My FH5 Log: Modern Warlords

What do the Jeep Wrangler JK and the GMC Hummer EV pickup have in common? They both starred in the Call of Duty games, specifically the Modern Warfare ones. Here at Forza Horizon 5, it's time to pay tribute to the offroaders that played an active role in one conflict zone after another.

The Jeep Wrangler JK and the GMC Hummer EV were proven to be warriors in their own right when they were given special roles in the Modern Warfare games and like most war veterans, let's give them the 21-gun salute they deserve. But first, let's get to know about these Modern Warfare rides.

Long before I took this car for a spin in Forza Motorsport 4 as a DLC car in 2012, the Jeep Wrangler JK popped up in 2011's Call of Duty MW3. In fact, there was a special version made in collaboration between Jeep and the Call of Duty games. Anyway, the updated version of the Jeep Wrangler JK is powered by a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine that produces less than 290HP of power, making it capable of hitting a 0-60mph time of less than seven seconds.

It's a similar story for the GMC Hummer EV pickup, which I won from the Hot Season playlist of the Explore the Horizon series update in FH5. Before it made its appearance here, the GMC Hummer EV made a special appearance in 2022's Call of Duty Modern Warfare II. Anyway, the GMC Hummer EV features a three-motor powertrain generating 1,000hp of power and 15,591Nm of torque in its top-spec Edition 1 variant, capable of going from 0-60mph in three seconds. In addition, it features adaptive air suspension with available Extract Mode, a choice of 35 to 37-inch tires, underbody armor, Ultravision, removable Sky Panel roof sections, Watts to Freedom, MultiPro tailgate, and CrabWalk.

Having read the dossier on these offroaders, it's time to give these soldiers of Horizon the 21-gun salute they deserve and with that, it's off to the Badlands for a one-lap showdown between the two. However, as I'm conducting a duel between the two Modern Warfare machines, a sandstorm suddenly whipped in, giving the feeling of soldiers surviving through the sandstorm, raiding through enemy territory one after another.

As the sandstorm rages, both the Wrangler and the Hummer EV are locked and loaded for a one-lap showdown to determine which of these offroaders featured in the Modern Warfare games is the best. Live ammunition in 3...2...1...FIRE!

With their mission done, here are the results;

Wrangler - 3m06.303s

Hummer EV - 2m46.233s

If anyone said that Modern Warfare II is better than MW3, here's your answer. Anyway, it's a "winner-winner chicken dinner" for the GMC Hummer EV even when the weather's gone FUBAR. Get it?

Even outside the warzone, the Jeep Wrangler JK and the GMC Hummer EV pickup were proven to be warlords, especially in the Horizon Mexico after-hours. From the conflict zone to the racing stage, both battle-proven offroaders managed to flex their battle-scarred muscles and brave through the elements Mother Nature has thrown to the Horizon Mexico partygoers and that's how they roll, soldiers.

These offroaders really wish the mission never ends and you know what? Let them have it. They've earned their stars and stripes like real soldiers. This is their call of duty even outside the warzone.

My FH5 Log: Pick Up, Pack Down

The Explore the Horizon update on Forza Horizon 5 isn't just more than the powered-up Photo Mode update, Pathfinder challenges, two Cupra crossovers, and new overland parts on selected offroaders, it's about four American trucks taking centerstage on Horizon Mexico; a modified F-250 with a unique party piece, two classic American trucks, and the long-awaited arrival of the GMC Hummer EV.

Now that I got all of the four prize trucks over the course of the Explore the Horizon update, it's time to take a gander at my recent hauls;

In the Wet Season, I got my hands on the DeBerti Ford F-250 Transformer, it's a modified F-250 truck made possible by DeBerti Design that wowed the crowd at the 2019 SEMA Show. Aside from numerous modifications, it features unique tool drawers and hidden storage beneath the fiberglass fender.

In the Storm Season, I got the keys to the seventh-generation Ford F-150, the model that redefined the F-150 lineage because it was the first to feature the Ford Blue Oval grille emblem, the diesel variant, and an optional dashboard with a full set of instruments.

