Ferrari 12cilindri v Aston Martin Vanquish III

Ferrari's newest masterpiece, the 12Cilindri, is a fitting tribute to the company's 12-cylinder masterpieces spanning from the Testarossa, the 575M, the 599, the F12, and the 812. Let's get to know more about Ferrari's final pure 12-cylinder ICE half-a-million-euro masterpiece.

2025 Ferrari 12Cilindri

2025 Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider

The 12Cilindri comes in coupe and open-top Spider configurations and honors Ferrari’s hard work on iconic 12-cylinder masterpieces. As a car, this model embodies the heart and soul of the brand. The 12Cilindri is the last pure V12 ICE masterpiece.

2025 Ferrari 12Cilindri interior

The Ferrari 12Cilindri was designed with inspiration from past models. The 12Cilindri's fastback styling harks back to the Monza model. The front view is a tribute to the 365 GTB4. The rear design was inspired by the triangular shape of the Testarossa. The interior, meanwhile, dons Ferrari's dual-cockpit layout from the Roma and the Purosangue to make it more driver-focused. Complimented with the handcrafted materials in the making of sports seats and trim, the 12Cilindri shows its true colors as contemporary art on four wheels.

Powering the 12Cilindri is the 6.5L V12 engine with Direct Injection lifted from the 812 Competizione. It produces 830PS of power and 678Nm of torque. Mated to an 8-speed F1 DCT and weighing nearly one-and-a-half tons, it does 0-100kph in 2.9 seconds and flat-out at 340kph. That's supercar quick in Super GT standards.

Being a road-focused GT car, going through the open roads is the main specialty but for the 12Cilindri, that's not the case because while being an excellent road car, it incorporates Ferrari's F1 know-how to make it vaguely usable on the track. It takes a Charles Leclerc-level driver to get a good grip on its dynamic character and with notable track-honed gizmos such as the brake-by-wire, ABS Evo, and the new SSC 8.0, among many other useful gadgets in store, the 12Cilindri is too addictive to be ignored or fully satisfied.

From the road to the track, the Ferrari 12Cilindri is the ultimate V12 Super GT ever made thanks to its addictive features too impossible to miss, especially for those who ended up with the keys to the old 812 Competizione. However, by the time the 12Cilindri made its inception, this is no longer the ultimate V12 Super GT in the world because of this...

2025 Aston Martin Vanquish

2025 Aston Martin Vanquish interior

Yes, Aston Martin managed to resurrect the Vanquish as the ultimate V12 Super GT in the world. The nearly half-a-million-pound Super GT is the must-have for the 2024 Autumn Season.

For the Vanquish's third outing, what the folks from Aston Martin did is make a mashup between the DB12 and the rear view of the non-existent Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake from 2017, don the familiar DB12 interior, make it macho, and Bob's your uncle. This is the Vanquish's third coming the world anticipated and by the looks and feels of it, the Turn 10 Studios people should better think twice before turning a cold shoulder on it.

Powered by an all-new 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo engine, it produces a historical 835PS of power and 1000Nm of torque. Mated to an 8-speed AT, it has a 0-62mph time of 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 214mph. The Ferrari 12Cilindri should be slightly worried about taking this one on.

With its bonded aluminum structure, front double wishbones, rear multilink suspension, a heavily advanced ABS, and Corner Braking 2.0, among other sport-tuned dynamics outlandish for Super GT standards, it takes a Fernando Alonso-level driver to master the Vanquish on the track but no need while on the road because it drives extremely beautiful. Dynamic as expected but like the 12Cilindri, it's too addictive to be ignored to be fully satisfied.

The 12Cilindri and the Vanquish are two of the top V12 Super GTs on the market. It's hard to choose between the two, but the Vanquish is probably the clear winner. The Vanquish features a bonded aluminum structure, front double wishbones, rear multilink suspension, and Corner Braking 2.0. All of these amazing features make for one fantastic car.

Photo: Ferrari/Aston Martin

My FH5 Log: Gone Lagonda

Forza Horizon 5's Back to the 90s Winter Season Playlist introduced us to an Aston Martin sedan we are unfamiliar with, the Aston Martin Lagonda.

We, Forza babies, don't know about this ancient Aston Martin saloon. The only Aston Martin saloon we remember is the Rapide. Anyway, long story short. Let's get to know about the Aston Martin Lagonda, the sedan.

