Euro Truck Simulator 2: Version 1.61 Update Released

We are thrilled to announce that the official Euro Truck Simulator 2 update 1.61 is now live and available on Steam! Dive into the breakdown below to explore all the fresh additions awaiting you on the open road.

A massive thank you goes out to everyone who joined our open beta phase, submitting invaluable feedback and bug reports on our forums. Your dedication has ensured a seamless transition to this public release.

We also want to express our gratitude to the participants of the 1.61 Experimental Beta, especially those who shared their insights regarding the Multi-Function Display (MFD) and the overhauled In-Game Menu. These features will arrive in a subsequent update, allowing our team the necessary time to refine them for the ultimate user experience.

Without further ado, let’s dive into the core highlights of this update!

Proximity Exploration

Update 1.61 introduces a brand-new quality-of-life feature tailored to make global map navigation feel more intuitive while preserving the pure joy of discovery. Say hello to Proximity Exploration.

When activated, Proximity Exploration automatically illuminates a tight perimeter around your truck as you traverse the highways. This eliminates the tedious necessity of physically driving down every microscopic alleyway to achieve full map completion—a game-changer for completionists chasing that elusive 100% exploration rate. Furthermore, it highlights intricate road networks packed tightly together near rest stops, gas stations, border crossings, and toll booths.

Rest assured, hidden paths retain their mystique! Proximity Exploration will reveal the introductory segment of a secret road upon close approach, offering a subtle hint that adventure awaits. However, conquering the remainder of the route still requires you to grip the wheel and navigate it firsthand.

Whether your goal is to hunt down those final map percentages or simply enjoy a smoother driving workflow, the choice is entirely yours.

Volvo Special Edition

We are immensely proud to join Volvo Trucks in commemorating their centennial anniversary by introducing the exclusive Volvo FH Series 6 100 Year Edition to Euro Truck Simulator 2.

This commemorative model delivers a striking visual overhaul to both the interior and exterior, honoring a century of engineering excellence with driver-focused appointments. These custom accessories and paint configurations are seamlessly integrated into the base game for the Aero XL cabin of the Volvo FH Series 6.

On the outside, drivers can choose between two distinct paint schemes: 100 Year Edition – Night and 100 Year Edition – Day. Both styles showcase sophisticated light and dark striping accented by Centennial emblems on both flanks of the cab. Additionally, you can choose from specialized light boxes featuring either the official 100 Year emblem or the iconic FH16 logo.

Step inside to discover a luxurious cabin outfitted with black leather door panels featuring contrast stitching, custom floor mats, a rear wall plaque bearing the centennial crest, and customizable dashboard ambient LED lighting in striking red or blue hues.

To finalize the aesthetic, personalize your workspace with exclusive accessories, including a black leather steering wheel and two-tone seats combining durable black leather bases with textured grey cloth uppers and embroidered anniversary insignias.

Learn more about this landmark release over on our official blog post!

Improved Material System

The newly minted Improved Material System drastically elevates interior illumination and visual fidelity across select trucks. By refining how surfaces interact with ambient light sources, cabin environments appear vastly more crisp, readable, and authentic.

A primary advancement involves the complete redesign of interior shaders. The tactile differences between leather, fabric, plastics, and metals are now starkly pronounced, even under dim lighting conditions. Utilizing advanced dynamic cubemap variants, every surface reflects its environment naturally and responds realistically to shifting light sources.

Engineered from the ground up for vehicle interiors across both flagship titles, this modular technology will roll out progressively to existing fleets. With update 1.61, the Improved Material System comes to the Volvo FH Series 4, 5, and 6, joining the previously upgraded DAF NGD and MAN TG3 TGX models.

Future updates will extend this cutting-edge system to remaining truck lineups. Read deeper technical insights regarding this feature showcase here.

Livestock Trailer Rework

Our dedicated vehicle modeling team has executed a comprehensive, ground-up overhaul of the classic Livestock Trailer.

Inspired by contemporary European agricultural transport standards, the older asset has been entirely replaced by a modern equivalent. Noticeable changes include the retirement of the legacy belly-axle configuration, substituted cleanly by a lowered dual-wheel chassis design.

Players who own their livestock trailers will enjoy expansive configuration choices, including Straight 3-Axle and Lowered 3-Axle chassis setups, alongside selections between polished aluminum bodywork or fully paintable panels.

A diverse array of accessories rounds out the package. Owned variants now support advanced multi-zone paint customization across four distinct color channels. Furthermore, Freight Market jobs and AI traffic variants have been upgraded to reflect the fresh geometry, featuring modernized corporate liveries that mirror real-world logistics.

Discover more specifics about this livestock transport evolution on our dedicated development blog.

Schwarzmüller Trailer Pack Update

We are delighted to initiate a sweeping update cycle for the Schwarzmüller Trailer Pack DLC, modernizing its asset lineup to match current real-world manufacturing standards starting with a full redesign of its low loader.

Spearheading this patch is the meticulously recreated low loader trailer, engineered to mirror Schwarzmüller’s latest engineering blueprints down to the smallest bolt.

Alongside the trailer body, compatible accessories have received visual upgrades reflecting contemporary Schwarzmüller styling. While cargo options remain consistent, this rollout establishes the groundwork for a broader project to refresh the entire Schwarzmüller collection.

We cannot wait to spot your rigs hauling this updated equipment across Europe! Read more details via our official announcement blog.

Map Changes for Coaches

In anticipation of the forthcoming Coaches DLC, our world-building and asset teams have systematically modified environments across the ETS2 map to accommodate passenger transport infrastructure.

The most substantial urban redevelopment occurs in Nuremberg, featuring a massive, brand-new central bus station accompanied by surrounding architectural landmarks and rebuilt road networks designed to effortlessly handle coach traffic.

Additionally, municipal coach terminals in Karlstad, Aarhus, and Thessaloniki have been upgraded to support upcoming passenger mechanics, alongside targeted layout, routing, and access refinements.

Karlstad boasts an entirely new terminal facility, while Thessaloniki gains updated signage and urban detailing. In Heraklion, a previously blocked thoroughfare has been cleared and opened up to facilitate seamless bus depot access.

International border crossings have likewise been re-engineered to ensure smooth operation for coaches. This includes dedicated vehicle routing logic, expanded spatial clearances through former bottleneck zones, and minor layout alterations to keep navigation flowing efficiently.

Countless subtle adjustments to bus stops and roadside assets have also been implemented worldwide, ensuring the global road network is fully primed for passenger transit.

Changelog 1.61

Map

• Proximity Exploration feature added
• Map and terminal adjustments preparing for the Coaches DLC

Vehicles

• Volvo FH Series 6 100 Year Edition integrated
• Livestock Trailer completely reworked
• Schwarzmüller Trailer Pack updated with low loader redesign

Visuals

• Improved Material System deployed for Volvo FH Series 4, 5, and 6

We hope you are thrilled to test-drive these additions! Keep pace with future developments by following us on X/Twitter, Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, and by subscribing to our official newsletter. Until next time, keep on truckin’!

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