I just saw Gran Turismo 7’s Spec III tease—Espace F1 is back, but there’s a PS5-only catch

Why this caught my attention

Gran Turismo 7 is about to drop its Spec III update this December, and the headline for me is simple: two real-world F1-grade circuits (Yas Marina and Montreal’s Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve) plus eight new cars, including the cult-classic Renault Espace F1 and the slick all-electric Polestar 5. That’s the kind of “boot up the rig right now” news GT fans live for. But there’s also a twist-Polyphony is launching its first paid DLC since 2022, a PS5-only “Power Pack” that corrals 24-hour endurance weekends and the new Sophy 3.0 AI behind a paywall. This matters because it changes how GT7 is evolving three years in: bigger free drops for everyone, and premium, hardcore extras for those willing (and able) to pay on PS5.

Key takeaways

• Spec III adds Yas Marina and Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, plus eight cars-four already revealed, Espace F1 and Polestar 5 newly identified, and two still TBA.
• Power Pack DLC (December 4) introduces 24-hour endurance weekends, 50 themed races, and Gran Turismo Sophy 3.0-exclusively on PS5.
• Sophy 3.0 is pitched as “even tighter and more intense” AI, and Yamauchi calls it “realistic, hardcore racing.”
• 5,000,000 in-game credits come with the DLC, raising questions about grind vs. progress and overall balance.

Breaking down Spec III: the good stuff we all get

Let’s start with the free content. Yas Marina is a crowd-pleaser—modern, flowing, and built for night racing drama. The reprofiled layout tightened overtaking zones in recent F1 seasons; I’m curious which variant Polyphony includes and how the curbs and floodlit surface feel on GT7’s tire model. Montreal’s Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve is the opposite vibe: old-school walls, brutal chicanes, and the infamous Wall of Champions. Expect a lot of lost front wings—okay, bumpers—in Turn 13. These are tracks that punish sloppy exits and reward precise braking references, exactly the kind of circuits where GT7’s cockpit view and DualSense haptics shine.

On the garage side, eight cars are joining with Spec III. Two are the headline grabbers: the Renault Espace F1—a totally unhinged ‘90s minivan stuffed with F1 hardware that hasn’t been drivable in GT for decades—and the Polestar 5, a luxury EV sedan that should shake up online one-make races with instant torque and regen nuances. Four other cars have already been revealed, and two are still to be announced in the coming weeks. If Polyphony sticks to form, expect at least one left-field pick that becomes a community favorite time-trial car. This is the kind of variety GT7 has been leaning into lately, and I’m here for it.

The PS5-only Power Pack: smart specialization or a worrying paywall?

Here’s where things get spicy. The Power Pack launches December 4 and, according to Polyphony, it’s “a game mode dedicated to racing purists.” It bundles 50 new races across six country-and-car-culture themes, full 24-hour endurance weekends (practice, qualifying, the lot), Sophy 3.0 AI, and 5,000,000 credits. If you’ve been begging for proper enduros, this is the loudest yes GT7 has said since launch.

Two caveats. First, it’s PS5-only. That’s understandable for Sophy—Sony has repeatedly hinted the AI’s demands are heavy—but it still stings for PS4 players who’ve stuck with GT7. Second, endurance racing and top-tier AI being gated behind paid DLC is a meaningful pivot for the franchise. In older GTs, marquee endurance events were part of the base career. Now they’re part of a premium pack. I’m not against paying for substantial new modes, but let’s call it what it is: a shift in how Gran Turismo monetizes its deepest content.

As for Sophy 3.0, the promise is “even tighter and more intense” racing, and Yamauchi describes it as “realistic, hardcore racing.” If the AI finally nails believable racecraft—defensive lines, varied pace, smart pit calls—it could transform offline play. The big question is usability: Will we have robust save/resume for 24-hour races? Stint management settings? Multi-class options? If Polyphony nails those quality-of-life details, this DLC becomes a must-have for serious sim-heads.

Why this matters now

GT7 has enjoyed a multi-year run of free monthly-ish updates—new cars, occasional tracks, time trials that pay out nicely if you snag gold. Spec III keeps that goodwill intact with two heavy-hitting circuits and a broad car drop. But the Power Pack signals Polyphony’s next phase: keep the base game lively for everyone while charging for the ultra-core sim features. It’s not out of step with the wider sim scene (iRacing subs, ACC and AMS2 track packs, Forza car passes), but it’s new for GT7 specifically, and the PS5-only angle will split the room.

I’ll also be watching car economy closely. Bundling 5,000,000 credits feels consumer-friendly, but balance tweaks sometimes follow big injections like this. The community finally settled into a healthy loop with Lap Time Challenges and Special Events—please don’t overcorrect the payouts just because the DLC hands out seed money.

What players should watch next

• Track details: Does Yas Marina arrive in its reprofiled form? How aggressive are Montreal’s track limits near the Wall of Champions?
• Endurance QoL: Mid-race saves, driver swaps (even AI stints), weather transitions, and pit strategy depth will make or break 24-hour races.
• Sophy scope: Is 3.0 usable across many events and classes or mostly confined to curated Power Pack races?
• The last two cars: Polyphony loves silhouette teasers—expect one crowd-pleaser and one curveball.
• PS4 players: Any concessions at all? Even a non-Sophy endurance variant would soften the blow.

TL;DR

Spec III’s free update is a win: Yas Marina, Gilles-Villeneuve, and eight cars headlined by Espace F1 and Polestar 5. The new Power Pack DLC looks legit for hardcore fans—24-hour weekends and Sophy 3.0—but PS5-only and paywalled endurance will spark debate. If Polyphony nails the details, December could be GT7’s best month since launch.