Forza Motorsport 7: First Subie

Forza Motorsport 7 celebrates the 60th anniversary of Subaru as a car company and it became an appropriate time for them to look back 60 years of Subaru's car manufacturing with the car that started it all, this little Subaru 360.



Ah yes. The one called it "cheap and ugly" in the US adverts. What is it then? Two years after the post-war period is declared over, Fuji Heavy Industries (now Subaru Corporation) has released the Subaru 360, marking it the first time selling a proper four-wheeled vehicle and a turning point in Japanese car manufacturing industry.

From its egg-shaped body and interior space for four people, it was powered by a 356cc engine, which is the standard kei-car displacement back then, mated to the back of the car. Early models produce only 15HP of power and it was mated to a 3-speed MT. Thanks to its fiberglass roof panel, it weighs only 400kg and to make it smooth to handle, it's got a 4-wheel independent suspension.

Until 1971, the Subaru 360 became a phenomenon and there have been different versions including the Young S and SS, sport versions for young car enthusiasts.

In pop culture reference, the Subaru 360 became the car of choice of GetBackers' main characters, Ban Mido and Ginji Amano.



Yes, you heard that right. This is the car the GetBackers used mission after mission when our favorite vigilantes kicking butts but anyway, no time to feel the tense because I'm trying to talk about what is like to drive the first Subaru ever made and despite my poor tastes for classic cars, it isn't half bad for a micro car that changed the very landscape of the Japanese car manufacturing renaissance.

Yes, the engine maybe small, it's short on power, but for a tiny car, it has endless possibilities you can think of and just imagine how much potential you can create with just a "cheap and ugly" car like this. Whoa, said that much...



After my brief drive with the car favored by the GetBackers, how about a little demonstration to see the Subaru 360 is still the Subaru 360 I know from the past mid-century, let's pit in with something very similar to it and since we're in Suzuka, I picked a suitable rival for it.





Of course, this is the one favored by everyone's favorite master thief, Lupin the Third, but this here is the Abarth 595 esseesse, an improved version of the standard 500 that resulted to the ideal mantra that small is better, even when it comes to picking the best handling classics. Talk about some mid-century atmosphere here and with all of the ingredients here, looks like it's going to be a showdown between the vigilante and a thief. However, we're experiencing light showers around Suzuka but never mind, let's get this showdown on the road.


And now, the lap times...

595 - 1:32.304
360 - 1:33.516

Whoa, looks like Lupin the Third managed to get away from the GetBackers by about a second. Man, you boys really let the master thief get away, huh? Even Inspector Zenigata couldn't figure it out how Lupin got away in this latest scheme. Oh, well...



The Subaru 360, found in Forza Motorsport 7's Tonino's Car Pack, may not be the ideal car for those who are interested in fast rides offered in the game, but as a time machine, it's important to know every car company's roots by understanding the classics and this Subaru 360 is the ideal example of that.

Without the 360, cars like the Leone, the Alcyone, the Legacy, the Impreza, and the Forester, among many other noteworthy Subarus wouldn't exist and looks like we have to give this "cheap and ugly" Subaru a big thanks. Too much, I said? Anyway, here's for 60 years of making cars, Subaru. It's a shame that the way Subaru has pretty much vanished these days, shrivelled up to the point that they're making boring cars. It's heartbreaking...

Forza Horizon 2: Challenge Stradale accepts the challenge

This is no ordinary Ferrari 360 because this is the 360 Challenge Stradale, a hardcore version of the 360 Modena that weighs less and more aerodynamic than the normal 360 because of carbon fiber door panels, removed carpets, carbon ceramic brakes, titanium wheel bolts, dual rear floor with F1-inspired flows, slightly longer nose, slightly modified sills, slightly necked boot and the rear is higher than the front. The 3.6L engine that powers it is raised to 425BHP, resulting to a 0-60mph time of four seconds.



I won this car from my first showcase event on Forza Horizon 2. It was the one where I have to race against an aerobatic squadron in the open roads of Castelleto. It was a close one but I'm glad I got my hands on this hardcore 360 that is pre-tuned to take on the next championship. I've even got the chance to use it on the road trip to Nice, France.



