Automobilista 2 V1.6.9.0 is now live! The final update of the year expands AMS2 into US Stock Car Racing, with three generations added as bonus content for the Racin´ USA Expansion Pack along with a new oval - the Pocono Raceway!

The update also adds the Tourist layout of the Nordschleife, along with a new pack of amazing Supercars.

Keeping to the spirit of the season, all new content introduced in this update is free for all users to try and enjoy through the Holiday season until the early days of 2026.Users who for whatever reason encounter issues with the new V1.6.9.0 or who might have an imminent league race to run may still remain on the previous V1.6.8.6 by right-clicking on AMS2 in the Steam library -> Properties -> Beta and selecting the previousbuild branch.
Check out the full update notes & changelog below:

UI & HUD UPDATES

 V1.6.9 features some minor UI cosmestic updates, with title texts now capitalized and panel designs now featuring squared edges.

We have also began to introduce a new HUD design with this update, however the work on this front is not yet complete; users may get a glimpse of the progress there however by switching to a WIP version of the new HUD via Display options. 

PHYSICS UPDATES

V1.6.9 delivers another round of physics updates across the board, primarily focused tires with further adjustments to various tread friction coefficients, elasticity, hysteresis, thermodynamics parameters for most slick, semi-slick & all-weather tires in AMS2, aiming to provide another notable step-up in the quality of the simulation.

FREE CAMERA MODE

Users may now enable free camera in both live play and monitor screen using the following commands:

 CTRL+F to Enable/Disable Free Camera

"W A S D" keys : Movement

Numpad "-" : FOV decrease

Numpad "+" : FOV increase

Numpad Arrows "2,4,6,8": Orientation

Numpad "5": reset orientation

TAA DEVELOPMENTGood optimization has been achieved for Temporal Antialiasing since the last update; users now also have the option to combine it with Super Sampling AA for optimal results.

FORMULA CLASS REBRANDING

The F-Reiza and F-Ultimate classes have now been rebranded as F-V8 Gen3, F-Hybrid Gen2 and F-Hybrid Gen3 respectively as per the graphics below

V1.6.8.6->V1.6.9.0 CHANGELOG
CONTENT
Tracks

Racin´ USA Bonus Pack

• Added Pocono Raceway (5 layouts)

• Added Fontana Oval Historic

Nurburgring 2025 DLC

• Added Nordschleife Tourist layout to Nurburgring 2025

Cars

Racin´USA Bonus Pack

• Added Stock USA Gen1 Class

• Added Stock USA gen2 Class

• Added Stock USA Gen3 Class

• Added Stock USA Gen3 LM Class

Supercars Pt2 DLC

• Added Audi R8 V10 GT to Supercars Class

• Added Dodge Viper ACR to Supercars Class

• Added Maserati GT2 Stradale to Supercars Class

• Added Aston Martin Valkyrie to Hypercars Class

GENERAL

• Further greatly optimized the packet transfer that occurs near the end of a Multiplayer practice, qualifying and race session, to prevent lags and mass disconnections at that moment

• Fixed issue that could cause wrong vehicle setup in MP to be loaded if the vehicle was a low downforce or oval specification

• Fixed an issue where the weather progression setting in championship mode would be set incorrectly to a random value when using real weather, instead of being set to the same value as the time progression setting as expected

• Improved TAA performance and VRAM usage especially at higher resolutions such as VR or triples

• Unlocked super-sampling graphics option when TAA is enabled allowing them to be combined

• Significantly reduced shadow flickering with TAA enabled and shadow acne when using high FOV

• Adjusted shadow transitions between detail levels for consistency

• Improved shadow clarity in the cockpit view

• Reduced cases of shadow flickering with TAA enabled

• Slightly increased the shadow distance in cockpit and external views

• Significantly reduced shadow flickering with TAA enabled and shadow acne when using high FOV

• Fixed issue causing the player´s fuel level to occasionally be set the same as an AI driver would use, instead of being set per setup configuration

