Project Motor Racing launched on November 25, 2025, developed by Straight4 Studios and published by GIANTS Software. Following a rocky launch plagued by severe bugs, unstable performance, and unpredictable handling, the game reached Version 2.3 on September 23, 2026. Nearly a year into its lifecycle, substantial updates have rebuilt the user interface, overhauled core tire models, and introduced notable DLC packs. However, persistent issues with erratic AI, visual pop-in, hardware quirks, and sparse multiplayer lobbies mean the title remains a work in progress rather than a finished sim racing masterpiece.
Project Motor Racing Overview and Specs
Project Motor Racing runs on GIANTS Engine 10 paired with Straight4 Studios' proprietary physics system. It offers a sports-car-centric roster across several distinct motorsport eras, available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
| Feature | Specification / Status (As of Late 2026) |
|---|---|
| Developer / Publisher | Straight4 Studios / GIANTS Software |
| Base Price | $39.99 USD / £34.99 GBP |
| Current Major Version | Version 2.3 (Released September 23, 2026) |
| Steam Player Reviews | Mixed (310 Positive / 337 Negative out of 647 tracked) |
| Base Roster | 70 cars across 13 classes (expands to ~110 with released DLC) |
| Track Locations | 18 base locations (28 layouts); 21 locations (34 layouts) with DLC |
| Console Grid Limit | 16 cars total (15 AI opponents + player) |
| Minimum Hardware | Windows 10 (64-bit), Intel i7-8700 / AMD Ryzen 5 (12 threads minimum), 16 GB RAM, RTX 2060 / RX 580 (6 GB VRAM) |
| Recommended Hardware | Windows 11 (64-bit), Intel i7-10700 / AMD Ryzen 7 (12 threads minimum), 24 GB RAM, RTX 3070 / RX 6800 (8 GB VRAM) |
| Storage Requirement | 75 GB available space |
Handling, Physics, and Force Feedback
Handling in Project Motor Racing has shifted substantially between the 1.0 release and the 2.3 build. At release, players and reviewers noted abrupt brake lockups, disconnected tire feedback, and erratic grip thresholds. Straight4 developer Aris Vasilakos and the development team introduced major handling revisions starting with the March 2026 reset (Update 2.0) and continuing through the summer updates.
The driving experience varies depending on the chosen class:
- Mazda MX-5 and N-GT: Overhauled extensively in Update 2.0. These classes feature predictable tire warm-up behavior, clear communication of mechanical grip limits, and stable turn-in characteristics.
- Modern GT3 and GT4: Handling received large rebuilds through late summer 2026. Reviewers note improved front-end stability and braking confidence, though some players feel the GT3s can be overdriven past realistic slip angles without suffering severe lap-time penalties.
- Prototypes and Historic Classes: Group C, LMP1, and initial passes of the LMDh class suffer from inconsistent aerodynamic performance. Multiple community testers report issues with sudden snap-oversteer exiting slow turns, alongside a floaty feel through high-speed sweeps like Blanchimont or Eau Rouge where downforce should keep the cars planted.
Force feedback (FFB) implementation divides the community. Straight4 placed per-car FFB strength settings within the individual car setup screens rather than purely in a universal settings menu. Direct drive users (such as Simucube 2 Pro and Asetek setups) report strong detailed feedback once dialed in, but default profiles on budget or mid-range wheelbases (like Moza or Thrustmaster) often produce noticeable center oscillation or feel overly light. Conversely, players testing on gamepads—specifically PlayStation DualSense controllers—report surprisingly solid analog feel and vibration feedback compared to typical hardcore sims.
Performance, Visuals, and Audio
Built on GIANTS Engine 10, Project Motor Racing requires substantial CPU capability. The game strictly mandates a 12-thread minimum processor, and player reports confirm that running large AI grids will peg CPU utilization and introduce physics calculation anomalies if thread headroom runs out.
Visually, the sim excels under specific atmospheric conditions:
- Lighting and Atmosphere: Sunrise, sunset, and nighttime wet conditions look striking. Puddle formation, track water saturation, and interior cockpit reflections reflect high production values.
- Daytime and Clarity: Daytime sessions frequently look over-bright and washed out, with elevated gamma levels that flatten contrast. Distant shadows and trackside foliage—most visibly on long stretches of the Nürburgring Nordschleife—exhibit jarring pop-in and shadow flickering.
- Weather Artifacts: While dynamic rain transitions add strategic depth, players frequently document a visual glitch where wheel spray from cars ahead suddenly vanishes and reappears abruptly.