The 360 Challenge Stradale maybe old but it still work very well in the Southern European landscape in Forza Horizon 2 and I spent several hours showing its true capabilities as a full-blooded Ferrari by taking part in championship events suitable for its kind as a Modern Supercar but first, the 360CS needs to be dressed for the occasion...



Its make-up transformation is done...well sort of. The 360 Challenge Stradale is now ready for the event and notice this shiny gray paint on the outside, it gives out that luster and a more dramatic feel to my Challenge Stradale. I've even added some black stripes to give out that contrast. If I have time for evaluation, looks like my Challenge Stradale looks dramatic enough to cruise around the roads of Southern Europe and for racing, it wants to play rough like most cars do here.

Speaking of play rough, the 360CS is ready to take on the championship it was assigned to and it's time to show how the 360CS can do like an ace!

Forza Horizon: Cavallino Rampante

Dangerous Curves

Once started in life as a unicorn car in Forza Motorsport 4 but now it's a yours-to-keep car courtesy of Horizon's March Meguiar's Car Pack. The Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale, which in a terribly confusing way, the road version of the racing version of a road car.

Of course the Ferrari 360 is one of the all time greats but for this Challenge Stradale, think of it as a 360 GTi. A sportier car with a more direct connection to the track made in honor of Ferrari's F1 World Champion title four years in a row from 1999 to 2002.

The Challenge Stradale weighs less than the standard model because it has carbon fiber door panels, removed carpets, carbon ceramic brakes, titanium wheel bolts, dual rear floor with F1-inspired flows, slightly longer nose, slightly modified sills, slightly necked boot and the rear is higher than the front.

Lighter, more aerodynamic, and faster than the normal 360 but is the Challenge Stradale better? Well, let your judgment be known...

Forza 4 Head to Head: Your one-way ticket to Maranello

If I'm remember correctly that in a social game that is Car Town, you need a Ferrari F355 Berlinetta, 360 Modena, and the F430 in order to gain access to the Ferrari headquarters. I know, we're talking of a different game, but I'm using this as a basis to talk about those mid-engined V8 Ferrari that adorned through the decades. Sure, the Ferrari 458 was one of the best mid-engined V8 Ferrari but what about the predecessors? Ones that we adorned from the past and we took a liking on those fundamentals?

Maranello's finest

What I have here are the predecessors of the 458 but they're just more than that. They're just the first steps to become a fan of the Prancing Horse, something to respect Enzo for. First up is the F355 Berlinetta...

F355 Berlinetta

Launched in 1994, the Ferrari 355 was the successor of the 438, continuing the evolution of mid-engined, rear wheel drive V8 Ferraris. Unlike the 348 it replaces, the F355 has its engine capacity increased from 3.4 to 3.5L, generating 380PS of power while mated in either a 6-speed manual or the Formula One style paddle gear shift electrohydraulic manual transmission (in 1997).

The Ferrari F355 has a steel monocoque frame with tubular steel rear sub-frame ith front and rear suspensions using independent, unequal-length wishbones, coil springs over gas-filled telescopic shock absorbers with electronic control servos and anti-roll bars. Most F355 models, from the Berlinetta, GTS targa top, and the Spider (in 1995) are armed with Pirelli tires, size 225/40ZR 18 in front and 265/40 ZR 18 in the rear.

VERDICT: You don't need to go back in the 1990's to try out the F355 because of its unique characteristics. This Ferrari is all about style and finesse in every corner and in my point of view, driving the F355 feels like playing a classic video game and you wanna know what? It's called Ridge Racer. This guy really looked like the Ridge Racer car and might be best to listen to the Ridge Racer theme song while driving this.

The F355 Berlinetta I've just bought did it in 1:26.001

360 Modena


Launched in 1999 and produced up until 2005, the 360 Modena continues the mid-engined V8 Ferrari evolution and it served as the successor of the F355.

To create the 360's all aluminum space-frame, Ferrari collaborated with Alcoa and as a result, it is 40% stiffer than the 355 and it's 28% lighter despite a 10% increase in overall dimensions.  In terms of body design, Pininfarina did the rest of it to make the 360 more attractive and more aerodynamic.

Powering the 360 was its 3.6L V8 engine that generates about 400 bhp (300 kW) of power, does 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds, and top speed of 189 mph (304 km/h).

