Fans of authentic racing simulators have a reason to get excited again — Project Motor Racing, a spiritual successor to the beloved Project CARS and Need for Speed: Shift series, is officially in development.
The news broke recently via an exclusive by TopGear, a respected automotive website, confirming that a new studio comprised of former Slightly Mad Studios developers is working on the upcoming title. For many, this marks a long-overdue return to the roots of immersive, simulation-style racing games that combine realism with adrenaline-pumping gameplay.
From the Ashes of Project CARS
The original Project CARS series garnered a dedicated following thanks to its dynamic weather systems, deep car customization, and robust multiplayer support. However, after EA shut down the franchise and absorbed Slightly Mad Studios into Codemasters, the racing sim genre lost one of its most promising competitors. Many fans were left wondering if they’d ever see a proper continuation — until now.
The upcoming Project Motor Racing aims to carry the torch, bringing back fan-favorite features from Project CARS while also evolving the formula. Early details suggest the game will focus on realistic physics, professional racing disciplines, and full racing weekends — similar to what hardcore sim racers crave.
A New Beginning, but With Familiar Faces
The team behind Project Motor Racing consists largely of former Slightly Mad veterans who wanted to return to their racing roots. With experience dating back to the GTR series and NFS Shift, their pedigree in racing simulation is undeniable. This new venture is said to be entirely independent, meaning less corporate interference and more passion-driven development.
While the game is still in early stages, the developers have hinted at a strong community-driven approach. Players can expect frequent development updates, input opportunities, and a transparent roadmap — something the sim racing community has long been asking for.
The Road Ahead
There’s no confirmed release window yet, but the reveal has already reignited discussion across racing forums and communities. If the team delivers on its promise, Project Motor Racing could very well become the next big contender in the sim racing space — especially as fans grow increasingly disillusioned with microtransaction-heavy AAA racing titles.
As always, we’ll be keeping an eye on development progress and sharing updates as they come in. If you’ve missed the golden age of realistic racing sims, this could be your next obsession behind the wheel.
