My FH5 Log: A true heir to the Scuderia's throne

The SF90 took over the F8 as the newest V8 masterpiece of the Ferrari stable. Although it's similarly sized to the F8, the LaFerrari-inspired hybrid drivetrain and the PHEV setup made it too extreme to fit into its shoes. Ferrari created a lesser version of the SF90, eschewing its 4WD layout, sizing it to 488 proportions, and chopping two cylinders off.

The result is the Ferrari 296, a V6-powered hybrid supercar that's part of Forza Horizon 5's Italian Exotics Car Pack. It's supposed to be the successor to the Ferrari F8 Tributo, but it has the same know-how as the SF90 and is sized for both road and track.

The Ferrari 296 is the second series-production PHEV from Ferrari after the SF90 Stradale. It is also Ferrari's first V6-powered model in nearly half a century. The 296 has a 3.0L V6 twin-turbo engine coupled with an electric motor with MGU-K, which produces a combined output of 830PS and 740Nm of torque. This configuration enables the 296 to accelerate from 0 to 100kph in just 2.9 seconds and attain a top speed of 330kph. In testing, the 296 lapped the Fiorano circuit in just 1:21. 

In addition to its electrified performance, the 296 features eSSC, eTC, eDiff, a brand new 6-way Chassis Dynamic Sensor, a new brake-by-wire system, and ABS evo.

The Assetto Fiorano package includes adjustable Multimatic shock absorbers derived from GT racing, high downforce carbon-fiber appendages on the front, and various lightweight materials throughout the vehicle. It is even offered in a special livery inspired by the 250 Le Mans.

I've been itching to drive the 296 because of its appearance not just on the road, but on GT3-class races from the DTM to IMSA. It even won the 2023 Nurburgring 24-hour race as well. I can't wait to get behind the wheel and feel the power of this hybrid supercar for myself. Because it's here, I have plenty of reasons to enjoy Ferrari's newest masterpiece judging by its brake-by-wire system, the race-derived dynamics, the V6 PHEV powertrain, and its overall Ferrari-ism. Although not as cool as its V8-powered predecessors from the 458 to the F8, it's more than enough to thrill me into bits.

To prove that the 296 is the true heir to the Scuderia's throne, I've lined up against the F8 Tributo, the ultimate V8 masterpiece Ferrari has ever made. With the stadium grounds the main venue, it's time to see if the V6 PHEV horseman can topple its V8-powered predecessor. Roll the tape.

And now, the results...

F8 - 1m04.531s

296 - 1m02.830s

A near-two-second gap between them, proving that the V6-powered 296 can be as good as its V8-powered predecessors such as the F8. That's downsizing done right. You can sacrifice your size without sacrificing performance.

The Ferrari 296 is a true thoroughbred that was tried and tested on the road and track. It proves that Ferrari still kept its head in the game despite costly sacrifices in the pursuit of performance. It showed its worth at the world's most demanding racetracks and here in Horizon Mexico, it shines bright as the sun undergoing a solar flare.

EPILOGUE

Having been pleased with both the F8 and the 296, it's time to give these two Ferrari supercars their moment to shine in a series of exhibition races I've prepared for them. But first...

After doing a little angelus prayer, the F8 Tributo prepared its...you guessed it...fortune carat for the role of Prichan idol Anju. As for its successor, the 296...

The Ferrari 296 is proudly wearing its...how should I say this...Solar Crown as it plays the role of PriMagista Jennifer. Like I said, the toughest ones are always in the Ferrari and Ferrari is the alpha male of the supercar realm. Two Ferrari supercars as the two final bosses from the Pretty Series. Touche...

With the makeover done, the Angelus and the Regia Solis are performing against a pack of fans who can't wait to get their hands on these two Ferrari machines. The F8's going underground against a pack of street racers blasting outside Festival grounds while the 296 battles against a pack of expendable drivers uphill. Let's roll the tapes.

The Angelus or the Regia Solis? Who performed better? Can't say...

The F8's Perfect Finale and the 296's Lux Aeterna. The Angelus and the Regia Solis performed like they've never performed, and watching these two Ferraris showcasing their Ferrari-ism made me fired up for more.

Think you're up against these Ferraris? I'm looking forward to seeing you try.

Dismissed.

