A Drift-Favorite BMW Is Coming Soon To Assetto Corsa EVO Alongside Multiplayer Mode And New Tracks
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Assetto Corsa EVO is still in early access, and to date, has been underwhelming for drifting fans who are used to the endless drift-related content available via third-party mods for the original game.
Image credit: Assetto Corsa
Things are slowly heading in the right direction with the latest addition that will likely trigger some nostalgia for drift fans of the OG AC.
A Legendary Drifter Returns
The original first-generation M3 was once the most popular car in the European drift scene, and also a drifting fan-favorite in the original Assetto Corsa.
Image credit: Assetto Corsa
When you first fired up the base AC game, you could immediately jump into the “BMW M3 E30 Drift” – and for many, it was the initial reality check about how challenging drifting in AC truly is as a newbie. This makes the car among the most memorable for many drift fans, bringing back memories of those stressful early sim drifting days!
Despite having a specific ‘drift’ setup, the relatively low-horsepower M3 is perfect for learning the fundamentals, even if it’s going to cause plenty of swearing and frustration along the way.
Its lower-powered, naturally-aspirated engine means there’s no turbo to bail you out – you have to push its limits to get it hanging sideways. Once you do, the drift lock kit is brilliant for learning the basics.
Whack on the “Street 90s” tires with 15 PSI at the rear, 20 PSI up front, add -0.5 degrees of rear camber, and you’re ready to start running the walls. Sounds simple enough, right?! (If you know, you know!)
A Step In The Right Direction For Drifting In EVO?
Image credit: Assetto Corsa
So far, Assetto Corsa EVO hasn’t exactly embraced drifting like its predecessor did with the JDM legends from the Japanese Car Pack DLC.
The go-to drifters’ choice in AC EVO has been the Toyota GR86. But now you’ll be able to take a proper trip down memory lane, as the newly-refined BMW E30 M3 prepares to make its comeback in the upcoming 0.3 update.
From the teaser images, it looks like they’re focusing on the M3 Sport Evolution edition with the larger displacement 2.5-liter S14 four-cylinder engine instead of the stock 2.3-liter unit. For non-drifters, this is often considered the most desirable edition, with only 600 units ever produced.
Image credit: Assetto Corsa
It’s yet to be confirmed whether there’ll be a dedicated drift version of the M3 (the original AC had multiple variants including ‘Drift’, ‘Drag’, and ‘Tune’), but it’s still a welcome sight.
The M3 won’t be alone in the 0.3 update, either. We’re getting nine new cars in total, with the BMW M4 GT3 EVO and Dallara Stradale being the only others confirmed so far. The rest will be revealed gradually before release.
The M3 Will Be Joined By ‘New’ Tracks
Alongside the fresh rides, two legendary circuits are making their return to the series: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and Red Bull Ring.
Both were part of the original AC as DLC content. While they’re not typically regarded as a drift paradise, given that there are currently just five tracks available, any new additions help address the lack of content so far.
Multiplayer Mode Finally Arrives
There’s even bigger news, too! To date, AC EVO players haven’t been able to go online during Early Access, which is partly why the game has struggled in sales (that and the lack of drifting mods!)
The 0.3 update will finally roll out “Phase 1” of multiplayer mode, but details on what this entails are still vague for the time being. However, don’t expect driver ratings or safety systems just yet, as they’re planned for later updates.
The ‘Open World’ mode that’ll (hopefully) be ideal for street drifting (streeto) is still some way off. The same goes for Xbox and PlayStation versions, but it’s good to see progress (even if things feel a bit underwhelming right now!)
Right now, there’s no confirmed release date for Update 0.3, but expect it sometime in July, with more cars and tracks being teased gradually on social media.
Will these additions be enough to turn around those declining Early Access sales? Probably not (especially for drifting fans), but we’re happy to be proven wrong!
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Bill is a writer and photographer who has been part of the Drifted team since 2015. His work extends to various print and online publications, including Wangan Warriors.
As part of the King of Nations team, he traveled extensively for several years, capturing top-tier international drift events worldwide. His hands-on experience, including rebuilding his own Nissan Silvia S15 drift car, gives him unique insights into drift car building and global drift culture.
When not behind the lens or keyboard, Bill can be found browsing classifieds for his next JDM project or shredding virtual tires on popular simulators like Assetto Corsa, CarX, and Forza.
You can learn more about Bill’s story here or follow his socials on X (formerly Twitter), Flickr, Facebook, and Instagram.
