Showing posts with label forza. Show all posts
Showing posts with label forza. Show all posts

Thursday, March 14, 2024

My FH5 Log: The World Standard

The Volkswagen ID.4 is the winner of the 2021 World Car of the Year award, proving that Volkswagen's electrification gamble paid off with big dividends and now that it made its Forza Horizon 5 appearance, it's time to have a word with the new world standard.


Having won this electric crossover at the European Automotive Storm Season Playlist, it's time to get to know about the Volkswagen ID.4.

The ID.4 is Volkswagen's first crossover SUV from the ID range of electric vehicles. Launched in 2020, the ID.4 runs on the same mechanicals as the ID.3 hatchback. It also bears the same shape as well. Running on the MEB platform, the ID.4 is powered by a choice of three battery sizes at launch with the largest being 77kWh (delivering 204PS of power output through the rear axle) and a range of 511km driving range. Top speed is 160kph.


You may remember that in one of the ID.4's commercials in the US, Tanner Foust drives the ID.4 while chasing the Golf Mk.8 R, its benchmark car, asking if an electric car can perform like a hot hatch. To test Foust's theory, let's give the rear-wheel-drive ID.4 a quick spin around the streets of Guanajuato while up against a pack of city cars. Let's roll the tape.


Guess Tanner Foust was right, just.


From winning the 2021 World COTY award to becoming the first production EV to complete the NORRA Mexican 1000 off-road race in the Baja peninsula, the Volkswagen ID.4 truly is the new world standard for electrics. Like it or not, this crossover is the real game-changer just like the Beetle and the Golf.

I wish I would end my first impression with the ID.4 in Forza Horizon 5 but I have other plans with this crossover so...watch this space.

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

My FM Log: The second 911 RSR

Having fought my way through Forza Motorsport's Update 5.0 Open Class Tour until the March 13th deadline, I got my hands on the 1974 Porsche #1 911 RSR, the second iteration of the racing version of the legendary Porsche 911.


Following the success of the 901-based 911 Carrera RSR that dominated Daytona and the Targa Florio, a 930-spec 911 RSR was unveiled in 1974 and it conquered Group 4 racing for the next 24 months at the hands of privateers.

Powering the 930 911 RSR is the same 2.8 flat-six engine that powered its 901 predecessor, producing 330hp of power and 231lb-ft of torque.

Apart from dominating Group 4 races, a 2.8/3.0 RSR hybrid version took part in the US IROC series during the 1973/74 winter season. A 2.1L turbo prototype took part in the 1974 24 Hours of Le Mans and finished 2nd.


I've selected the Nordschleife portion of the Nurburgring, which was included in the fifth Forza Motorsport series update, to demonstrate the legendary performance the 911 RSR possesses. Roll the tape.


Legendary, as some would say.

Enjoy your new ride!

Friday, March 8, 2024

My FH5 Log: Summit Assault

Let's face it. The world's gone mad these days and so has the motoring world, where three superpowers clash for supremacy. America, Europe, and Asia are all locked in for a motoring world war.


Like I said in the past, the Chevrolet Corvette, the Porsche 911, and the Nissan GT-R are the most dominant names in the world of sports cars because of their heritage, performance, and racing pedigree that made them the global superpowers feared and respected the world over. 





Here in Forza Horizon 5, I am already familiar with the motoring superpowers in their current state; the C8 Corvette Z06, the GT-R NISMO, and the 992 911 GT3.

The 911 GT3, in its 992 spec, is known for its race-inspired aerodynamics, performance, and the naturally-aspirated 4.0L flat-six engine that begs to be revved. The C8 Corvette Z06, meanwhile, is the Republican's answer to the 911 GT3 because of its naturally aspirated V8 engine, C8.R-inspired dynamics, and sleek aerodynamics. Lastly, the GT-R NISMO is no doubt the king of GT-Rs. Enough said.




To unleash their true worth in performance and dynamics, the three motoring superpowers have been gathered for a summit, a Summit Assault to the top of the caldera. Let's find out which of them is the real superpower here. Roll the tape.


And now the results...

C8 Z06 - 3m.04.101s
GT-R NISMO - 3m06.386s
992 GT3 - 3m03.333s


So, the Germans have won the battle, but the war continues because the motoring superpowers will keep improving and fighting until the endgame. The more you know.


EPILOGUE


Having satisfied with the motoring superpower trio, it's time to reward themselves for all the hard work they've done.




Our 992 911 GT3 had its tensions MAXED with Little Miss Dorothy West plastered over it. I still had the old 911 992 GT3 with Sala in it but for my Dorothy-fied 911 GT3, I've tinkered it to be mated with a 6-speed gearbox. Did you know that the 992 911 GT3 is offered with the choice of either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed PDK?




For the C8 Z06, well, you can't go wrong with it with a dash of Red Flash and Sophy Hojo in it. Fast and sexy, just like the car itself.




The Nissan GT-R NISMO is no doubt one of the most formidable 4WD supercars in ages but for now, it's got Sion Todo's name all over in the spirit of Let's ¡Go! Get it? Let's i-Go! That's Sion's line.




