Gran Turismo 7 is set to receive its first update of 2026 next week, according to a social media post published by series creator Kazunori Yamauchi. While Polyphony Digital has yet to release full details, the announcement confirms the arrival of three new vehicles, continuing the studio’s established cadence of post-launch content updates.
As has become customary, Yamauchi teased the upcoming cars using partially concealed silhouettes. Interestingly, this marks the second consecutive update in which the vehicles are shown under covers rather than hidden by heavy shadows, a subtle change that may signal a shift in how Polyphony Digital presents future content as Gran Turismo 7 enters its fourth year on the market.
Following the substantial Spec III update released in early December 2025, and the five-car expansion included in the September 1.63 patch, this upcoming update appears to return to a more familiar structure. Throughout much of Gran Turismo 7’s lifespan, Polyphony Digital has favored updates centered around three new vehicles, often complemented by additional races and minor feature refinements.
Although only one of the cars had been officially confirmed ahead of time, the silhouettes and prior announcements strongly suggest the identity of all three additions.
One of the new arrivals is the Hyundai Elantra N TCR, previously confirmed by the manufacturer during the 2025 Gran Turismo World Finals in Fukuoka. Its inclusion marks a notable milestone for the franchise, as it will be the first true TCR-class car to appear in a Gran Turismo title.
Since its introduction in 2015, TCR has grown into a globally recognized touring car category, with championships held across more than 20 countries and four continents. Hyundai, in particular, has been one of the category’s most successful manufacturers, securing five world titles in eight seasons. The Elantra N TCR represents the brand’s third model built to TCR regulations, following the i30 N and Veloster N.
Given the class rules — including front-wheel drive, a minimum weight of 1,250 kg, and a power cap of 350 hp — the Elantra N TCR is widely expected to slot into the Gr.4 category. If confirmed, it would become the first new Gr.4 car added to the game since the Mazda3 arrived in the September 2023 update, raising inevitable questions about balance of performance within an already competitive class.
Another confirmed addition is the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, first announced for Gran Turismo 7 in June 2025 without a release window. Its arrival is significant beyond its performance figures, as it will be the first Chinese production car to feature in the Gran Turismo series.
Xiaomi, best known globally for its consumer electronics and smartphones, entered the automotive sector following strategic shifts driven by market pressures and international sanctions. Less than three years after that pivot, the company launched its first production vehicle, the SU7.
In Ultra specification, the SU7 is an all-electric sedan producing approximately 1,525 horsepower via a tri-motor setup. Xiaomi claims a 0–60 mph time of under two seconds, a top speed of 217 mph, and a Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time of 7:04.957 — a record for production four-door vehicles. Its inclusion also signals Polyphony Digital’s broader intent to expand collaboration with Chinese manufacturers in future updates.
The third car has not been officially confirmed, but all indications point toward the Porsche 911 GT3 R based on the 992 generation. If accurate, it would follow closely behind the Ferrari 296 GT3, which joined the game in the previous update, and would further expand the Gr.3 field.
The 911 GT3 R would effectively replace the long-serving Porsche 911 RSR as Porsche’s primary Gr.3 contender in Gran Turismo 7. Its timing is notable, arriving with just one race remaining in the 2026 Gran Turismo World Series qualifiers, potentially making balance of performance adjustments especially critical.
A real-world example of the 992 GT3 R was recently showcased at the Gran Turismo World Finals, featuring a special Dunlop livery created by Polyphony Digital to celebrate its partnership with the tire manufacturer, adding further weight to the speculation.
As usual, the initial teaser only confirms the number of new cars, leaving the rest of the update details undisclosed. Given the scale of the recent Spec III update, expectations for major additions such as new circuits remain modest. With two new tracks having been added recently, further circuit expansions appear unlikely, although additional layouts for existing venues, such as Yas Marina, cannot be ruled out.
More realistically, players can expect new World Circuits events tied to the incoming cars, potentially expanding categories like WTC700 and WTC800. Adjustments to existing race series, new Extra Menu Book collection challenges, additional engine swaps, and fresh Scapes locations are also typical components of these updates. There is also a possibility of expanded circuit support for GT Sophy within the base PlayStation 5 version of the game.
If Polyphony Digital follows its usual schedule, more detailed information should be revealed around midweek, with the full update expected to go live on Thursday, January 29.
You can purchase Gran Turismo 7 by clicking here for the PS4 version and here for the PlayStation 5 and PS4 versions. Additionally, there’s the 25th Anniversary Edition available for PS5 and PS4.
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