My FH5 Log: Centennial Podium Reimagined

Ferrari, Toyota, and Cadillac. Three carmakers took over the podium of the centennial anniversary running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans back in the summer of 2023 with Ferrari the victor. I've been asked if I can reimagine the Le Mans' centennial podium as road cars, which car per brand will it be standing in the now-legendary podium and why?

My obvious choices for my Le Mans centennial podium reimagined as road cars are; the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, the Toyota GR Supra, and the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. When you do an improv on them, you'll know they had learnings from their now-legendary podium-standing equivalents in Le Mans.

The SF90 Stradale uses most of Scuderia Ferrari's motorsport know-how and the teachings from the LaFerrari to create the de-facto flagship PHEV hypercar that can dominate the road and track with surgical precision. Powering the SF90 Stradale is a plug-in hybrid setup, a first for Ferrari, where the turbocharged F154 4.0L V8 engine, producing 780PS of power, is connected to three electric motors, two on the front axle and one between the engine and the 8-speed double-clutch gearbox, resulting to a monstrous 1,000PS of total power output that pushes the SF90 to a 0-100kph time of 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 340kph.

The Toyota GR Supra is the first of the Reiwa-era JDM sportscars when it was launched in May 2019, a month after the beginning of the Reiwa era in Japan. Despite the BMW connection because it runs on the same mechanicals as the BMW Z4 G29, most speedo boys went for the Toyota rather than its BMW equivalent because, obviously, IT'S A TOYOTA. Powering the GR Supra is a choice of a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo engine and the 3.0L BMW TwinPower Turbo engine for the range-topping RZ variant, seen here, producing 340PS of power and 500Nm of torque. All of the engines are mated to an 8-speed Steptronic gearbox. Later updates gave a power hike on the 3.0L turbo engine as well as the implementation of a 6-speed manual gearbox, which made it slightly lighter and more fun.

The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing transforms the sober American businessman's car into a WMD for the road and track. The 6.2L Supercharged V8 engine was a complete carryover from the old CTS-V but it has been boosted to produce 668HP of power and 659lb-ft of torque while mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed AT that propels this car from a 0-100kph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of over 200mph. It also comes with eLSD, advanced suspension refinements, Launch Control, Performance Traction Management, and MRC 4.0, among many others.

Judging by the performance the reimagined centennial podium possessed, there's no way I would have a three-way shootout between them because, truth be told, the SF90 will mince them both just as Ferrari crushed both Toyota and Cadillac in the Le Mans centennial anniversary race of 2023. I know, the CT5-V Blackwing's more powerful than the Supra but because the Supra is lighter, it slips through the American businessman's car gone mad at ease. Still, using the power of improv, I decided to give the reimagined Le Mans centennial podium a little talent show to demonstrate their native talents and with that, some makeovers.

Using Hana again? I'm starting to fall in love with my in-game GR Supra decorated with Aikatsu Planet's Hana because it has that "main character energy" on it, just like her. This is why I'm using her again for the little exhibition show I've run for her. A final encore, if you like.

The Wings on the Road, CT5-V Blackwing, is now peppered with a touch of Beat from Aikatsu Planet. Suits its personality well because driving the CT5-V Blackwing gives you the impression of pouring a bottle of cola into a teacup and sipping it in. I admire its level of sophistication as much as Beat herself. The CT5-V Blackwing is an awesome super saloon but today, the wings on the road's got Beat's name all over them, the equivalent of drinking cola out of a teacup. Classy, siddity, and elegance.

Lastly, Ferrari's de-facto flagship hypercar, the SF90, is now wrapped in the thorns of Rose from Aikatsu Planet. The toughest ones are always in the Ferrari and Ferrari is the alpha male of the supercar realm, making it the ideal role for the SF90 as Aikatsu Planet's toughest character, the final boss if you like. Up for a real challenge? You'll gonna have to take on her.

With my favorite cars mirrored in, it's time for the reimagined Le Mans centennial trio to have exhibition matches against Horizon's best drivers assembled including dummy drivers in reserve. Time to show these three what they're capable of and how Le Mans influenced sports cars like these. Send in the clips.

The trio put on a great show as if this was the last live show of their lives.

Ferrari, Toyota, and Cadillac took over the podium of the centennial anniversary running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the summer of 2023 with Ferrari the victor. When reimagined as road cars in the form of the SF90 Stradale, the GR Supra, and the CT5-V Blackwing, they really shine because of the learnings from their podium-standing equivalents, and when they're mirrored in, they can see their true colors.

