A few weeks ago, Reiza announced that Automobilista 2 would be getting three 'classic' Le Mans layouts, but resident sportscar fanatic Angus disproves of the latest. What do you make of AMS2's upcoming vintage LM?
From its never-ending list of replica Formula One seasons to countless historic track layout variants and several sportscar classes forgotten to time, Automobilista 2 is no doubt the best sim racing game for first-party classic content.
And that truth is showing no signs of ending soon as, announced a few weeks ago, it turns out that AMS2 will receive three historic versions of the famous Circuit de la Sarthe, otherwise known as Le Mans. Among the list of years Reiza Studios is focusing on are 1971 and 1988, both sure to attract fans of Steve McQueen's Le Mans and Group C respectively.
Automobilista 2 will be excellent as a 1970s Le Mans simulator. Image: Reiza Studios
However, it is the third and most modern addition to the roster that has me, a self-admitted sportscar and endurance racing nut, questioning the Brazilian team's decision. Set in 2005, the third historic Le Mans layout bound for AMS2 makes little sense both from a current car list point of view, but also a layout point of view. Here is why.
Pairing some of the most extreme open-top prototypes ever seen in motorsport alongside endless streams of naturally aspirated, screaming GT cars in a formula not only making it accessible to privateer teams, but allowing customers to compete, a look through the competitors is mind-blowing.
At the top of the standings, Audi dominated the LMP1 class with a trio of R8s, but the overall pace was firmly with the Pescarolo cars whilst other top class contenders from Dome, Dallara, Zytek and Courage all made the opening hours interesting.
LMP2 saw just as much chassis variety whilst in the GT classes, every manufacturer under the sun wanted a piece of the action. Fans of the GTR series of games will remember the bonkers GT1 models present from the likes of Ferrari, Corvette and Aston Martin.
Moreover, the more privateer-oriented GT2 category saw the staples of Porsche and Ferrari join oddball creations of the likes of Spyker, TVR and Panoz. With so much eclectic variety, there is always someone to cheer for across all classes.
Le Mans 2005 was so good that I wonder if Automobilista 2 can easily bring it to life. Image: Audi Media
Sure, the Prototype field would appear to be easy enough to recreate with Audi models presently in-game illustrating a healthy relationship with the German manufacturer whilst generic models akin to the game's Formula car content would make do for the likes of Zytek and Courage open tops.
But when you get to the GT classes and GT1 in particular, just one of the car makers - Chevrolet - has a relationship with the developers. Ferrari and Aston Martin on the other hand have always eluded the title's creators. Does that mean that a partnership cannot happen? No, but certainly it will be easier to obtain licenses for manufacturers already presenting a strong presence.
The same is true for GT2 as, whilst Porsche is a prominent part of AMS2's car list, boutique manufacturers like Spyker and Panoz may prove tricky to license. Considering it is these lesser-known car makers that make up the personality of the 2005 grid, I do worry as to how immersive a 2005 Le Mans race would be in Automobilista 2.
The AMS2 Le Mans 2005 Car Pack may resemble GTR2. Image: Simbin Studios
Then again, the team behind the game could decide to go all-in and recreate the diversity that makes the 2005 race so special. But with nine GT cars, not to mention the different variations of prototype certainly doubling that list, the number of 3D models alone is a thought that terrifies my credit card. Add in a plethora of liveries, believable audio and AI that strategizes as it should and you have yourself a DLC pack verging on the unaffordable.
Made up of extreme variants of road-going supercars sporting the most insane body kits and power figures, this class is full of fantastic cars.
GT1 in Automobilista 2 is a lot of fun. Image: Reiza Studios
In AMS2, it gets the Mercedes CLK LM, McLaren F1 GTR Longtail, Porsche 911 GT1 and Nissan R390. Whilst there were several other models competing in the class at the time like the Toyota GT-ONE or even the Lotus Elise, the above quartet were the heavy hitters each round and made up the bulk of grids thanks to customer teams.
