Assetto Corsa Evo has introduced a new free roam mode that spans 1,100 square kilometers. This area, inspired by the Eifel region near Germany’s Nürburgring, is roughly two and a half times larger than the map in Grand Theft Auto 6. The mode is currently available as part of the game’s Early Access release.
A Drive Away from Competition
Kunos Simulazioni founder Marco Massarutto explained the origins of the feature during Sim Racing Expo 2026. He began sim racing with Grand Prix Legends in the late ’90s but delayed his first online multiplayer race for almost a year because of anxiety. He feared ruining the experience for others or proving his skills were insufficient. This hesitation was not unique, as he noted that players were using light indicators correctly while driving in free roam, treating the game as a realistic experience rather than a high-speed arcade challenge.
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The idea for the mode grew out of community content. Modders created large, open areas where users simply drove rather than racing. Kunos combined this community behavior with Massarutto’s vision for a different kind of driving experience. The developers wanted to focus on the fantasy of owning and maintaining vehicles, similar to how Gran Turismo 7 incorporates tasks like car washes and oil changes to enhance the sense of ownership.
Initially, the studio planned to set the free roam area in Tuscany, near the Argentario peninsula. The location offered hills, mountains, and the sea. However, the team quickly realized the area lacked gameplay variety. It would essentially require players to drive from one restaurant to another without a clear purpose. The decision shifted to the Eifel region after Massarutto visited the area. He noted the roads there are “unbelievable” and located close to the Nordschleife, the famous Nürburgring circuit.
The studio gathered 1,600 square kilometers of data for the region. After refining the information, they built a 1,100 square kilometer area with 400 square kilometers of playable space. This scale allows for the accurate recreation of roadside kerbs, tight parking spaces in villages, and narrow lanes that require careful maneuvering when a lorry approaches from the opposite direction. Players can set their own objectives, such as time trials or sightseeing, or simply enjoy a solo or co-op drive through the environment.
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The Nürburgring Proximity
The studio selected the Eifel region for its dense network of roads. This area is located just north of the Nürburgring. The proximity allows players to access the famous Nordschleife circuit. Within this larger region, 400 square kilometers are available for gameplay.
Realistic Driving Behavior
Players can choose how they interact with the open world. The mode supports solo play as well as co-op sessions. The game offers objectives such as time trials or sightseeing. However, the primary focus is on the freedom of driving. The developers wanted to capture the feeling of ownership. This is similar to the mechanics in Gran Turismo 7.