First launched in 1974 and designed by William Towns, the Aston Martin Lagonda is the company's second attempt at creating a premium sedan and served as the successor to the ancient Lagonda Rapide. The first model was originally a saloon version of the Aston Martin V8. Still, later updates gave the Lagonda sedan a squarish and edgier shape, something unheard of on premium sedan standards. 

Seen in FH5 is the final version of the Lagonda, the Series 4. Featuring a more rounded but slab-sided styling compared to the Series 3, the Series 4 Lagonda is powered by a 5.3L V12 engine producing 289bhp of power and 321ft-lb of torque.

Until production ended in January 1990, only 105 units of the Series 4 Lagonda were made.

The Lagonda managed to last until the start of the final decade of the 20th century. But do you know something that came out before that? The comedy-horror movie Beetlejuice came out in 1989. That's why I've sent the ancient Lagonda to GT Deny's reenactment of Lydia Deetz's neighborhood in time for Halloween celebrations. Ready for a little tour around the hood? Let's roll the tape.

Nostalgia is all part of the game, more or less.

What are your thoughts on the ancient Aston Martin Lagonda sedan? Do you think the car looks good? Is the Lagonda a good car? Are there any particular features of the Lagonda that you like or dislike? Let me know what you think of the Aston Martin Lagonda.

Anyway, enjoy your new ride!

My FM Log: Racing Shoebill

A wrong Pennzoil Skyline GT-R JGTC machine and an outdated Aston Martin Vantage GTE popped up on Forza Motorsport's Update 11 as prize cars for completing the time-limited featured tours. Having won these cars, let's get to know about these two outdated racing machines.

First up is the #23 Pennzoil NISMO Skyline GT-R that I won from Update 11's Open Class Tour until the September 11, 2024 deadline.

The #23 Pennzoil NISMO Skyline GT-R was based on the R33 Skyline GT-R and competed in the 1998 All Japan GT Championship (JGTC). This was the last year of racing for the R33 before it was replaced by its R34-based successor. 

The R33-based JGTC racer was driven by Erik Comas and Masami Kageyama, and featured an increased engine displacement from 2658cc to 2708cc, resulting in a regulated power output of 500PS. In the 1998 season, Comas took home the Driver's trophy.

Next up is the #97 AMR Vantage GTE that I won from the Road to Race Tour until the September 25, 2024 deadline.

Aston Martin unveiled its racing version of the new Vantage, the Vantage AMR, after launching the second-generation Vantage. 

The Aston Martin Racing squad run by Prodrive sealed a 1-2 in the GTE Pro championship with four wins between the two factory cars entered in the 2019-20 season. 

Aston Martin continued to support its privateer teams even though its factory effort was scaled back. In 2022, Aston Martin returned to the top spot in GTE racing.

In 2023, the final season for the Vantage AMR, no team managed to win a race with the turbocharged machine. However, ORT by TF secured second place at Le Mans and third in Spa, while the season closer in Bahrain saw a rostrum round-up, with D'Station finishing second and Northwest AMR third in Bahrain.

Let's give these two outdated racing machines, the #23 Pennzoil NISMO Skyline GT-R and the #97 AMR Vantage GTE, a chance to redeem themselves around Road Atlanta, which was recently added to this update. Roll the tapes and enjoy the show!

These two outdated racing machines, the #23 Pennzoil NISMO Skyline GT-R and the #97 AMR Vantage GTE, sure know how to perform in their natural habitat. 

Enjoy your new rides!

My FH5 Log: Getting Infested

The Cars and Coffee update on Forza Horizon 5 is a disaster. The game is now infested with old cars swarming all over the Horizon Mexico grounds. These old cars are like disease-carrying insects ruining everyone's summer vacation.

Our first offender is the Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae that I've obtained from the Wet Season Playlist. Lamborghini said goodbye to the Aventador with the LP780-4 Ultimae, the final special edition that combines all the greatest feats from the normal Aventador to the SVJ. It's limited to 350 coupes and 250 roadsters, and features an updated 6.5L V12 engine producing 780PS of power, making it the most powerful Aventador ever made.

Our second offender is the so-called Volkswagen SP-2 that I won from the Storm Season Playlist. Developed by Volkswagen do Brasil, the SP-2 runs on the chassis of the Brazil-spec Type 3. Despite its sleek looks, sales were drastically poor and 10,205 cars were built with 681 exported to Nigeria, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Middle East.