As a result, simply licensing the BMW LM V12 would appear to be a realistic ask considering a strong connection between the game's developer and the German marque. Though would we not all rather the 1999 LMR model that won on debut? Meanwhile, as I touched on some months ago, the potential for more generic models akin to the game's Formula One content would allow for a Courage and Kremer replacement.
Could Automobilista 2 get the BMW V12 LMR? Image: BMW Motorsport Media
Take a look down to the lower classes and you will find that a GT2 class also ran that year making for a bit of traffic to dodge whilst duking it out down the Mulsanne. Again unlike the 2005 event, this class features far fewer big players versus the more contemporary event with just two main cars: the Porsche 993 GT2 and Chrysler Viper GTS-R.
So in total, the team at Reiza would only need to license a further three cars and create a fourth generic model to make for an immersive 1998 Le Mans 24 Hours. That does not sound like a massive ask to me. But that is not the only reason I would rather the Brazilian developer focus on this pre-millennium event.
1998 however still ran the straight-line run from the Dunlop bridge to the Forest Esses all whilst retaining the chicanes on the Mulsanne Straight. Therefore sitting nicely in between the modern variant and the earlier 1988 layout, it feels like a more worthwhile addition to the game in my opinion.
Which edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours would you have liked to see join Automobilista 2? Let us know in the comments below and join the discussion in our AMS2 forum!
From its never-ending list of replica Formula One seasons to countless historic track layout variants and several sportscar classes forgotten to time, Automobilista 2 is no doubt the best sim racing game for first-party classic content.
And that truth is showing no signs of ending soon as, announced a few weeks ago, it turns out that AMS2 will receive three historic versions of the famous Circuit de la Sarthe, otherwise known as Le Mans. Among the list of years Reiza Studios is focusing on are 1971 and 1988, both sure to attract fans of Steve McQueen's Le Mans and Group C respectively.
Automobilista 2 will be excellent as a 1970s Le Mans simulator. Image: Reiza Studios
However, it is the third and most modern addition to the roster that has me, a self-admitted sportscar and endurance racing nut, questioning the Brazilian team's decision. Set in 2005, the third historic Le Mans layout bound for AMS2 makes little sense both from a current car list point of view, but also a layout point of view. Here is why.
2005 Le Mans: Wrong Year For Automobilista 2?
Before we get started, in no way am I saying that the 2005 24 Hours of Le Mans was a bad race, nor am I saying that it does not deserve its moment in the sim racing spotlight. Having purchased the event review DVD back in the day, I can definitely attest to it being a fantastic and memorable event, certainly when you consider the entry list.Pairing some of the most extreme open-top prototypes ever seen in motorsport alongside endless streams of naturally aspirated, screaming GT cars in a formula not only making it accessible to privateer teams, but allowing customers to compete, a look through the competitors is mind-blowing.
At the top of the standings, Audi dominated the LMP1 class with a trio of R8s, but the overall pace was firmly with the Pescarolo cars whilst other top class contenders from Dome, Dallara, Zytek and Courage all made the opening hours interesting.
LMP2 saw just as much chassis variety whilst in the GT classes, every manufacturer under the sun wanted a piece of the action. Fans of the GTR series of games will remember the bonkers GT1 models present from the likes of Ferrari, Corvette and Aston Martin.
Moreover, the more privateer-oriented GT2 category saw the staples of Porsche and Ferrari join oddball creations of the likes of Spyker, TVR and Panoz. With so much eclectic variety, there is always someone to cheer for across all classes.
A Tricky Car List To Recreate
Reiza has stated that, alongside these historic circuit recreations, it will release car packs relevant to the specific years or eras. But with so many different models making up the entry list across all the different classes, I do wonder just how close the Reiza team will get to recreating the grid without it feeling empty, bland and frankly rushed. Not only are there a heck-a-bunch of models to get through, but a lot of the heavy hitters come from manufacturers not currently present in the Brazilian game.Le Mans 2005 was so good that I wonder if Automobilista 2 can easily bring it to life. Image: Audi Media
Sure, the Prototype field would appear to be easy enough to recreate with Audi models presently in-game illustrating a healthy relationship with the German manufacturer whilst generic models akin to the game's Formula car content would make do for the likes of Zytek and Courage open tops.