• Improved the detection of incidents that trigger local yellow flags

• Fixed local yellow flags not getting cleared after a host migration

UI & HUD

• Minor adjustments to UI design with squared panel edges & updated fonts

• HUD now displays local yellow flag not only when approaching the incident but also while inside the yellow flag zone

• Added option to enable/disable beta HUD developments (Gameplay > Display)

• Doubled number of custom championship template slots and single championship save slots

• Fixed final lap time display of HUD Lap Timings widget displaying a time a few ms higher than the correct laptime

• Fixed incorrect nation flags being displayed in the final race results screen in multiplayer

• Corrected preset track selection for modern & historic Le Mans 24h & Road Atlanta for various classes

• updated logos, motorsport backgrounds/logos for F-Reiza = F-V8 Gen3, F-Ultimate Gen1= F-Hybrid Gen2, F-Ultimate Gen2 = F-Hybrid Gen3, F V10 G1\\G2.

• Fixed incorrect English help text for AI Aggression setting

• Fixed reversed help texts for AI Skill and AI Aggression options in ES localisation

• Fixed typo in some instances of Boxengeschwindigkeit in DE localisation

• Fixed incorrect string for 'HUD Live Edit Messages' option in unselected state on in-game display options screen

PHYSICS

• Minor adjustments to tire tread elasticity, hysteresis, thermodynamics & friction coefficients for F-USA Gen1-3, F-USA 2023, F-HiTech Gen2, F-V12, F-V10 (both gens), F-Reiza, F-Ultimate (both gens) GT1, GT1 2005, GT2 2005, GTR 2005, LMP1/2 2005, GTE, GT3 (both gens), GT Open, GT4, G55 Supercup, Porsche Cup, GT5, Ginetta G40 Cup, Lambo Huracan ST, Lambo Diablo ST, Ligier P4, Ligier JS2-R, P2, P3, P4, Stock Car Brasil 2019-2024, Super V8, Stock USA Gen1&2, Group C, F-Trainers, Caterhams, Copa Classic, Copa Uno, Lancer Cup, Hypercars, Supercars, TC Vintages Tier1&2

• Revised Hypercars & Supercars physics

• Slightly reduced tolerance for mismatching revs during gear shifts for cars with manual gearboxes when running manual clutch

• Revised brake wear & thermodynamics for all modern GTs, Prototypes, road karts and endurance-capable vintage vehicles

• Revised steering rotation & ratio for GT3 & GT4 models

• Minor chassis polar moment of inertia & aero revisions to F-V12, F-V10 Gen1&2

• Set both 2005 GT2 & BMW M3 GTR models to default with medium compound tires instead of soft

• Ginetta G40 (both versions): Slightly reduced crankshaft mass

• Mini Cooper S 1965 (both): Corrected fuel tank size

• GTE (all models) Adjusted default rear tire pressure adjustments

• Mercede AMG GT4: Minor aero & default ARB adjustments

• F-3: Fixed excessive dirty air effects

• F-V10 Gen1: Adjusted default ARB settings

• Lamborghini Revuelto: Adjusted engine heating

• Audi R8 GT4: Corrected engine lifetime rpm threshold

• Porsche 911 GTE: Adjusted default tire pressure & rear slow rebound damper

• BMW M3 GTR: Fixed tires missing pre-heating in rolling / standing starts

• AM Valkyrie Hypercar: Default rear tire pressure & rear slow rebound adjustment

• Alpine A424 Default rear tire pressure & rear slow rebound adjustment

• Lamborghini SC63: Default rear tire pressure adjustment

• Minor ride height adjustments to VW Fuscas

• Lamborghini Revuelto: Corrected 8th gear ratio

AI

• Adjusted AI logic over race starts & first lap for slightly more agressive positioning & better overall performance

• Adjusted AI braking performance for generally more agressive braking into hard braking zones

