Gran Turismo 7's upcoming update features a brilliantly unnecessary minivan.

      Renault, @Kaz_Yamauchi on Twitter

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      We have known for about a week that the August 2025 update for Gran Turismo 7 would introduce Chevrolet's new Corvette CX concepts. However, it’s somewhat surprising that these are not the only new vehicles set to debut in the game soon. This will be a four-car update, as creator Kaz Yamauchi confirmed through one of his typical teaser tweets. The identity of the vehicle in the back left is still up for debate—some believe it to be a production model of the ordinary Afeela 1—but there seems to be a general agreement that the one on the right is a unique minivan that has a history within the franchise.

      It’s a Renault Avantime! This is particularly exciting for me because, while many of us may be weary of the steady stream of compact crossovers that Polyphony has focused on in recent updates, the Avantime stands out as an unusual vehicle: a stylish two-door van with an imaginative design and thoughtful engineering that you wouldn’t expect in what has typically been a lackluster segment. It has actually developed a dedicated fanbase, and the more you learn about it, the easier it is to see why.

      The Avantime’s roof is not painted silver; it's raw aluminum. Renault utilized aluminum throughout the vehicle's construction, which was primarily based on the Espace. However, the Avantime featured two large doors with innovative hinges to facilitate entry without taking up much space. The entire roof was made of tinted glass, and the dashboard was nearly as minimalist as a concept car's. With the push of a button, the driver could lower all the windows and a portion of the overhead glass.

      This was a perplexing vehicle that nobody had anticipated. Renault produced just over 8,000 units from 2001 to 2004. It’s intriguing that it even existed at all. There are rumors that the Avantime was nearly imported to the U.S. for sale through Infiniti, due to Renault and Nissan's then-recent and now-frayed partnership.

      Regarding the Avantime’s significance to enthusiasts, I must mention that there was an episode of Top Gear where Clarkson, Hammond, and May took one of these and attempted to upgrade it to outpace a Lancer Evo X on their test track. This was the ultimate challenge of real-world Gran Turismo, taking a slow vehicle and trying to make it a contender. Appropriately, the Avantime was also featured in GT4's extensive lineup. Renault offered it with a three-liter V6 engine producing 207 horsepower, paired with a six-speed manual transmission—although this combination could only manage a nine-second 0-60 mph time.

      I am eager to purchase two of these in GT7: one will remain stock, while the other I will modify in homage to Top Gear’s unsuccessful project. However, I doubt the game will provide an option for a plywood front splitter. The update is expected to be released in the early hours of Thursday, August 28.

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