My FH5 Log: Bronto Pronto

When Forza Horizon 5 was launched two years ago, the sixth-generation Ford Bronco became one of the stars of the show, making it the ideal offroader to traverse through Mexico's toughest places.

Now though, things have changed since the beginning of the Horizon Mexico adventure, and with the success of the sixth-generation Ford Bronco, the Blue Oval pushed the revived Bronco beyond the limit with this...

What you're looking up here...

...is the badder version of the Ford Bronco. Say hello to the Ford Bronco Raptor, the offroader that I've obtained from the Forza Horizon 5 Dia De Muertos Dry Season Playlist for 20 points.

First and foremost, what is the Ford Bronco Raptor?

The Ford Bronco is an off-road-inspired vehicle that has been a hit with both enthusiasts and regular motorists alike. In 2022, the Bronco received a significant update with the Raptor variant, which brings a range of powerful and advanced features that set it apart from its predecessors.

The first-ever Ford Bronco Raptor is powered by a 3.0L EcoBoost V6 engine that produces 418HP of power and 440lb-ft of torque. This is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission that allows for impressive acceleration and high-performance driving. The Bronco Raptor is armed with HOSS 4.0 with FOX Live Valve 3.1 internal bypass semi-active dampers and specially developed 37-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires.

Although some would say "This isn't its final form", the Bronco Raptor pushes the reborn Bronco past its limits, and when taken to its natural habitat, the Raptor's power comes alive as its off-road-ready performance and dynamics will claw through uncharted paths like bread and butter. Are you digging this, players?

Anyway, to see if the Bronco Raptor is the superior version of the sixth-generation Ford Bronco, let's pit these two horses at the Horizon Baja area for a quick lap comparison. Let's roll the tape.

And now the results...

New Bronco - 1m35.112s

Bronco Raptor - 1m33.594s

What a close call. A near-two-second gap between the two Broncos! Yep, this isn't even its final form but the Bronco Raptor sure is potent compared to the normal Bronco.

The Bronco and the Bronco Raptor are both amazing, offering a lot of grip and stability on any terrain but overall, the Bronco Raptor is an impressive vehicle that offers a unique blend of style, substance, and power. Whether you're looking to tackle rugged terrain or simply crave the thrill of driving a true off-road-inspired vehicle, the Ford Bronco Raptor is the perfect choice for you.

I was going to conclude my word on the Bronco Raptor but...I have other ideas with this potent offroader so...watch this space.

My FH5 Log: Bronco v Defender

The Ford Bronco and the Land Rover Defender are the two reborn offroaders of the decade that showcase their legendary capabilities in their newest forms in a way never seen before.

Loyalists from both sides have been arguing about which one is the best. Some say it's the Defender because although it's far-fetched compared to the old one, it's still the best offroader full-stop and it's more powerful than the Bronco. Others say it's the Bronco because it is the most off-road capable vehicle known to them, although the Jeep Wrangler can mince them both like pork grinds. For the Bronco Nation, it's E Pluribus Unum because they will go for the Bronco more than any other offroader in the world.

Before the duel begins, it's time for the reborn offroaders of the decade to identify themselves.

The second-generation Defender is a modern take on the most iconic offroader in history. Half a century of adventures has led to this evolution the world has witnessed. Although the styling is too posh for a reborn Defender, it still has the legendary offroad capability from its ancestors. Armed with the all-aluminum D7x architecture, monocoque body construction, offroad-focused suspension setup, Adaptive Dynamics with available Electronic Air Suspension, and the next-gen Terrain Response, the new Defender really works and feels just like the original despite its posh looks. 

The one that appeared in Forza Horizon 5 comes with a 3.0L petrol engine producing 400HP of power and 550Nm of torque. Mated to an 8-speed AT with low gear ratios suitable for offroading, it does 0-60mph in around six seconds and has a top speed of 119mph.

