My FH5 Log: Euro Trash

Would you look at that? The European Automotive update of Forza Horizon 5 is constantly littered with European junk cars out from the junkyard and into the ever-growing FH5 car roster. The cesspool of junk cars keeps on growing.

First up is the Lancia Fulvia from the Hot Season Playlist. Powered by a 1.3L V4 engine, it's the car that made Lancia win its first World Rally Championship. Not bad for a front-wheel-drive coupe that costs more than the Jaguar E-Type when it was new.

Next up is the Citroen DS 23 from the Storm Season Playlist. This is the iconic hatchback that first introduced Citroen's signature hydropneumatic self-leveling suspension system which uses liquid hydraulic and gas-pressured suspension instead of springs, giving it a comfy ride on all kinds of road surfaces. It was the first to use disc brakes.

Fresh from the Dry Season Playlist is the Series 4 Lotus Esprit, the last V8-powered Lotus ever made and one of the last production cars with pop-up headlights.

The Hot Season Playlist featured a double bill of German garbage; the Volkswagen Double Cab Pick-up and the Mercedes-Benz 500 E. The Doka is basically the pickup variant of the Volkswagen Type 2 minibus while the 500 E is the V8-powered variant of the W124 E-Class made from a Porsche factory.

Let's give the quintuplet of European garbage a good dirty driving, and showcase just how good these rusty beaters from the Old Continent were. Roll the tapes.

These rusty beaters proved their point but as it turned out, they were nothing compared to the worst European toxic waste of the pack; the AMG Hammer Wagon from the European Automotive DLC Pack.

The AMG Hammer Wagon is a one-off W214 wagon built for a client from the USA. Started out in life as a diesel-powered W214 wagon until the original owner commissioned AMG to convert it into a super wagon, armed with a 6.0L V8 engine producing 375hp of power while mated to a 4-speed AT. It even comes with a locking differential to help the rear axle endure the punishment from the V8 engine, among others.

Want to see how the AMG Hammer Wagon roars? You're in luck because let's get the tape rolling.

The latest batch of toxic waste dump proves that the cesspool of rusty beaters never stops growing, giving Gen Z players uncontrollable anxiety, complaining about why the Forza producers keep dumping junk cars in such a wonderful racing game.

Are we seeing more junk cars in the next FH5 series update next week? Yes, there will be junk cars next week so brace yourselves for more rusty beaters ruining your FH5 experience.

My FH5 Log: Rediscovering Italian Nostalgia

The Italian Automotive update on Forza Horizon 5 welcomes back Fiat, Lancia, Abarth, and Alfa Romeo in the game with a total of 16 playable cars. The first half is available on the autoshow while the latter half was prize cars attainable throughout the entire season. All in the name of rediscovering Italian nostalgia, of course.

Focusing on the prize cars, let's check out the hauls of the season...

At the Wet Season Playlist of the Italian Automotive update, I got the keys to the Alfa Romeo 155 Q4 and the Lancia Delta S4. The first one is a potent contender to the DTM while the latter is Lancia's biggest WRC success story since the Fulvia, the Stratos, and the 037.

At the Storm Season Playlist, I got the keys to the Alfa Romeo 4C, a lightweight rear-wheel-drive Alfa Romeo sportscar made by Alfistas for Alfistas, as well as the Abarth 695, the most hardcore version of the Abarth 500 hatchback.

At the Dry Season Playlist, the Abarth 131 Rally and the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione became part of my FH5 fleet. The former is a 3-box saloon car homologated for rally racing and follows the footsteps of the legendary Lancia Stratos for obvious reasons while the latter is Alfa Romeo's first V8-powered supercar which was built in the same factory as the Maserati GranTurismo.

Lastly, in the Hot Season Playlist, the Lancia 037 and the Abarth 124 Spider are under my caring hands in the game. The 037 is Lancia's Audi Quattro killer while the Abarth 124 Spider is the Italian Mazda ND Roadster that does what its Japanese equivalent doesn't.

Having got my hands on the eight prize cars of the Italian Automotive update, it's time to showcase their Italian flair by giving them challenges at the Horizon Badlands and see if these unlimited amounts of torture can bring out the Roman gladiator within them. Roll the tapes.

Guess those torture tests really brought them the Roman gladiator within but hey, this is Italian automotive at its core.

Enjoy your new rides!

Forza Horizon 4: The last great Lancia

The Lancia Delta Integrale is the last great Lancia in history and now that I got my hands on this rally legend straight from the recent Horizon Playlist, it won't be long before I had my final say on one of the all-time greats.



