Road car replaces road car in the latest Gran Turismo 7 Online Time Trial, and while it’s a Renault that stars in the new challenge it’s perhaps not the one you’d expect after the recent update.
Unlike the second time trial, still available from last week as each runs for a fortnight, this week’s event doesn’t use any of the new vehicles from the 1.62 update and instead heads to a car that’s been in the game since launch — and you’ll need to be careful not to get it mixed up with its sibling.
The car in question is the Renault Clio Renaultsport 220, but only in the 2016 guise. There are only subtle differences between this and the 2015 model — the redesigned Renault Sport “flag” LED fog lights are the giveaway in the thumbnail, while the newer car is also heavier — so don’t mix them up.
As Time Trials run in essentially standard form bar permitted tire grade changes and cosmetic alterations, you can of course just borrow a car (without charge) for the event and in many cases it’s better to do so not least because it keeps wear and tear off your precious garage cars. If you use your own car you will need to go one tire better, and fit Sports Hard rubber for the event.
You’ll be running a lap of the biggest circuit at Sardegna Road Track, with the A variation that runs out into the Sardinian countryside hosting the challenge. While sporty, the Clio is not over-endowed with power so it’s a pretty long lap.
Currently the world record is beginning to trouble the lower reaches of the 2:04s, at 2:04.232. That sets the gold marker just under 2:08 for now, but we reckon there’s still time to come here. We’d guess at a 2:07.6 being necessary by close of play in two weeks’ time — and that’s not a hugely challenging target, so it’s a good week to try to pick up the 2m credits.
The madcap dash in the new 2,000hp Corvette VGT at Laguna Seca has seen surprisingly little movement in the last week, despite the car being brand-new and it being a voyage of discovery for everyone.
Only a couple of tenths has come off the record so far, with a 1:04.438 the current benchmark and only a few hundredths between the top three right now. That could suggest that we’re at or very near the limit, so the current 1:06.371 gold target is not likely to fall too far if at all. We’d figure on 1:06.2 being enough to be sure of it.
There’s also a third event right now, with the qualifier for the Honda Racing eMS series also taking place until September 28. This comprises a hot-lap time trial in the 2016 Honda NSX Concept-GT race car at the full Autodrome Lago Maggiore Circuit.
Given that there’s an esports event qualification on the line, we’re expecting this to be as competitive as they come. The current record is a 1:38.931, setting gold at 1:41.898 for now, but with the top four all in the 1:38.9s (and the top nine covered by a tenth) we don’t reckon there’ll be too much movement. Figure on a 1:41.7 being sufficient to keep a gold — and the bronze prize is doubled for this one.
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 September 11.
Gran Turismo 7 Lap Time Challenge September 4 – Sardegna Road
- Track: Sardegna Road Track A
- Car: Renault Clio RS220 Trophy ’16 – Garage/Rental Car
- Power/Weight/PP Limit: BOP (H)
- Tires: Sports Hard
- Settings: Fixed
Gran Turismo 7 Lap Time Challenge August 28 – Laguna Seca
- Track: Laguna Seca
- Car: Chevrolet Corvette CX.R VGT Concept – Garage/Rental Car
- Power/Weight/PP Limit: BOP (L)
- Tires: Racing Soft
- Settings: Fixed
Gran Turismo 7 Lap Time Special Event – Autodrome Lago Maggiore
- Track: Autodrome Lago Maggiore Full Course
- Car: Honda NSX Concept-GT ’16 – Garage/Rental Car
- Power/Weight/PP Limit: BOP (M)
- Tires: Racing Medium
- Settings: Partially Allowed – Brake Balance
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