When talking about driving simulators, the name Assetto Corsa is unavoidable. But with Assetto Corsa EVO (ACE), Kunos Simulazioni isn’t just raising the bar — it’s trying to redefine the entire experience.
The return of Marco Massarutto and Stefano Casillo to lead development signals one thing: pure passion for motorsport. And yes, the future goes beyond circuits. Rally could soon get its own chapter.
A 360° Driving Experience
ACE is more than just a technical upgrade — it’s a commitment to embracing all forms of automotive experiences:
- Traditional tracks with GT3, Cup, and classic cars
- Street vehicles for urban or free-roam driving
- Open world exploration in Germany’s Eifel region, with more zones to come
- A custom-built engine — not Unreal Engine — designed to last for years
The ambition is clear: a modular, expandable simulator tailored to every type of driver.
According to Marco Massarutto, Kunos Simulazioni’s managing director,
“YOU WILL NOT BE RESPAWNED ON THE ROAD IF YOU GO OFF THE ROAD. THE ENTIRE AREA IS DRIVABLE.”
Rally: Closer Than You Think
While Kunos insists that a rally sim deserves its own game, the foundation is already here. EVO’s terrain system allows driving across dirt roads, grass, and forests. Developers are working on A-to-B events, including closed-road rally-style routes within the open world.
“We believe rally deserves a dedicated product… but we’ve never closed that door.”
The idea of an Assetto Corsa Rally is no longer a fantasy it’s a serious possibility.
Modding was a pillar of AC1, and that spirit lives on. EVO will release advanced editing tools to import cars, environments, and eventually even closed rally stages within the open world.
“The EVO editor is far more advanced than the one in AC1. It’s part of our vision.”
Kunos will also continue collaborating with third-party professionals for high-quality official mods.
Beyond Expectations
Imagine being able to select a series of roads—or even off-road paths—to craft your own unique rally stages. This feature would allow the community to tailor stages to their preferences, whether they favor high-speed straights or technical hairpins.
Tools for stage creation could include:
- Selecting start and finish points.
- Defining route markers and checkpoints.
- Adding rally-specific assets like start/finish boards, time control points, and spectator zones.
The creativity of Assetto Corsa’s modding community has already been proven, and with the right tools, they could produce a library of rally stages that rivals or surpasses those found in dedicated rally games.
Open World: More Than Just a Sunday Drive
ACE’s open world isn’t just free-roam. Kunos wants to fill it with:
- Special challenges and events (point-to-point, urban races, rally)
- Interactive locations and the ability to rent vehicles
- Roleplay-like elements like service trucks or breakdown support
The goal? To compete with Forza Horizon — but with realistic physics.
In Massarutto’s words:
“We want to attract players looking for freedom, but without giving up realism.”
What Could Rally Look Like?
Based on the direction and technology behind EVO, a future rally-focused title or expansion could include:
- Multi-surface physics and gravel-specific tire models
- Historic rally icons like the Lancia Delta HF Integrale
- Closed stages and public-road events across scanned terrain
- Advanced AI personalities with career-style progression
- Community-made rally mods and routes inside the open world
Kunos won’t outright confirm it, but the hints are there: if enough people want it, and if the foundation proves solid, rally could become a full-featured experience inside or alongside Assetto Corsa EVO.
The tech is in place. The ambition is there. What remains is time, patience, and — as always in sim racing shared passion.
You can buy it from 23 euros in our Instant Gaming link:
See you on the track!
This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
