My FH5 Log: Koenig Specials - The Reign

2024 marks Koenigsegg's 30th anniversary and what better way to celebrate 30 years of Spirit of Performance by driving the best of Koenigsegg in Forza Horizon 5. Let's continue our FH5 history lesson on Koenigsegg with the Regera.

In the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, Koenigsegg introduced its first-ever plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) hypercar, the Regera. It's Sweden's answer to the now-legendary Hybrid Hypercar Holy Trinity of the 2010s.

The Koenigsegg Regera marked a departure from the company's traditional approach to hypercars. It combined comfort, luxury, and performance in one unorthodox hypercar that focused solely on power, technology, and innovation. Its name means "to reign" in Swedish.

The 5.0L V8 Twin Turbo engine is connected to three electric motors and a 4.5kWh liquid-cooled li-ion battery pack, generating a total of 1500hp of power and 1475lb-ft of torque. This allows it to sprint from 0 to 60mph in less than 2.8 seconds and reach a top speed of over 250mph.

One of the Regera's most notable features is its Direct-Drive transmission, which connects the engine to the wheels directly via a single gear, a setup similar to that of today's electric cars or CVTs for modern city cars for that matter. This reduces the complexity and weight of the drivetrain and improves efficiency, while still providing exceptional acceleration and top speed.

All 80 of these vehicles were made and sold.

For a hypercar with a CVT-esque gearbox and a turbocharged V8 PHEV setup, I wonder just how good is the Regera? To find out, I let the Regera for a quick lap around the festival to prove its worth. Roll the tape.

I did it in 1m05.799s, which is about as quick as the regular Koenigsegg Agera by my standards. Not bad for a hypercar with a CVT-esque gearbox and a PHEV setup.

The Koenigsegg Regera is a statement of engineering excellence and is one of the fastest cars on the planet. It's a blend of hybrid technology, extreme performance, and luxury. It's a car for a select few with a discerning taste for the latest in innovation and driving.

Next time, our FH5 Koenigsegg history lesson concludes with the recent masterpiece; the Jesko. Stay tuned.

My FH5 Log: Legends of the Hidden Junk Cars

Three undesirable old cars have plagued Forza Horizon 5's Hidden Horizons update like disease-carrying rodents.

Let's face it, there's no stopping a game like Forza Horizon 5 from featuring undesirable old cars no one asked for and the Hidden Horizons update is no exception. Time to meet this update's worst offenders.

First, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III from the Hidden Horizons Summer Season Playlist. Launched in 1995, the Lancer Evolution III is the third and the last verse based on the fourth-generation Lancer. It features a revised body style compared to the Evo II while the turbocharged 2.0L 4G63 engine was bumped to 266HP of power output.

Next, the fourth-generation Toyota Chaser, in turbocharged 2.5GT twin-turbo guise, from the Hidden Horizons Winter Season Playlist. Powered by a 2.5L 1JZ-GTE engine, it produces 210PS of power, making it the most powerful of the X80-series Chasers.

Lastly, the facelifted Volvo C30, in T5 R-Design Polestar Limited Edition guise, from the Hidden Horizons Spring Season Playlist. A byproduct of the SCC Concept, the C30 is the last 3-door Volvo ever made.

Let's give the latest batch of junk cars a quick race to prove their worth. Roll the tapes.

These junk cars still know how to funk themselves.

The plague of junk cars in Forza Horizon 5 is far from over because the next update, the Back To The 90s update, sees another plague of junk cars from the 1990s. Brace yourselves, more junk cars are coming.

Speaking of which...

Do you remember the King?

My FH5 Log: Koenig Specials - The Aggressor

2024 marks Koenigsegg's 30th anniversary and what better way to celebrate 30 years of Spirit of Performance by driving the best of Koenigsegg in Forza Horizon 5. Let's continue our FH5 history lesson on Koenigsegg with the Agera era.

With the lessons learned from the CC-era cars, Christian von Koenigsegg begins his next chapter by creating the most technologically advanced hypercar bound to rewrite the rules of speed and power; the Koenigsegg Agera.

The Koenigsegg Agera is a spiritual successor of the CCX, a supercar that continued the Swedish supercar maker’s tradition of pushing beyond the limits of speed. The Agera was unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show and was powered by a 5.0L twin-turbo engine, a huge departure from its supercharged predecessors. It produced 960HP of power and 1100Nm of torque and was named Top Gear’s Hypercar of the Year in 2010.

The Koenigsegg One:1 is a true engineering marvel. With a power-to-weight ratio of 1:1 (1360 horsepower to 1360 kilograms), this hypercar is capable of astonishing acceleration and a theoretical top speed of 440 kilometers per hour. It also handles exceptionally well thanks to advanced aerodynamics that include an air scoop on the roof. Koenigsegg only built six of these cars, and they all sold out before they were even completed. This makes the One:1 one of the most exclusive and desirable cars in the world.