With their respective makeovers done, the legendary trio is setting off to EventLab re-enactments of fictional racetracks from famous racing games in history. Let's roll the tapes.




What a WonderPri World, they said.




Global superpowers are forever known for changing world history with influence, be it for better or worse, and it's the same thing for the world's best sportscars. The Corvette, the 911, and the GT-R fought themselves for true world domination but in the end, it was a stalemate because other global superpowers were trying to prove their worth just like them.

Yes, the United Nations of speed and power ain't really united just like the United Nations itself, and as long as the sources of power remain, the clash for world domination will continue.

GET READY FOR THE NEXT BATTLE!

Thursday, March 7, 2024

My FH5 Log: IMPOSSIBLE. DRIVEN

You may remember back in the Winter Wonderland update on Forza Horizon 5, you have been given access to Aston Martin's ultimate masterpiece, the Valkyrie. Now, in the European Automotive update, its track-only equivalent, the AMR Pro, bursts into action.


Having obtained this car in the update's Wet Season Playlist, it's time to get to know about the Valkyrie's track-only equivalent.

Based on the Valkyrie hypercar, the AMR Pro is a track-only version that delivers the same performance and dynamics just like a Formula 1 car.

In addition to its more aggressive aerodynamic upgrades that add more dimension compared to the normal Valkyrie, making it capable of achieving lateral acceleration of more than 3G, the AMR Pro ditches the Valkyrie's hybrid system, trading power for weight loss. The 6.5L Cosworth V12 NA engine remains, producing over 1000PS of power.

During testing, the Valkyrie AMR Pro lapped the Le Mans circuit in 3 minutes 20 seconds, delivering the same performance as an LMP1-class race car.

Only 40 were made and sold. Customers who bought the Valkyrie AMR Pro have gained access to a bespoke track day experience at select FIA-approved circuits worldwide as well as other privileges.



The Aston Martin Valkyrie is known for being the road-legal Formula 1 car thanks to its space-age aerodynamics and dynamics derived from its F1 know-how. With the AMR Pro, well, let's find out how good the track version is by pitting it against its road-going version at the festival grounds. Roll the tape.


And now, the results...

Valkyrie - 1m00.344s

Valkyrie AMR Pro - 59.343s

Even in race-spec configuration, it's too close to call between them. Still, even without hybrid power, it's just as good as its road-going equivalent.


The Aston Martin Valkyrie is the engineering triumph a century in the making, combining most of its racing pedigree from Le Mans to Formula 1 to create a space-age hypercar that shatters expectations and the AMR Pro brings the Valkyrie's trademark performance to greater use. Here's hoping Aston Martin's 2025 WEC ambitions will come to fruition with this one.

This is IMPOSSIBLE, DRIVEN. 

Sunday, March 3, 2024

My FM Log: King's Weapon

The McLaren Senna and the Aston Martin Valkyrie are British hypercars performing exceptionally well not just on the road, but also on the track. With its track-only equivalents roaring in the Forza Motorsport game, it's time to exploit them further.


How do these two hypercar-turned-track weapons differentiate themselves? Let's begin with the McLaren Senna GTR, the track-only version of the King of McLaren Ultimate Series.

Revealed as a concept in 2018 and spawned into a limited-production model moments later, the Senna GTR transforms the already track-proven hypercar with even more potential.

The 4.0L V8 twin-turbo engine from its road-going equivalent remains the same, meaning it still produces 814hp of power, but it's mated to a racing transmission McLaren says it's faster in a straight line compared to the normal Senna.

In addition to its race-tuned aerodynamics that generate 1000kg of downforce, the Senna GT-R comes with a revised double wishbone suspension and slick Pirelli tires for improved grip.

The track-only Senna GT-R is limited to 75 units sold.

Now, let's get to know the Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro, the closest thing you can get from a Formula 1 car.

Based on the Valkyrie hypercar, the AMR Pro is a track-only version that delivers the same performance and dynamics just like a Formula 1 car.

In addition to its more aggressive aerodynamic upgrades that add more dimension compared to the normal Valkyrie, making it capable of achieving lateral acceleration of more than 3G, the AMR Pro ditches the Valkyrie's hybrid system, trading power for weight loss. The 6.5L Cosworth V12 NA engine remains, producing over 1000PS of power.

During testing, the Valkyrie AMR Pro lapped the Le Mans circuit in 3 minutes 20 seconds, delivering the same performance as an LMP1-class race car.

Only 40 were made and sold. Customers who bought the Valkyrie AMR Pro have gained access to a bespoke track day experience at select FIA-approved circuits worldwide as well as other privileges.



To bring out the anger of the beast from these two track versions of British hypercars, I'm heading to Silverstone and find out which of them is the superior king. Let's roll the tapes.



And now, the results...

Senna GTR - 2m11.792s

Valkyrie AMR Pro - 1m52.599s



Thanks to its F1 know-how carried over from its road-legal equivalent as well as other track-based improvements, the Valkyrie AMR Pro massively sliced the Senna GTR into bits around Silverstone.

