Dream pack 2

[Jeffrey]

Dream pack 2 will be released October 8th for 8 euros containing:

Laser-scanned version of Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya

Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattro Valvole
Lamborghini Huracan GT3
Ford GT40 MK1
Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus SCG003
AUDI R8 ULTRA 2014
RUF RT12R AWD
RUF RT12R FWD
BMW M4 Coupe
BMW M4 Coupe Akrapovic Edition
Alongside the Dream Pack 2, Kunos Simulazioni will also release version 1.3 of Assetto Corsa, featuring the following changes:

Physics
64-bit natively supported and car physics calculated on multi-thread. The physics engine has been reworked to become completely multithreaded: as a result, the driving precision is augmented, the accuracy further improved and the physics solver has enough horsepower to completely resolve any difficult calculations any speed, achieving butter smooth Force Feedback and complete elimination of signal noise and vibrations. We’ll be back with more details on physics updates when the new build will be released next week.

Graphics
2D/3D models, textures and shaders have been updated and improved, in order to keep the standards reached with the latest content. Now windscreens receive shadows, and a new camera facing feature improves the rendering of 2D/3D objects on track. A first basic support for dynamic objects on tracks has been added as well, and it will be improved in future updates, with the aim to get a more immersive environment.

Sfx

Fine tuning and improved algorithms for audio editing: all new cars benefit by use of new techniques of recording and sampling for engines, interiors and exhaust systems, also thanks to the technical cooperation of Akrapovic. This allows to recreate a more detailed audio trace and the exclusive detail of each car, improving the immersion while driving. Content that are available already in Assetto Corsa will be updated during the process, to bring them to a higher level of realism and in line with the latest quality standards.

Multiplayer
Dedicated server has been optimized in order to improve general stability.
New parameters and features have been added to server configuration, in order to please the requests of gamers who are looking for a more comprehensive online experience.

[Mark J]

some nice additions but nothing too 'wow'. Look forward to trying the Ford GT, Huracan and Ruf out though. 

Also, Hockenheim has been released for AC

http://www.virtualr.net/hockenheim-assetto-corsa-released

[Truetom]

Dream pack 2 will be used here I presume?

[Jeffrey]

some nice additions but nothing too 'wow'. Look forward to trying the Ford GT, Huracan and Ruf out though. 

Also, Hockenheim has been released for AC

http://www.virtualr.net/hockenheim-assetto-corsa-released

I like the cars. Track isn't really my thing, but for only 8 euros, can't really complain. Especially with the other tweaks (which should be in a patch IMO).

[spanner]

More GT3's , 64bit both big pluses. Will be interestin to see what they've done with the Rufs, performance wise. iR has an number of different versions; one a GT3 class and one a GT2'ish.

[goldtop]

This seems to be quite a major update; new physics calculations, tyre model revision, ffb tweaks, new GT3 cars and some balancing of the class all of which has caught my attention. Looking forward to trying it out again.

[goldtop]

Just wondering if these are race cars or road cars:

AUDI R8 ULTRA 2014
RUF RT12R AWD
RUF RT12R FWD

[spanner]

The Audi is definitely a race car. The Rufs are road cars, but are likely to be more track oriented from the other games their in.

[Mark J]

one of those Rufs is a twin turbo monster so not likely to get used much here. I know the new pack includes two new GT3 cars so thought the audi would be one of them.

[Mark J]

Hope they include a gt3 version of the Huracan  . Just been watching last two rounds of the Blancpain series and it's fantastic seeing such a huge mixed grid of makes. With the two gt3's included and the Bentley mod too, should have a tasty gt3 pack.
Be even better if they made one of the rufs a gt3 copy 

[Jeffrey]

Hope they include a gt3 version of the Huracan  .

Looks like it is:

[Mark J]

Awesome  . Another racing league has made a gt3 version of the Ferrari 458 too 

[Jeffrey]

This could be called Understeer pack  .

Could be setup work, but most cars reaaaaally understeer. Maybe it's all that AWD crap, but even the Countach and GT40 feel that way. That nosedive tho when braking hard in the Countach  

EDIT: Just read this, so it could be that I needed to do more than 1 lap to get the tyres to work  :

Here is a post from Aris regarding v1.3: (source is Official AC forums)

So the imminent version 1.3 (and Dream Pack 2) brings a whole new bunch of improvements, features and novelties.
Here's some previews regarding the driving (I wanted to write "warnings" but it sounded a bit too harsh )

64bit - 32bit.
Nothing changes in terms of driving and physics between the two. 64bits though permits addressing bigger chunks of memory and can do stuff like saving bigger replays. I do not know if this is already enabled by Stefano, but if not, will be in the future. Certainly 64bit is the way forward, so start updating too...