The Koenigsegg Agera RS, unveiled in 2015, is the final product of the Agera era. It takes all the components of different Agera models and combines them into one hypercar to end them all. The Agera RS uses the same twin-turbo V8 from the S, but it’s been optimized to produce 1160hp on regular gasoline or 1300hp on E85 biofuel. It’s also lighter than the R and the S, thanks to advanced composites and layup techniques from the One:1 program. 

The Agera RS is also a record breaker. In 2017, it set five records that put the Bugatti Veyron to shame. These records include the highest top speed for a production vehicle at 447.19 km/h (277.87 mph), the quickest 0-400-0kph time of 33.29 seconds, the highest average speed for a flying kilometer on a public road at 445.63 km/h (276.9 mph), and the highest speed achieved on a public road at 457.94 km/h (284.55 mph). 

Only 25 units of the Agera RS were made and sold. This makes it one of the most exclusive and desirable cars in the world.

Let's bring the Koenigsegg Agera cars to the Horizon Mexico festival venue and find out which one is the best. Roll the tape.

And here are the results...

Agera - 1m07.117s

One:1 - 1m00.327s

Agera RS - 1m01.078s

Although the Agera RS is the ultimate Agera, it still barely wasn't enough to beat the world's first megacar, the One:1. Still, regardless of what happened, the Agera rewrote the rules of what a hypercar should be and the Agera RS is Ground Zero for its successor; the Jesko.

Next time, our FH5 Koenigsegg history lesson continues with the Regera. Stay tuned.

My FH5 Log: Koenig Specials - The Beginning

2024 marks Koenigsegg's 30th anniversary and what better way to celebrate 30 years of Spirit of Performance by driving the best of Koenigsegg in Forza Horizon 5. Let's begin our FH5 history lesson on Koenigsegg by venturing into the CC era.

It was 1994 when 22-year-old Christian von Koenigsegg made a sketch of his dream car straight from his computer. His dream car sketch later became the blueprint for his first masterpiece; the Koenigsegg CC8S.

Unveiled in 2002 and delivered at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show, the CC8S is armed with a Ford-derived 4.7L Supercharged V8 engine producing 564hp of power, capable of claiming the Guinness World Record title of the world's most powerful engine. It even won the Red Dot Design Award as well. Only six were made and two of them were right-hand-drive.

Fast-forward to the year 2006, the Koenigsegg CCX was unleashed. The CCX was unveiled at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show and served as the replacement for the CCR. CCX is an acronym for "Competition Coupe X", in fact, the X commemorates the 10th anniversary of the completion and test drive of the first CC vehicle in 1996. It was powered by a 4.7L twin-supercharged V8 engine with 806hp of power that claims to go 0-60m in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of over 245mph. There was a version called the CCXR that was tuned to run on biofuel and produced more power than the standard CCX up to 1018hp.

I remember watching that episode of Top Gear when The Stig crashed the Koenigsegg CCX. It was wild. I knew it was fast, but I had no idea it was that fast. The Stig said he could do better than his 1:20.4 lap time, so he tried again. He was hauling through the Follow-Through, but it didn’t have enough track for a car with that much power, and he went off. Stig thought the CCX could handle the corners better with a rear spoiler, and sure enough, Koenigsegg added one. With the spoiler, The Stig was able to lap the track in 1:17.6, which was faster than the Zonda F at the time.

Koenigsegg's CCGT prototype is one of my favorite cars from the brand. Unfortunately, we never got to see it on the track. Unveiled at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, the CCGT was designed to comply with GT1 regulations. It was powered by a naturally aspirated V8 engine that produced 600 horsepower and weighed less than a ton. However, the FIA changed the GT1-class regulations, so Koenigsegg never had the opportunity to race the CCGT.

Let's bring the Koenigsegg CC cars to the Horizon Mexico festival venue and find out which one is the best. Roll the tape.

Here are the results...

CC8S - 1m09.203s

CCX - 1m07.484s

CCGT - 1m02.229s

I really love all the Koenigsegg CC cars in Forza Horizon 5. It's really cool that you can experience the evolution of the line from the CC8S to the CCX to the CCGT. The CCGT prototype in particular is a real standout. Unfortunately, it never got the chance to race, but it still might be my favorite of the bunch. It's absolutely stunning, and it definitely has the best performance out of the CC cars in FH5.

Next time, our FH5 Koenigsegg history lesson continues with the Agera era. Stay tuned!

Volvo EX90 vs Polestar 3

At Volvo, they see climate change as their real safety test and they're on the road to becoming an all-electric brand. The first-ever Volvo EX90 is a clear reminder of such a transition.

2024 Volvo EX90

Starting at 997,000 Krona plus additional costs, the first-ever Volvo EX90 marked the new beginning for the Swedish carmaker as their road to becoming an all-electric carmaker is in full swing to keep up with the challenges of the new normal.

