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: The stars of the show

The first-ever Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray and the #1 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R are the headliners of the new Forza Motorsport game. Players got a sample of these cars in the prologue and having spent their hard-earned in-game cash to buy these two, the time's come to get to know the stars of the show.

First, let's get to know about the Chevrolet Corvette C8 E-Ray, the hybrid version of the eighth-generation Corvette that caused a lot of stir since the advent of the base model. 

The first-ever Chevrolet Corvette C8 E-Ray rewrote the American sports car's seven-decade history ever since the eighth-generation model, the first mid-engined Corvette, broke cover in 2020. 

The E-Ray features a 6.2L LT2 V8 engine that is mated to an electric drive unit powering both front and rear wheels, making it a four-wheel-drive supercar, a Corvette first. It produces a total power output of 655HP and while mated with an 8-speed transmission, it has a 0-60mph time of 2.5 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 10.5 seconds. 

The ZER Performance Package comes with high-performance Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S ZP summer-only tires as well as chassis tuning and other performance enhancements.

Now, let's get to know the #1 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R, Cadillac's entry to both IMSA's GTP class and the WEC's Hypercar class.

The V-Series.R racing prototype is Cadillac's commitment to the LMDh class and it's made to compete not just in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for the new-generation GTP class but also at the WEC's Hypercar class. It was built in cooperation with Dallara.

In compliance with the LMDh standards, the V-Series.R is powered by a 5.5L DOHC V8 Hybrid engine, the only naturally aspirated engine in the GTP class. It has a series-specified 670hp of power output and it is mated to a 7-speed sequential gearbox.

The #01 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R used in the IMSA 2023 season was driven by IndyCar veteran Sebastien Bourdais and Renger Van Der Zande.

In the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the #01 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R won the Motul Course de Monterey endurance race at Laguna Seca. At the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans, the #01 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R finished 4th place, behind the 3rd-placer #02 V-Series.R race car.

Upon sampling these two cars in the prologue feature, I got to say that these two cars truly evoked the spirit of Forza in this reborn Xbox racing game made for racers of all generations, be they boomers or Gen Zs alike. By letting their hybrid powertrain loose, these two American marvels showcased the performance that shatters expectations, and in every lap they've done, they've made a huge impression on those behind the wheel, even myself.

Having satisfied with the performance of the new Motorsport heroes, it's time to take them for a quick lap around Laguna Seca, the exact place where the #1 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R scored a win at the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech series.

I've been blown away by how agile and precise the Corvette E-Ray was on the track. The electric motors provide a smooth and responsive ride, allowing the driver to take on the twists and turns with ease, and the advanced suspension and aerodynamic design help to minimize unwanted vibration and noise, giving it a truly immersive driving experience.

The #01 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R, meanwhile, is an absolute beast on the track with its powerful engine, lightweight body, and precise handling. The car's aerodynamics are also well-done, allowing it to take advantage of every inch of the Laguna Seca circuit.

So, how did I do with these cars? The Corvette E-Ray did it in 1m39.872s while the #1 V-Series.R did it in 1m33.294s, meaning the gap between them is some would say a close shave. Still, I had fun driving the two heroes around Laguna Seca by all means.

It's an honor to get to know the two hero cars of the new Forza Motorsport game and judging which of these two is the favorite, I have to say it's the Corvette E-Ray. This is definitely a Corvette that doesn't behave like a real Corvette. It feels like it was straight from a different universe if you catch my drift.

As I said before, welcome to the new generation of Forza. Enjoy your drive.

My FH5 Log: BLACK KNIGHT

I'd admit, of all the prize cars I've obtained from the FH5 Midnights at Horizon series update, my top picks will be both the CT4-V Blackwing and the CT5-V Blackwing because I've requested these rides to be featured since the beginning and I've enjoyed them.

Having enjoyed both of the Blackwing sedans in the game, it's time to find out which of these two Blackwings is the Black Knight, pun intended.

