Update 12 concludes Year 1 of Forza Motorsport and wrapping up its first year since the game's release are two midship prize cars; the Lamborghini Huracan EVO Spyder and the McLaren Artura.
Having obtained Year 1's last two prize cars, let's get to know our midship honors before carrying out our commencement exercises.
Beginning with the Lamborghini Huracan EVO Spyder that I won from the Update 12 Open Class Tour until the October 16, 2024 deadline.
At the start of 2019, Lamborghini unveiled the Huracan EVO, the minor change version of the Huracan that became part of the Lamborghini stable in 2014.
In addition to the revamped exterior design, the 5.2L V10 engine that powers it has been updated to produce 640 hp (470 kW) at 8,000 rpm with 600 Nm of torque delivered at 6,500 rpm. The double-clutch gearbox propels the Huracan EVO from the 0-100kph time of 2.9 seconds and flat-out in over 325kph.
The Huracan EVO is the first to feature the Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Integrata, a new rear-wheel steering and torque vectoring system working on all wheels, controlling every aspect of the car's dynamic behavior. Functioning alongside the Lamborghini Piattaforma Inerziale and enhanced Lamborghini Dynamic Steering, it results in a more rewarding driving experience on the road and track.
The open-top Huracan EVO Spyder is the follow-up to its hardtop equivalent. Featuring the same updates as its hardtop equivalent, it comes with a foldable roof that can be opened or closed at the push of a button in just 17 seconds up to a driving speed of 50kph. It boasts improved aerodynamic efficiency compared to the previous Huracan Spyder.
Production of the Huracan lineup ended in 2024, signaling the end of the V10-powered road cars.
The last one, after clearing the Midship Tour until October 30, 2024, the McLaren Artura.
The McLaren Artura is the company's first V6-powered PHEV supercar that injects most of its motorsport know-how into the making of this unorthodox machine. The 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo engine is mated to an axial flux motor and a refrigerant-cooled Li-ion battery producing 680PS of power and 720Nm of torque. Mated to an 8-speed SSG, it sprints from 0-60mph in three seconds and has a top speed of 205mph. Running on electricity alone, it can go for as little as 19 miles.
Aside from the performance, the Artura has near-perfect weight distribution courtesy of its carbon bodywork, front double wishbone, multi-link rear, Proactive Damping Control, electro-hydraulic power-assisted steering, Carbon Ceramic Discs, forged aluminum brake calipers, and specially-developed Pirelli P-ZERO tires. It even comes with a Variable Drift Control that can adjust its drifting angle.
Quick introductions dealt with, it's time to do the commencement exercises as two midship supercars will tackle Road America, the venue of the IMSA season-ender, the MOTUL Petit Le Mans. What a way to conclude the game's first year. Anyway, let's roll the tapes.
I have to admit that the new Forza Motorsport game for the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles went to a slow start when the game was launched last year, probably because of the car content packed with old cars I am not heavily interested. Let's hope Year 2 will see some much-needed improvements for the new Forza Motorsport game to reclaim its throne.
Seriously, let's hope Forza Motorsport's Year 2 updates will feature lots and lots of modern road cars and race cars because this is the world we live in. New World Order. As 2025 draws near, will Forza survive? Only time will tell.
And that is the end of this commencement exercise. See you next semester!
The Dodge Viper is the first road car powered by a V10 engine, but the Lamborghini Huracan is the last to have one. With the V10 engine officially laid to rest, it's time for a ten-cylinder salute with the first and the last to have the glorious engine that made such a glorious noise.
Here they are, the first-generation Dodge Viper and the Lamborghini Huracan on Gran Turismo 7, two sports cars that made their mark in the history of the ten-cylinder engine. Before having our last words with these ten-cylinder marvels, let's get to know them first.
Let's begin with the first-generation Dodge Viper, the SR model. The Dodge Viper was first conceived as a concept car in 1989. It was intended to be a modern interpretation of the legendary Shelby Cobra. The first-generation Viper was introduced in 1991 as the RT/10 roadster and was later joined by the hardtop GTS variant.
Now, let's get to know the Lamborghini Huracan, the last V10-powered road car. Launched in 2014, the Lamborghini Huracan is the successor of the Gallardo. It was named after a Mayan god. It was powered by a 5.2L V10 engine developing 602HP of power and when mated to a double-clutch gearbox derived from the Audi R8 as well as its 4WD system, it has a top speed of 202mph. The Lamborghini Huracan has gone through numerous updates over its near-decade lifespan and the STJ is in its final form with only 10 built and sold.