What about the Ford Bronco? Well, when Ford decided to revive the Bronco, they wanted their revival to trace its roots back to the first model. With styling inspired by the first-generation model, the reborn Bronco runs on the same mechanical bits and bobs as the Ford Ranger, meaning there are two kinds of 4x4 systems at bay such as the one with the Part-Time Selectable Engagement or the more advanced 4x4 with Automatic On-Demand Engagement. Staying true to its Built Wild mantra, the Bronco features a Terrain Management System with G.O.A.T. Modes. As the name implies, these modes made the Bronco go over any type of terrain, and with the right mode switched on, drivers can traverse through the harshest road conditions without worry, and with Baja mode (exclusive on the Wildtrak variant) switched on, the Bronco shows its trump card, putting its Built Wild theory into action.

The one featured on the game's cover alongside the Mercedes-AMG Project One is the Badlands version with the 2.7L EcoBoost engine with 330HP of power and 415lb-ft of torque. It's mated to a class-first 10-speed AT.

With their quick introductions done, it's time for the two reborn offroaders to trade jabs at a deserted runway.

Based on the specifications, the Defender is more powerful than the Bronco but because the Bronco is lighter and more off-road capable than the Defender, it's going to be a one-sided MMA match between them. The question is, who will win the cross-country MMA duel? Let's roll the tape.

After an epic fight on a deserted runway, here are the results;

Defender - 1m15.309s

Bronco - 1m14.007s

...and the winner by a 1.3-second gap goes to...the Ford Bronco!

It seems the so-called Bronco Nation was right after all. It seems the powerful Defender got beaten by a lighter and more off-road capable Bronco. Guess the revived Bronco truly is E Pluribus Unum after all. Out of many, one. No matter which offroader you're gunning for, it's always the Ford Bronco that stands out from the rest because it was born to Go On Any Terrain and there's your GOAT for you.

Surely I was going to wrap up this decisive battle but something decisive came up to me. Looks like these two offroaders are onto something decisive; tackling the dirtiest challenges in Horizon Mexico such as The Gauntlet and The Titan. The Bronco will take on The Titan with its GOAT capabilities while the Defender, well, it lost the fight against the Bronco, will handle the longest dirt sprint in all of Horizon. Because of its herculean status, both offroaders need to be prepped up for the longest fight ahead.

My special Defender is ready to take on The Gauntlet with its specifications tweaked to almost match both the Defender V8 and the Bowler Defender Rally Series raid car. I even added some "lick of love" if you know what I mean. Oh, Pepper...

The Bronco, meanwhile, likes to stay it this way, albeit with a minor weight loss to make it slightly more capable on the rough while tackling through the most challenging obstacles The Titan will throw at it. Besides, would a Vivid Star back out from a challenge? Definitely not.

With their assigned targets set, it's time for the reborn offroaders to give it their all, survive, and win. Roll the tapes!

Battered and bent but our wounded warriors showcased the stuff legends are made of.

Despite their differences, both the new Defender and the new Bronco have showcased their legendary offroad performance in their newest forms. Although not pretty, they were meant to drive dirty because offroading is what they're built for. Modern SUVs cannot go off-road but for them, they still got it and it's about time to give these reborn offroaders a huge respect for their hard work.

It's great to have them both in the line of duty in Horizon Mexico.

Ford Bronco (Sixth Generation) Raptor

The new Ford Bronco really is a comeback worth waiting for after two and a half decades of waiting. It's a real no-nonsense SUV that does real SUV stuff the poser crossovers can't. For those who demand more from the new Bronco, the first-ever Bronco Raptor has arrived to add more offroad capability to the reborn legend.

2023 Ford Bronco Raptor

Priced at 73,780 US Dollars plus additional costs, the first-ever Ford Bronco Raptor is the beefed-up version of the reborn Bronco that offers more off-road capability than the normal Bronco, the capability to outlast the likes of offroad greats such as the Jeep Wrangler and the Land Rover Defender. It's offered exclusively as a four-door because there's a good saying that fits well with the most potent Bronco ever made; "You Are Not Alone".

