Gran Turismo 6 vs 7 - Grand Valley Speedway vs Highway 1 (Direct Comparison / Side by Side)

Grand Valley Speedway has returned to Gran Turismo with the latest GT7 update in the form of "Grand Valley Highway 1", a remake of the old track with the same layout but set in a completely new environment, the famous California Highway 1 / Pacific Coast Highway. Here you can see a direct comparison of the two versions, synced up to show the same corners at the same time in both games in most sections of the track.

Grand Valley Speedway was one of the tracks in the original Gran Turismo game on the PS1 and it was a fictional race track set in an unspecified location. For the first 6 games it featured spectator stands, billboards, mountains, trees and a lake in the background and also an iconic blue bridge followed by a tunnel with a view.

For Gran Turismo 7 it was now remade as a track at the Pacific Coast Highway (California Highway 1), which is a famous real world road between San Francisco and Los Angeles that was also used for tracks in The Crew, Grid and Project Cars. The blue bridge has been replaced with the Bixby Creek Bridge, which is an iconic bridge in the real world.

Even though the new version of the track looks completely different the layout of the corners is actually almost identical until the bridge. Only between the bridge and the final corner there are a few differences. In GT7 the bridge is longer and followed by a tighter corner, although both versions still reach the slow chicane at a similar time.

The overall lap time is almost identical in GT6 and GT7. However, the finish line is not in the same spot on the main straight, so to sync up the two versions I have used the overhead banner at the end of the straight and not the lap time counter. This way we are also reaching the first corner at the same time in both games.

Based on the initial comments under my evolution video the new setting for Grand Valley seems to be quite controversial. What are your thoughts on the new version of the track?

[rodracer]

For a couple of seconds, I thought they had completely changed the layout as well until I realized the map was just rotated 90 degrees to the right.

[zodiac]

It's crazy how much a background change can make a track feel so different. High Speed Ring in GT5 felt like a completely new track compared to Gt1 & 2, even though it was the exact same track.

[Socsom]

I think the reason why people wanted Grand valley back was because of the classic scenery. Not so much of the layout. I wanted to see the blue bridge again in a remastered version but Instead they completely removed it.

[EmoDKTsuchiya]

At first, I wasn't 100% on the change of scenery. Mostly because I think of GT1-2 Grand Valley when it comes to mind. However, after looking at this, I'm happy with the change

[bayareaspeedsource]

The track just isn't the same without the blue bridge. No idea why they removed the most iconic part of the track scenery.

[joeofoysterbay]

They did an amazing job of fitting that almost-exact course into this landscape. I've been looking at the real place on google earth and they really pulled it off. The place looks so good it made me really miss my late in-laws who lived in Bixby Canyon. Didn't expect that when I fired up the PS5 today.

[aenoofficial]

I like both. I think it's controversial because it's hard to choose one or the other, since they're so different in a way.

[theoneandonlygus]

New one is ok but I like the original better because of the scenery, the crowds, stands, etc.
The new one looks more like a street race now.

[Gamebit]

This track is so much better now, the they nailed the "Californian Canyon" vibe. And the elevation changes are a lot of fun

[nikousenpai]

The layout is there but the soul is gone.

[max]

I really like the new scenery and track layout.
Only thing I am missing is the awesome looking bridge design from GT6 at 01:11min, I wish they would have kept that.

[seanoconnor]

Am I the only person who prefers the old version? It was a permanent race track, while now it just feels like a road...

[toxicheat]

Get Out of the Tunnel, and See this Epic Bridge... And Here is nothing...

[zachg]

I miss the og Grand valley but love the scenery of this new one as well, especially at sunset

[milanskarvada]

I'm glad that Grand Valey returned to Gran Turismo, the track is great and one of my favorites, but I have to say that I liked the environment around the track more in parts 1-6 ☺

[t.k]

The new track feels as if they demolished the hills around the circuit lol

[tiagomafra]

It's unrecognizable. It's a brand new track named "Grand Valley".

[sickenzzzzz]

The GT7 version looks pretty good with the elevation changes

[LAJIRAFA_ALT]

Even though i love the aesthetics of the new track, i really hope they bring back the classic versions of these tracks especially the old Stage route tracks

[f.hegerfeldt]

I actually prefer the GT7 version over the original. It fits way better to the title and the slightly changed layout makes the track even more fun.