The latest Gran Turismo 7 Online Time Trial is now available, giving players a chance to run out in a remarkable European track toy in one of the new-to-series circuits.
Coming from a brand better known for its motorcycles, the X-Bow — now available in a series of guises up to and including a GT2 race car — is the only four-wheeled product from Austrian firm KTM.
It combines the chassis expertise of Dallara, which constructs the carbon-fiber tub, with Audi power, sporting a 2.0-liter turbo four good for 300hp in the R model we’ll all be racing in this event. That’s all wrapped up in a body designed by the Salzburg-based KISKA design firm responsible for KTM’s bikes over the last 35 years.
You’ll be taking charge of the X-Bow R far from its European base in the new Time Trial event, with the global hot lap competition visiting Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Perhaps best known as the venue for Petit Le Mans each year, this 2.5-mile track — added to GT7 in November 2022 — features some interesting elevation changes and should be quite the challenge in the short-wheelbase X-Bow.
The world record for the event currently sits at a low 1:24, and we’re not going to be surprised to see it dip into the 1:23s before long. That being the case, aim for a 1:26.2 or better if you want to have your hands on a gold medal in two weeks’ time.
Last week’s McLaren Vision GT time trial is still available for another week too, and there’s quite the battle to get the fastest time here. Unusually the world record has dropped by more than a second over the past seven days, now sitting at 1:36.642 — and a second covers the top 13 times. It’s anybody’s guess how much further that’ll fall, with gold currently at 1:39.541. A 1:39.3 will probably see you safe but you may need more.
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 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 April 18.
Lap Time Challenge April 11 – Road Atlanta
- Track: Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta
- Car: KTM X-Bow R ’12 – Garage/Rental Car
- Power/Weight/PP Limit: BOP (M)
- Tires: Sports Soft
- Settings: Fixed
Lap Time Challenge April 4 – Suzuka Circuit
- Track: Suzuka Circuit
- Car: McLaren Ultimate Vision GT – Garage/Rental Car
- Power/Weight/PP Limit: BOP (M)
- Tires: Racing Soft
- Settings: Fixed
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