With the March 31st release of Assetto Corsa V1.5 right around the corner, Kunos Simulazioni has released its second of three Dev Diaries previewing the new content.
The diary hits a few topics, including more background on the 2015 Ford Mustang, C7 Corvette Stingray and Abarth 595 EsseEsse. You can read those comments below the break.
The more interesting info is the update to Vallelunga, sounds and graphics.
Kunos Simulazioni home track is Vallelunga, which was neutered a bit in 2005 when the blind, high-speed, corner “Trincea” was removed. Lucky for us though, Kunos’s laser scanned data includes the old corner – its still there, just diverted around – so the pre-2005 layout will now be included in V1.5 of Assetto Corsa.
Sounds have historically been a sticking point for Assetto Corsa, so work continues on improving them. Kunos states that further experience with sound engine, FMOD, and working with racing teams on capturing the audio will result in sound improvements in V1.5. Along with that work, Kunos has also added community requested features such as reverb and differing sound levels based on camera position. I’m liking the SOUND of that. I’ll see myself out…
Graphics will also be touched in V1.5 for a reason you wouldn’t necessarily expect. Work from the console versions of Assetto Corsa will actually flow back up stream to improve the PC. This includes post processing improvements, better looking instruments, car details, shaders, materials and properly functioning backfires.
Another interesting tidbit – more so for the console than PC – are two new camera views, including an up close cockpit view. While this doesn’t really have any effect on the PC where the seat is adjustable, it sounds like it maybe significant on the console. Essentially, console development created two interior views, the Forza “why-am-I-driving-this-from-the-back-seat?” and the Inside Sim Racing approved “belly-to-the-bar” view.
While I’m happy to see a close up view, I’m concerned that it means no forward-aft adjustment on the console versions? That would kind of stink and continue to make Project CARS the only title with proper seat adjustment on the consoles.
Guess we’ll find out when Assetto Corsa is released on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in June.
The Ford Mustang 2015 is the latest revisiting of what is probably the most iconic american car ever.A proper V8 of traditional 302 cubic inches (4951cc for the rest of the world) under the bonnet, delivers a healthy 435hp at 6500rpm. A round and plenty 400 lb-ft@4500rpm of torque (again over 540Nm for Europeans) is also available at any time. Now you might think that all this muscle can hit the wall very fast (power!) and then move the wall much further (torque!). After all 1700kg of weight is certainly not the definition of lightness… But if you think that’s muscle built with fast food and light beer, you’d be very wrong. The latest American muscle cars are built with many hours of hard work at the gym, using the latest technologies to improve flexibility and agility. You name it, you got it.
Front McPherson strut double lower links on separated ball joint in pure BMW fashion? Check!
Massive 6-piston front brake callipers? Check! 4-piston rear brake callipers? Check!
Massive 19” 255 front and 275 rear Pirelli P Zero tyres? Check! Torsen rear differential? Check!
and finally, get ready for it, a true independent multilink rear suspension!
If all of this sounds very similar to an M3 E92, maybe you’re right or maybe someone on the other side of the Atlantic ocean was doing his homework… the end result is a car that can stay composed and neutral when pushed, but at the same time produce so much tyre smoke that NASA scientists might accuse you as the main cause for climate change.Are we done? Not really. If the Mustang is transformed into a fitness hero, the new Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray has Usain Bolt level of performance! A true purebred that has evolved into one of the greatest sports cars available today. They say America is the land of excess and surely in an era of engine downsizing we can’t do other than admire this “small block” V8 of 6.2 litres that easily produces 460hp at 6000rpm and 630Nm of torque at 4600. Let me say that again, six hundred and thirty newton-meters of torque… Watch out how you press the accelerator or people will complain that they had one hour less of sleep again and this time it won’t be because of the daylight-saving but because you sped up the rotation of the Earth! You think the excess would end up in the engine? How about a 7-speed manual – yes you read that correctly – gearbox. All-around independent suspension with active magnetorheological dampers is available to the Z51 option. The active limited slip rear differential always provide the optimum traction aided by the 20” 285 wide rear tyres.
The end result is impressive. The handling is extremely neutral and very capable. Overwhelming at times when you expect a car with such power to just spin its tyres and drift but instead just grips and goes! Chassis and suspension work perfectly together and lap times are impressive. It’s not a coincidence that in terms of handling and grip is compared to the finest European sports cars and… often comes out as the winner! Be careful though. As it is so focused on grip and performance, it might not always like been driven at an angle and might turn around and bite you.
On top of all of that, its straight-line performance is impressive as you might expect. 0–60mph in less than 4 seconds, standing mile (400m) in 12.3 seconds and a top speed of over 180mph (290kmh). And all this from the… base model. American muscle you say? Think again as this muscle is so lean and explosive it can put to shame many of the European beliefs and traditions.Last but not least… ok well maybe it is last after all.
The Abarth 595 EsseEsse brings you back to the glories of the ‘60s, when people began to consider that cars were no longer a luxury item for a select few but an accessory to evolving and improving their lifestyle. Especially in Italy, the Fiat 500 represents an icon that every family has owned at least once. Abarth decided to tune this car to its best – so we did as well – tuning the Abarth version and giving it some decent power with two additional “S” versions. An interesting fact: the performance granted by the little 595 was considered very good in the ‘60s, and we like to think that in Assetto Corsa you can also taste and appreciate the technological evolution between the two centuries in terms of handling, balance, braking strength, torque and sheer power. Therefore, we are very glad to offer you this “small but actually quite big” icon of the Italian automotive industry that we believe will be a favourite choice for relaxed and fun multiplayer races.