Gran Turismo 7’s Next Update Has a Pointlessly Genius Minivan. While the Chevrolet Corvette CX concepts were expected for the August 2025 update of Gran Turismo 7, a major surprise accompanies them: the Renault Avantime. Kazunori Yamauchi, the creator of the series, confirmed via a teaser on Twitter a four-car update, and this minivan with its atypical design immediately captivated the community.
The Renault Avantime: A Cult and Little-Known Icon
Unlike the continuous stream of recently added compact crossovers, the Avantime is a true automotive eccentricity. This stylish two-door minivan, featuring imaginative engineering, managed to build a cult reputation despite a short commercial career. Its construction incorporated aluminum, its roof was fully glazed, and its two large doors benefited from clever hinges for easier access. Its minimalist dashboard recalled that of a concept car.
A Short but Fascinating History
Produced between 2001 and 2004, Renault sold just over 8,000 units of the Avantime. Its very existence is a testament to boldness, especially since a persistent rumor suggests it was imported to the United States under the Infiniti brand, thanks to the Renault-Nissan alliance.
The Top Gear Legend and Its Gran Turismo Legacy
The Avantime owes part of its notoriety to a famous episode of Top Gear. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May made it their project: modifying it to make it lap a circuit faster than a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X. A “Gran Turismo” challenge in real life, perfectly in line with the spirit of the series, which had even included the model in Gran Turismo 4.
Powered by a 3-liter V6 producing 207 horsepower and paired with a six-speed manual gearbox, it delivered respectable performance for its time (0 to 100 km/h in about 9 seconds). In GT7, players will be able to acquire two units: one to keep it original, the other to attempt to replicate, perhaps more successfully, the aborted Top Gear project. The update is scheduled for the morning of Thursday, August 28th.