Project Motor Racing

 
Project Motor Racing (formerly GTR Revival) is the latest sim-racing contender from the controversial industry veteran Ian Bell and his new team at Straight4 Studios. Published by GIANTS Software (famous for Farming Simulator), it launched on November 25, 2025, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Pitched as a spiritual successor to the legendary GTR2 and Project CARS series, it aims to recapture the glory days of hardcore simulation. However, its release has been rocky, marred by technical issues and unfavorable comparisons to its direct competitors.
Hadron Physics, Career Mode, and Modding: Core Gameplay

The Hadron Engine: The game’s biggest selling point is its new proprietary physics engine, “Hadron.” It boasts a 720Hz simulation rate (standard physics are usually 60-120Hz) and a 10,000Hz tire model. In theory, this simulates everything from chassis flex to individual tire tread blocks aquaplaning on wet asphalt. In practice, players report a handling model that feels detailed but inconsistent, often struggling to communicate the car’s limits effectively through force feedback.
GIANTS Engine Graphics: In a surprising move, the game runs on the GIANTS Engine 10, typically used for slow-paced farming sims. While it handles dynamic weather and day/night cycles well, critics note that the lighting and car models often look flat compared to the photorealism of Assetto Corsa Evo or Gran Turismo 7.
Career & Content: The game launched with around 70 cars and 28 tracks. The career mode attempts to guide players from grassroots karting to top-tier prototype racing, but reviews describe the AI as erratic and aggressive, often ruining races with questionable decision-making.
Modding Support: Leveraging GIANTS’ expertise, the game features a built-in “UGC Portal” for mods on both PC and consoles. This is a potential game-changer, allowing console players to download user-created cars and tracks—a feature historically restricted to PC sim racing.

How It Stacks Up
Project Motor Racing enters a ruthless market dominated by established titans.



Game
Key Difference




Assetto Corsa Evo
AC Evo (released earlier in 2025) is widely considered the superior driving experience, with better graphics, sound, and a more polished physics engine. PMR feels like a “AA” title trying to compete with a “AAA” masterpiece.


iRacing
iRacing remains the king of competitive online multiplayer with its subscription model and strict safety ratings. PMR focuses more on single-player career and accessible console play, lacking the rigorous competitive infrastructure of iRacing.


Automobilista 2
Both games share DNA (as AMS2 uses the Project CARS 2 engine). However, AMS2 has had years of polish and content updates. PMR feels like it is starting from scratch, missing the refinement that its spiritual cousins have achieved.



Key Details

Developer: Straight4 Studios.
Publisher: GIANTS Software.
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S.
Release Date: November 25, 2025.
Genre: Sim Racing.
Vibe: Project CARS meets Farming Simulator tech.

Who It’s For

Must-play for console modders. If you play on Xbox or PS5 and have always envied PC players downloading new tracks and cars, the integrated mod portal is a unique selling point that no other console sim offers.
Perfect for Ian Bell loyalists. If you loved the specific “sim-cade” feel of Project CARS 1 & 2 and want to support the team that built them, this is their new home.
Skip if you want polish. The launch has been buggy, with erratic AI and inconsistent physics. If you want a reliable, beautiful driving simulator right now, Assetto Corsa Evo is the safer bet.

Why It Works (And When It Doesn’t)
It works as a platform for potential. The underlying tech—high-frequency physics and console modding—is ambitious and innovative. However, it currently feels like a foundation waiting for a house. The physics are mathematically impressive but artistically sterile, lacking the visceral “seat of the pants” feeling that makes driving a digital car fun. It is a game that might be great in 2027, but in 2026, it is still finding its grip.