The BTCC is coming to rFactor 2 , but for now there are only two cars. The Infiniti Q50 and Toyota Corolla GR, on the other hand, are so different that the category is off to a good start in the simulator. Both are now available for purchase in rFactor 2 , and we’ve been putting them through their paces this week. We present our analysis of each.
Table of Contents
Infiniti Q50
The Infiniti Q50 is currently the category champion, so having it first in the simulator is the most appropriate thing Studio 397 can do. It’s a car with many similarities to others: rear-wheel drive, left-hand drive, and oversteer. Quite distinct from the Toyota Corolla.
Designed by Laser Tools Racing and powered by the TOCA / Swindon powertrain package, an engine configuration developed by the series organizers to give teams that want to buy an out-of-series engine an alternative to developing their own manufacturer-derived unit. In addition to the BMW, it is one of two rear-wheel drive cars competing in the BTCC this season.
The car behaves very nervously and dangerously in the first few laps with cold tires. You must be extremely cautious with the throttle in order to avoid oversteering or losing control of the vehicle. Once the tires warm up, the car is very similar to the GT4, but a little slower, with a very powerful engine and decent downforce.
But don’t be fooled by its similarity; it has a very fast and nervous corner exit, so you’ll have to be extra cautious when approaching corner exits. The braking system is very gentle. It does not have the best braking in history, so you will have to brake a few meters earlier, but this should not pose a significant risk to drivers.
Toyota Corolla GR
The fantastic looking Toyota Corolla, which replaced the old Toyota Avensis, is one of several new generation vehicles brought to the BTCC grid in recent seasons. Unlike the Infiniti, the Toyota Corolla introduces front-wheel drive to the category. This, combined with the right-hand drive, distinguishes the two vehicles.
This car is simpler to operate than the Infiniti in the first few laps since it has front wheel drive and does not spin on cold tires. However, you must immediately warm them up or you will be unable to enter the corner and will wind up in the run-offs. Due to its design, it is considerably easier to drive and handle.
It is extremely comparable to the well-known WTC or TCR, but with a somewhat less powerful engine and very similar aerodynamic grip. The most noticeable difference is at corner exit, where I believe the Toyota has more power than the other front-wheel drive vehicles.
It is undeniably a friendlier car for beginners, but having the steering wheel on the right and being front-wheel drive may frighten some. However, long races require extreme caution because the front wheels wear out much faster. As a result, you may be at a disadvantage when it comes to pit stops when compared to the Infiniti.
Conclusions
Both cars’ interiors have been completely scanned, providing us with very interesting details about the dashboard, dashboard, and other elements found inside the vehicles. As a result, when using VR glasses, the immersion is much greater than with other cars in the simulator.
The sounds of both vehicles are spectacular, thanks in large part to the simulator’s updated sound engine. Both engines sound very similar, but the differences are most noticeable when downshifting or upshifting, each with its own personality. They both use sequential transmission. Immersion is generally very well achieved.
It should be noted that depending on the rules of the season, both the Infiniti Q50 and the Toyota can be selected with or without Push to Pass (P2P).
In general, each car does not add anything new to the simulator or the other simulators that already exist. A category with so many different cars, on the other hand, is a unique challenge that forces you to change your driving habits on a regular basis. Fighting a rear-wheel drive car is not the same as fighting a front-wheel drive car, so each overtake will be different. This category will put our ability to adapt to changing circumstances in the same race to the test.
See you on the track!
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