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Polyphony Digital has officially announced the Gran Turismo 7 Spec IV update, and this is going to be a pretty substantial one. Rather than arriving as a single update, Spec IV will be split into two releases coming in October and December 2026, with new circuits, 12 cars, several new game modes, progression changes, and more.
The update is also kicking off the celebrations for Gran Turismo’s 30th anniversary in 2027. Polyphony Digital is describing Spec IV as one of the biggest updates Gran Turismo 7 has received so far, and based on the initial feature list, that seems pretty fair.
The first new circuit is Sportsland SUGO, arriving with the October portion of Spec IV. Located in Japan, SUGO is a technical circuit known for its elevation changes, fast flowing sections, and recognizable Dunlop bridge.
This will be the first of two circuits coming with Spec IV and adds another proper Japanese racing venue to the Gran Turismo 7 lineup. Six of the update’s 12 new cars will also arrive alongside it, although Polyphony Digital has not yet revealed exactly which cars they will be.
The December update will bring back Autumn Ring, one of the classic fictional circuits from Gran Turismo’s past. The track first appeared in the original Gran Turismo and has been absent from Gran Turismo 7 until now.
It will not simply return exactly as people remember it either. Alongside the familiar original layout, Polyphony Digital is developing a substantially expanded configuration, giving longtime players something new to learn while still bringing back one of the series’ most recognizable tracks.
Another six cars will arrive in December, completing the 12-car Spec IV lineup. The complete car list will be revealed later.
Spec IV is also introducing several new game modes. December will add Shuffle Race, which uses randomly selected cars and conditions to create less predictable races. Anyone who remembers similar modes from older Gran Turismo games will probably be pretty happy to see this idea return.
Online Drift Trial is also coming, allowing players to compete against others worldwide through drifting rather than traditional lap times. It gives the online side of Gran Turismo another competitive discipline and should be particularly interesting considering how large the drifting community around the game already is.
A new Family mode arrives in December as well. It is designed around making Gran Turismo easier to enjoy with players of different ages and experience levels, giving beginners and younger players a more approachable way to get behind the wheel.
The October update focuses heavily on the car collection side of Gran Turismo. A new Vintage section will feature vehicles that are no longer available to purchase new, while Car Concierge introduces a way of ordering cars from the Used and Legend car selections.
There is also a new Experience mode built around manufacturer-specific driving challenges. Exactly how extensive these challenges will be has not been explained yet, but it sounds like another way to spend more time exploring individual brands and cars rather than immediately taking them into normal races.
The Car Viewer is being expanded too, giving players another way to closely inspect the vehicles stored in their garage. The Collector Level cap will also increase, giving longtime players who have already reached the existing maximum another progression target.
Polyphony Digital has also confirmed that December will introduce the next evolution of Gran Turismo Sophy. The AI system has gradually expanded throughout Gran Turismo 7, offering much more convincing racing behavior than the game’s traditional opponents.
There are no detailed specifications for the latest version yet, so we do not know exactly what will change. Considering how Sophy has developed so far, though, this could mean broader availability, improved behavior, or new ways of using the AI throughout the game.
The Power Pack will also receive a new difficulty level aimed at advanced players, adding another option for anyone looking for more challenging racing.
The first Gran Turismo 7 Spec IV update arrives in October 2026. This will include Sportsland SUGO, six cars, the new Spec IV opening cinematic, Vintage, Car Concierge, Experience, Car Viewer, and the increased Collector Level cap.
Part two arrives in December 2026 with Autumn Ring, another six cars, Family mode, Shuffle Race, Online Drift Trial, the next Gran Turismo Sophy evolution, and the additional Power Pack difficulty.
We will not have to wait until release for all of the remaining details. Polyphony Digital plans to reveal more information during Round 3 of the Gran Turismo World Series in Singapore on October 3, including more on the cars, modes, and features included across both updates.
Gran Turismo 7 Spec IV looks like one of the most important updates the game has received in a while. Sportsland SUGO is a strong new real-world addition, while bringing Autumn Ring back should make longtime Gran Turismo players very happy.
The 12 new cars will probably grab most of the attention once they are revealed, but the new modes and wider changes could end up being just as interesting. Shuffle Race, Online Drift Trial, Family mode, expanded collecting features, and another evolution of Sophy give players quite a few new reasons to come back.
With the first half arriving in October and the second following in December, Gran Turismo 7 is ending 2026 with a pretty massive update.