With their quick introduction done, it's time to drive these V10-powered road cars around Tsukuba Circuit just like the good old days. Obviously, the Viper came at a time when cars were fitted with ABS and Traction Control but being an all-American sports car, it eschews such driving aids in favor of total control from the driver. The Huracan, meanwhile, is all about relying on 2010s technology derived from its big brother, the V12-powered Aventador, but with a double-clutch gearbox to match its V10 performance.
Anyway, no time to mince more words. It's time to have a quick time attack with these two ten-cylinder legends. Roll the tape.
And now, the results...
Viper GTS '02 - 1m06.025s
Huracan - 1m02.212s
Even though the Huracan trumped the Viper by around four seconds, the results didn't matter because what mattered was that they'd fulfilled the V10 engine's dying wish, giving these two the biggest send-off to the greatest high-performance engine of all time.
From the Dodge Viper to the Lamborghini Huracan, the V10 engine powered some of the most iconic cars of our time. Now that it's permanently gone, nothing will ever be the same.
GOODBYE FOREVER, V10 ENGINE. You made us proud and loud.
Asked which Lamborghini is the best after six decades, most would go for the Huracan. Sure, it is not as good as its V12-powered masterpieces from the Miura to the Aventador but it's known as the last of its kind. The last to don the V10 engine in history.
The Lamborghini Huracan served as the hero car of Forza Horizon 2 in 2014 and in Forza Horizon 5, there are different versions of the Huracan offered from the LP610-4 to the STO. What Forza fanatics didn't know, is there's another Huracan in the stable and like the STO from the High Performance series update a few months ago, it's also a purists' choice except for one thing; it isn't as radical as the STO.
This is the Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica from the Italian Exotics Car Pack and although not the peak of the Huracan lineage, it's the Lambo purists wanted.
Unveiled in the spring of 2022, the Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica slots between the Evo and the hardcore STO variant. With STO-inspired styling but with a less aggressive approach to make it look tamed on the road and track, the Huracan Tecnica's 5.2L V10 engine produces 630hp and 416ft-lb of torque. Mated to a 7-speed double-clutch gearbox, it sprints from 0-100kph in three seconds and has a top speed of 325km/h, 15km/h more than the STO.
The Huracan Tecnica also comes with the LDVI system that takes control of the car's behavior such as the rear-wheel steering, suspension, torque vectoring, and traction control.
To demonstrate the true potential of the Huracan Tecnica, I've invited a bunch of V10 enthusiasts to play with, even Lamborghini fanatics, for this V10-powered bull's one last dance. Let's roll the tape.
What? I had to be desperate at the end but hey, this is the V10-powered raging bull at the fit of peak.
Be it a four-wheel-drive or a purist-friendly rear-wheel-drive, the Lamborghini Huracan is proven to be "the last one" in the age of the new normal. It really is the last car to have a V10 engine in it, which is rather a sad undertone to spell it out. Although it may not be forever, the last V10 car on earth is proven to be the final gambit that never gives in unless it uses its last resort to keep speedo boys happy until the very end.
With all units of the Huracan officially sold out, it really is the end not just the car itself but what's known as the best-sounding engine ever made. They said all good things must end, and for the last V10-powered vehicle on earth, its final mission in this unstable world is complete.
Grazie ragazzi, Lamborghini Huracan. You made us proud.
The Lamborghini Huracan served as the hero car of Forza Horizon 2 in 2014 and this V10 wonder showcased just how fun the baby Lambo can do even during the European road trip. In Forza Horizon 5, there are different versions of Huracan to choose from.
Now, there are four different stages of the Lamborghini Huracan to choose from, ranging from the original LP610-4 to the hardcore STO that I've recently obtained from the High Performance series update.
Let's begin with the Huracan that started it all; the Huracan LP610-4. It is the successor of the Lamborghini Gallardo which was named after a Mayan god of wind. It was powered by a 5.2L V10 engine developing 602HP of power and when mated to a double-clutch gearbox derived from the Audi R8 as well as its 4WD system, it has a top speed of 202mph.
Next up, the Lamborghini Huracan Performante. Dubbed the better version of the Huracan, the Performante's V10 engine produces 29 more horsepower and 30 more torques compared to the normal Huracan, making it capable of hitting 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds while retaining the original Huracan's top speed of 202mph. Apart from that, the Performante sheds 40kg thanks to using of carbon fiber as well as its fixed rear wing and it features ALA, which Lamborghini claims to be the most clever aerodynamic system ever made, making it more grippy in the bends. Such aerodynamics have made the Huracan Performante lap the Nurburgring five seconds quicker than the Porsche 918 Hybrid.
