New Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown details and screenshots released | FOS Future Lab

01st March 2023

Ethan Jupp

The developers of Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown have released new info on the upcoming motoring MMO with the first of a number of monthly ‘Solar Club’ letters to come, along with eight tantalising screenshots. One of these newsletters is to follow each month leading up to release, which is expected to be this year, with the developers saying more screenshots and concept art, gameplay details, live game sessions with the devs and testing phase info is to come. For now, we have new details on car dealers and customisation within the game.

TDU:SC will deliver what is described to be a ‘realistic dealership experience’. That’s to say, there will be full dealers you go to to buy cars, like on the previous games. There’s an emphasis on savouring the experience and wanting each car to be special.

The letter reads: ‘With TDUSC, you don't just buy lots of cars without interest or emotions [seemingly a dig at Forza’s Wheelspin system?]. We want each car you own to be something you love, an extension of yourself and your personality. What will be your next car? It should be the car you've dreamed about for several hours playing the game.’

Buying a car from a dealer will involve deciding on paint colour, interior specifications and wheels, with the process concluding as you’re ‘handed the keys’. You’ll be able to move around the car freely in the dealer, open the doors, try out the horn and start the engine. There will also be other players in the dealer with you, as dealers will act as one of the game’s many ‘social hubs’, where players can interact together outside of their vehicles.

In terms of the range of dealers? There will be 14 specialist dealers in the game, with Lamborghini and Ferrari getting their own dedicated showrooms. The other dealers will cater to different types of car, from classics to supercars, and even specific nationalities.

The letter reads: ‘Are you more into American, Italian, or German ones? Do you want a daily driver or a Supercar? Off-road or GT? You'll find 14 specialist dealerships, each offering different brands, all over Hong Kong Island.’

As far as we can work out, the screenshots with the 911R and SLK 55 (complete with deployable roof) are taken within the same German car dealer, with the SLK image showing also a BMW i8 Roadster and Audi R8. The ‘60s Mustang and Cobra are clearly in the Classic dealer, seen in the Mustang image as located in Hong Kong Island’s Central District. The Mustang image also shows a Corvette C1 and Citroen 2CV in the background.

What about customisation of your car? That’s the other side of the coin, with Solar Crown Workshops allowing the visual and mechanical modification of vehicles. Different paint finishes, from metallic, matte, pearlescent and chrome are confirmed, as is a livery editor.

Also confirmed are 13 customisable performance parts across six categories for petrol cars, and 12 customisable parts across six categories for EVs – yes, EVs are confirmed. Your level and progression in the game will dictate to what extent you can modify your car. The workshops will also serve as another ‘Social hub’, with players able to walk around together inside and look at each other’s projects.

Images show a 2015 Ford Mustang outside of the workshop, while the Apollo I.E image is set within it, with the previous TDU classes of A1, A2 and A3 seen. Also visible are the W Motors Fenyr Supersport and a Nissan 370Z.