The "brood mother" of the Cars and Coffee infestation is the Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato that I won as the overall prize car of the update. Unveiled at the Concourse d'Elegance event at Lake Como, this limited-to-99-unit collectors' model is the fifth car that emerged from the ongoing partnership that spans back from the DB4 GT Zagato, the barn find that you got since you first moved to Horizon UK. Although based on the Vanquish S underneath, the 6.0L V12 engine has been uprooted to produce 600PS of power, which allowed the Vanquish Zagato to get from 0-60mph in three and a half seconds, and it features a more comfort-oriented suspension setup for a more GT feel, unlike most ultra-expensive sportscars. Apart from the Coupe, the Vanquish Zagato has spawned various variants such as the open-top Volante, the Speedster, and the Shooting Brake. Combining the "family" of four Vanquish Zagato models, all 325 cars have been sold before being shown to the world.

Finally, the mole rat of the horde is the Volkswagen Type 181 that I won from the Hot Season Playlist. Called by the Americans as the VW Thing, this vehicle was originally made for the German army, this military vehicle has been sold to the general public as the Kurierwagen in the country where it was made and has some of the major components from the People's Car, the VW Beetle. This peculiar vehicle lasted until production ended in the early 80's.

Let's take the recent horde of disease-carrying vermins on various races to prove how much of a vermin they really are. Roll the tapes.

Old cars are a scourge that swarm the festival like disease-carrying insects. These old cars ruin everyone's summer vacation and that's the bottom line. It's the halfway point of 2024 and a game like Forza Horizon 5 is still spreading old cars to the roster like The Plague 

This plague is far from over if you catch my drift. Be warned.

Enjoy your new rides!

Aston Martin Vantage (2025MY Minor Change)

Currently in its second generation, the Aston Martin Vantage received a big minor change for the 2025 model year and this will be the most powerful Vantage in existence.

2025 Aston Martin Vantage

The new Aston Martin Vantage is a total prizefighter. I'm not being hyperbolic, it's just the truth. Priced at 165,000 Pounds with no end in sight for added costs, the Vantage is the most powerful iteration in the car's history. I can't help but feel sorry for those envious souls who end up with an old pre-facelifted model.

2025 Aston Martin Vantage

2025 Aston Martin Vantage interior

Beginning with the exterior, the new Vantage retains the sidelines and the rear from the previous model but on the front, it sports a DB12-styled nose. Although flashy compared to the pre-facelifted model, the new face makes a huge statement for the Vantage. The interior is all-new and it came from its DB12 big brother as well. It even packs new sports seats for your driving pleasure. If Fernando Alonso approves this new version, so do you.

The 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine sourced from Mercedes-AMG has been given a massive power bump. It now produces 656bhp. Mated to an 8-speed AT, it does 0-60mph in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 205mph. Finally, a V8-powered Vantage that smashes the 200mph barrier. Not bad for a GT car with Supercar performance.

Aside from the heavily improved performance that made the new Vantage a must-drive for the privileged, the chassis saw a major improvement with the added bracing, the adaptive Bilstein DTX dampers, a centralized advanced vehicle dynamics control system, and an eight-stage TCS. With improved dynamics, it's becoming a proper track weapon that is still usable on public roads.

With its heavily improved performance, DB12-inspired design and interior, and improved dynamics, the Vantage's big minor change is a work of art that is too awesome to be ignored. If some idiots lend you the keys to the old Aston Martin V12 Vantage or the old Vantage AMR, tell them to go eff themselves. This is the Vantage to go for. Nothing more, nothing less. This is the car the Forza people should take note. Trust me. This is the best Vantage ever made and I would have one over the Porsche 911 or the Ferrari Roma.

Photo: Aston Martin

My FH5 Log: Sea Breeze Flowing To the Stars

Have you heard the story of the sea that loved the moon? Of course, you do. I mean, everybody's familiar with the Legend of the Moon and the Sea. It's a love story a thousand years in the making and making the most out of the "Sea and Moon" vibe, I decided to let Forza Horizon 5's finest grand tourers do the singing and dancing.