The Lamborghini Huracan Evo is the minor change version that produces similar power outputs as the outgoing Huracan Performante, meaning it produces 630hp of power output. Aside from that, the Evo features improved dynamics as well as new rear-wheel steering and torque vectoring system.
Lastly, the one that I've won from FH5's High Performance Wet Season Playlist for 20 points is the Lamborghini Huracan STO. Dubbed the road-legal version of the Super Trofeo and GT3 race cars, the STO's race-car-inspired aerodynamics generates 53% more downforces and 37% better aerodynamic efficiency overall. Because most of the body panels are made from carbon fiber, it weighs 20% less than the old Performante. Although it packs the same 630hp 5.2L V10 engine as the Evo, it's rear-wheel-drive and while mated to a 7-speed DCT, it goes from 0-100kph in exactly three seconds and a top speed of 193mph.
These Huracan variants are proven to be a blast to drive on the road and on the track if you're into that, but there can only be one Huracan to rule them all and with that, I've assembled them outside the stadium that was recently converted into an oval track following the recent series update. No, we're not going to the oval because that would be too short to do it. Instead, it's a proper circuit racing to determine which Huracan is the best in the game. The fastest time wins as expected.
Without further ado, let's roll the tape.
And now the results...
Huracan - 1m08.085s
Huracan Performante - 1m05.999s
Huracan Evo - 1m07.568s
Huracan STO - 1m05.249s
What a shocker, boys and girls. It looks like the ultimate purists' Huracan really is the best Huracan after all, just.
Be it a four-wheel-drive or a purist-friendly rear-wheel-drive, the Lamborghini Huracan is proven to be "the last one" in the age of the new normal. I said this because this will be known as the last car to have a V10 engine in it, which is rather a sad undertone to spell it out. Although it may not be forever, the last V10 car on earth is proven to be the final gambit that never gives in unless it uses its last resort to keep speedo boys happy until the very end.
It may soon be extinct along with its engine but...let's wish the Huracan the best of luck as it's nearing its endgame not just for this car but for the nearly-diminished V10 race.
As the Forza Horizon 10th Anniversary celebration came to its bittersweet end, it's time to find out which of the Horizon hero cars is the ultimate Horizon Hero. Will it be the SRT Viper GTS? The Lamborghini Huracan? The Lamborghini Centenario? The McLaren Senna? Or the Mercedes-AMG Project One?
Five Horizon heroes are gathered at the Volcan Sprint and all they have to do is to set the fastest time, ultimately deciding once and for all who is the ultimate Horizon Hero. It's all or nothing now. It's do-or-die for these machines as they are giving this Forza Horizon 10th anniversary celebration the ideal sendoff I've envisioned.
Without further ado, let the battle commence. GO!
With their bravery tests done, here are the results;
Viper - 3m18.665s
Huracan - 3m08.155s
Centenario - 3m00.864s
Senna - 2m51.905s
One - 2m52.890s
So, after ten years of enjoying the Forza Horizon series since the first one up to now, this is the ultimate Horizon Hero. The McLaren Senna, the hero car of Forza Horizon 4, is the ultimate Horizon Hero.
FOREVER KING.
And that's a wrap! This is the end of the Forza Horizon 10th Anniversary celebration. The celebration has ended but our journey on Forza Horizon 5 continues because there will be more surprises in store, starting with tomorrow's Donut Media collaboration series update as well as December's holiday series update. There will be more to come this 2023 so stick around!
Our Forza Horizon 10th anniversary celebration continues with the showcasing of the next Horizon Hero, the hero car of Forza Horizon 2 known as the Lamborghini Huracan.
Forza Horizon 2, the sequel to the hit 2012 Forza Horizon video game, was launched on the Xbox 360 and Xbox One consoles on September 30, 2014. The Xbox One version of the game harnessed the console's powers of Forza Motorsport 5's ForzaTech engine, delivering realistic visuals that give life to the players' Southern European experience. It was the first in the Forza franchise to showcase dynamic weather changes.
In this game, players are enjoying an epic road trip across France and Italy on their own terms while doing what Horizon does best; road racing, offroad racing, street racing, PR stunts, and Showcase Events. It even featured Car Meets so other players can show off their cars as well as Bucket List challenges to test their driving skills.