Should the next Le Mans race come in, will Toyota mean revenge against Ferrari? Is Ferrari defending its Le Mans comeback? Or will there be another surprise in store? Only time will tell in the summer...

My FM Log: V12 for Victory

Forza Motorsport's Update 6 brought back two V12-powered monster machines in the stable; one is a track-only Prancing Horse that takes pride in its Nurburgring struggle and the other one is the ultimate getaway car when you're in the middle of, you guessed it, hot pursuit.

First up is the Ferrari 599XX that I won from the Update 6 Open Class Tour until the April 10 deadline. 

The 599XX is a track-only version of the 599 GTB Fiorano. It comes with a rev limited raised to 9000rpm, a V12 engine rated for 720HP, reduced weight by cutting the weight of the engine unit components, and the use of composites and carbon fiber materials. It was showcased at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show and it set the Nurburgring Nordschleife lap time of 6:58.16.

Lastly, the Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster that I won from Update 6's Combustion Tour until the April 24 deadline. 

Cinque (five in Italian) is what we believed to be the final version of the Pagani Zonda when it was launched in 2009 with a limited run of five hardtop models and five roadster models. Furthermore, the Cinque is known to be the road-legal version of the track-only Zonda R, which became the fastest at the Nurburgring Nordschleife. This model is the first to feature a new composite material that combines carbon fiber and titanium, known as Carbotanium.

Having obtained these 12-cylinder marvels, I've driven them both around the Nurburgring Grand Prix Circuit to demonstrate the loudness and strengths these two V12 monster machines possess. Let's roll the tapes.

V12 for Victory.

Enjoy your new rides!

My FH5 Log: Tricolorus Extremus

I respect the Italians because their supercar-building status made them the nuclear power of the motoring world. In Forza Horizon 5, I've been greeted by three of the most extreme Italian track superweapons ever made. All three of them are DLC cars, sadly.

Are these number codes? I think not.

These are the Italian track superweapons in question; the Lamborghini Essenza SCV12, the Pagani Huayra R, and the Ferrari FXX-K Evo. These de-restricted weapons of mass velocity are armed and ready to shake, rattle, and roll to the extremes.

Let's begin with the Ferrari FXX-K Evo, the most extreme version of the LaFerrari-based FXX-K, and yours to keep if you got the Car Pass. Although the V12 hybrid powerplant remains the same, meaning it still pumps out 1050PS of power output while torque output is over 900Nm, the FXX-K Evo features improved aerodynamics resulting in 23% improved downforce, improved drag resistance, improved dynamics, and more.

Next up is the Pagani Huayra R, part of FH5's Italian Exotics Car Pack currently available. Essentially the finale for the Huayra hypercar, this track-only version, with only 30 units made and sold, is powered by the naturally-aspirated 6.0L AMG V12 engine producing 850PS of power while mated to a 6-speed sequential gearbox.

Lastly, the Lamborghini Essenza SCV12, also part of FH5's Italian Exotics Car Pack currently available. With only 40 made and sold, this track-only superweapon made by Lamborghini Squadra Corse is powered by the same 6.5L V12 engine as the Aventador but it pumps out 830PS of power output, 20PS less than the Huayra R. It is mated to a 6-speed X-track sequential gearbox, which doubles as a structural element within the fully carbon-fiber chassis, with the pushrod rear suspension installed directly on it for better weight distribution.

With their introduction made, it's time to find out which of the three track nukes is the deadliest behind the wheel and with that, it's off to the Horizon Mexico festival grounds to conduct...this nuclear test. Let's roll the tape.

And now the results...

Essenza - 1m03.130s

Huayra R - 1m00.878s

FXX-K Evo - 59.326s

It looks like Scuderia Ferrari is still the top dog in the Italian supercar arms race after all. The FXX-K Evo is the definite proof that you don't want to mess with Maranello's mightiest.

The FXX-K Evo, Huayra R, and the Essenza are proof that Italy is the motoring nuclear superpower because these weapons of mass velocity are like an explosive mix of, let's say, Capsaicin, Pitaya Dragon, and Golden Cheese. If you mess with them, they'll hit you to the extreme. Approach with extreme caution with these track nukes behind the wheel. Their mind-blowing performance and dynamics are too much for puny humans behind the wheel.

Go ahead, take a spin with these three if you are heroic enough. The results will shock you through the earth's core.

CASE CLOSED.