The next Automobilista 2 update is expected to drop tomorrow, and while most eyes will be fixed on the high-profile additions — including a major Nürburgring overhaul and the launch of the astonishing Aston Martin Valkyrie — there’s another addition quietly tucked into the patch notes that could turn out to be one of the most rewarding new experiences in the sim: the Ligier JS2 R.
This lightweight, French-built racer might not have the dramatic aero or hybrid trickery of the Valkyrie, but in terms of pure driving fun, it could be the real star of v1.6.6. Designed specifically for accessible, single-make endurance racing, the Ligier JS2 R brings a style of motorsport that’s almost completely absent from the sim racing landscape — and AMS2 is now the only title offering it.
The Ligier JS2 R is a purpose-built race car — not a converted road car, but something created from the ground up to go racing. Inspired by Ligier’s classic JS2 of the 1970s, this modern take is lighter, stiffer, and powered by a naturally aspirated 3.7-litre Ford V6 pumping out over 350 bhp. It’s simple, analogue, and unfiltered.
It also underpins the real-world Ligier European Series, a dedicated one-make championship that runs as part of the support bill for the European Le Mans Series. In real life, this series has been praised for its competitive racing, driver development opportunities, and flat-out fun — and now AMS2 players can try it for themselves.
AMS2’s simulation strengths shine in cars like the JS2 R. Without the complications of complex aero or hybrid deployment, this is a car that rewards smooth driving and punishes overdriving. It’s quick, responsive, and predictable, but still challenging to get the most out of.
If you’ve ever longed for a truly fair, driver-versus-driver experience — where everyone’s in the same machinery and the margins are razor-thin — this is it. Expect to see a wave of community series popping up around the JS2 R in the coming weeks.
Of course, the update isn’t just about small French sports cars. The headline additions are major:
You can read the full patch notes here.
In a sim packed with high-powered prototypes and hypercars, the Ligier JS2 R is a breath of fresh air. It’s focused, engaging, and utterly unique. Most importantly, it fills a genuine gap in the sim racing world — offering the kind of close, spec racing that few titles attempt and even fewer get right.
If you’ve ever enjoyed the Radical SR3s in AMS2, or found joy in the likes of the Ginetta GT4 in other sims, you owe it to yourself to take the Ligier for a spin.
Bottom line? Don’t let the big names distract you. When AMS2 v1.6.6 lands, fire up the Ligier JS2 R — and rediscover what made you love sim racing in the first place.
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