Outside, the Bronco Raptor features signature Raptor treatments such as the hood, the black grille with FORD lettering, and other tough treatments to turn the offroad-capable Bronco into a beefed-up offroader ready for extreme stuff. Inside, the Bronco Raptor works just like the normal Raptor and can be fitted with available features to make it unique for you and your road trip buddies.

Under the hood, the Bronco Raptor is powered by a 3.0L EcoBoost V6 engine that produces 418HP of power and 440lb-ft of torque while mated to a 10-speed AT, meaning this potent Bronco is less powerful than the V8 versions of the Jeep Wrangler and Land Rover Defender. That sounds like a weak point for the Raptor but being the most offroad-capable Bronco ever built, the Bronco Raptor is armed with HOSS 4.0 with FOX Live Valve 3.1 internal bypass semi-active dampers and 37-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires developed specifically for the Bronco Raptor.

Combined with familiar Bronco capabilities, the Bronco Raptor is even more capable everywhere than the normal Bronco, meaning it's not afraid to play dirty because dirty is part of the Raptor experience. From the sands of Death Valley, the snowcapped Colorado Rockies, to the streets of New York, the Bronco Raptor is locked and loaded.

With its improved offroad capabilities, the Bronco Raptor really is a Bronco on steroids and such performance and looks are too tough to be snubbed. In fact, the world's feeling the burning jealousy to have one someday. Up for the challenge?

Photo: Ford Motor Company

My FH5 Log - Day One

Congratulations on your first day of playing Forza Horizon 5! As you kick off your Mexican adventure, you have been given keys to your first three cars to drive while taking your first steps toward your goal of becoming the Horizon Mexico Hall of Fame.

Without further ado, let's say hello to the first three cars you'll be driving on your first adventure;

This is the all-new Ford Bronco. Returned after its 1996 discontinuation, the modern take of Ford's legendary offroader brings its pioneer spirit to those who are ready to get themselves dirty. Seen here is the two-door Badlands model with a 2.7L EcoBoost engine with 330HP of power and 415lb-ft of torque while mated to a 10-speed AT.

Next is the Toyota GR Supra, the sportscar most speedo boys love to begin on their first day at Horizon Mexico because of its tuner reputation its A80 predecessor don in the past. Because it's a BMW Z4 underneath, the revived Supra now behaves like a European sportscar, something worth noticing for speedo boys behind the wheel. This BMW-derived Japanese sportscar runs on the same 3.0L BMW TwinPower Turbo engine as the current Z4.

Lastly, for the Patriots, the Chevrolet C8 Corvette Stingray. Now as a mid-engined supercar, the all-new Corvette is capable of taking on the world's best sportscars with its radical styling, futuristic interior, and its newly-built 6.2L LT2 V8 engine mounted in the middle, which produces up to 495HP of power and 470lb-ft of torque, while mated to a double-clutch gearbox for the first time.

A reborn take on the iconic Ford SUV, a revived Supra that is not really a Supra, and a mid-engined Corvette, what an odd trio we have but they sure known to be the ideal choice of starters for those who are starting their Mexican journey on Day One. Whichever starter they begin with, they sure are a lot of fun to enjoy and with that, I got clips of these three starters flexing their muscles on Mexican roads. Let's roll the tapes, esse.

So, which of these three FH5 starter cars is your favorite? Either way, welcome to Mexico, hombre. I hope you have fun driving through Mexican roads the Horizon way. Enjoy!

Ford Bronco (Sixth Generation)

After two and a half decades since its discontinuation in 1996, the Ford Bronco returns and it's ready to flex its muscles on all kinds of terrains as a real offroader does. It's time to take a look at the revival of the nameplate that is synonymous with playing rough on all terrain.