This model is available as a two-door coupe called the Modena, a convertible model called the 360 Spider, and a high-performance version called the Challenge Stradale. Little known fact that Ferrari made a one-off 360 Barchetta as a wedding present to Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.

In classic Top Gear, Tiff Needell visited Maranello to review the 360 Modena.

In the Supercar World Cup episode of Top Gear Season 2, the Ferrari 360 Modena was one of the competitors as well as the Porsche 996 Turbo, Honda NSX, Chevrolet Corvette C5, Venturi, and a nitrous-powered, stripped-out Jaguar.

VERDICT: As a kid, I admired the 360 Modena's cleverness and finesse and when I tried this one in a video game I remember (think of NFS Hot Pursuit II since 2002), this one's an animal. I just love this kind of Ferrari. I like it more than the F355 or even the 458. Sure, the 458 may be quick but for those who love the blast to the past might consider the 360 as a preferability even by today's standards.



That's a 1:24.337 for the 360 Modena

F430


Following the evolution of Ferrari's mid-engined V8 sportscar since the F355 and the 360, the F430 was launched at the 2004 Paris Motor Show and it was made to be one of the sportiest V8 Ferraris ever made. Prices start at around $186,925 to $217,310 in the United States, £118,500 in the United Kingdom, €175,000 in the European Union and $379,000 for the base model to $450,000 for the Spider F1 in Australia.

Thanks to Frank Stephenson at Pininfarina, the F430's design provides enhanced aerodynamic efficiency while retaining the same drag coefficient of the 360 Modena it replaced.

Powering the F430 was its 4.3L V8 engine derived from the shared Ferrari and Maserati design, generating 490PS of power and 465Nm of torque. This can go 0-100kph in 4 seconds and achieve a top speed of 196 mph (315 km/h).

It is available in coupe, spider, hardcore Scuderia, and the Scuderia Spider 16M.

Jeremy Clarkson reviewed this on Top Gear in coupe and spider variants and when handed to The Stig, it set a lap time of 1:22.9, faster than the Lamborghini Murcielago and the Pagani Zonda.

James May drove a 430 Spider at the Supercars do France episode of Top Gear while Jeremy Clarkson's in the Ford GT and Richard Hammond's in the Pagani Zonda.

It is believed that James May owns a F430 and Jeremy Clarkson borrowed May's F430 for a drag race against its successor, the 458 Italia, after messing it up with some Doritos and some chocolate bars Jeremy ate. With the Stig in the F430, Jeremy and the 458 defeated its predecessor on a quarter mile drag race at the Top Gear Track.

VERDICT: What I like about the F430 was its performance thanks to its 4.3L V8 engine and its aerodynamics because of its Pininfarina credentials. Sadly though, I don't like this car because...well, as Jeremy just said, James May has one...the idiot...Sorry...But still, the F430 is definitely one of the best looking V8 Ferraris ever and that magnificent noise really made no excuses here. Compare the 4.3L V8-powered Ferrari F430 to the 5.0L V10-powered Lamborghini Gallardo and this really is a no holds barred fight. You'll never know which one really cut the mustard but hey, the war between the raging bulls and the prancing horses is still Italy's big topic for the car enthusiasts...



The F430 done it in 1:20.685.

Welcome Back: 2003 Ferrari Challenge Stradale

This is a bit of a lightweight version of the 360 Modena

The Ferrari 360 is one of the all time greats. They made a track-only version known as the 360 Challenge and on that bombshell, in a terribly confusing way, they made a road version of the track version of the road car. Think of the Challenge Stradale as a 360 GTi, a more tamer version of the 360 which is track-focused and road legal. With the pricing of 130,000 British Pound Sterling, which is 30,000 more than the standard model, that extra price made this model some weight loss programs such as carbon fiber door panels, removed carpets, carbon ceramic brakes, titanium wheel bolts, dual rear floor with F1-inspired flows, slightly longer nose, slightly modified sills, slightly necked boot and the rear is higher than the front. Some of these are all in the sake of aerodynamics. The 3.6L engine has been tweaked to produce 425BHP; 0-60mph in 4 seconds.

In essence then, the 360 Challenge Stradale is lighter, more aerodynamic, faster, and it's a great way of getting closer to Ferrari's motor racing. A greater way to telling all the Ferrari 360 Modena owners that you're a little bit richer.

