My FH5 Log: Rising Voltage

The Storm Season of the Forza Horizon 5's Horizon Creatives series update introduced players to two new electric cars to try; one from BMW and the other is from Rivian, making its Forza franchise debut.

The BMW iX and the Rivian R1T are two electric vehicles that stormed their way through the FH5 Horizon Creatives Storm Season playlist as prize cars and now that I got my hands on these two EVs, it's time to shed some lightning with these two high-voltage wonders.

Beginning with the BMW iX, this is basically the production version of the iNEXT Concept, and apart from its controversial styling, the iX marks the debut of the new-generation BMW iDrive system. Running on BMW Operating System 8, the new iDrive system takes advantage of its BMW Curved Display and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assitant with voice function as well as other noticeable features that will enrich drivers' experience. The xDrive50 variant seen here produces 503PS of power, which is less than today's M3 Competition, 765Nm of torque, a 0-100kph time of 4.6 seconds, and a top speed of 200kph.

What about the R1T? This electric pickup truck is the maiden product of the US-based electric vehicle maker Rivian. It uses a bespoke platform that includes the battery pack, drive units, independent air suspension, active damping, and hydraulic roll control, among others, making it capable of driving through 3+ feet of water and can rock crawl a 100% grade, thanks to its 14.9-inch ground clearance. Seen here is the one with the Quad-Motor AWD with 10 driving modes, producing 835hp of power and 908lb-ft of torque, capable of sprinting from 0-60mph in three seconds and has 11,000lbs of towing strength.

With their quick introductions done, it's time to let my inner Game Master flow as I'm sending these two electric cars to their designated challenges because this is Horizon Creatives after all, the perfect series update to spend your last days in FH5 before moving to this October's Forza Motorsport game.

First off, the BMW iX is tackling the yet-to-be-repaired roads of Guanajuato in my updated version of my Guanajuato Rallycross EventLab creation due to an anonymous request to make it an "Anything Goes" event. Hope this is what you wanted.

Next, the Rivian R1T is thrown to the not-too-distant future when extreme global warming turns the entire Horizon Mexico festival into a frozen wasteland just like what happened in the movie The Day After Tomorrow. It's the ideal EventLab challenge to let its Quad-Motor AWD powertrain rip through the snow-buried festival grounds. So much for the rescue flares, guys.

Let's roll the tapes.

If you want to take a crack at my EventLab creations, here are the share codes...

Guanajuato Rallycross V2 - 110 867 006

Horizon Mexico Ice Age - 140 591 782 

These two electric cars are worth driving in my last days of Horizon Mexico but, as it turned out, they're just getting started because there's another electric BMW and another Rivian coming to the festival later during the Horizon Creatives update soon so stay tuned.

BMW iX

The BMW iNEXT Concept has come alive as the first-ever BMW iX, an all-electric crossover that promises to be the most enjoyable electric crossover although the face deserves a lot of interrogation. Anyway, let's investigate.

The BMW iX, priced at 77,300 Euros plus additional costs, is the production version of the iNEXT Concept from 2018, fulfilling the concept's promise, unlike most concept cars with broken promises. Although BMW kept its promise of creating a production version of the iNEXT concept, the iX's design is still as controversial as BMW's designs of today since the current 4-Series Coupe.

A glimpse of its front view serves as a cautionary tale for Gen Z people because, thanks to its massive kidney grille and headlamps reminiscent of the pre-facelifted Jeep Cherokee, it's no doubt one of the weirdest cars to emerge in 2021. If you see one driving an iX, you'd better think twice before commenting on it by the looks because there's a bit more than it.

Controversial the iX's exterior is, the interior is a story-changer because the iX marks the debut of the new-generation BMW iDrive system. Running on BMW Operating System 8, the new iDrive system takes advantage of its BMW Curved Display and the rather annoying BMW Intelligent Personal Assitant with voice function as well as other noticeable features that will enrich drivers' experience. While getting salivated over the new iDrive system, the iX's minimalist interior is worth a challenge for baby boomers and millennials behind the wheel because you can't find buttons to adjust its aircon and volume as expected.

In terms of space, the iX is rather comfortable and accommodating for five people and in terms of boot space, it's surprisingly roomier than the Mercedes EQA or the EQB SUVs.

Armed with an electric all-wheel-drive system, the iX is prepped to take on all kinds of road conditions although the bulk of the weight made the iX mild to drive judging by the fact that its permanent total weight weighs over three tons.

In its top-spec form, the xDrive50's electric powertrain produces 503PS of power, which is less than today's M3 Competition, 765Nm of torque, a 0-100kph time of 4.6 seconds, and a top speed of 200kph, enough to eat a Toyota RAV4 PHV alive on the highway.

Keeping up with the challenges of the new normal, the iX features a host of driver assistance systems with the potential of Level 3 autonomous driving in the midterm. Armed with five cameras, five radar sensors, and 12 ultrasonic sensors, the iX takes advantage of its front collision warning system, Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Active Cruise Control with Stop7Go, Remote Theft Recorder, and Parking Assistant for added peace of mind, whatever the reason.

While the design is a matter of concern for the iX, despite its concept car roots, its future-proof packaging is proof that this crossover is truly fit for the challenges of the new normal. If you're all in, consider the iX right away.

Photo: BMW AG