on environment aerial animations.

TRACKS

• Livetrack Updates: Added more visible rubbering effect, more prominent dirt buildup & cleaning off on track with car interaction
• Added custom LT grip ranges for Adelaide Historic, Bathurst, Brands Hatch, Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Daytona, Donington, Fontana, Galeao, Granja, Ibarra, Interlagos Historic, Interlagos Kart, Jaca Oval, Kansai, Londrina Kart, Long Beach, Montreal, Monza, Nurburgring, Ortona, Oulton Park, Road America, Silverstone, Spa 93, Speedland, Spielberg
• Nurburgring: Fixed floating flags in test day session for Nords 24h layout
• Road America: Adjusted curb physics for improved FFB feeling; LOD adjustments
• Bathurst: Fixed a hole in csm wall (T1 exit on left)

VEHICLES

• All Cars: Corrected Fresnel Power & adjusted liveries to suit
• Corvette C3 RC: Fixed trunk UV mapping issue
• Corrected cockpit mirrors position for Porsche RSR 1974, Mclaren 720S GT3, BMW M6 GT3
• Puma GTB: Corrected oil pressure gauge; 5 liveries revised
• Puma GTE: 5 liveries revised
• Onboard camera adjustments for Corvette C3, Copa Fusca, Copa Uno, Roco 001, Lotus 23, Mini Cooper S 1965, Metalmoro MRX, Camaro GT4, Mclaren 570S, Mercedes AMG GT4, Ginetta G55 GT4, Porsche Cayman GT4, Mclaren 720S GT3, Mercedes AMG GT3, BMW M6 GT3, Porsche 911 GT3 R
• Copa Classic: Further livery revisions
• Vulkan Copa Truck: Added dirt/damage texture
• Metalmoro AJR (all models): Adjusted the driver's animation head tilt
• Adjusted suspension animation to rectify issue with wheels appearing to have positive camber on F-Retro V12 Gen 1, F-Trainer (both), F-V12, F-V10 Gen 2
• Mini Cooper S 1965: Fixed speedomer being set as MPH instead of KPH
• StockCar Corolla 2020-2022: Fixed steering wheel LOD issue
• F-USA Gen1-3: Added custom helmets
• Ultima GTR Race: Fixed LOD issue that was causing graphical artifacts; Revised collision mesh parameters; Adjusted rim textures to work better with LODC; Redone the LODC rims; Adjusted LODD; Added damage to LODD
• Corvette C3: Corrected engine heat and blown smoke emission point
• Opala 79, Opala 86: Changed the driver type to use the 80's helmet style