Assetto Corsa Rally update 0.6 adds three new rally cars, a revised tyre thermal model, private lobbies, custom liveries and Photo Mode. Released on 10 September 2026, it gives Early Access players fresh reasons to return to their favourite stages. It is also a good moment to rethink your rally sim setup: where you sit, how you reach the controls and what stays firmly in place when the stage gets busy.
Our suggested starting point is the SIMGASM Sport cockpit, a supportive Core Bucket seat and the Shifter & Handbrake Mount with both plates. Here is what the update brings, followed by the hardware choices that make sense for a dedicated rally setup.
What is new in Assetto Corsa Rally 0.6?
- Three cars: the 1980 Audi Quattro Gr.4, 1999 Peugeot 206 WRC and 2018 Volkswagen Polo GTI R5.
- 18 new events organised into three event groups for the new cars.
- Tyre thermal modelling returns, alongside further physics changes and distinct gravel characteristics for Wales and Greece.
- Private lobbies make it easier to organise sessions with your own group.
- Custom liveries and Photo Mode add ways to personalise and share your driving.
The release also resets the leaderboards following changes to the driving model, while previously earned medals are retained. See the official 0.6 patch notes for the full changelog.
Three new cars with different personalities
1980 Audi Quattro Gr.4
This is the early Group 4 Quattro, with its turbocharged five-cylinder engine and permanent four-wheel drive. Its appeal is the beginning of Audi's rally revolution: a different experience from the later, more extreme Quattro many drivers picture first.
There is an important driving detail. According to the developer, the locked centre differential means pulling the handbrake locks all four wheels. Do not treat it like a modern car that rotates neatly around a locked rear axle. Our advice is to concentrate on braking, weight transfer and the line into the corner. The developer's Quattro explanation covers why this matters.
1999 Peugeot 206 WRC
The compact 206 WRC brings the early version of a car that became an icon of the 2000s. Its short wheelbase and modern four-wheel-drive technology makes it an interesting contrast to the Quattro. Try both on the same stage and compare how much steering and throttle correction each car asks of you.
2018 Volkswagen Polo GTI R5
The Polo brings a more modern customer-rally approach, with a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine and permanent four-wheel drive. It is a useful starting point if you prefer modern rally machinery, then want to work backwards through the other two generations. All three cars have dedicated event content in this update. Read the official car and feature overview.
Tyre temperatures and gravel deserve a fresh setup check
The tyre thermal model is enabled again in 0.6. The published ideal pressures are 28 PSI for tarmac tyres and 32 PSI for gravel and ice tyres. Treat these as the update's reference values, and observe how pressures develop during a run before deciding on your starting settings.
Wales and Greece now have separate gravel surface characteristics. If you already know a stage well, give yourself a few familiarisation runs before chasing your old pace. Our suggested practice routine is simple: keep the car, stage and conditions consistent, establish a baseline, then change one setup setting at a time.
The ideal trajectories have also been updated for the remaining stages in Wales, Alsace, Monte Carlo and Livigno. Use those lines as a reference while rebuilding your rhythm.
Build a rally sim setup around repeatable control
A good rally cockpit keeps your wheel, pedals and seat in a consistent relationship. You can then concentrate on reading the stage, making steering corrections and reaching for the next control. These are the SIMGASM components we would put at the centre of the build.
SIMGASM Sport for a dedicated rally cockpit
The SIMGASM Sport Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit uses 40 × 120 mm main profiles, includes cable passthroughs and provides an Apex side arm for the shifter and handbrake area. It gives a direct-drive and load-cell build a substantial foundation, with space to develop the setup over time.
Set the seat and pedal reach first, then position the wheel and side controls around your natural driving posture. Select the wheel-mount option that matches your wheelbase on the product page.
Core Bucket for a consistent seating position
The SIMGASM Core Bucket Racing Seat combines a fixed driving backrest with pronounced side bolsters and bottom mounting. It suits drivers who want a supportive, consistent position while steering and braking. Its folding mechanism is for storage; it does not adjust the driving backrest angle.
Make the seat choice before finalising your handbrake position. You should be able to reach the handle without leaning forward or lifting your shoulder away from the backrest.
Put the shifter and handbrake where your hand expects them
For a build with both controls, choose the SIMGASM Shifter & Handbrake Mount with Shifter and Handbrake plates. The adjustable mounting solution lets you position the devices beside the seat. Sport already includes the side-profile support arm; the plates complete the mounting area for your selected controls.
The mounting plates and electronic devices are separate purchases. The MOZA HBP Handbrake is an option for the control itself, with an adjustable lever position and resistance. Use it according to the car you are driving: the early Quattro is a clear example of why the same handbrake technique does not suit every drivetrain.
Complete the steering setup with MOZA
The MOZA R9 V3 is our suggested wheelbase starting point for this build. It offers 9 Nm direct drive for PC use. Pair it with a compatible MOZA wheel and your chosen pedals, then configure the controls in the game.
Plan the whole basket together: chassis, correct wheel mount, seat and required mounting hardware, wheelbase, steering wheel, pedals and any separate shifter or handbrake. Our cockpit, shifter and handbrake buying checklist helps you work through those choices.
Private lobbies, custom liveries and Photo Mode
Private lobbies let you arrange sessions with friends or a community group. Pick a stage and car, agree the conditions and use repeat runs to compare progress. Custom livery support adds another personal touch, with multiple designs you can save and select in-game.
Photo Mode is available from a race, replay, service park and the main menu's in-car view. It makes the new cars useful subjects for your own rally content, from a forest-stage Quattro shot to a close-up of a custom Polo livery.
Frequently asked questions
Is Assetto Corsa Rally 0.6 still Early Access?
Yes. Version 0.6 is an Early Access update, with development continuing towards the full release.
Do I need a separate handbrake to start?
You can start with your existing controls and configure an input in the game. A separate handbrake provides a dedicated physical lever when you want to expand the setup. Its usefulness depends on the car and your driving technique.
Does the SIMGASM Sport include a seat and electronics?
The chassis includes the selected wheel mount, assembly hardware and side arm. The seat, wheelbase, steering wheel, pedals, shifter and handbrake are separate unless a selected bundle explicitly includes them.
Make your next rally session a reason to finish your rig
Start with the SIMGASM Sport cockpit, add the Core Bucket seat and choose the mounting plates for both controls. You will have a clear foundation for the driving position and hardware you want to use throughout Assetto Corsa Rally's development.
Ready to plan the build? Use our complete cockpit buying checklist and put your next rally setup together.
