American Truck Simulator V1.40 Download Work May 2026

The American Truck Simulator (ATS) Update 1.40 was a landmark release that introduced a completely overhauled visual lighting system and expanded truck customization options. Released for general availability on March 23, 2021, it significantly changed how light, weather, and camera exposure interact within the game world. Key Features of Update 1.40

New Visual Lighting System: A dynamic model that uses real physical ratios and units for light sources, making sunrise, sunset, and night driving much more realistic.

Western Star 49X Expansion: Added two sleeper cabin options and up to 36 total chassis/cabin combinations, making it one of the most versatile trucks in the game at that time.

Extended Chassis Range: Introduced 4x2, 8x4, and 8x6 chassis types across nearly all truck models (Freightliner, Mack, Peterbilt, Volvo, etc.) to handle everything from local deliveries to heavy-haul loads.

New Viewpoints: Added scenic cutscenes in the New Mexico and Oregon DLC areas to highlight points of interest.

UI Improvements: Added a full-text search for cities and companies in the job selection screen and improved the F4 vehicle adjustment menu. How to Download Version 1.40 American Truck Simulator V1.40 Download

Since ATS is an auto-updating game on Steam, you should typically be on the latest version (currently 1.50+). To specifically access version 1.40 for mod compatibility or legacy play, follow these steps via the Steam Client: Open your Steam Library.

Right-click on American Truck Simulator and select Properties. Navigate to the Betas tab.

From the dropdown menu, select temporary_1.40 - 1.40 for incompatible mods.

Steam will automatically begin downloading the files for that version. Important Considerations

Mod Compatibility: Version 1.40 introduced major changes to materials and textures to work with the new lighting. Old mods may cause graphical glitches or crashes. The American Truck Simulator (ATS) Update 1

Hardware Impact: The new lighting system can be more demanding on GPUs than previous versions.

TruckersMP: Note that third-party multiplayer clients like TruckersMP generally only support the most recent stable version of the game. If you'd like, I can help you: Find top-rated mods compatible with 1.40 Troubleshoot performance issues with the new lighting

Locate the exact viewpoint locations in Oregon or New Mexico

Let me know how you'd like to customize your trucking experience. American Truck Simulator: 1.40 Release

System Requirements for V1.40

Because of the graphical overhaul in V1.40, the system requirements saw a slight bump. Ensure your rig meets these specs for the smoothest experience: System Requirements for V1

  • OS: Windows 7/8.1/10 (64-bit)
  • Processor: Intel Core i5-6400 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 @ 3.1 GHz
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 or AMD Radeon RX 460 (2GB VRAM)
  • Storage: 25 GB available space (SSD recommended for faster loading times)

The Cabin Ambience

SCS Software didn't stop at the world outside. They turned the camera inward, upgrading the "Interior Nav GPS" system. Previously, navigating meant relying on the UI map or a clunky in-dash display. V1.40 upgraded the functionality of the in-cab navigation screens, making them more legible, functional, and closer to the modern GPS systems found in actual big rigs. It bridged the gap between "playing a game" and "doing a job."

Should You Update?

Yes – if you want the best visuals ATS has ever offered. The new lighting alone makes sunrise deliveries over Monument Valley a breathtaking experience.

Wait – if you rely heavily on outdated mods that haven’t been updated for 1.40.

Colorado: The Mountain High

While the engine was getting a facelift, the map was expanding. V1.40 officially ushered in the Colorado DLC as part of the base game's ongoing evolution.

Colorado added a crucial verticality to the ATS map. While the midwest offers flat, endless straights, Colorado challenged drivers with mountain passes, winding roads, and the sheer majesty of the Rockies. The integration of the new lighting engine with Colorado’s terrain meant that drivers were treated to stunning vistas where the sun would dip behind peaks, plunging valleys into twilight while the summits remained gold.

5. Under-the-Hood Fixes

  • Improved performance with the new lighting engine (medium to high-end GPUs).
  • AI traffic behavior tweaks.
  • Sound adjustments for trucks and environment.

Gameplay Refinements

V1.40 isn't just about looks; it changes how the game feels.

  • Convoy Mode: This update laid the groundwork for the highly anticipated multiplayer functionality, allowing players to sync up and drive together in private sessions.
  • Improved UX: The user interface received polish, making the route advisor easier to read and the main menu sleeker.
  • Electric Vehicles: For the first time, the game introduced mechanics for electric trucks (specifically the Tesla Semi), altering how players think about refueling and range.