• Adjusted AI braking logic so AI will try outbrake rival during a fight for position

• Adjusted brake distances for heavier classes & cars with high power / grip ratio

• Improved AI local yellow flag behaviour

• Slightly increased amount of extra fuel AI carries for safety margin in timed races

• Added parameter to force AI to pit for fuel in long tracks when fuel is below a certain threshold for Endurance cars that still didn´t have it (Group C, GT1, GT1/2 2005)

• Adjusted AI speed thresholds for in / out laps & blue flag conditions for F-Retros, F-Classics, F-Hitechs, F-V12, F-V10s, V-Reiza

• Increased AI speed thresholds under blue flag for GT classes

• AI calibration pass of dry & wet launch performance for F-V12, F-V10 Gen1, F-V8 Gen3 & F-Hybrid Gen2/3

• AI calibration pass for F-3, F-Junior, F-Trainer, F-Classic Gen4, F-HiTech Gen1

• Slightly Increased AI care around human opponent for lower power classes

• AI Calibration pass for F3, F-Trainers

• Barcelona GP: Adjusted AI speed between T2 & T3 Added 10% speed boost between T2, T3

• Barcelona 1991: Adjusted AI corridors at T7/T8 apex to mitigate AI stepping off track and bringing dirt on

• Brands Hatch: Improved AI speed on braking zone for Druids (both layouts)

• Donington: Reduced AI speed at Old Hairpin, McLeans and Coppice, adjusted AI grip levels

• Jerez (both layouts): Reduced dynamic scaling of corridors, adjusted AI grip

• Hockenheim (Nat & GP layouts): Reduced dynamic scaling of AI corridors

• Laguna Seca: Improved AI performance at T5

• Londrina: Minor adjustment to dynamic corridors in both layouts

• Kyalami: Adjusted AI grip levels

• Imola: Disabled legacy AI boosts at modern layout; slightly reduced AI grip for historical layouts

• Le Mans 2005: Adjusted AI speed exiting esses and Tertre Rouge

• Sebring: Adjusted AI speed at T3, T4, Hairpin, Sunset, Cunningham, Bishop

• Spielberg GP: Added 5% speed boost between T7 & T8

• Watkins Glen Short: Adjusted the corridors near the inner loop and adjusted AI speed at final turn

• Road Atlanta: Adjusted AI corridors at the T6 apex (Modern & 2005 versions)

• Spa Francorchamps: Adjusted AI corridors at Blanchimont, Stavelot & Bus Stop chicane for 2022 layout

• Nurburgring (2020 & 2025 GP layouts): Reduced dynamic scaling of AI corridors

• Silvestone (2001, 2020 int & GP layouts): Reduced dynamic scaling of AI corridors

• Watkins Glen: Reduced dynamic scaling of corridors

AUDIO

• Updated chassis & suspension sounds

• ARC Camaro: updated interor engine sound

• BMW M3 GTR: Updated gearshift sound

• BMW M1: Adjusted interior engine volume

TRACKS

• Nurburgring 2025: Extensive art revision

• Imola: Reversed the pitbox and garage door order in the 1st garage at pit entrance

• Nurburgring 1971: Added barrier at Sudkehre fo Gesamt layout

• Spielberg Historic: Added grid, pitbox, and garages with pit lane extension

• Sebring Removed moving tracking camera from back straight.

• Road Atlanta (all layouts): TV cameras at T3 moved so as not obscured by tree branches.