Time for a quick refresher with the two Blackwing sedans. The CT4-V Blackwing uses the same 3.6L Twin-Turbo engine as its predecessor, the ATS-V, but it's been upgraded to produce 472HP of power and 445lb-ft of torque. It's been mated to a choice of either a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed AT that delivers a 0-60mph time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 189mph. 

The CT5-V Blackwing, meanwhile,  combines raw V8 performance and track-honed performance into the pinnacle of the Cadillac V-Series. 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.

Both of these high-performance saloons are fun to drive and easy to get hooked on but there can only be one as these two black knights come face-to-face in a hill climb sprint, finding out which of these two is the fastest. Whether it is the handling delight from the turbocharged CT4-V Blackwing or the raw supercharged V8 power of the CT5-V Blackwing, it's the final judgment for these two top Republicans as it's time to find out who will come on top. Send in the clip.

And now, the results;

CT4-V Blackwing - 3m20.951s

CT5-V Blackwing - 3m14.094s

Guess the folks from Cadillac were right after all, the CT5-V Blackwing truly is "the most powerful Cadillac ever".

The supercharged CT5-V Blackwing has proven its worth as the black knight in shining armor and with such power and prestige, you'd better watch for it because it's easy to fall by the black knight's bitter blade in the dead of night.

Although the Midnights at Horizon update is over, I still have some work to do with the two Blackwings because I'm starting to hatch a brainwave out of these two. Watch this space.

My FH5 Log: Black Wing Down...Again

A long time ago, in the days of The Man Who Sold The World, Cadillac created its answer to BMW's M3/M4, the ATS-V., and even though this is a turbocharged mongrel, it's one heck of a sportscar you would want to correct its assessment from a gentlemen's club to a slaughterhouse. I said that several years back during my first impression.

As today's BMW M3/M4 produced clever results amid its horrifying face, Cadillac responded with a hunk of turbocharged goodness, the CT4-V Blackwing.

Obtained from Forza Horizon 5's Midnights Hot Season Playlist after hitting the 20-point target, it's time to let loose with the baby of the V-Series. If you enjoyed the CT5-V Blackwing a few weeks ago, you're going to love its little brother even more.

Based on the CT4 sedan, the CT4-V Blackwing uses the same 3.6L Twin-Turbo engine from its predecessor, the ATS-V, but it's been upgraded to produce 472HP of power and 445lb-ft of torque. It's been mated to a choice of either a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed AT that delivers a 0-60mph time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 189mph. Like its big brother, the CT4-V Blackwing comes with eLSD, advanced suspension refinements, Launch Control, Performance Traction Management, and MRC 4.0, among many others.

Having been satisfied with the performance the CT4-V Blackwing delivers, it's time to find out if this car's better than its predecessor, and with that, it's off to the tunnels of Guanajuato to settle the score. You may remember that a few moments ago, I took both the CTS-V and the CT5-V Blackwing on a quick run away from Guanajuato and found out that the CT5-V Blackwing is better than its CTS-V predecessor. So, what about their turbocharged juniors? This should be interesting because it's time to let these turbocharged Caddies on steroids do the talking. VTR, start!

As the two junior Caddies escaped Guanajuato, here are the results;

ATS-V Coupe - 2:37.708

CT4-V Blackwing - 2:29.766

Just like its big brother, the CT4-V Blackwing truly is the successor to the old ATS-V as it managed to beat its ancestor within an eight-second margin. What's surprising is it's a second slower than the CT5-V Blackwing, making them a close shave.

Yes, a close shave, and looks like the CT4-V Blackwing wants to play "sibling strife" against the CT5-V Blackwing. The two black knights are in for a game of joust and I'm looking forward to comparing these two in my next post.

Brace yourselves, V HAS COME TO...

My FH5 Log: Black Wing Down

The final-generation Cadillac CTS-V was once hailed as the most powerful Cadillac ever made because of the supercharged V8 engine that made it possible. It truly is the king of the V-Series range at that moment in time.