If you are in the middle of a drive from the sea to the moon, which GT car is your pick? The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera? The third-generation Bentley Continental GTC? Or the BMW M8? This is exactly the question this game was designed to answer but first, let's get to know the GT cars.

Beginning with the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, this potent version of the DB11 is the ultimate grand tourer designed from the ground up. Underneath its muscular shape and seductive curves, the DBS Superleggera carries the same 5.0L V12 Twin Turbo engine as the DB11 but uprooted to produce 725PS of power and 900Nm of torque while mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox, it can get from 0-60mph in three and a half seconds and onwards to 211mph. It even comes with torque vectoring, a mechanical LSD, and F1-inspired aerodynamics to make it more track-honed while retaining its grand tourer status.

The Bentley Continental GT's styling is inspired by the EXP 10 Speed 6 Concept, giving it a fresh new take on Bentley's iconic two-door grand tourer. The third-generation Continental GT runs on the same platform as the second-generation Porsche Panamera and is powered by a brand new 6.0L W12 TSI engine producing 626HP of power and 900Nm of torque. With the 8-speed DCT and 4WD system it does 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds and onwards to 207mph. The GT Convertible follows the same recipe as the hardtop variant but has a roof that can be opened or closed in 19 seconds even while traveling at residential speeds.

The BMW M8 Competition Coupe is the coupe version of the BMW M5 F90. It has the same 4.4L V8 turbo engine and 8-speed automatic transmission. It produces 625PS of power and 750Nm of torque, and can go from 0 to 100kph in up to 3.2 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 250kph, but an optional extra can raise it to 305kph. Like the M5 F90, the M8 comes with an M xDrive all-wheel-drive system with M Dynamic mode that behaves like a rear-wheel-drive car.

These three grand tourers were proven to be the ideal contenders when you want to take a long drive from the sea to the moon just like the legend itself but if The Sea and The Moon witnessed them, which one is worthy to be a favorite for the ancient couple?

Blessed by the power of The Sea and The Moon, the three grand tourers are in the middle of a one-lap time attack to see which one is the best. Don't worry, nobody's drinking three pints of water just like that Grand Tour episode where they're driving around the racetrack while holding the urge to pee. There's your reference point for you but anyway, let's go!

And now the results...

DBS SL - 56.139s

Continental GTC - 58.959s

M8 - 57.207s

The rear-wheel-drive DBS with its 725PS 5.0L V12 Twin Turbo engine crushed its 4WD opposition but judging by the palindromic results, it's close. Still, these three did a great job pleasing The Sea and The Moon in style and comfort.

The sea breeze flowing to the stars while driving in these grand tourers is a clear reminder of a sad story I just remembered. The DBS Superleggera marked the end of Aston Martin's V12 supremacy, and Bentley ended their 12-cylinder story with cars like the Bentley Continental GT. I don't know what fate's in store for a car like the BMW M8, but some say, it's not going to last long. Whatever the reason, they fought hard until the endgame, and while stories like these plunged speedo boys into an ocean of heartache, they should be thankful to have grand tourers with happy endings worth remembering forever.

That is the sea breeze flowing to the stars. The legend of the sea and the moon is revisited by three dying grand tourers fulfilling their dying wishes to the sea and the moon.

BONUS CHAPTER:

With Hibiki and Michiru done their job, it's time for my Continental GTC to have a one-car show to demonstrate its Bentley-ism. I know this because I got this car from the European Automotive DLC Pack and I loved it, despite its convertible taste.

Before getting its one-car show, some makeover has to be done...

After some extensive makeovers, the Continental GT Convertible is portraying the role of, you guessed it, Shiori from Aikatsu Planet. Suits its personality.

Feeling pleased with this makeover, the Continental GT Convertible is awakened for the clash of the land and the sea with the competition waiting to get a good look at this Bentley. Let's roll the tape.

From the clash of the land and the sea, the Bentley is the summit of its endgame.

Bentley's decision to end the production of the legendary W12 engine has me in an ocean of heartache, just as I was when Aston Martin ended its V12 hierarchy. But bittersweet aside, I'm glad I had a blast playing around with these British-built 12-cylinder wonders alongside a German V8-powered grand tourer nearing its euthanasia while revisiting the legend of the sea and the moon, in my mind.

OK, so we've done our little storytelling. Who wants bream from the Caspian Sea? How about some moonlight cookies or sea fairy cookies?

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. 

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.