When The Stig is in the 360 Challenge Stradale, it went round the Top Gear Test Track in 1.22.3

This car is listed as a unicorn car.

GetBackers vs. Lupin the Third...sort of

The scene of the ultimate showdown.
A straight fight between GetBackers and Lupin III

Sorry folks. We're not comparing two anime shows that you know. We're comparing the two cars that were seen in anime shows. The original Fiat 500 which was Lupin the Third's car of choice while the memorable Subaru 360 was the car of choice for the Getbackers. How can we settle those classic minis? Let's find out, "Top Gear at the Movies" style.

Firstly, let's start with the Subaru 360. Ah yes. The little Subaru...The little Subaru 360....It maybe the first Subaru kei car ever built but undeniably, this car is the brainchild of the Subaru brand. This is the pride and joy of Fuji Heavy Industries when they're starting the Subaru brand in the 1950's. Even in today's standards, the Subaru 360 is still unique in the eyes of car enthusiasts. The Subaru 360 is powered by the 356cc engine, which was the standard kei car displacement in the 50's, that produces about 16HP of power and it was positioned at the (wait for it) back! Nope, the 360 is not a midship but it is the first and only rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive production car from Subaru. I have no wonder why did Ban Mido and Ginji Amano prefer that machine so much on their missions but still a great car for many. That model was launched in 1958, two years after the post war period was declared over, and production ended in 1971, replaced by the Subaru R-2. There is just one fact that this car is nicknamed the "ladybug", just when the original Volkswagen 1100 was called, and once approved, Beetle. So, are there any Subaru 360 owners clubs around the world? If there's any, well, count me in because I want to see how people love their Subaru 360 so much, they retain it in their garages even by today's standards.

Okay, we've done about the GetBackers' ride, how about the ride of our favorite master thief and a misfit that is Lupin the Third? If you were the kind of dashing debonair who spends most of the time at the heist of the world's most precious artifacts and treasures, be sure that your heists are not complete without this nippy little Italian rascal, the original Fiat 500. It looks similar to the ride Lupin III and the gang rode on The Castle of Cagliostro, which is a Hayao Miyazaki masterpiece but due to constraints, we can't show you the film, perhaps if Hammond and May didn't feature it on 2011's Top Gear at the Movies DVD. If that was featured, imagine if Hammond or May recreate the scene after the Monaco casino robbery from The Castle of Cagliostro film.

Anyway, for a quick history lesson, the original Cinquecento was launched in 1957 and it was heavily inspired from the Topolino compact but this compact car can accommodate up to four people, two more than the Topolino. Like the Subaru 360, the original Fiat 500 is a rear engine, rear wheel drive compact, meaning that its 479cc engine was at the back of it. As for the 479cc engine, it produces 15HP of power and it has a top speed of just 90kph. Not quite good for the highway trip but it looks perfect on the city streets. The one I featured here is the 1968 Fiat 500 F, it has a 499.5cc engine that produces 17HP of power and 22.4ft-lb of torque. This car weighs 520kg, which is somewhat heavier than the Subaru 360.

Okay, if I was going to be more like "Clarkson Duel", let's just say...Who is better? GetBackers or Lupin the Third? To find out, I've fully tuned both of my Subaru 360 and the 1968 Fiat 500 F and I chose "The Top Gear Test Track" as the venue. Both are fitted with Comfort Medium Tires and let's find out which of these two anime shows are better.

I started with the Subaru 360, which is the GetBackers' car of choice, and it did it in...

2:03.8

...then, it was the turn of Lupin the III's car, the 1968 Fiat 500 F. Guess my tuned 500 F has more power than my tuned Subaru 360, which makes it a bit more painful to ask. So then, same track, same driver. Lupin III's car is underway and it did it in...

1:47.1

...which means, the oldies anime was proven better than the anime that was aired in the 2000's! It was proven that Lupin the Third was better than GetBackers! The 1968 Fiat 500 F was proven to be quicker than the Subaru 360! No wonder! A very old anime that was beaten by a very very very old anime! Oh bugger! If only Top Gear made a DVD about the anime cars with Richard Hammond and James May on it, this would be it and this would be called TOP GEAR AT THE ANIMES! I hope Andy Wilman, executive producer of Top Gear, got that memo!