Thanks to the dynamic weather change FH2 delivers, players are going to the extremes with the Storm Island expansion which features a tropical island with severe weather patterns, not to mention the rally upgrades they need for their cars while tackling Storm Island's worsts. Aside from Storm Island, FH2 welcomes Porsche back in the franchise with the Porsche Expansion as well as the standalone FH2 Presents Fast & Furious game featuring cars from the Furious 7 movie.
Anyway, about the hero car, the Lamborghini Huracan is the successor of the Lamborghini Gallardo which was named after a Mayan god. It was powered by a 5.2L V10 engine developing 602HP of power and when mated to a double-clutch gearbox derived from the Audi R8 as well as its 4WD system, it has a top speed of 202mph.
The Lamborghini Huracan has gone through numerous updates over its near-decade lifespan and with reports that it is Audi R8 derivative is heading to the great junkyard of the sky, it will forever be known as the last V10-powered car in existence.
With the last of the dying breed got its say, it's time to give the Huracan some Horizon Europe vibes by racing through the streets of Guanajuato in Forza Horizon 5. What can I say? It's for the sake of nostalgia and while the party's kicking into halftime, let's give the hero of Horizon Europe the hero's welcome it deserves. Roll the tape.
Still got the moves after all the struggle from the Europe adventure several years ago.
With the Huracan kicking the Forza Horizon's 10th anniversary into halftime, next time, let's get to know the hero of Horizon Australia, the Lamborghini Centenario.
The Lamborghini Huracan Performante may be late for the party but the ultimate Huracan made the rounds in the world of Forza Horizon 4 for those who did decent results at this series' Horizon Autumn Playlist, meaning they have the manpower to unleash the best V10 monster Lamborghini ever made.
The Huracan Performante, what is it? Dubbed the better version of the Huracan, the Performante's V10 engine produces 29 more horsepower and 30 more torques compared to the normal Huracan, making it capable of hitting 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds while retaining the original Huracan's top speed of 202mph. Apart from that, the Performante sheds 40kg thanks to using of carbon fiber as well as its fixed rear wing and it features ALA, which Lamborghini claims to be the most clever aerodynamic system ever made, making it more grippy in the bends. Such aerodynamics have made the Huracan Performante lap the Nurburgring five seconds quicker than the Porsche 918 Hybrid.
The original Huracan, which served as the cover car of the second Forza Horizon game in 2014, is one of the most enjoyable cars to drive from the beginning to the Horizon finale and the Performante pushes up a notch with its clever aerodynamics that makes it more enjoyable to drive than the standard Huracan as well as getting used to its monstrous exhaust noise. Glad that Lamborghini still makes V10 engines like this. It's proof that even in Performante guise, the Huracan is the last of its kind and Lamborghini wants to keep preserving this nearly extinct breed for years to come.
Because the Performante is four-wheel drive, just like the normal Huracan, there's a known idea that this supercar can be worth as enjoyable to drive as a Nissan GT-R, even on dirt and snow, and with that, I went to Fortune Island and make the Performante as dirty as possible to see if it's a big laugh even when things get dirty. Ready, go!
It's just like the Huracan I remembered, even dirtier.
Although too little, too late to enjoy the Horizon party, the Lamborghini Huracan Performante really pulls the right moves as the ideal driver's car that takes advantage of its slightly improved performance and its clever aerodynamics that will make driving more enjoyable. It's definitely one of the all-time greats and there's no arguing with that.
You're a rich man, you spend a lot of time doing stuff at the CEO's desk and then going out gambling your luck at the casino on your day-off. You have a lot of money to spend on those super-fast cars but your probability of your choosing would be open-top supercars because you want to look cool driving on those things. There are three choices, which one would you go for?
2017 Audi R8 Spyder
Let's take a look at your first choice of the latest open-top supercars on the market today, the brand new Audi R8 V10 Spyder. You may have noticed that while it maybe slightly heavier than its hardtop equivalent, it still comes with its new Audi Space Frame as well as its 5.2 V10 engine developing 540PS of power and 540Nm of torque, while mated to a 7-speed double clutch gearbox which shifts like magic bur that doesn't stop you from spoiling your day out with this open-top supercar, especially that it can get from 0 to 100kph in 3.6 seconds and onwards to 318kph. Because it's priced less than two hundred grand, this new Audi R8 Spyder is a supercar bargain.
