Automobilista 2: Free Panoz GTR-1 & Major AI Overhaul in Sept Update

Reiza Studios announced this Thursday (10) that a new update for Automobilista 2 is “on the verge” of release. Version V1.6.9.95 arrives on Steam packed with substantial simulation improvements, a highly anticipated free car, and a massive overhaul to the game’s Artificial Intelligence, paving the way for the milestone V1.7 update later this year.

Here is everything you need to know about the September 2026 Development Update.

Panoz Esperante GTR-1: The “Batmobile” Arrives for Free

The headline addition of the V1.6.9.95 update is the Panoz Esperante GTR-1, arriving at zero cost as a fresh contender in the GT1 class. This addition expands AMS2’s GT1 roster—the fastest GT class in the game—to five distinct models.

Developed by Panoz in partnership with Reynard Motorsport, the GTR-1 earned the cult-classic nickname “Batmobile” among fans due to its distinct, elongated front-hood layout. Powered by a thunderous 600 HP Ford V8 placed just behind the front axle, the car broke away from the design conventions of its era to retain a distinctly American character. Despite its unconventional design, it remained fiercely competitive against the top-tier GT1 prototypes on both sides of the Atlantic between 1997 and 1999.

Major AI Developments: A Smarter, More Aggressive Grid

Continuing the studio’s tradition of monthly core improvements, V1.6.9.95 introduces three major AI developments that will lay the groundwork for the upcoming V1.7 release.

1. Overhauled Track Edge Detection. The AI’s “vision” of the track limits has been completely reworked. The system now better detects usable lanes, allowing AI drivers to optimize their racing lines while avoiding hazards. In practice, players will see far fewer off-track excursions, less curb hopping, and reduced wall clipping. Expect smoother traffic negotiation and vastly improved racecraft both against the player and among AI opponents.

2. Dynamic, Self-Generated Racing Lines. Previously, AI cars gravitated around single, uniform dry and wet racing lines. Now, AI drivers will follow distinct, individual lines. These alternative lines can even be self-generated based on existing recorded data. Crucially, this applies to wet-weather lines as well, expanding dynamic rain racing to all tracks rather than just those with manually crafted wet lines. While Reiza notes the feature will reach full maturity in V1.7, users will immediately notice a more diverse and creative AI grid during dry-to-wet transitions.

3. New Traction & Brake Skill Scalars. Joining the existing AI Wet Skill Scalar, the update introduces AI Traction Skill and AI Brake Skill Scalars. These allow players to fine-tune AI performance in specific zones. For example, players who prefer late-braking battles can increase the AI Brake Skill scalar while lowering the Traction Skill scalar, forcing the AI to brake later but lose a bit of time on corner exit.

Quality of Life, CPU Fixes, and Multiplayer Stability

Beyond the new content and AI, the update addresses several community-requested features and performance hitches:

• Configurable Qualifying & Parc Fermé: Qualifying rules and Parc Fermé settings are now fully user-configurable outside of standard presets across all Single Player modes.
• Same Class Private Qualifying: A new option added for all game modes, including Multiplayer.
• CPU Performance Boost: Significant improvements during weather slot transitions, effectively eliminating the micro-stutters and frame drops previously experienced during dynamic weather shifts.
• Multiplayer & Replay Fixes: Resolved critical crash sources in Multiplayer and fixed a bug where Live Track state was lost in Single Player after using Instant Replay.

F1 Licensing Saga: McLaren Standstill Continues

The update also provides a status report on the ongoing licensing issues surrounding officially licensed Formula 1 cars in Automobilista 2.

Following a conflict in June regarding the extension of the McLaren Racing license agreement, Reiza agreed to a new stipulation: retaining only a single official F1 manufacturer in the game. While Reiza quickly committed to these terms, the agreement has yet to be signed by the opposing party, likely due to an internal personnel shuffle on their end.

Until this legal hurdle is cleared, no changes can be made to the classic F1 cars. If resolved shortly after the V1.6.9.95 launch, a hotfix may follow. Otherwise, the F1 roster will remain untouched until the major V1.7 update.

Looking Ahead to V1.7

Reiza Studios confirmed that focus will soon shift entirely to the V1.7 milestone update, targeted for late 2026. The developers warned that communication may go quiet as they integrate “bigger structural changes” currently in the works.

“We hope this update will leave AMS2 at a very solid state for you to continue to enjoy it, as we retreat to the shop again to prepare for its next big leap,” the studio concluded.

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FAQ: Automobilista 2 September Update

When does the V1.6.9.95 update release? The update was announced on September 10, 2026, and Reiza Studios states it is “on the verge” of going live on Steam.

Is the Panoz Esperante GTR-1 free? Yes. The car is a free addition to the base game, expanding the GT1 class roster.

How much does Automobilista 2 cost? The core simulator is available on Steam for $39.99, featuring full VR support, dynamic weather, and a massive roster of cars and tracks.