Assetto Corsa EVO Update 0.6 takes shape as the starting grid begins to take shape for fans of demanding driving. We can confirm the arrival of six new cars and a mythical circuit for this early access phase. The focus seems clear: to combine modern racing cars with historic icons that will challenge even the most seasoned hands.

The Ferrari 296 GT3 and its American sister, the Ford Mustang GT3, will be on track, the latter being particularly interesting with its naturally-aspirated 5.3-liter Coyote V8. At Sebring, the car’s rapid revs and linearity should provide a striking contrast to the turbocharged engines that usually dominate GT3 racing. The 296, with its rear mid-mounted twin-turbo V6, promises 608 bhp and 712 Nm of torque, which will require fine throttle management and good progressiveness out of corners to avoid spinning out. The Ferrari 288 GTO, already announced, will also be included.

But it’s the Lamborghini Countach LP5000 Quattrovalvole that attracts the most attention. This 5167 cm³, 455 hp V12 is an old-fashioned beast. We’re promised that the game’s new physics engine will take into account its specific characteristics: raw power at low revs, red-zone explosion, unassisted feel, and even the near-zero rear visibility that drivers of the time had to deal with. Handling this lady without ABS or TC, with its distinctive weight distribution, on the worn asphalt of Sebring, is going to be a real test of skill. You’ll have to break down each phase, from corner entry to exit, to avoid immediate punishment.

The Sebring International Raceway circuit is also excellent news. The concrete slabs inherited from its aerodrome past guarantee a saturated FFB and constant vibrations, especially in the demanding downforce corners. The track is bumpy and technical, with a mixture of fast and slow corners, and will put the suspensions to the test. Managing the ropes and vibrators, which are crucial to getting that last tenth, could turn into a real ordeal for the least compliant chassis.

The last two cars have yet to be revealed, which keeps this 0.6 update somewhat mysterious. We’re sticking to one clear line: relevant content for the sim racer.