Gran Turismo 7 Update 1.61 Released Today – PlayStation.Blog

Sure, here’s a rewritten version:

Alright, so let’s talk about something that blew my mind for a minute. There’s this thing, right? The ‘05 NISMO R34 GT-R Z-tune. Just 19 of these majestic beasts were ever made by Nissan’s performance folks. Nineteen. Wrap your head around that. Almost as rare as finding a unicorn or whatever. If you’re one of those lucky folks owning one, well, congrats. The rest of us? We’re getting a sliver of happiness with the free Update 1.61, courtesy of the Polyphony team. Yep, we can now virtually cruise around with the holy grail Z-tune, among other things like the ’22 Honda N-ONE RS and the ’22 Nissan Qashqai Tekna 190 2wd e-Power. It’s something, I guess?

Oh, and I stumbled across this update video. Honestly, no idea why, but it’s burned into my brain now.

Anyway, what’s new this time? Three fresh events, a new Lone Pine spot in Scapes, and, for some reason, a ’17 Lexus RC F GT3 in the Lexus Showroom, decorated with the "ANEST IWATA Racing 2025" look. Makes sense? Maybe. Might be into that, or not.

And get this, they’ve thrown in this Sophy AI racing wizardry on High-Speed Ring circuit. Could be fun to go head-to-head with a machine? Who knows.

So, right now, Update 1.61 for Gran Turismo 7 is live. You can snag it today if you’re on the ball, keeping track of time zones like a wizard or something.

NEW CARS?
First impressions. ’22 Honda N-ONE RS — sounds neat, right?

(Can be yours — Brand Central / Used Cars)

The N-ONE, they say, is a kei car. Does the front-wheel drive turbo sound cool? I guess. Also, apparently, the N-ONE has this vibe from the old N360, Honda’s first stab at kei cars. Sort of charming in a retro way, I suppose.

It made a splash in 2012 and people dug it enough that it stuck around. In 2020, they made another N-ONE, but uh, fans didn’t want it to look all different, so they reused the body panels. Or something.

Second-gen sports model, called RS, means “Road Sailing” — don’t ask me why. It’s got the first combo of turbo, front-wheel drive, and a 6-speed manual. Sounds like a blast on paper.

Apparently, the RS comes with nifty black trims and this wicked 6-speed transmission. Something about it being for driving enthusiasts. Uses the same snazzy close-ratio gears from the S660. Whatever that means. Not an engineer, folks.

And of course, because modern cars can’t help themselves, it’s brimming with assistance features. Peak torque limiter, automatic brake hold — all to make driving less nightmarish, I assume.

’05 NISMO R34 GT-R Z-tune

(Can be yours — Brand Central)

I seem to be going in circles, but, really wanna gush about this GT-R Z-tune again. Just 19 of them. So rare that I’m repeating myself. Something about the ultimate tuned car experience.

Back in 2004, Nismo hit the big 20-year mark and, naturally, they wanted to celebrate by creating something epic. Out came the GT-R Z-tune as their pièce de résistance. Problem was, the R34 didn’t exist anymore. So, they got creative — found some used ones, and worked magic. I imagine them with wands and potions, but that’s probably just in my head.

Every part is top-notch, pure “Z” label quality. At its heart, the RB26DETT Kai-Z2 engine, packing a punch like some race car level stuff. Turbochargers? IHI-made, something about them being winners in a notorious Nürburgring race. Exhaust in titanium for that spicy edge.

Chassis went under the beefy upgrade treatment too. Extra welds, CFRP parts, this, that, and some race-bred suspension parts. Tried to hit 1.6G braking force with semi-slick tires — they really didn’t hold back on ambitions.

Then cue weight saving exterior facelifts, from bumper to bonnet, all in sexy CFRP.

’22 Nissan Qashqai Tekna 190 2wd e-Power

(Can be yours — Brand Central)

Oh and this one? Qashqai. It’s Nissan’s compact SUV, third-gen flavor debuted in 2021. Looks all sharp and futuristic, their words not mine. There’s some e-Power system voodoo going on, heard it’s kind of a big deal. The engine runs like a generator, powering electric motors. It’s all science-y, but it’s neat, I suppose.

‘Tekna’ tag means fancy trim with extra gizmos — more lights, bigger wheels, head-up display… you get the gist.

New World Circuits? Sign me up.

These are the latest added to stir things up in "World Circuits":

Lightweight K-Cup at Nürburgring Nordschleife
Japanese FF Challenge 450 at Alsace – Test Course
Race of Turbo Sportscars at Fuji International Speedway

Gran Turismo Sophy

New AI racing trainer, ‘Gran Turismo Sophy,’ now running loose on the track. Check it out on High Speed Ring if that’s your jam.

Scapes

Lone Pine, anyone? Another spot now in Scapes. Probably a picturesque setting for a photo op or two.

Brand Central: Lexus

Remembering my mentions on Lexus RC F GT3? Yeah, new colors, fascinating stuff for those into it? Anesthetic IWATA Racing 2025 — seems intense.

Snag the update. Requires internet and the game itself, plus some credits if you’re eyeing these cars hard.

And that’s me, rambling on — or not. Go play!