My FH5 Log: Sea Breeze Flowing To the Stars

Have you heard the story of the sea that loved the moon? Of course, you do. I mean, everybody's familiar with the Legend of the Moon and the Sea. It's a love story a thousand years in the making and making the most out of the "Sea and Moon" vibe, I decided to let Forza Horizon 5's finest grand tourers do the singing and dancing.

If you are in the middle of a drive from the sea to the moon, which GT car is your pick? The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera? The third-generation Bentley Continental GTC? Or the BMW M8? This is exactly the question this game was designed to answer but first, let's get to know the GT cars.

Beginning with the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, this potent version of the DB11 is the ultimate grand tourer designed from the ground up. Underneath its muscular shape and seductive curves, the DBS Superleggera carries the same 5.0L V12 Twin Turbo engine as the DB11 but uprooted to produce 725PS of power and 900Nm of torque while mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox, it can get from 0-60mph in three and a half seconds and onwards to 211mph. It even comes with torque vectoring, a mechanical LSD, and F1-inspired aerodynamics to make it more track-honed while retaining its grand tourer status.

The Bentley Continental GT's styling is inspired by the EXP 10 Speed 6 Concept, giving it a fresh new take on Bentley's iconic two-door grand tourer. The third-generation Continental GT runs on the same platform as the second-generation Porsche Panamera and is powered by a brand new 6.0L W12 TSI engine producing 626HP of power and 900Nm of torque. With the 8-speed DCT and 4WD system it does 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds and onwards to 207mph. The GT Convertible follows the same recipe as the hardtop variant but has a roof that can be opened or closed in 19 seconds even while traveling at residential speeds.

The BMW M8 Competition Coupe is the coupe version of the BMW M5 F90. It has the same 4.4L V8 turbo engine and 8-speed automatic transmission. It produces 625PS of power and 750Nm of torque, and can go from 0 to 100kph in up to 3.2 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 250kph, but an optional extra can raise it to 305kph. Like the M5 F90, the M8 comes with an M xDrive all-wheel-drive system with M Dynamic mode that behaves like a rear-wheel-drive car.

These three grand tourers were proven to be the ideal contenders when you want to take a long drive from the sea to the moon just like the legend itself but if The Sea and The Moon witnessed them, which one is worthy to be a favorite for the ancient couple?

Blessed by the power of The Sea and The Moon, the three grand tourers are in the middle of a one-lap time attack to see which one is the best. Don't worry, nobody's drinking three pints of water just like that Grand Tour episode where they're driving around the racetrack while holding the urge to pee. There's your reference point for you but anyway, let's go!

And now the results...

DBS SL - 56.139s

Continental GTC - 58.959s

M8 - 57.207s

The rear-wheel-drive DBS with its 725PS 5.0L V12 Twin Turbo engine crushed its 4WD opposition but judging by the palindromic results, it's close. Still, these three did a great job pleasing The Sea and The Moon in style and comfort.

The sea breeze flowing to the stars while driving in these grand tourers is a clear reminder of a sad story I just remembered. The DBS Superleggera marked the end of Aston Martin's V12 supremacy, and Bentley ended their 12-cylinder story with cars like the Bentley Continental GT. I don't know what fate's in store for a car like the BMW M8, but some say, it's not going to last long. Whatever the reason, they fought hard until the endgame, and while stories like these plunged speedo boys into an ocean of heartache, they should be thankful to have grand tourers with happy endings worth remembering forever.

That is the sea breeze flowing to the stars. The legend of the sea and the moon is revisited by three dying grand tourers fulfilling their dying wishes to the sea and the moon.

BONUS CHAPTER:

With Hibiki and Michiru done their job, it's time for my Continental GTC to have a one-car show to demonstrate its Bentley-ism. I know this because I got this car from the European Automotive DLC Pack and I loved it, despite its convertible taste.

Before getting its one-car show, some makeover has to be done...

After some extensive makeovers, the Continental GT Convertible is portraying the role of, you guessed it, Shiori from Aikatsu Planet. Suits its personality.

Feeling pleased with this makeover, the Continental GT Convertible is awakened for the clash of the land and the sea with the competition waiting to get a good look at this Bentley. Let's roll the tape.

From the clash of the land and the sea, the Bentley is the summit of its endgame.

Bentley's decision to end the production of the legendary W12 engine has me in an ocean of heartache, just as I was when Aston Martin ended its V12 hierarchy. But bittersweet aside, I'm glad I had a blast playing around with these British-built 12-cylinder wonders alongside a German V8-powered grand tourer nearing its euthanasia while revisiting the legend of the sea and the moon, in my mind.

OK, so we've done our little storytelling. Who wants bream from the Caspian Sea? How about some moonlight cookies or sea fairy cookies?

My FH5 Log: Check-M8

A long time ago, when BMW revived the 6-Series, they brought the ultra-powerful M6 which is basically a coupe equivalent of the M5 F10 that comes with the same turbocharged V8 and the double clutch gearbox and when I first played in the original Forza Horizon, I nearly fell in love with it.

In the pursuit of more grandness out of BMW's only grand tourer, the now-classic M6 has turned...

You're looking at the first-ever BMW M8, which is part of Forza Horizon 5's DLC car catalog. The old M6 the world knew has turned into something greater than itself.

Ah, yes. The BMW M8. Ever since BMW revived the 8-Series, it's not what it seems because it's basically the coupe equivalent of the BMW 5-Series G30, not the 7-Series that its predecessor dons. So, the M8, what's it all about?