Regardless of today's result, I'm extremely satisfied that the Senna GTR and the Valkyrie AMR Pro are truly at home in the new Forza Motorsport game because this game served as a chance to demonstrate their de-restricted track capabilities against the world's most demanding race tracks.

Come try Britain's most extreme track weapons in Forza Motorsport if you're brave enough. You're welcome to do so.

Saturday, February 24, 2024

My FH5 Log: A not-for-UK MG flagship saloon

When the UK was under the rule of the Labour, the MG Rover lineage offered us the luxury executive midsize saloon called the Rover 75 and its sporty MG ZT counterpart. Although flawed compared to its German rivals, both the 75 and the ZT proved their point until the fall of the MG Rover lineage to the Chinese overlords.


As MG is under the thumb of SAIC, they've created what's known to be their answer to the Audi A4, something that will drive Brits to tears because this is not available in MG's native land, the United Kingdom.


This is the MG7, the one that I obtained from Forza Horizon 5's Lunar New Year Hot Season Playlist after hitting the 20-point target.


Unveiled in 2022, the second-generation MG7 serves as the flagship of the MG lineup in the Chinese market. When it was launched, two variants were offered such as the entry-level 300 VTGI variant with the turbocharged 1.5L petrol engine producing 188PS of power while mated to a seven-speed DCT, and this, the 405 VTGI Trophy model with the turbocharged 2.0L petrol engine producing 261PS of power while mated to a 9-speed ZF automatic.


As a code of honor, I do not like sampling cars that are not offered in their native land. MG is a British car company from the start and this car is not, much like the un-Korean Hyundai i30 N from last week, the MG6 XPower from a long time ago, and the others.

Riding shotgun with it, I'm starting to have thoughts about the MG7 but still, my mind remains the same despite the sporty handling it delivers. It behaves like a European car but no. I'm still not bothered with it because, like I said, this is a not-for-UK MG flagship saloon that drives Brits to tears, wondering why this A4 rival is not sold in Britain.


Before the sulking continues, the MG7 wants me to take a quick drive on the Marigold against a pack of sports saloons, demonstrating its Euro-tuned dynamics fit for a Chinese-made British saloon. Let's roll the tape.


Not bad but I'm not happy about it.


After spending the whole day driving the MG7, I've learned nothing because if the MG7 did sell in Britain, I would be grateful to drive what's known to be Britain's answer to the Audi A4 but no. MG has no plans to bring the MG7 to the Brits and that's final.

This is a complete waste of time for me because I just drove a not-for-UK MG flagship saloon for all the wrong reasons and I got spiraled.

Dismissed.

Thursday, February 22, 2024

My FH5 Log: The "real" hot hatch Koreans didn't get

The third-generation Hyundai i30 is no doubt the last i30 offered in the South Korean market and production ended in 2020 without a direct successor. Long story short.



However, in a parallel universe, the i30 PD still exists in markets outside South Korea, and much to the dismay of Koreans, here lies a high-performance version of the i30 PD.


It's called the i30 N and I obtained it from Forza Horizon 5's Lunar New Year's Dry Season playlist after hitting the 20-point target. This is the "real" hot hatch Koreans didn't get.


Born in Namyang, Honed at the Nurburgring. This is the concept of the N brand since its 2015 announcement and this is the result; the very first Hyundai N car based on the i30 PD. The i30 N incorporates most of Hyundai's know-how in motorsport to create an everyday sports car suitable for daily commuting in comfort on weekdays or for race track performance on the weekend.  Powering the i30 N is a turbocharged 2.0L engine with up to 275PS of power for the Performance Package, sprinting from 0-100kph in 6.1 seconds while mated to a 6-speed MT.

The i30 N was facelifted in 2020 and it gained a new 8-speed N DCT for the first time. The Performance Package saw an additional 5PS compared to the pre-facelifted model, making its 0-100kph time 0.2 seconds faster than before.


Riding shotgun with the i30 N, I now know what it's like to drive in a high-performance Korean hot hatchback that's not available in South Korea. Sure, it was built by the Czechs but deep down, it has the beating heart of a secret royal inspector from the Joseon Dynasty, always ready for what's next. Gotta love the cackling exhaust sound while changing gears. It has some rally car vibes to it.

Because being a front-wheel-drive hot hatch, it feels moderate to drive. Not too basic but not challenging behind the wheel. It's like putting cheese on a bowl of spicy ramen if you catch my drift.


Such performance demands a plausible question, a "what if" scenario if you may. If the third-generation Hyundai i30 remained in the Korean market and had the N variant in it, what would it be like to drive in the Land of the Oppas? To find out, I played a certain EventLab event modeled after a certain city track from a certain video game. Spoiler Alert: It's Seoul Central from I dunno what game it is.


Okay, next time, let's remember this right away because I've done this twice. Weird about the flicker parts, though.


Had Hyundai sold the i30 N to the Korean market, it would have been the first before the Veloster N but sadly, the i30 is no more. It's too late for that now in the same way Nissan failed to bring a NISMO-fied Sylphy B17 a long time ago. For now, Korean FH5 players are taking a wistful look at the Hyundai i30 N, the "real" hot hatch Koreans didn't get. 

Once sampled, driven in tears. Long story short.