• Nurburgring 2025 Fixed missing historic weather for Nordschleife layout

• Virginia: Added garage extension for the south pit lane

• Slightly increased racing line grip ranges for Azure, Cadwell, Jerez, Kyalami Modern, Snetterton, Velocitta, Velopark

• Spa-Francorchamps 2005 EC: Added fence to block GP pit exit

VEHICLES

• Adjusted cockpit POV to standard for Audi R8 GT4, Cadillac DPi-VR, McLaren F1 LM, Porsche RSR 1974, Mclaren F1 LM, Aston Martin Vantage GT4, Ultima GTR, GTE cars

• Cadillac DPi-VR: Adjusted driver animation

• Mclaren F1 LM: Adjusted driver animations

• BMW M4 GT4: added flashing display LEDs

• Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT: Improved rear brake lights; updated LCD screen contrast

• Fixed non-emissive display material for F-USA Gen1-3 & F-3

• AM Vantage GT3 Evo: Fixed white LOD issue

• BMW 2002: Improved tachometer needle rotation

• F-Vee Gen2: Fixed suspension animation artifacts

• F-Vintage Gen1 Model2: Fixed rear right tire LOD issue

• F-Classic G4M3: Fixed the missing steering rod in the front suspension

• McLaren F1 GTR: Added windscreen banner, updated materials with extra dirt and orange peel; updated display and LEDs materials with adjusted emissivity

• Porsche 992 GT3R: updated steering wheel textures, increased rotaries resolution with correct lightning; fixed LEDs material now using Envmap

• Porsche 911 GTE: updated display with TC setting

Greetings everyone!

The checkered flag is almost in sight for 2025, but we are still pushing to the finish line in order to deliver our final update of the year!

2025 was another exciting year for AMS2, and one of record-breaking growth for Reiza; to celebrate the occasion in style with all AMS2 fans and keeping to the spirit of the season, all the new content presented in this Dev Update will remain free for all users to try and enjoy through the Holiday season until the early days of 2026.

So let´s look into what is packed in this Holiday Special, along with some of the other highlights to look forward to in the upcoming release of AMS2 V1.6.9!

Complementing our Nürburgring 2025 release from earlier in the year – the most accurate & up-to-date version of the world´s greatest race track - we are adding the one important feature still missing from that original release: the Tourist layout of the famous Nordschleife, accessible most of the year to the visting public. With AMS2 now supporting alternative pit garage paths split S/F timing so uses the “bridge to gantry” timing points informally used for visitors benchmarking their results we can also provide this side of the Nurburgring experience.

For the ultimate track day experience one must have at least some of the ultimate track day cars; the experience of driving the Nordschleife might range from meditational to downright terrifying depending on machinery of choice - it is to expand on those options that we will be offering a new Supercars Pack, featuring the ultimate Hypercar along with three very distinct Supercars.

First and foremost, the Aston Martin Valkyrie – arguably the most hyper of all hypercars, with its screaming V12 engine with an additional electric motor delivering a total of 1160 HP, active suspension and active aero - all duly simulated in AMS2 - combining into a singularly impressive machine. This is one car that could be driven straight from the public roads straight into any track - and immediately obliterate the existing lap record.

For a slightly less frantic but no less impressive drive, the Maserati GT2 Stradale, the high-performance track day variation of the Maserati MC20, capable of producing 500kg of downforce to keep its 645 HP in check, the sleek looking Stradale adds a bit of Italian flair to the mix.

The Audi R8 V10 GT is the choice for those looking to go extremely fast while still providing a level of comfort and control of a germanic high-end Sedan, with the beautiful melody of the V10 soundtrack ensuring a pleasant ride.

Finally for the old school types who think that cars ought to be manhandled to be driven fast and who don´t agree with gear shifting without a stick, we have some American muscle in the Dodge Viper ACR – the latest representation of the classic, still true to its design roots with a 8.4L V10 outputting 645 HP, with its Extreme Aero Package as we have it here it can also hold its own against the more modern cars in the hands of a capable driver.

The new Supercars and the introduction of the Nordschleife has also led to existing Hypercars and Supercars (which include modern icons like the Lamborghini Revuelto, Mclaren Senna and Corvette C8 Z07 as well as all-time classics like the Mclaren F1 LM and the amazing Ultima GTR) have also been thoroughly overhauled and brought up to par with the latest content, making up growing roster of diverse high performance Track Day experiences in AMS2 – to be driven at the Touristenfahrten or wherever else you may feel like taking them.