It's basically the coupe version of the BMW M5 F90, meaning it still packs the same 4.4L V8 turbo engine and the 8-speed automatic. In its Competition spec, it produces 625PS of power and 750Nm of torque, sprinting through 0 to 100kph in up to 3.2 seconds and electronically limited to 250kph or with an optional extra where it can be raised to 305kph. Like the M5 F90, the M8 comes with an M xDrive all-wheel-drive system with M Dynamic mode that allows it to behave like a rear-wheel-drive car.

Having been satisfied with the way the M8 performs, which is somewhat reminiscent of the M5 F90 a long time ago, it's time to see how much progress the M8 has compared to its M6 predecessor and with the streets of Guanajuato became my laboratory, it's time to compare these two turbocharged grand tourers just to find out if the M8's turbocharged engine and its all-wheel-drive magic truly work. VTR start!

And now the results...

M6 - 0m59.493s

M8 - 0m57.624s

So, it's a nearly two-second gap between them, meaning the M8's turbocharged V8 and M xDrive truly worked. Touche.

I got to admit, the M8 truly is shaping up to be the only BMW grand tourer worth driving despite running on M5 mechanicals similar to its M6 predecessor. Like its M5 F90 equivalent, the M8 rewrote the reality of BMW's high-performance grand tourer because of its turbocharged V8 engine and M xDrive, but still, it's worth enjoyable to drive full-stop.

Having fallen in love with the M8, it's time to give it a final exam to prove my point but first...

Oh, yes. This is what the BMW M8 is made for. Miichiru-sama be praised! Wait, what...?

Anyway, enough worshipping, as the boys with toys gathered around at Guanajuato for some after-hours, it's time to turn them into worshippers with a leisurely street race through the Guanajuato tunnels. Let's get cracking.

Kneel before her, boys!

Mission accomplished for the BMW M8. Although it's no longer active in the world of motor racing because it was replaced by its smaller and hideous-looking BMW M4 G82, it's still proved its worth as the only grand tourer the Germans are proud of. Although its time is almost up because of the new normal, the M8 is still worth worshipping until the endgame.

Dingolfing sends its regards.

BMW M8 Gran Coupe

The first-ever BMW M8 may not be the ultimate M car as speedo boys hoped for but it sure loves to wiggle all-day, all-night, because of its M xDrive system that allows it to behave like a rear-wheel drive car. Having enjoyed the coupe and the convertible, there is now the first-ever M8 Gran Coupe for those who think the M5 looks a bit matured.

The first-ever BMW M8 Gran Coupe picks up where the old M6 Gran Coupe left off and with prices start at around 162,197 Euros plus additional costs, it's surprisingly more expensive than the M5 it was based on. Needless to say, while the M8 Gran Coupe is more like the stylish alternative to the M5, the way it drives feels like the M5.

Under the hood, the M8 Gran Coupe still carries the same 4.4L V8 Twin Turbo engine as the F90 M5, meaning it produces 625PS of power and 750Nm of torque in Competition spec and because it uses the same 8-speed automatic as the M5, it can get through 0 to 100kph in up to 3.2 seconds and electronically limited to 250kph or with an optional extra where it can be raised to 305kph.

Just like the M5, the M8 Gran Coupe has M xDrive with a nifty little feature that allows it to behave like a rear-wheel drive car. Such setting like this as well as some sport-oriented dynamics underneath and you got yourself a German super saloon that loves to wiggle all wheels everywhere.

Would you like this rather than the M5?

Photo: BMW AG

BMW M8

BMW's reborn 8-Series is nothing more than a 6-Series replacement and nothing more to expect on what is known to be the two-door equivalent of the G30 5-Series. With the first-ever BMW M8, this high-performance take on the reborn 8-Series uses some F90 M5 knowhow to create a high-performance sportscar that dances like an M5 and make some big statements to its grand touring opposition into thinking that this one's ready to mingle all night.

2020 BMW M8 Coupe

2020 BMW M8 Convertible

With prices starting at a very costly 125,700 Euros for the Coupe and 133,700 Euros for the Cabriolet plus on-road costs, the first-ever BMW M8 mimics the same experience as its four-door equivalent, the F90 BMW M5, while in a more self-centered two-door setting with some room on the back for your belongings because let's face it, some people are having a hard time squeezing through the back seats in a coupe but who cares?

Although the styling is reminiscent of the normal 8-Series with some more M goodness to make it look scary on the street scene, there's nothing scary about the way it goes because it still carries the same 4.4L V8 Twin Turbo engine as the F90 M5, meaning it sounds a bit muted by sportscar standards but despite its low-volume purr from its turbocharged V8 engine, it produces 625PS of power and 750Nm of torque in Competition spec and because it uses the same 8-speed automatic as the M5, it can get through 0 to 100kph in up to 3.2 seconds and electronically limited to 250kph or with an optional extra where it can be raised to 305kph. Now that is considerably fast for a BMW M car.

As some would say that because it's now a four-wheel drive car rather than a rear-wheel drive car like the old M6 it replaces, understeering is likely, and expect some muscle pains but no because like the M5, the M8's M xDrive comes with a setting where they can switch from four-wheel drive to two-wheel drive. It's like having two cars in one and thanks to its Active M Differential, the M8 feels as lively to drive as any grand tourer can get.

And like the M5, the M8 features so many settings toy around with such as the traction control setting, engine responsiveness, steering, gear settings, exhaust noises, and some comfortable bits where a gentleman driver should better leave it be while taking on a comfortable cruise like a real grand tourer. Shoddy.

The BMW M8 may be radically different than the M6 it replaces but like the F90 M5 it draws inspiration from, it feels so enjoyable to drive, comfortable to live in, and overall fun to drive on the road and track. You should really thank BMW for this new model for sure.

Photo: BMW AG