The second-generation Chevrolet K10 truck became part of my FH5 garage ever since winning one in the Dry Season. Mind you, because this is the 1972 model year K10, it's qualified to be designated as a "vintage car" if you know what I mean. This is part of the "Action Line" C/K models produced from 1967 to 1972 and over its span, it received numerous updates and underwent a mid-cycle refresh for the 1971 model year.

Lastly, and obviously the best one, the GMC Hummer EV that I won from the Hot Season. Signaling the return of the Hummer name in the age of the new normal, the GMC Hummer EV features a three-motor powertrain generating 1,000hp of power and 15,591Nm of torque in its top-spec Edition 1 variant, capable of going from 0-60mph in three seconds. In addition, it features adaptive air suspension with available Extract Mode, a choice of 35 to 37-inch tires, underbody armor, Ultravision, removable Sky Panel roof sections, Watts to Freedom, MultiPro tailgate, and CrabWalk. Sadly, we can't do CrabWalk in the game but Watts to Freedom? Engage Launch Control and see it for yourself.

With all four American trucks now part of the FH5 family, it's time to give them some necessary roughness they deserved and with the FH5 Rally Adventure still open for business, let's give these American truckers their moment of glory as they're tackling through the rough against the competition. Roll the tapes!

Having enjoyed all four trucks in the game, which one is the favorite? For me, it's got to be the Hummer EV. Sure, it's a massive monster to handle but I had a blast to drive the ultimate electric truck that caused a lot of stir since its world premiere and gained a two thumbs-up by LeBron James himself.

This unboxing is finished but I still have a word with the GMC Hummer EV. Watch for it. It's gonna be interesting...

Forza Horizon 4: All about the H1

Time for some blast from the past in the world of Forza Horizon 4 as today's retro feature is all about the cult classic offroader most enthusiasts called it a military vehicle everyone can drive, especially the high rollers who just can't get enough of its macho, Humvee-inspired looks. I'm talking about the Hummer H1.



So, what's it all about the Hummer H1? The offroader that is basically a Humvee for civilian duty?



Built from 1992 to 2006, the  Hummer H1 is based on the Humvee military vehicle built by AM General but retooled for civilian use due to high demand. Long ago, when it was first produced in 1992, it was called simply as Hummer but thanks to General Motors' acquisition of marketing rights of the Hummer name at the end of the 20th century, it was marketed as the Hummer H1.

The H1 Alpha is basically a revamped version of the H1 and it's powered by General Motors' specially-developed 6.6L Duramax Diesel V8 engine producing 300hp of power and 520ft-lb of torque, mated to a 5-speed Allison automatic gearbox. Apart from the engine, the H1 Alpha features special high-strength steel in the chassis frame, new steering gear, new axle differentials, new geared hubs, and other improvements compared to the previous H1.



In the world of Forza Horizon 4, there are two Hummer H1 Alpha variants to drive such as the wagon version of the H1 Alpha and the Open Top variant, the one that I just won on the recent Horizon Summer Playlist. Whichever of the H1 Alpha variant you're driving, you'll still enjoy the big, beefy, all-American V8 diesel engine pumping action to this hunk of American steel as well as its near-perfect offroad capabilities.

Driving one of these feels like you're part of the military because of the Humvee genes but this is not a war zone. This is Horizon and you are here because you want to show everyone who's the strongman starting with this Hummer and that meant setting yourself to a different kind of vehicular warfare with this American offroad classic that has been feared and respected on the road with its military pedigree that got the whole world noticed.



Speaking of which, let's enjoy these two H1 Alpha variants on separate locations just to get a taste of what is like to be on a military vehicle made to annoy your suburban neighbors. Let's get it.

So, what do you think? Do you like the way these Hummers roll?



The H1 is the result of what happens when an American military vehicle goes to a capitalist path to impress its new kind of soldiers on the streets and thanks to its weapons-grade stuff derived from the Humvee, the Hummer H1 is a strongman on four wheels and that's very macho indeed.

Enjoy your rides!