The new Supercars Pt2 DLC will sell for US$ 7.99 or equivalent local currency conversion.

Racin´ USA Bonus Pack

The next update includes some exciting new content that will at once introduce a complete new style of racing to AMS2, and also fulfill an old promise to expand the Racin´USA Expansion Pack – the Stock USAs are making their debut, inspired by three completely distinct generations of Stock Car Racing in the United States from the 1980s, 1990s and the current era.

Primarily built for oval racing, the American Stock Cars gradually grew more suitable for road racing as well, with the latest generation being equipped with a modern LSD and higher end aerodynamics; so much so that it could be taken to Le Mans and with a few modifications more than hold its own against the elite of GT racing – the result of the experiment you will now be able to try for yourself in AMS2:

As the name suggests, this Bonus Pack will be free to all owners of the Racin´ USA Expansion Pack and all the bundles that include it.

Upon launching V1.6.9, fans of the Formula Reiza and Formula Ultimate classes should not be concerned about their apparent absence; these classes are still there but have now been rebranded as Formula V8 Gen3, Formula Hybrid Gen2 and Formula Hybrid Gen3 respectively as per the graphics below

Main reason for this rebranding is to follow a more cohesive standard in the naming standards Formula classes from the last 30 years since they each represent specific powertrain regulations.

AMS2 users may look forward to having the generation gaps made evident with this rebranding to be covered over the course of Q1 2026.

Work continues on the ongoing HUD overhaul previewed in the last update; although it is unlikely that it will be completed in time we are looking into the possibility of providing a Beta option alongside the existing HUD for gathering user impressions before full integration of the new version.

We have another round of physics updates across the board coming with v1.6.9, once again primarily focused on further refining tires - specifically tread friction coefficients, hysteresis, thermodynamics and the effects from being outside the optimal temperature window in said coefficients and the tire wear properties. These refinements are similar in nature to the ones continuously delivered since the v1.6 overhaul released last year, but v1.6.9 packs the heaviest punch so far with the volume and value of the updates; they are “minor” in dimension but still provide another notable step-up in the quality of the simulation.

V1.6.9 also packs another round of AI improvements focused primarily on three fronts: AI first corner / first lap performance and dynamics have been generally improved; performance under hard braking zones such as chicanes and hairpins where AI in some classes could often still be a little tentative, in parallel to new logic added so that AI drivers may decide to brake harder in particular circumstances (when being challenged or challenging for position for ex). Further calibration passes on both car and track side have also been carried with various performane discrepancy reports getting addressed.

Further developments to be heard also on the audio front, with improved logic and effects for suspension / chassis sounds in steel frame cars.

A much-requested feature making its debut is the addition of a "free camera" option , to allow users to free roam the track (especially useful for video creators out there).

Some good optimization has been achieved for Temporal Antialiasing since its inclusion in the last update, with a new option added to combine both TAA with Super Sampling AA.

Another QoL worth of note is the doubling of custom championship template slots and single championship save slots.

Last but certainly not least, v1.6.9 significantly improves detection & display of yellow flags in non-FCY sessions and improve triggers for FCY in both road and oval tracks.

A reminder to all that the Winter Steam Sale is currently on and AMS2 features in it with a massive 70% discount – best bang for the buck in sim racing!

AMS1 and all DLCs for both titles are also featured in the sale, including the latest releases. Great opportunity to complete your AMS collection!

For anyone who might still be in the fence about AMS2, an updated demo is also in the works with a wide range of content so sim racers can have a thorough taste for the game before having to pull out their wallet.

That covers all we had to share for this 2025 wrap-up! It is far from a wrap for Automobilista 2 however as we have some exciting plans to make 2026 its best year yet – we look forward to sharing more on those plans soon!

In the meantime, we hope you all enjoy the update as well as a great Holiday Season full of Sim Racing!