Reiza Studios has shared a detailed preview of the development of Automobilista 2 (AMS2) for 2026, a year that is shaping up to be key for the evolution of the simulator, both technically and in terms of content. The Brazilian studio acknowledges that plans are subject to change and avoids committing to fixed dates, but it does clearly outline the strategic direction the project will take over the coming months.
The announcement comes at a significant moment for the title, which is approaching its seventh anniversary since its launch in March 2020 and which, according to the studio itself, could exceed one million copies sold throughout 2026, a significant figure within the PC sim racing market.
A simulator that consolidates its niche without giving up on growth
Reiza offers a realistic assessment of Automobilista 2‘s current positioning. According to user feedback and usage data, the simulator mainly attracts players with limited time who are looking for realistic driving experiences that are less demanding in terms of ongoing competitive commitment. This profile includes both sim racers active on other platforms and users who prioritize fun and accessibility over the pressure of structured competitions.
From a business perspective, the study recognizes that this user base already guarantees the product’s viability. However, far from resting on its laurels, Reiza claims to have strengthened its team with new developers, expanded licensing agreements, and defined a more solid roadmap to accelerate the simulator’s pace of evolution in 2026, maintaining what works and addressing areas that have historically been open to improvement.
Technical roadmap: improvements in AI, multiplayer, and immersion
Reiza plans to release frequent updates, approximately once every one to two months. The big milestone of the year will be version 1.7.0, scheduled for release towards the end of the second quarter, which will include both new content and significant structural changes.
In single-player mode, the studio highlights additional improvements in AI behavior and the long-awaited ability to save and resume ongoing races, albeit with inherent technical limitations. In multiplayer mode, registration for scheduled races from external services such as Low Fuel Motorsport or JustRace will be integrated directly into the game lobby, relying on the infrastructure of the new Automobilista portal and SimGrid.
Added to this are multiple quality-of-life improvements, such as new interface localization options, advanced content filtering and sorting systems, and the completion of the redesigned HUD, currently available as a beta.
More logistical and sporting realism
The 2026 update also delves deeper into realism beyond pure physics. Reiza plans to introduce or complete systems such as:
- More intrinsic tire damage
- Improved wind simulation
- Dynamic weather and track evolution
- Logistical realism options: limited tire sets, tow and repair delays, finite spare parts
At the same time, support for complex sporting regulations will be expanded, including more varied qualifying and race formats, virtual safety cars, parc fermé, ballast, pit stop restrictions, and advanced scoring systems, especially designed for multi-class championships.
Customization, modding, and the role of career mode
Reiza also confirms a push for customization options and modding support, although it makes clear that Automobilista 2 does not intend to become an open mod platform without restrictions. Among the planned new features are the ability to modify individual car performance, create and share custom presets, and facilitate the creation of high-quality original content.
The big project still pending is career mode, described by the studio as the piece that should bring the entire simulator ecosystem together. Reiza explains that its implementation has been deliberately delayed to avoid maintenance issues and broken progression due to constant updates. The current forecast places its initial rollout in the second half of 2026, on a progressive basis, when the rest of the systems are sufficiently mature.
Content expansion: six decades of motorsports, reinterpreted
In terms of content, AMS2 will continue to expand its unique “parallel universe” of motorsport, combining real and fictional series spanning from the mid-1960s to the present day. Reiza admits that recreating entire seasons in exhaustive detail is unfeasible, but advocates a gradual approach that allows for a broad and coherent representation of motorsport history.
The provisional plan for 2026 includes:
- A first package focusing on formulas from the 2000s and 2010s
- The continuation of the Historical Endurance Pack, complementing the 2005 content
- Historical content from the late 1960s and 1970s (Can-Am, Le Mans, Group 5)
- British touring cars from the 1990s and DTM from the mid-2000s
- Final additions of modern content
These releases will follow a familiar model: themed car packs, accompanied by tracks and game updates aligned with the era or category represented. Most will arrive as paid DLC, although the studio also plans to add free content to the base game.
Reiza insists that this roadmap is not definitive and that the order or scope of some elements may vary. However, the study conveys a clear vision: 2026 will be a year of consolidation and accelerated expansion for Automobilista 2, with the aim of strengthening its identity in an increasingly competitive market.
More details about the first major update of the year will be available in March, when some of the plans outlined now will be finalized.
Remember that you can purchase Automobilista 2 through the following link.
This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