2017 Ferrari 488 Spider
Then, let's take a look on the new Ferrari 488 Spider, which is an updated version of the old 458 Spider, the car that will make everyone agree that it's the best mid-engined supercar ever made. It may have the same V8 as the old 458 but it's been miniaturized and turbocharged so this 4.0L Twin Turbo V8 engine produces 670PS of power output while mated to its F1 7-speed double clutch gearbox, resulting to its 0 to 100 km/h time in 3 seconds. While it may slightly more than the coupe version, its dynamics remain just as fun as the normal one and with the roof up, the upside of having one on the track day meet is that while you can enjoy its F1-inspired dynamics, you can really hear the noise of its V8 engine very clearly but since this is turbocharged, you can't hold your case for a little while longer, knowing this this Ferrari's too matured for its own good.
2017 Lamborghini Huracan Spyder
Or if you're unhappy with those two, you can have the Lamborghini Huracan Spyder instead. Like the new Audi R8, it has a 5.2L V10 engine but it produces 610PS of power output while mated to the same 7-speed double-clutch gearbox as the R8. The age of V10 engines maybe soon endangered but with the Huracan Spyder, you can assure that this modern open-top supercar still has that old-school charm that car enthusiasts really love to listen like the sounds of good old 80's rock and roll from their old CD collections. Because this is a Lamborghini, you can be very addictive while driving this open-top Huracan on the road and on the track, despite the added weight on it.
With these open-top supercars currently available on the market, it's hard to decide which one is the best. The Audi R8 Spyder has the most value for money, the Ferrari 488 Spider for its power that beats them in their own little game of top trumps, and the Lamborghini Huracan Spyder for its old-school charm that wouldn't settle for anything else. How you live it up and sum it up with those three is up to you, my dear bachelor and bachelorette.
The Lamborghini Huracan; a V10 supercar that served as the successor to the Gallardo, named after a Mayan god, and essentially faster than an Aventador round the Top Gear Track. With a 0-100kph time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 325kph, it's still a quick car to drive even when it's powered by a nearly-extinct V10 engine that will soon be fading away through the pages of history due to downsizing trends, and of course, you are probably familiar with this car ever since it became the cover car from the previous installment, Forza Horizon 2. You are also familiar with it as the car Benedict Cumberbatch drove until he broke his hands in an accident and later become a superhero called Doctor Strange. Get it?
Those who have driven the Huracan can result to mixed opinions. They say that they are very happy that the Huracan feels like it retains the same Lamborghini madness they would hope for while some who believed that the Huracan is too matured to be a Lamborghini or a supercar. Either way, they should really need to drive that Huracan again to prove if they were right or wrong, especially while taking a day off Down Under.
As for myself, while on the subject of honoring Lamborghini week in this weekend's Forzathon event, happening now on Forza Horizon 3, me and my Huracan got into all sorts of trouble just to clear this weekend's Forzathon challenges by any means necessary. It's like I'm taking on the stranger yet louder things on the road, if you know what I mean. Several hours later, I managed to beat almost all of this weekend's challenges and it's about as simple as riding a mechanical bull at a bar on a midnight, with the brokeback part at the end of it. Who knew trying to get all three stars in ten speed traps or speed zones can be so hard?!
Speaking of which, remember that old Lamborghini Huracan with a design theme I made after THE IDOLM@STER's Miki Hoshii? You know, the one I made back while in Southern Europe during the finale? Well, I brought it back for nostalgia's sake and improved it to meet Platinum Stars standards. Don't ask why but since I finished most of the weekend's challenges, I decided to have a little free time with this machine while I'm at it.
Of course, following my series of stranger yet louder things happened between me and my baby Lambo, I've drawn an attention to an all-out war between the two Italian supercar company rivals; Ferrari and Lamborghini. With me getting involved in the fray, I got no choice but to get involved in the fight between Italian supercar supremacy. The war between raging bulls and wild horses, which I'll be tackling it next weekend before heading through sub-zero proportions, is about to begin.
Whew. After getting involved in the war between bulls and horses, I managed to get out of the scrap and feeling proud that I survived the clash and finished most of this weekend's challenges. I think it's dare to say that the Huracan, despite its nearly extinct V10 engine that is no match to signature Lamborghini V12 awesomeness, is everything what a Lamborghini should, being an image of insanity, not perfection, and the way it performs is a clear way to show its real, literal, self.
Sure, I had fun in the Lamborghini Huracan but there are some stranger yet louder things that needs to be done in Down Under as the journey continues. Good thing my hands are still there, otherwise, I could wind up like Sherlock becoming Doctor Strange. Get it?! Still, this ordeal is only a prelude to stranger things to come.
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