But when you get to the GT classes and GT1 in particular, just one of the car makers - Chevrolet - has a relationship with the developers. Ferrari and Aston Martin on the other hand have always eluded the title's creators. Does that mean that a partnership cannot happen? No, but certainly it will be easier to obtain licenses for manufacturers already presenting a strong presence.
The same is true for GT2 as, whilst Porsche is a prominent part of AMS2's car list, boutique manufacturers like Spyker and Panoz may prove tricky to license. Considering it is these lesser-known car makers that make up the personality of the 2005 grid, I do worry as to how immersive a 2005 Le Mans race would be in Automobilista 2.
The AMS2 Le Mans 2005 Car Pack may resemble GTR2. Image: Simbin Studios
Then again, the team behind the game could decide to go all-in and recreate the diversity that makes the 2005 race so special. But with nine GT cars, not to mention the different variations of prototype certainly doubling that list, the number of 3D models alone is a thought that terrifies my credit card. Add in a plethora of liveries, believable audio and AI that strategizes as it should and you have yourself a DLC pack verging on the unaffordable.
Best Le Mans Year For AMS2
"Well Angus, what year should the team at Reiza Studios be focusing on if you so cruelly disprove of its choice", I hear you ask? Well, take a look at the title's car list and you will see that a certain sportscar class sits leaps and bounds ahead of the others in Automobilista 2 and that is the late-1990's GT1 category.Made up of extreme variants of road-going supercars sporting the most insane body kits and power figures, this class is full of fantastic cars.
GT1 in Automobilista 2 is a lot of fun. Image: Reiza Studios
In AMS2, it gets the Mercedes CLK LM, McLaren F1 GTR Longtail, Porsche 911 GT1 and Nissan R390. Whilst there were several other models competing in the class at the time like the Toyota GT-ONE or even the Lotus Elise, the above quartet were the heavy hitters each round and made up the bulk of grids thanks to customer teams.
1998 Le Mans Car List
No doubt this list is a miss-match of three years' worth of Le Mans racing, the year from the period best fitting the car list already present in Automobilista 2 is the 1998 race which saw the big clash between GT1 and open top prototypes from the likes of Porsche, BMW and Ferrari whilst customer teams benefitted from Courage and Kremer chassis.As a result, simply licensing the BMW LM V12 would appear to be a realistic ask considering a strong connection between the game's developer and the German marque. Though would we not all rather the 1999 LMR model that won on debut? Meanwhile, as I touched on some months ago, the potential for more generic models akin to the game's Formula One content would allow for a Courage and Kremer replacement.
Could Automobilista 2 get the BMW V12 LMR? Image: BMW Motorsport Media
Take a look down to the lower classes and you will find that a GT2 class also ran that year making for a bit of traffic to dodge whilst duking it out down the Mulsanne. Again unlike the 2005 event, this class features far fewer big players versus the more contemporary event with just two main cars: the Porsche 993 GT2 and Chrysler Viper GTS-R.
So in total, the team at Reiza would only need to license a further three cars and create a fourth generic model to make for an immersive 1998 Le Mans 24 Hours. That does not sound like a massive ask to me. But that is not the only reason I would rather the Brazilian developer focus on this pre-millennium event.
1998 Le Mans Circuit in AMS2
It is not just the cars that make 1998 a better fit for Automobilista 2 in my book. When it comes to the 2005 Le Mans track layout, it all seems a little to familiar with the modern venue. Sure, the first corner is slightly different with a tighter approach, and sure Tertre Rouge is a bit faster whilst the Porsche Curves are narrower. But overall, it is the same layout with the same general blue and yellow kerbs making for a modern look.1998 however still ran the straight-line run from the Dunlop bridge to the Forest Esses all whilst retaining the chicanes on the Mulsanne Straight. Therefore sitting nicely in between the modern variant and the earlier 1988 layout, it feels like a more worthwhile addition to the game in my opinion.
Which edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours would you have liked to see join Automobilista 2? Let us know in the comments below and join the discussion in our AMS2 forum!
