--- title: "This Gran Turismo 2 Mod Project Is Adding Cars I’ve Never Heard of Before" description: "The Project A-Spec mod for GT2 brings tens of highly requested and also rare enthusiast cars to one of the greatest racing games ever." date: "2024-08-08" modified: "2024-08-08" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/culture/this-gran-turismo-2-mod-project-is-adding-cars-ive-never-heard-of-before" categories: - "Culture" - "News" - "Video Games" --- # This Gran Turismo 2 Mod Project Is Adding Cars I’ve Never Heard of Before ![Image of an assortment of new cars in Gran Turismo 2 Project A-Spec 1.2 mod.]() *\Project A-Spec, HWTsuchiyaNathan via X\* There are plenty of things about modern gaming that [kind of suck](), but others that are wonderful. Take modding, for example. It's been a thing ever since [video games]() arrived on personal computers. But it's only recently that fans have been able to crack open *[Gran Turismo 2]()* and add dozens of cars that weren't in the game to begin with. That's exactly what the [Project A-Spec]() mod is about, and while it's been out for the public since the beginning of 2024, an update's on the way that's bringing even more oddities to *GT2's* roster—including cars this '90s kid hadn't ever heard of before. The update's new content is detailed in [a recent video by YouTuber The Real Emile](), embedded below. We don't have a full list of vehicles yet—at the time the video was published, the A-Spec team was still adding cars, and the release date is still unclear. But the video spends about a half hour alone just detailing roughly 50 new inclusions, one by one. The aim of Project A-Spec is a period-correct roster, so naturally, there isn't anything on offer here that didn't exist in some form or fashion before 2000. https://youtu.be/Djh_Afh1aDQ?si=0yDdqgclWg8qCS1l&t=124 Still, *GT2* has always been renowned for its broader historical scope of car culture, years before that was expected of racing sims. So A-Spec version 1.2 adds stuff like the Ferrari 355 F1 and associated Japanese Grand Touring Car race versions of it, but also the Fiat 124 Berlina, Nissan R383 Group 7 prototype, and most of the '99 [Formula 1]() field. It's an inspired list, and there's something for everyone here. *Need for Speed II* fanatic that I am, I was most excited to see the Lamborghini Calà and BMW Nazca C2, concepts both styled by Italdesign, join the roster. Even the [GM EV1]() and [Honda Insight]() have been added to the game, which entirely fits because *GT2* [already had the first-gen Toyota Prius](). That's probably my favorite thing about this mod. Sure, there are entirely new classes of vehicles here, like the aforementioned F1 cars (including one really cool Honda 1999 test chassis, before the automaker joined the championship). But I'm most excited about the fleshing out of *GT2's* existing categories that were perhaps underserved, either because Polyphony Digital couldn't get all the necessary licenses or simply had too much else to do. The Calà, for example, could never be in the game before, as *Gran Turismo* didn't get Lamborghini's endorsement until *GT5* dropped. Now, the [Jaguar XJ220]() can finally [take on its one true rival](). [![]()]() [![]()]() [![]()]() [![]()]() Something else that's encouraging about this update is the improved quality of the car models. While I'm not going to chide modders adding a truckload of free content for not being the finest 3D artists in the world, there were certainly some cars in the initial Project A-Spec release that could've benefited from more time in the oven. The models coming in 1.2, though, look appreciably nicer across the board and blend in better with Polyphony-built cars from the vanilla game. And of course, in typical classic *Gran Turismo* fashion, every new car gets its proper logo to match in the showroom. Really miss that touch from the older installments. There's just so much to explore here. I wasn't even aware of the [Vector]() W2—the concept that predated the production Vector W8 by 12 years. Or [Tom Walkinshaw's]() one-off Aston Martin DB7 commissioned with a Jaguar V12 and a bespoke body kit, years before Aston sold them with its own 12-cylinder engine. I'm not sure I've ever seen GM's [CERV III]() prototype or the Lotec C1000 in any video game, either. On the other hand, the 10th-gen [Ford F-150 Lightning]() is very much a known quantity, and plenty of fans will be pumped to see it in *GT2*. I haven't messed around with Project A-Spec yet, but I definitely plan on changing that soon. *Got tips? Send ’em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()