2021 Ford Bronco

Starting at 28,500 US Dollars plus additional costs, the all-new Ford Bronco showcases the nameplate's revival with its return-to-nature attitude that will give the current Jeep Wrangler a run for its money and it's about as life-saving as a rock in the middle of nowhere while you're in a middle of pizza delivery. It's a real American pioneering spirit in the making and the return of the Bronco brings its pioneer spirit to the macho-bellied speedo boys ready to get themselves dirty.

2021 Ford Bronco

Beginning with the design, the new Bronco draws inspiration from the very first model, which is akin to the Mustang of today, and retro looks aside, the new model dons the largest available tires in its class, about 35 inches with Beadlock-capable wheels, making it capable of having the best-in-class ground clearance with eleven and a half inches to be exact. In some models, the new Bronco has the best-in-class break-over, best-in-class water fording, bash plates, and so on. Looks like the Wrangler's having a hard time catching up with it. Score one for the American pioneering spirit, partner.

Like the Jeep Wrangler, the new Bronco can have its roof and doors removed easily, which is great if you're not in the mood for air conditioning or if you're having a nice day at the beach. Whichever way you go for, it's all in the name of going commando, whatever that is.

2021 Ford Bronco interior

Tough the new Bronco's exterior is, the new interior is surprisingly luxurious and utilitarian as such. The two-door variant can fit up to four people inside while the first-ever four-door Bronco can fit up to five people and because the four-door model is wider in the rear seat than the two-door variant, it's spacious as well. Being a serious offroader, the new Bronco's fully prepared for the worst in case it gets wet thanks to its rubberized flooring with drain plugs, Marine-grade vinyl seats, and sealed switches. There are other features as well, including the questionable grab handles on the center console as well as the intelligent SYNC 4 system.

2021 Ford Bronco

And now, the main course of the new Bronco; the offroad-ready performance and dynamics. Under the hood, the new Bronco is powered by a choice of a 2.3L EcoBoost engine with 300HP of power and the more powerful 2.7L EcoBoost engine with 330HP of power and 415lb-ft of torque. They can be mated with either a class-exclusive seven-speed manual gearbox with Crawler Gear or the class-first 10-speed automatic gearbox.

Because the new Bronco runs on the same mechanical bits and bobs as the current Ford Ranger, you can expect two kinds of 4x4 systems at bay such as the one with the Part-Time Selectable Engagement or the more advanced 4x4 with Automatic On-Demand Engagement. One question about the latter is when you engage 2H, power is transferred on the front wheels rather than the rear like the Ranger pickup it was based on. That's a bit of a letdown for offroad enthusiasts but that's just a scratch to its credentials because when switched to 4H, it's well-prepared on dirt and wet conditions, and with the 4L mode set, the new Bronco's ready to get itself dirty.

Speaking of dirty, the new Bronco comes with Terrain Management System with G.O.A.T. Modes. As the name implies, these modes made the Bronco go over any type of terrain, and with the right mode switched on, drivers can traverse through the harshest road conditions without worry, and with Baja mode (exclusive on the Wildtrak variant) switched on, the Bronco shows its trump card, putting its Built Wild theory into action and with its party piece in play, looks like you'll fall in love with the way the new Bronco behaves.

There are other noteworthy features to try out on the new Bronco such as Trail Control, Trail Turn Assist, and a class-exclusive Trail 1-Pedal Drive, which augments Trail Control in a more challenging setting, making it capable of low-speed crawling and the ability to stop the car without using the brakes. It's like the redneck version of the Nissan e-Pedal feature, of course.

The new Bronco is all about offroading for real but let's not forget, because this is the new normal we live in, it features Ford Co-Pilot360 Technology which features a wide array of safety features such as the 360-Degree Camera with Off-Road Views, Hill Descent Control, Rear View Camera with Backup Assist, Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, and Auto High-Beam Headlamps.

