5 Minutes
Gran Turismo 7 update: free Corvette CX.R VGT and fresh Time Trials
Opening thoughts
Photo: autoevolution Gran Turismo 7's latest update brings a generous surprise for PlayStation sim racers: a free Corvette Vision Gran Turismo entry for the official Laguna Seca Time Trial, alongside a second online qualifier featuring the Honda NSX CONCEPT-GT '16. This patch also adds a handful of new cars and special events that reshape lap-time targets and weekly rewards for players hunting credits, experience and rare items.
Vehicle highlights and quick impressions
AFEELA (Prototype)
Photo: autoevolution The Afeela prototype returns to GT7 and remains free to claim. Official in-game data omits exact mass and peak output, but third-party reports peg it near 489 bhp and roughly 2,420 kg. As an EV it exhibits predictable understeer and a heavy feel through corners; acceleration is steady rather than explosive. At Laguna Seca the tester recorded about 200 kph on the main straight and a 1:43.287 opening lap.
Renault Avantime 3.0 V6 24V '02
Photo: autoevolution A niche classic added to Brand Central and the Used Car Dealership (39,000 credits used, 50,000 at Brand Central). The 2.9-liter V6 delivers just over 200 bhp at around 1,741 kg curb weight. It rewards precise throttle control and offers surprising character—familiar to drivers of vintage Renault MPVs—posting a best lap near 1:58.027 without heavy tuning.
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (C6) '09
Photo: autoevolution A garage staple for many players, the C6 ZR1 makes for a brutal rear-drive experience when tuned toward 900+ bhp. In practice it excels as a drift platform; sustainable top-end grip fades above roughly 260 kph, but a clean lap produced a 1:25.840 at Laguna Seca in tester hands.
Chevrolet Corvette CX Concept '25
Photo: autoevolution The mid-engine Corvette CX Concept is polarizing: critics wished for a C8 ZR1, while others praise its insane power-to-weight ratio. In-game figures show roughly 2,146 bhp with a curb weight near 1,400 kg, mid-engine AWD layout, and extreme wheelspin on soft compound tires. Purchased from Brand Central for 1,000,000 credits, this car feels like a cheat-code on pad controllers and can be unforgiving on race circuits.
Time Trial 1 — Corvette CX.R Vision Gran Turismo Concept
Photo: autoevolution The headline Time Trial runs at Laguna Seca and supplies the Corvette CX.R Vision Gran Turismo Concept free for the event unless players opt for premium liveries. The race car pairs three electric motors with a twin-turbo V8 for a combined 2,039 bhp and a lighter, more track-focused package than the road CX. Gold target sits at 1:06.371 while global leaders are already into the 1:04s; tester lap topping at 1:11.820 and a peak speed near 323 kph highlights the difficulty gap for pad users versus wheel drivers.
Time Trial 2 — Honda NSX CONCEPT-GT '16
Photo: autoevolution The second Time Trial eases the power down but remains highly competitive. The NSX CONCEPT-GT excels on the Autodrome Lago Maggiore Full Course, striking a balance between grip and agility. This Online Qualifier runs through September 28 with nearly 50,000 entrants; Gold requires around 1:41.986, while top competitors are posting 1:39s.
Specifications, design and market positioning
- Corvette CX.R VGT: mid-engine, AWD race variant, ~2,039 bhp, lighter than the road CX, designed as a track-only concept for VGT events. Market positioning in GT7 is top-tier VGT class, aimed at experienced sim racers and Time Trial leaders.
- Corvette CX Concept '25: mid-engine, AWD road concept, ~2,146 bhp, extreme performance halo car priced at 1M credits in-game. It demonstrates Polyphony Digital's focus on hyper-performance concept cars rather than pure production realism.
- Afeela: electric prototype, family/tech showcase, free acquisition, emphasizes accessibility over raw pace.
- Renault Avantime: quirky classic grand tourer, moderate power, strong character, good tuning potential.
Performance comparisons and driving tips
Photo: autoevolution For raw lap-time potential the Corvette VGT machines dominate, but they demand steady inputs, optimal tire choices and ideally a steering wheel. The Afeela is predictable but heavy; the Avantime rewards finesse and makes for an engaging, lower-power drive. The C6 ZR1 is brutal when heavily tuned—fun for drifting and high-power chaos but less consistent for clean Time Trial runs.
Final thoughts
Photo: autoevolution This GT7 update blends high-end concept cars with accessible freebies and dynamic Time Trials, rewarding both casual players and hardcore sim enthusiasts. Whether chasing gold records at Laguna Seca or enjoying a quirky Avantime cruise, the patch expands variety and gives players a chance to try one of the fastest Corvettes ever added to the game—without spending a single credit if you enter the event.
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