BeamNG.drive 2026 graphics updates

In late July 2026 BeamNG.drive released version 0.39, its first major patch in eight months. The update overhauled graphics and lighting, adding sharper visuals, a new shadow system, volumetric clouds, HDR optimisation, physically‑based night‑sky rendering and realistic vehicle light patterns, plus a redesigned UI, expanded photo mode and a new rally‑styled car (Cherrier Ardente) with a 30 km gravel rally course in Utah.

A week later, the developers announced that the same 0.39 update would replace its previous ACES tone‑mapper with the tone‑mapping and HDR system used in Gran Turismo 7. This change, supplied free to developers, aims to preserve physically‑based lighting values and ensure consistent image quality on SDR and HDR displays. Additional visual refinements were detailed, including refined shadow rendering, reduced artefacts, enhanced volumetric clouds, an astronomically accurate night sky with a realistic Milky Way, and HDR support via the Vulkan API. Both announcements confirm ongoing work toward a full PC and PS5 release later in the year.