Update 14 in Forza Motorsport (Xbox Series X|S) showcased two heavy-hitting bowties for grabs; a #77 Beretta Trans Am and the Hennessey Exorcist. Now that I got my hands on these two, let's have a word with them.
Let's begin with the #77 Beretta Trans Am that I won from the American Thunder Tour until the December 25, 2024 deadline.
The #77 Beretta Trans Am was a race car used in the SCCA Trans Am Championship during the 1988 racing season. It was one of the notable entries of that period, driven by Scott Pruett for the Roush Racing team.
Built on a modified Beretta production car chassis, it was powered by a 4.5L V6 engine producing 515HP of power, crucial for the high-speed nature of Trans Am racing. It even featured custom body modifications for improved aerodynamics, including a large rear wing and other race-specific adjustments to improve downforce and handling.
While the #77 Beretta didn't dominate the series, it was a significant entry, with Scott Pruett consistently competing at a high level. The car's performance that year was notable for its reliability and speed, making it a strong contender in many races.
Now, let's get to know about the Hennessey Exorcist, a heavily-tuned Camaro that I won from this update's Open Class Tour until the December 11, 2024 deadline.
Using the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 as its foundation, Hennessey has transformed the ZL1 into a thousand-horsepower sleeper car known as the Demon Slayer.
At first glance, it appears to be a standard ZL1, with most interior and exterior features, including the steering and braking systems, remaining unchanged. However, Hennessey has significantly increased the ZL1's power by enhancing its supercharged 6.2L V8 engine, allowing it to produce an impressive 1,000 horsepower and 883lb-ft of torque. This makes it more powerful than the Challenger Demon and noticeably louder.
Now that I got to know more about these two bowties, let's take a quick drive around Lime Rock Park to prove their worth. Roll the tapes...
As some guy said, "bowties are cool." Do you agree? What do you think of the #77 Beretta Trans Am and the Hennessey Exorcist?
When the Toyota GR86 and the second-generation Subaru BRZ were launched in 2021, they were expected to be the stars of the show. However, the Japanese arrival of the Chevrolet Corvette C8 stole their thunder and went on to win Japan's Performance Car of the Year award. Why?
That's an interesting but silly question. Why did the C8 Corvette win the award that was supposed to be for the second-generation ToyoBaru twin coupes? Before that, let's have a quick re-introduction of these cars.
The Toyota GR86 and the second-generation Subaru BRZ were unveiled in 2021. They are built on an improved version of the signature platform, with upgraded suspension and chassis for better cornering and traction. The flat-4 engine has been increased from 2.0L to 2.4L, resulting in more horsepower and torque.
The eighth-generation Corvette is no longer the Corvette the world knows. For the first time in its history, it's been morphed into a mid-engined supercar, a move that displeased most Corvette purists. Being the first production mid-engined car from General Motors, the C8 Corvette is powered by an all-new 6.2L LT2 V8 engine with 495HP of power and 470lb-ft of torque. Mated to a Corvette-first 8-speed Double Clutch Gearbox, it does 0-100kph in 2.9 seconds and flat-out in 312kph. It features a brand-new Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 which reads the road every millisecond and adapts in about 10 to 15 milliseconds, as well as double wishbone suspension with height adjustable capability.
The Chevrolet C8 Corvette defeated the second-generation Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 to become the 2021-2022 Japan Performance Car of the Year, the first for an American-made car to win the title.
With Horizon Mexico's smallest circuit track set in the town of Guanajuato becoming my laboratory, the second-generation ToyoBaru coupe twins joined forces to battle against the C8 Corvette. The question is, will they beat the mid-engined American monster machine? Let's roll the tape.
And here are the results...
BRZ ZD8 - 1m00.077s
GR86 - 59.526s
C8 Corvette - 55.005s
The C8 Corvette massively defeated the second-generation ToyoBaru twin coupes with such margins. It's no wonder the Japanese motoring press turned their faces away from them in favor of the Corvette.
Despite being defeated by the Chevrolet C8 Corvette in the title of 2021 Japan's Performance Car of the Year Award, both the GR86 and the BRZ are still one of the best sports cars of the early 2020s because of their affordability, accessible dynamics, and limitless tuning possibilities to turn these reasonably fast cars around. Speaking of which, it's time to reward the ToyoBaru twins for the hard work they've done today. In the spirit of Let's ¡Go!, how about a little Making Drama to spice things up? But first...
The GR86, for the first time in Horizon Mexico, is donning the role of Himitsu no AiPri's main character, Himari Aozora. Suits her personality. As for the BRZ...
My BRZ is donning the role of Himitsu no AiPri's other main character, Mitsuki Hosihkawa. When you look at them, they remind you of the two heroines from "Himitsu no AiPri" who are known for their idol activities across the metaverse. Today is "AiPriVerse Day!"
With the ToyoBaru twins versed in, the GR86 will battle against the competition in a neon-packed EventLab creation called "Neon City Race". At the same time, the BRZ takes on what's known to be an EventLab re-enactment of Malaysia's Genting Highlands, where the mountain roads evoke the drivers' Initial D fantasies. As MC AIMU would say, "AiPriVerse Day!"
Who performed better? Himari or Mitsuki?
The GR86 and BRZ are the fruits of the wonderful collaboration between Toyota and Subaru. These two cars are fit to take on the bold challenges of the Reiwa era. These cars may not live forever in the age of electrification, but the 86 and the BRZ have created an impressive legacy that will be remembered forever for many generations.
As Americans are celebrating the birth of the so-called "greatest nation in the world," what better way to celebrate the day of grills and fireworks than driving the best sports cars of America; the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Corvette?
Today's Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Corvette have been radically changed, with the C8 Corvette now a mid-engined supercar, and the seventh-generation Ford Mustang being the last V8-powered American muscle car.
The Ford Mustang is a classic American muscle car that has been in production since 1964. It is known for its powerful engine, sleek design, and affordable price. The Chevrolet Corvette is another iconic American sports car that has been in production since 1953. It is known for its performance, handling, and luxurious interior.
Both the latest versions of America's best sports cars have such an impressive resume. The latest Mustang flexed its muscles in Formula Drift, NASCAR, IMSA, Supercars, and any other sports car racing series from the GT4 to the GT3 classes. It even got the chance to race in Le Mans as well. The Corvette, meanwhile, has a proven track record for being the last to become the LMGTE class champion before the WEC LMGT3 Class kicked in. The question now is, which of these American legends is the best?
I've picked the Horizon Mexico Circuit as the venue for my little ID4 duel and for this duel, I've picked the C8 Corvette Stingray and the Mustang Dark Horse. Although the C8 Corvette Stingray is five horses less compared to the Mustang Dark Horse, its supercar form and midship layout should give the Vette a fighting chance. The Mustang Dark Horse, well, it's Horizon Mexico after all. Roll the tape!
And now the results...
C8 Corvette - 1m12.906s
Mustang Dark Horse - 1m15.893s
In an unorthodox rivalry between the last V8 muscle car and the American midship supercar, the Corvette wins.
The Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Corvette are two of the most iconic American sports cars of all time, but they couldn't be more different. Still, both are excellent choices for a day of driving fun. Whether you're cruising down the highway or tearing up the track, you're sure to have a blast behind the wheel of either of these American classics.
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.
