The latest challenge sees a return to racing cars, if only in the most technical sense possible, with a time trial that uses one of the Gr.4 vehicles. These are, for the most part, adapted road cars shorn of as much excess weight as possible and treated to some track-spec upgrades that include low-level aero and slick tires.
You've got a choice of just one of these cars this week, as it's specifically an event for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Final Edition Gr.4 — a name that almost takes longer to type out than you'll spend driving it around a lap. This is actually one of the more unusual Gr.4 cars, as it retains the AWD system of the Evo X on which it's based and has just a five-speed gearbox rather than the usual six-speed item.
The challenge itself is to set the fastest time you can around the Deep Forest Raceway circuit, on Racing Hard tires. It's a course that should be familiar to all Gran Turismo players, young and old, although the GT7 version sports a dramatically changed final sector compared to previous titles.
Given the relatively low speed, high grip, and well-known track, we reckon there's going to be a lot of action on this event. Certainly an early flurry of times has seen the world record lowered to a 1:32.9 already, requiring a 1:35.7 for gold, and we don't think that's going to stay the case for long either. Mid-32s are likely, so figure on a 1:35.2 or better being required.
In order to access the Online Time Trials, you'll need to unlock Sport Mode, by completing Menu Book 9 ("Championship: Tokyo Highway Parade") in the GT Cafe single player hub. As it's just you against the clock and not a direct, head-to-head multiplayer event, PlayStation Plus is not required.
You'll usually need to be within 3% of the fastest time globally once the event finishes in order to secure "gold" status and a 2m credit bonus prize. There's smaller prizes of one million for being within 5%, and 250,000cr for bronze at 10% off.
The events update every Thursday, with each individual challenge usually remaining available for two weeks and the oldest of the two events being replaced each week. You can look forward to the next new Time Trial arriving at 0700 UTC on Thursday September 12.
Gran Turismo 7 Lap Time Challenge September 5 – Deep Forest
- Track: Deep Forest
- Car: Mitsubishi Lancer Evo Gr.4 – Garage/Rental Car
- Power/Weight/PP Limit: BOP (M)
- Tires: Racing Hard
- Settings: Fixed
Gran Turismo 7 Lap Time Challenge August 29 – Monza
- Track: Autodromo Nazionale Monza
- Car: Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 '09 – Garage/Rental Car
- Power/Weight/PP Limit: BOP (H)
- Tires: Sports Medium
- Settings: Fixed
