CarX finally announces its big reveal, but it might not be what you hoped

After dropping many teasers, the CarX team surprised everyone with their latest reveal, leaving more questions than answers.

• CarX Technologies announces CarX Drift Racing Online 2 is coming to PC and consoles
• Early Access on Steam begins in Q4, with a console release date yet to be revealed
• It’s expected to bring many of the highly-regarded features from CarX Drift Racing 3
• Fans express mixed reactions, with many disappointed it’s not CarX Street for consoles

CarX Technologies finally dropped their big announcement after plenty of teasing, and the reaction has been… complicated.

Despite many hoping for CarX Street on consoles, they instead revealed ‘CarX Drift Racing Online 2’ for PC and consoles.

The team states this “is the next step for CarX Technologies and the Drift Racing series.”

What’s up, drivers!

🔥We are thrilled to announce that CarX Drift Racing Online 2 for PC and consoles is the next step for CarX Technologies and the Drift Racing series.

❗️CarX Drift Racing Online will be released in Early Access on Steam in Q4.

We can’t wait to tell you… pic.twitter.com/3gp4Nr6rxS

— CarX Technologies (@carx_technology) March 27, 2025

It seems the new addition will be based on the mobile CarX Drift Racing 3 game. If so, this is great news and another CarX offering that has also been hugely requested.

However, not everyone is delighted…

What we know for sure so far

The announcement was light on detail, but we know it’s (supposedly) coming to Early Access on Steam in Q4. There’s currently no specific timeframe for the console release.

While they haven’t confirmed specific features yet, it’s expected to include the soft body crash physics and other improvements from CarX Drift Racing 3.

Those who have played CarX Drift Racing 3 will agree that the game is pretty impressive – especially the BeamNG-style crashes and lost body parts!

Another surprise was that CarX had previously delighted PC fans with its CarX Street announcement just weeks before release, and many console owners assumed it’d be the same for them this time.

Instead, it’s just the PC version expected in Q4 (for now), which is far from a few weeks away, assuming it actually arrives then.

So, uhh… Where’s CarX Street for Consoles?

The community’s response has been particularly harsh about one thing – the continued absence of CarX Street on consoles, which many are waiting for.

The Street console release was initially supposed to come in 2024 but was later updated to come later this year. However, based on previous rollouts, this announcement makes that timeline look increasingly unlikely.

Instead, fans are getting another new title that won’t hit consoles alongside the PC Early Access.

This raises potential concerns that they’ll find another reason for more delays, as the Early Access model means console players are again at the back of the line.

Also, don’t forget that Early Access periods sometimes go on for months (or even years).

They’re seemingly planning to go head-to-head with GTA VI

The Q4 release window puts CarX Drift Racing Online 2 potentially competing with the estimated launch of GTA VI.

While it’s possible GTA may be delayed (although they insist it won’t be), most of the biggest gaming franchises are holding out for further confirmation. This likely includes Playground Games with Forza Horizon 6.

Although they’re different games, they’ll be brave going into battle with the biggest game release of all time!

Meanwhile, other developers are showing how it’s done…

On a day when CarX fans mostly voice their concerns, Genki, the team behind Tokyo Xtreme Racer, continues listening to the community.

The latest update in the Early Access period dropped today. It delivered many new features and has been met with positive reactions, even if more content is always desired!

That said, not all Early Access releases have proven successful so far, with Assetto Corsa EVO failing to meet fans’ expectations.

We hope it’ll be another great addition to the CarX lineup

Don’t get us wrong; it’s not all bad news. Like we said – it’s complicated!

There are both positives and negatives to consider here. And don’t get us started on microtransaction concerns!

We’re intrigued by the Early Access rollout and what’s (eventually) in store for CarX Street. Then, there are some obvious questions about the timing.

Ideally, the team can deliver something great, unaffected by GTA, while pleasing the CarX Street fans. However, that might be a bit ambitious!

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