The Delta HF Integrale is the result of the car's success that eclipsed the Fulvia, the Stratos, and the 037 combined by winning six World Rally Championship titles on its belt. Revealed at the 1991 Frankfurt Motor Show, the HF Integrale Evoluzione features a redesigned front and larger air slots in the hood to cool off its turbocharged 2.0L engine producing 207HP of power. The original Delta S4 conquered every single Group B rallying but crashes and deaths caused Group B rallying to end and while the Delta adapts through the WRC changes, it didn't went well as planned until Lancia bids rallying goodbye in 1992.



After reading through a very sad but wonderful tale of the Lancia Delta, the last great Lancia in history, it's time to take the Delta Integrale for a drive to remember forever until it heads to the great rally stage in the sky.



Job well done. There's nothing else I can say.

Enjoy your new ride.

Forza Motorsport 7: Legendary rally rivalry

It's rally season so let's celebrate by taking a wheel behind two of the most legendary machines that carved their own path during the heydays of Group B rallying; the Audi quattro and the Lancia 037. I was simply adored by the stories about how these two changed the rallying landscape forever from how Audi forever changed the WRC rules for allowing 4WD cars to enter rallying and how Lancia gunning down the might of the quattro by whatever means necessary to make the rear-wheel drive 037 a force to be reckoned with.



I love the way how Audi pioneered the quattro all-wheel-drive system and how it forever changed the rules not just in motorsports but also in the motoring industry. Ever since Audi demanded the organizers to allow four-wheel drive cars to compete in the World Rally Championship, it became a dominant force to be reckoned with as demonstrated by a double victory in 1982, a driver title win in 1983, and a double title again in 1984. It was clear proof that thanks to the Audi quattro, the all-wheel drive system became a common cause for most car companies, especially those competing at the WRC.



I also love the way how Lancia made a riposte against the Audi quattro with the 037 and how a ragtag rally team spearheaded by a playboy named Cesare Fiorio changed the rally landscape in favor of the 037, despite one of the drivers saying he doesn't want to be a world champion in the first place. Although being run by a power-boating playboy on a short budget and a part-time driver who didn't want to be world champion, they really know how to use their trump cards very well to confuse the organizers, especially the idea when they present 400 cars made for homologation purposes in a rather confusing kind of way. Did you know in the Monte Carlo rally, before the 037 goes rallying, the team bought kilos of salt so they can use it to clear the road as well as demand the French authorities to clear the road? Well, that excuse doesn't stop there because, after the icy stages of the Monte Carlo rally, they swapped tires. In the Corsica rally, meanwhile, they brought on four 037s to race, which is unheard of for WRC regulations. Then, in the San Remo Rally, the folks devised a little distraction while waiting for the dust to be settled and after all that lollygagging, the dust was gone and the 037 raced all the way to grab the manufacturer title win.





That's why this rivalry made it special in the history of the World Rally Championship because while Audi tries to prove that the quattro and its well-established team are the real rule-changer, Lancia tries to prove that their status as the undisputed king of WRCs is still going strong despite its eccentric management. With the rest of the WRC regulations changed thanks to the Audi quattro, the 037 is the ideal sendoff for rear-wheel drive rally cars and its victory against the quattro is the definitive proof that rear-wheel drive rally cars prevail through the very end. While I'm very amused over the legendary tale of quattro vs. 037 in the WRC, let's pit these rally legends around the Top Gear Track to see which one is king. However, it's raining outside, which gives the advantage to the quattro but you never know what sort of tricks the 037 might possess even in such drizzling conditions. Let's roll the tape...



And now, let's check out the time...

Quattro - 1:29.525
037 - 1:30.870

Whoa, that was too close to call for the 037. Seems that the wet weather favored the all-wheel drive Audi quattro but guess what, when it dries out, it might favor the 037, but still, it's been an honor to sample the biggest rivalry in rally history in a rather considerable way.





Looking back at those two rally legends made me realize how great this motorsport was back then and despite the change of times, rest assured that an epic rally rivalry like this would never be forgotten, especially when a team like Lancia's had some trump cards in store to favor the 037. It's rather sad that Lancia is now diminished into making a lone offering only sold in Italy while Audi continues to multiply like germs. It really is heartbreaking but with cars like these, it doesn't really matter which drivetrain you're up to. It's up to the strategy rally teams possess as long as they adhere to the rules they set foot in.

Happy rally season, ladies and gentlemen!