The new Ford Bronco really is a comeback worth waiting for after two and a half decades of waiting. From taking on the punishing Mojave desert to a dinner date at a fancy restaurant in Las Vegas, the new Bronco is a can-do SUV that is surely a real American pioneering success story. It's a real no-nonsense SUV that does real SUV stuff the poser crossovers can't and looks like you're in for a good time. It's good to be back.

Photo: Ford Motor Company

Forza Horizon 4 - The best of Series 30

Forza Horizon 4 made a milestone when it hit thirty series updates since its launch and the big 3-0 introduced us the new Horizon Super7 feature where users can create unique challenges and then upload it for the chance to get featured in the Super7 roster. Have you guys tried it out yet?

More importantly, Series 30 brought us four new prize cars to win by clearing specific Playlist challenges. I know, I'm a bit late but having won all of the four featured cars of Series 30, how's about the time to take a look at these machines that I've won throughout the Series Update?

First up is the cult classic midship Fiat sportscar, the X1/9. Styled by the famed Marcello Gandini of Bertone, the X1/9 is a lightweight Italian sportscar that is as close as you can get from the legendary Lancia Stratos, although it's still one of the most enjoyable cars to drive in ages.

Second is the Hoonigan Bronco. Based on a 1974 Ford Bronco, it was built for Ken Block's wife as a daily driver. It's got numerous off-road mods to this iconic Blue Oval offroader as well as loaded with the Mustang-derived Coyote 5.0L V8 engine at the front for some added muscle.

Third is one of our favorites; the Koenigsegg Jesko. Named after the founder Christian von Koenigsegg's father, the Jesko is the evolution of Koenigsegg's pursuit of speed that picks up where the now-legendary Agera left off. It's powered by a reworked V8 twin turbo engine that produces up to 1600hp of power and 1500Nm of torque while running on E85 fuel and it is mated by a bespoke 9-speed Light Speed Transmission, which delivers benefits of a double clutch gearbox without the weight penalty imposed. Apart from the power it delivers, the Jesko features the most advanced aerodynamics and track-focused dynamics that also works on the road.

Lastly, the Alfa Romeo 155. In its racing form, the 155 is one of the most successful touring cars in its history with the V6 TI raking up 38 race wins. In its normal form, it's a bit of a disappointment compared to its 75 predecessor because of its transition from the former's rear-wheel drive layout to front-wheel drive layout. The Q4, meanwhile, features a four-wheel drive layout similar to the legendary Lancia Delta Integrale.

Now that I got my fills on the Series 30 cars, let's give these cars a twirl and whirl, shall we?

Enjoy your new rides!

Ford Mustang Mach-E vs. Bronco Sport

Ford's SUV lineup continues to expand with the arrival of two new models fit for all walks of life; the first-ever Mustang Mach-E and the Bronco Sport.

We first begin with the $42,895 Mustang Mach-E, the electric crossover that sent Mustang fans on a tailspin. The idea of slapping a Mustang badge on Ford's first-ever electric crossover sounds like a treason to the Mustang heritage because while Mustangs from all walks of life is all about raw V8 power screaming for freedom and liberty, this Mustang Mach-E is what speedo boys joking it as the Mustang made for leftists because Ford is a slave for progressivism and progressivism is all about trying new stuff for the better.

Progressivism aside, the styling of the Mustang Mach-E is distinctively Mustang, which is radical but the crossover styling rather spoils the Mustang design and speedo boys who witnessed one will have their eyes rolled. The same story goes for the interior which also makes speedo boys' eyes rolling into doubt because of its massively tall touch screen akin to Tesla, seating for five passengers, and a big boot on the back. A big boot in the back! A right-minded, left-thinking, Ford guy might be taking advantage of a Mustang-ish crossover with up to 59.6 cubic feet of space when he wants to use it for family trips or for work! That's not the way the Mustang works, of course, but as a Ford, it works like most crossovers should.

