January 2025 is finally here and promises a range of noteworthy titles for players to sink their teeth into. High-profile ports of console exclusives, long-awaited follow-ups to established franchises (both indie and big-budget) theyre all here. It wouldnt be a new year without some new early access titles, however, and the biggest in that department is undoubtedly Assetto Corsa EVO.As the newest title in Kunos Simulazionis series, its a racing simulator focused on realism. Launching on January 16th for PC, it arrives almost five years after its Assetto Corsa Competizione. A lot has changed in the interim, and this may very well be the series most ambitious outing yet. Here are 15 things you should know about Assetto Corsa EVO before launch.Early Access ReleaseLike its predecessors, Assetto Corsa EVO will first enter early access, offering a portion of the finished product before the final release. The latter is planned for Fall 2025, which is always subject to change, and thus far, Kunos Simulazioni hasnt confirmed if there will be a monthly update cycle like Competizione. However, its said that player feedback will be crucial in refining the gameplay, optimizing performance, and adding the final touches that will make EVO the ultimate racing simulation.New DirectX 12-Based EnginePerhaps the most notable change with EVO is under the hood, specifically the DirectX 12-powered Kunos Engine. Promising realistic skies, volumetric clouds and fog, dynamic global illumination and reflections, there are notable leaps, especially with how it handles weather effects on track conditions.Practice Sessions and Quick Race ModesAs the first part of the single-player component, EVO features two familiar modes Practice Sessions and Quick Race. Kunos didnt go into extensive details about whats new for either mode, but their names probably shouldnt betray any expectations. The former is for practising different vehicles. The latter is for instant races. You cant get any more straightforward than that.Driving AcademyIts the Driving Academy where things get interesting. Debuting in EVO, it offers step-by-step sections of each track in the current release, where you drive different cars and experience unique challenges. Succeed, and you earn the licenses required for your dream car with Credits used to purchase them. If its anything like the License Mode from the Gran Turismo series, Driving Academy should serve as a challenging yet fun opportunity for sim enthusiasts.Cars and BrandsWhen early access launches, Assetto Corsa EVO will feature 20 cars, with the full game planned to feature over 100. Thus far, weve seen the BMW M2 CS Racing, the Mercedes-AMG GT 63, and the Ford Escort Cosworth RS, with newcomer brands like Maserati and Cadillac, though the full line-up for early access has yet to be revealed.Realistically Depicting Vehicles and TracksAs for how realistic everything will look, from the vehicles to the tracks, Kunos Simulazioni says it employed an advanced system to simulate mechanical, electronic, and aerodynamic performance. Furthermore, laser scan technology has been used to capture the circuits and their fidelity, further increasing immersion.Suspension ImprovementsOf course, that fidelity would mean nothing if the feeling of racing isnt right. Kunos has been improving the suspension to simulate systems like torsion beams and swingarms. Suspension damping and bump stops are also more natural, while the tyre model has been more realistically fine-tuned. The team has worked for four years to improve the feeling behind the steering wheel and thus far, it seems to have borne fruit.Car CustomizationCustomization is also important, and while the full suite of options for early access has yet to be detailed, game director Davide Brivio told Multiplayer.it last November that all the configurations and engines that you would find in any dealership will be available for each vehicle. If your favorite car is sold both in petrol and diesel, for example, or in a version that has 17-inch wheels or a sunroof fitted, then it will also be the case in our game. There will be a wide range of aesthetic modifications per the site, which can impact your performance.Dynamic Weather and Track ConditionsWeather is always an important factor in racing sims, and in EVO, its dynamic, with precipitation and other factors affecting races in real time. Not only will different levels of rainfall affect your performance, but you also have to worry about rubber build-up as a race progresses and adjust accordingly.Available CircuitsThe developer confirmed that Brands Hatch, Imola Circuit, Laguna Seca Raceway, Mount Panorama Circuit, and Suzuka International Racing Course will be available when early access launches. The full game will feature 15 tracks, but EVOs environmental selection is branching out in new directions this Summer.Open World Map in Eifel, GermanyIn a series first, EVO will feature an open-world map. Set in Germanys Eifel region, it will feature local businesses, workshops with aftermarket parts to upgrade vehicles, and even car rental services. Though debuting in the Summer, the map will roll out through numerous updates in early access. These will further expand the map while adding new content, and were keen to see how it matches up to the likes of Forza Horizon in terms of structure and events.24-Hour Race CyclePlayers can also look forward to full 24-hour race cycles, thus pushing the limits of their racing endurance. Naturally, this means the return of Nrburgring Nordschleife, and were keen to see how dynamic weather and track conditions will affect the experience.VR and Triple Screen SupportLike the first game and Competizione, VR support returns with OpenXR, Oculus VR and SteamVR supported out of the box. In true racing simulation fashion, theres also support for triple-screen set-ups, ensuring even greater immersion, especially if you have a racing wheel set-up.PC RequirementsRegarding hardware requirements, Assetto Corsa EVO doesnt appear to demand much on PC, though its a significant step up from Competizione. Its minimum requirements include an Intel Core-i7 8700k or AMD Ryzen 1500X, 16 GB RAM, and a GeForce GTX 1070 or AMD Radeon RX 580. The recommended requirements include a Core-i5 10500 or AMD Radeon 2600X, 16 GB RAM and an RTX 2070 or Radeon RX 5600. These seemingly apply to VR set-ups, though requirements could change through the early access period. You also need a solid-state drive with 100 GB of installation space, which is already a lot without the open-world map.Free Post-Launch UpdatesWhile the full game plans to offer more than 100 cars and 15 tracks from around the world, that wont be the end of support. The development team plans to add more post-launch in free updates. Were a long way off from more details, but its nice to hear that support will continue beyond Fall 2025.