Forza Motorsport 5: IS装着

The IS naming in the Lexus IS car stands for "intelligent sports" but if you drank too much sake and ended in a massive hangover, you will probably mistaken the naming for "Infinite Stratos", apparently. If the name "Stratos" really does ring a bell...then most car enthusiast think of that name as the legendary Lancia Stratos, the rally legend powered by a Ferrari Dino engine in the middle and won three World Rally Championships from 1974 to 1976.

This has got to be one of the most absurd comparisons ever done in the history of Forza Motorsport 5 but because this is science, the Lexus IS, in IS F trim with the 5.0L V8 engine and the 8-speed SPDS gearbox mated on it, wanted to know if the S in the IS naming stands for Stratos but first...




Both the ISF and the Stratos are taking their rehearsals at the world-renowned, as-seen-on-TV, Top Gear Test Track, located at the Dunsfold Aerodrome, Surrey, United Kingdom.



Based on the data gathered during their rehearsals, it seems that the Lancia Stratos, despite it's almost four times less power than the ISF, performed very well in the handling stakes thanks to the fact that it weighs 1,619 lbs less than the Lexus saloon car and its almost-perfect weight distribution, meaning that for every turn, the Lancia does very well like proper handwriting. The Lexus maybe more powerful than the Stratos but because with so much torque, even a gentle touch would send its rear wheels spin, giving you a hard time to send it to the tight corners with maximum effort. I know Lexus cars are made for those who want to spend their time at the country club like most luxury cars do but for the ISF, that is so out of character for a Japanese luxury car.

With all that, looks like the ISF and the Stratos flew all the way to Long Beach, California, and they're all set to answer the burning question that every student from the IS Academy, well mostly female students, asks. So, can the S in the IS really means Stratos?!






At the Long Beach circuit, the Lexus did it in 1:45.482 while the Lancia did it in 1:53.095, almost eight seconds slower. Well, conclusive proof that the S in the Lexus IS naming really means Stratos...although this is very absurd and whoa! Am I spending too much time drinking alcohol and watching too much Infinite Stratos just to spring this massively absurd idea?! Oh dear... Looks like I'm kinda offending little Miss Houki... He he he...

Forza Horizon: The Battle of IS

IS meets Stratos

Huh, that's weird. Even in Colorado, there really was The Battle of IS. Oh, man! Come on! Get it, together, man! What am I saying? Do you think am I the only one around here who says that the S in the Lexus IS naming really mean Stratos? As in...Lancia Stratos?

Nah! But still, it was nice driving both the Lexus IS F and the Lancia Stratos though. It's kinda fun to drive both of these weapons-grade materials on the streets of Colorado. While the Stratos has the crispiest sounds thanks to its Ferrari engine at the middle, the IS F sure is an out-of-character car for the brand that makes saloons for rich golfers.

Forza Motorsport 4: Collection of Lancias

Now let's just stop right about now and talk about Lancia because for many years, Lancia produced some of the most historic cars ever made. Despite the few problems with the rust three decades ago, Top Gear named Lancia as the greatest carmaker in the world. Such lunacy did produce results for Lancia like for instance; they're the first to sell a car with the monococque body, first to offer a five-speed gearbox, first to sell a car with supercharging and turbocharging on the same engine, first to sell a road car with a V6 engine, and first to sell a car with an electric boot spoiler. Just because most Lancias are unreliable doesn't mean that they're not great and that's an actual fact, even the tattiest of the Lancias are tougher than what you might think.Well, you get the idea but here on Forza Motorsport 4; three of the greatest Lancias come together such as..

the Stratos,

Stratos on a foursome

the 037,

Is this the car that defeated the mighty Audi Quattro?

and the Delta Integrale.

Only Lancia...

I was going to say all about those three but instead, I'd decided to unleash my Stigness and put those three round the Top Gear Test Track.



So, based on the result, I had the time and the Stratos did it in 1:30.557 while the 037 did it in 1:31.309 and the Delta Intregale did it in 1:30.232 so I think it's a progress of how did they made Lancia classics great. But still, I like the Stratos because that exhaust note sounds as crispy as eating a well-done fried chicken. Mmmm, yummy. However, while the Stratos produces the crispiest exhaust note, the Delta Integrale is definitely the best Lancia ever made because this was served as the last hurrah for the glorious carmaker and it won the World Rally Championship, six times on the trot! It may not be the prettiest looking car to drive but oh my stars, this one's the best. Seems that most car enthusiasts really prefer the Lancias of the past rather than the present because present Lancias are turning into Chrysler clones and that's not good.

Lancia Flavia

2012 Lancia Flavia

The Flavia name has been resurrected as the Italian cousin of the Chrysler 200 Convertible. If you were wandering what is the difference between those two, I'm afraid that both of them are the same thing when you look at these two, except the fact that it has Chrysler badges thrown away and replaced with Lancia badges. That's not all because the Pentastar V6 engine is not offered on the Lancia Flavia as well because...well, nobody knows why they didn't fit it in.