As the CTS-V's reign is complete, a worthy successor steps into the spotlight.

What could this be?

This is the one I'm talking about. It's called the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, the ultimate Cadillac ever built. Obtained from the Midnights at Horizon's Storm Season Playlist for 20 points, I finally got my hands on what's known to be Cadillac's Force Majeure. The king of the caddies if you would like to call it.

So, what is the CT5-V Blackwing, you may ask? Based on the CT5 flagship sedan, the CT5-V Blackwing combines raw V8 performance and track-honed performance into the pinnacle of the Cadillac V-Series. 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. Enough to embarrass the Germans on the road and track.

Apart from that, the CT5-V Blackwing comes with eLSD, advanced suspension refinements, Launch Control, Performance Traction Management, and MRC 4.0, among many others.

With the CT5-V Blackwing making its grand entrance at Forza Horizon 5, it's time to find out if this is the worthy successor to the now-ancient CTS-V sedan, and with that, it's time to take it to the streets of Guanajuato at the dead of night. Time to let the black knights uncaged for a game of joust. Roll the tape.

As the black knights charged toward the end of Guanajuato, here are the results;

CTS-V - 2m:34.488s

CT5-V Blackwing - 2m28.065s

I was right after all. The CT5-V Blackwing truly is the successor to the old CTS-V after all. It managed to beat its ancestor at the near-six-second mark. Impressive, I should say.

The CT5-V Blackwing is Cadillac at its core and as the age of ICE is nearing its endgame, this will be the one to go for, although the most powerful Dodge Charger Hellcat will trump the CT5-V Blackwing in the game of, well, Top Trumps. I got to say that with such performance and dynamics, it's going to be my new favorite Cadillac in the game.

The CT5-V Blackwing is not the only Blackwing making the rounds at Forza Horizon 5's Midnights at Horizon. There's another one coming so stay tuned...

Cadillac Escalade-V

Speedo boys have been dreaming of a V version of the Cadillac Escalade SUV and while the idea of the Escalade-V is nothing but a far-fetched dream, looks like the time's come because the dream of an Escalade-V has finally come true. The most powerful Escalade has finally awakened.

2023 Cadillac Escalade-V

With prices starting at an ultra-expensive $149,695 plus additional costs, the first-ever Cadillac Escalade-V deserves no words because this is the most powerful full-size SUV in the world. 

The heavyweight champion for hustlers and celebrities has been given lots of swagger by Cadillac and that swagger gave the Escalade-V some specially-made fascias with dark quad exhausts and V-Series badging to show the world who's the big boss. Behind the swagger-laden looks, the Escalade-V works just like a normal Escalade, inside and out.

Under the hood, the Escalade-V is powered by a monstrous 6.2L supercharged V8 engine that produces 682HP of power and 653lb-ft of torque, which is shockingly weak against the king of high-performance SUVs, the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat. Mated to a 10-speed AT, it's capable of going from 0-60mph in four and a half seconds. 

That sounds quick but apart from the monstrous V8 engine that powers this swaggered Escalade, there's lots of action involved underneath the Escalade-V because it's been kitted with e-LSD, Magnetic Ride Control, Brembo brakes, and Air Ride Adaptive Suspension. Although it feels heavy to handle as expected, the Escalade-V behaves like it's on a rampage spree and looks like it's going to be one heck of a rollercoaster thriller from start to finish. What awaits in the end? A real knockout blow.

With the first-ever Escalade-V, this monstrous swagger should not be snubbed because this is the ultimate version of the current-generation Escalade and if anybody snubs at it should have a lot of explanations. I'm talking about you, Forza producers.

With the monstrous V8 engine, track-honed dynamics, and the same Escalade swagger as expected, the Escalade-V is no doubt the heavyweight champion in the lineup, and with its knockout blows delivered at every corner, hustlers beware when this behemoth rolls through the streets like a boss. Any takers?

Photo: General Motors