- Audio Delivery: Exhaust notes for classic machinery—such as the V8s, BMW M3, and historic Trans-Am racers—are visceral and punchy. However, certain cars remain contentious; the Aston Martin Valkyrie and Mazda 787B received community criticism for flat engine notes or inaccurate engine cylinder acoustics.
Career Mode, AI, and Online Racing
Authentic Career Mode
The single-player campaign avoids dramatic cutscenes in favor of a traditional motorsport progression ladder. Players choose starting capital from three tiers ($100k, $680k, or $2 million), pick sponsor risk contracts, and manage real damage repair costs. While this adds financial stakes, several bugs affect the experience: AI fields occasionally pit en masse a few laps before the finish, practice sessions cannot always be saved mid-weekend, and strict repair bills can penalize players heavily when damaged by CPU-controlled opponents.
AI Behavior
Opponent AI has moved away from the early launch state where CPU drivers ignored player proximity entirely. In Version 2.3, the AI provides engaging, close battles on select track combos. However, erratic behavior persists:
- AI cars frequently fail to brake in time when overtaking, divebombing into corners or rear-ending players.
- CPU lap times can fluctuate unnaturally between practice, qualifying, and race sessions.
- In multi-class scenarios, AI vehicles occasionally form single-file trains or brake unpredictably on straight sections.
Online Multiplayer
The game features cross-platform multiplayer between PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, alongside custom lobby hosting and ranked championships. Players must complete a license time-trial test to access ranked racing. In practice, the ranked system lacks robust penalty enforcement for deliberate collisions or corner-cutting, and multiplayer lobbies are frequently underpopulated outside organized community league events.
Content Packs and the Project CARS 2 Comparison
A frequent point of comparison is Slightly Mad Studios' 2017 title, Project CARS 2, led by Ian Bell prior to forming Straight4 Studios.
Comparison: Project CARS 2 vs. Project Motor Racing
| Metric | Project CARS 2 (2017) | Project Motor Racing (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Base Vehicle Count | 180+ base cars (220+ with DLC) | 70 base cars (~110 with DLC) |
| Discipline Variety | GT, LMP, IndyCar, Oval, Karting, Rallycross, Touring | Focused on Modern Hypercars, GT, and Historic Sports/V8s |
| Track Scope | 60 locations, 140+ layouts (includes Brands Hatch, Le Mans) | 18 base locations (28 layouts; lacks Le Mans & Brands Hatch) |
| Console Grid Sizes | Up to 32 cars (31 AI opponents) | Capped at 16 cars (15 AI opponents) |
| Modern Prototypes | Older LMP1 / Historic prototypes only | Features modern LMDh/LMH (Porsche 963, Toyota GR010, Valkyrie) |
| Modding Support | Unofficial PC mods only | Integrated ModHub on PC & Consoles (scriptless only on consoles) |
Content additions throughout 2026 have included the GT500 Pack (featuring high-downforce, analog Japanese GT machinery), the V8 Power Pack (bringing Australian V8 Supercars and classic American muscle), and the GT Icons Pack. While these packs provide standout driving dynamics, the overall venue roster remains smaller than its predecessor, with community disappointment centered on the absence of major endurance tracks like Circuit de la Sarthe (Le Mans).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Project Motor Racing support VR or Triple Screens?
Official native VR support is not fully implemented in the menus, though players have run early experimental VR setups via workarounds on PC. Proper triple-screen angle and bezel adjustments remain absent in Version 2.3, requiring players to run flat spanned resolutions (such as 7680x1440) across monitors.
What are the best cars to drive in Version 2.3?
The Mazda MX-5 Cup, N-GT class vehicles (such as the BMW M3), classic GT500 cars, and the historic Australian/US V8s from the V8 Power Pack offer the most consistent handling and responsive force feedback under current physics models.
Does ModHub allow console players to download any PC mod?
No. While Project Motor Racing integrates cross-platform mod access via its ModHub, console platforms enforce strict security rules. Only developer-tested and approved content without custom external scripts can be installed on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Is Project Motor Racing worth buying in late 2026?
At full price, the sim remains difficult to recommend over established competitors like Automobilista 2 or Le Mans Ultimate due to inconsistent AI, CPU performance overhead, and low online player counts. However, for sim racers interested in classic sports cars, V8s, modern Hypercars, or gamepad-friendly driving, it represents a fun purchase when discounted on sale.