You still have the class-exclusive retractable roof, most ample rear legroom of its class, some black and chrome accents, dramatic LED lighting on the cluster, Uconnect, Bluetooth connectivity, and that's about it. Even it its convertible body, it still looks sexy on the outside and a bit more premium on the inside but don't get so easy on this one.

The only engine available on the Lancia Flavia is the 2.4L 16v engine that produces 170PS of power and it is mated with a standard 6-speed automatic transmission. It's not made to be focused on performance but it was made for some cruising through the world's best driving roads. Yep, with the roof off, you'll enjoy the wind hurling you around while driving the Flavia.

Two colors are available; Bright White (Bianco Pastello) and Mineral Gray.

My comment;
Those Lancias imported from Chrysler such as the Lancia Voyager and the Lancia Thema were became a minor flop because sales couldn't achieve its target but with the Flavia, do you think it would work? I'm afraid not because in today's economy, this car doesn't work at all and wait, this car is not made for English-speaking Lancia fans because it was only sold for European markets only where they don't speak English. Sadly, this car won't make it to the UK market because both the Chrysler 200 Convertible and the Lancia Flavia will always be left-hand drive and it would be highly impossible to make it right hand drive. Yep, the Lancia Flavia is not made for English speaking drivers but if you're speaking English, get yourselves a Chrysler 200 Convertible...in the USA.

Photo: Lancia

....with apologies to Houki Shinonono, always.

Lancia Stratos concept

That will leave a bucket of tears to Houki Shinonono after all because multiple reports said that the New Stratos will no longer being produced, all thanks to Ferrari rejecting the hopes of the production run.

That made her sad...

However, despite the New Stratos will no longer being built because of Ferrari's rejection, reports suggest that a new Alpine is in the works.

Scoop: http://jalopnik.com/5872768/new-stratos-is-dead-long-live-the-alpine

Lancia Voyager

The Lancia Thema is not the only one which is a Chrysler 300 in Lancia's clothing. Here comes the Lancia Voyager, based on the facelifted Chrysler Town and Country, that makes it the Italian brand's flagship minivan because this minivan will end up being on the same level as the Nissan Elgrand and Toyota Alphard. This luxury minivan is always focused to be more premium because this will transform the status of the Lancia brand forever.

2012 Lancia Voyager

2012 Lancia Voyager interior

The exterior design for the new Lancia Voyager is top-notch and it really knows how luxurious the outside is thanks to its elegant grille at the front and the rear details are just perfect, perfect enough to be called the king of European minivans. Thanks to the Voyager's one-touch entry, it can provide easy access at the touch of the button. On the interior, it accommodates seven passengers and best of all, they can be folded within various situations. Let's say that you can fold the second row seats to provide access to the third-row seats, or how about turning the Lancia Voyager into an affordable Royal Lounge by stowing the entire second row. This Stow N Go is all business, especially the interior is all business. It's like an office on wheels. The rear-seat dual DVD entertainment system can be somewhat accommodating and entertaining to the passengers. Think watching a movie at the second row while watching news at the third row.

Two available engines are offered on the Lancia Voyager; first is the 3.6 V6 VVT 24v engine that produces 287PS of power and 344Nm of torque, capable of reaching 0-100 in 8.6 seconds, top speed of 209kph, and combined fuel economy of 9.3km/L (10.8L/100km). Lastly is the 2.8 CRD 16v diesel engine that produces 163PS of power and 360Nm of torque, allowing this minivan to reach 0-100 in 11.9 seconds, top speed of 193kph, and combined fuel economy of 12.7km/L (7.9L/100km). The message then is clear, the Lancia Voyager's 3.6 V6 VVT engine is more powerful than the Nissan Elgrand, Toyota Alphard, or the Toyota Vellfire. However, this petrol version doesn't arrive soon so you have to make do with the diesel version.

Available in four colors; Stone White (Bianco Pastello), Bright Silver (Grigio Chiaro), Brilliant Black (Nero), and Dark Charcoal (Grigio Scuro).

My comment:
This Lancia Voyager, the Chrysler Town and Country's Italian cousin might become the King of European minivans because of its premium status that has a quality of Japanese luxury minivans. The interior of the Lancia Voyager is like a well-tailored suit and it is well equipped to please the customers who are looking for a well-mannered minivan loaded with luxury features to entertain the guests at the back.

Photo: Lancia Automobiles - Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.