A new update for Gran Turismo 7 usually means that the regularly scheduled events feature some of the new content, and this week’s Online Time Trial is no exception.
Of course the wait for a new circuit to play with continues, so it’s all about the new car content and we’re diving straight into the sportiest of the three added in the update: the BMW Z4 3.0i.
You’ll be taking the topless Z car, a returning vehicle from previous Gran Turismo games, to the fictional Sardegna Road Track for this time trial event which takes place on the B layout. That’s the middle-length version, but the one that feels the most like an actual race circuit, compared to the long lope into the Sardinian countryside of C.
It’s a pretty affordable ride, but even so you can borrow one for the event if you wish to keep miles off your own. Either way, the time trial uses the standard Comfort Soft tires, so it’s going to be a bit of a slippy one this week.
Early times have slipped into the mid-1:37 range, but we’re not expecting that to hold out for the full 14-day window. 1:36s feel unlikely, but there are some road car specialists out there who can wring out the seemingly impossible, so we’d anticipate something like a 1:36.8 as a potential record lap.
That’ll mean you’ll need to beat a 1:39.7 if you want to get into the gold bracket and secure yourself the 2m credit reward for doing so — but we’ll revisit that estimate next week!
The soggy event at Fuji has a week left to run too, and we’re seeing roughly the sort of times we were expecting a week back.
With the surface water seeming to suit Wet tires better (despite the indicator appearing to be more Intermediate-friendly) and the complex final portion of the circuit as contributing factors, the top times have dropped into the mid-1:47s now. That gives a current marker of 1:50.679 for gold, but we’d say that you should get below 1:50.5 if you want to be a bit more comfortable over the final days.
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 March 6.
Gran Turismo 7 Lap Time Challenge March 6 – Sardegna Road
- Track: Sardegna Road Track B
- Car: BMW Z4 3.0i ’03 – Garage/Rental Car
- Power/Weight/PP Limit: BOP (L)
- Tires: Comfort Soft
- Settings: Fixed
Gran Turismo 7 Lap Time Challenge February 20 – Fuji Speedway
- Track: Fuji Speedway Short
- Car: Subaru WRX Gr.4 – Garage/Rental Car
- Power/Weight/PP Limit: BOP (M)
- Tires: Racing Intermediate/Racing Wet
- Settings: Fixed
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