Physics:
- New ABS system which now supports 1,2,3,4 channels. Cars should stop better now. (obviously realistic distances)
- Active differentials also at the rear wheel drive cars. I'm not talking EDLs supporting mecchanical diffs but actual active differentials. They can do some great tricks... try the M4, Ferrari 458, Ferrari LaFerrari for some amazing results.
- EDL differentials now active also at the front of AWD active systems. Yes we managed to eliminate some (not all) understeer from the Por... sorry RUF AWD. The Nissan GT-R pulls some amazing tricks too.
- Modified Front splitter height sensitivity for some cars will make some famous turns not so easy to do.
- Added wheel offset simulation in suspension so that you can simulate more easily and accurately the correct suspension scrub. Scrub value is also available in the dev app "suspensions"

V5 Tyre model:
Our tyre model evolves with each release and this is a big step forward! We now have completely reworked load sensitivity equations, new over the peak curve, different flat-spotting based also on load, modified and corrected rolling resistance equations, new heating values and simulation of both surface and core temperatures with speed (from air speed) sensible cool down and more. All of that in the core system

Because of all those changes in the core system, we have put a massive effort to completely rework all the tyres for all the cars. That's more than 130 files each of one with at least 2 compounds, usually 3, sometimes 5... the struggle was (is) real.

As such, the bad news is that some of the cars are still on the V4 tyre model (which is still compatible so your mods also are not broken). The good news is that there are just 7 cars that are still on the V4 model, namely:
Ferrari 312T, Lamborghini Miura SV, Lotus 49, Lotus 98T, Lotus EXOS 125 (and S1), Shelby Cobra 427.
As you can see, they are all either extreme single seaters or vintage tyres. We need some studying to do for them and couldn't make it in time. Expect an update soon™

All the other cars are on the brand new V5 tyre model!

What to expect in terms of driving?
Nothing and everything.
As usual we have a pretty decent idea on what a tyre should do and that hasn't changed, so we don't believe you'll feel something completely new. More of a global improvement of weak points of the old model. Nevertheless my advice is: Forget everything. Forget your laptimes, forget your setups, forget your FFB settings, actually set everything to 100% gain as we changed how the FFB handles for all cars too.
Just drive, from scratch, without any muscle memory.

A few notes.
- Heat your tyres slowly. It will need 1 to 2 laps to bring the tyres to proper temperature both surface and internally in the core. The surface will keep going up and down but the core will stabilise. Then start to push. Otherwise use the tyre blankets
- What was the core temperature on the apps is now surface. Don't go crazy on the surface temperature. It is VERY variable now. It will go up and down in terms of mere seconds! What you need is a proper temp range on turn in, apex, exit. Ignore what it does at high speed on the straights, that's how it works. (look at some F1 heat cameras videos on youtube to understand the effect).
- Cars are even more sensitive to setup now. One click at a time.
- Did you spun out? It happens. But be VERY careful when you rejoin. It really takes nothing to overheat the tyres while doing burnouts to get back on track. The next turn might be fatal! Take it easy for at least 2-3 turns to cool the tyres down.

And a mea culpa. The new heat tyre model is extremely complicated. We should have made a proper app or proper messages to warn you when the tyres are cold, overheated, good or bad condition. We didn't make it. We apologize, we will try to do it... err... soon™. Please be kind and have patience, it's complicated for us too and days have only 32 hours.

[Mark J]

Anyone else feel like a kid getting a new Xmas present?  I did!

Loving that Huracan Gt3  new honey of the gt3 grid for sure, but then the Audi R8 is pretty impressive too with great sounds.  Unlike the old Lambo which sounded too agricultural from inside yet great on the outside. Wonder if it can race the f40?
Porsche sounds great too  but there's something wrong looking with its body shape on the replays like the cockpits too big for the body! Weird, proportions need adjusting. Can see plenty of cup skins appearing for this, wish they could make a gt3 version.

Track is great and well detailed just like Zandvoort, could almost be there, was surprised how many trees are still trackside!

Interesting reading on the Ffb and tyres...all got to start again  . Wonder how the e30's feel now.

Am away for few days now so won't get to play  :'(

[ChrisR]

The scg003 is also a gt3 car.

You have got to let the tyres get up to temp, 2/3 laps of barca and your sorted.. The cars turn from understeery mess to lovely joyus cars to drive.