As an electric crossover promising zero tailpipe emissions, we get to know how its electric powertrain works. The one with the 68kWh battery pack produces up to 266HP of power and with the eAWD drivetrain equipped, it does 0-60kph in 5.2 seconds. The rear-wheel drive variants is slower but it has a range of 230 miles, which is good. The 88kWh Extended Range, meanwhile, promises 300 miles for rear wheel drive but it's shockingly slower than the rear wheel drive standard range variant, 6.1 compared to 5.8 seconds. In eAWD variants, it's faster by 0.4 seconds, which is good. 

The king of the crop is the GT version which comes with the improved extended range battery that produces 480HP of power, similar to the V8-powered Mustang GT, gets away from 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds, and has a range of 250 miles. It is offered only in eAWD.

In rear-wheel drive, the Mustang Mach-E's dynamics doesn't feel like a Mustang but as an all-electric crossover, it's all about the balance that makes them noticed. In eAWD, however, it still packs some balance. It's a balance-type machine that almost ticks the boxes and for a crossover that claims to be a Mustang, it's a gag reel. Speaking of gag reel, the Mustang Mach-E's packed with numerous safety features that terrifies most speedo boys behind the wheel. Thank you, Ford.

For those who didn't like the Mustang Mach-E but stuck in the SUV-buying phase should consider the Bronco Sport, which is priced at 26,820 Dollars plus additional costs.

The return of the Bronco nameplate is a worthy celebration for speedo boys awaiting the return of legend but while the real Bronco doesn't come until the latter half of 2021, fans will have to make do with its little brother, which puts the Jeep Compass in its crosshairs.

The Bronco Sport is the baby Bronco no one saw it coming because speedo boys are so focused on the real Bronco and while it runs on the same stuff as the latest Ford Escape, it's not a real Bronco at all...or that's what they think it is.

Observing on the styling first, the Bronco Sport's rugged design draws inspiration from the original Bronco and despite its midsize dimensions, the Bronco Sport is adventurous in spirit because it's got adventure-ready stuff such as roof-rack capacity that can handle up to 150lbs of load with the standard steel roof, a flip-up rear glass similar to today's Nissan Serena, and ground clearance up to 8.8 inches. Come inside and you will be greeted by its rather regular cockpit that works like most cars should, seating up to five people, up to 65.2 cu.ft. of boot space with the rear seats folded, cleanable seating material, molded flooring, internet connectivity, and so on, making it fully prepared for all walks of life, for work of for leisure.

The Bronco Sport is powered by a choice of a 1.5L and 2.0L EcoBoost engines mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The former promises an EPA estimated mileage of up to 25 City / 28 Highway, while the latter has 21 MPG City / 26 MPG Highway. All of these variants are four-wheel drive of course.

Because going offroad is what the new Bronco Sport's made for, well almost, it features different G.O.A.T. Modes that will make it Go On Any Terrain. In its normal guise, it works on Sand and Slippery surfaces in addition to normal roads but on the high-end Badlands variant, Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl are added to the switch, making it more capable offroad, much to the delight of speedo boys behind the wheel. Speaking of offroad, the Bronco Sport's got the goods such as the Twin-Clutch Rear Driver Unit (Badlands exclusive), available all-terrain tyres, available steel bash plates, Badlands-exclusive heavy-duty front tow hooks, H.O.S.S. suspension, and up to 23.6 inches of water-fording capability which is great in case you are prepared to get wet.

Having fun off-road, the new Bronco Sport offers a wide range of safety features that will make them surprised and annoyed on the road such as Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, BLIS with Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane-Keeping System, Auto High-Beam Headlamps, and Rear View Camera.

So, which of these Ford SUVs will go for? If you are prepared to get bashed by Mustang loyalists while taking advantage of its electric performance, you'd best be ready with the Mach-E, but if you are more of an outdoorsman who likes to play rough, then the Bronco Sport is the best bet. Either way, the new Mach-E and the Bronco Sport are proof that the SUV surge cannot be stopped, worrying speedo boys many.

Photo: Ford Motor Company