2024 Volvo EX90

Beginning with the design, the EX90, when it was first unveiled to the world, was the first to incorporate the "new normal" Volvo design judging by the pixelated take on the Thor's Hammer headlamps and the squarish Volvo trademark taillights. Although the retractable door handles and creases made statements, the "new normal" exterior design is the template for future all-electric Volvos heading their way.

2024 Volvo EX90 interior

2024 Volvo EX90 interior

The same "new normal" Volvo principle applies to the interior. It features a 14.5-inch touchscreen powered by Android Auto that controls not just entertainment and navigation but almost the entire car, which can be cumbersome for anyone behind the wheel. What's also cumbersome is the steering wheel with touch-sensitive buttons, a rotary gear selector, USB-C ports, a digital instrumental panel that knows your name, and others.

Regardless of how many seats you have, from five to seven, the boot space can accommodate up to 1,915 liters with the passenger seats folded down. With all seats present, it can carry up to 365 liters. Decent enough to carry today's grocery shopping list or rather thrift store dump if you're into that. The sweet spot of the EX90? Almost impossible to say because most Swedish families may end up with this, but it still works rather well for escorting liberal democrats, woke capitalists, and other VIPs alike. It's business class with a greater cause.

2024 Volvo EX90

The EX90 features three different configurations armed with the 107kWh lithium-ion battery pack such as the entry-level 279PS Single Motor, the 408PS all-wheel-drive Twin Motor variant, and the most powerful in the lineup, the Twin Motor Performance. The flagship variant produces 517PS of power and 910Nm of torque, sprinting from a 0-100kph time of 4.9 seconds. That's it. The driving distance in one full charge is about 590km. A real road-tripping crossover.

Asked about charging times, the EX90 will take about the length of an episode of your anime show to reach 80% or nearly half an hour to reach full charge while at home.

Although extremely regular to drive every day, not to mention being silent and comfy on the move, the EX90 is packed with a roof-mounted Iris LiDAR sensor from Luminar, five radars, eight cameras, two interior cameras, and 16 ultrasonic sensors, taking advantage of the crossover's cutting edge safety features Volvo has championed through the year. Although capped at Level 2 autonomy for the time being, the EX90 is the first that is hardware-ready for fully autonomous driving in the future. Whoa.

Like it or not, the EX90 is the poster Volvo of the new normal as its road to becoming an all-electric carmaker is in full swing. However, those who demand more should consider its sportier alternative to the EX90.

2024 Polestar 3

This is the Polestar 3, the third Polestar-made vehicle and the second fully electric since the Polestar 2 midsize saloon. Priced at 960,000 Krona plus additional cost, it's cheaper to own than the EX90, although it's available only as a five-seater.

2024 Polestar 3 interior

2024 Polestar 3 interior

While the exterior is strikingly sexy for crossover standards thanks to its design inspired by the Precept Concept, although the sidelines and rear can be downright mistaken for the Chevrolet Bolt EV, the minimalist interior, the 9-inch digital instrument cluster, the 14.5-inch touchscreen, and up to 1,411 liters of boot space proves that the Polestar 3 is all about taking things seriously, whatever life throws at it.

2024 Polestar 3 interior

Offered only in a Twin Motor 4WD layout with 107kWh lithium-ion battery, the Polestar 3 is offered with a choice of a 489PS Long Range Dual Motor and the 517PS Performance Pack. Although the latter is the same as the one in the EX90's range-topper, this is faster than the EX90 Twin Motor Performance variant because the Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor Performance variant is 0.2 seconds faster than the EX90 and while the EX90 is as fast as a Japanese car on Japanese roads, the Polestar 3 goes flatout in 210kph.

Apart from the performance, the Polestar 3 features front double wishbones, rear integral link, dual-chamber air suspension, adaptive dampers, Brembo brakes, and torque vectoring, making this heavyweight Polestar worth driving everywhere. Makes you fizz behind the wheel, huh?

Like the EX90, the Polestar 3 is packed with numerous safety features that earned the right to become fully autonomous in the foreseeable future, with Level 2 autonomy the best it can do for now. It even comes with the Polestar-first Smart Eye that detects drivers' eye movements in the name of reducing driver distraction. Speedo boys consider it a buzzkill but whatever.

The Volvo EX90 and the Polestar 3 are two extremely different sides of the same coin. While the EX90 is all about being a civilized crossover daily, the Polestar 3 rewrites the rules of what a fully electric crossover should be. Either way, this is the new normal. Deal with it.

Photo: Volvo Cars/Polestar

Volvo EX40 and EC40

Formerly known as the XC40 Recharge and the C40, the two electric crossovers from Volvo have been renamed as the EX40 and the EC40 as the Swedish carmaker's plans to become an EV-only brand have gone in full circle.

2025 Volvo EX40

2025 Volvo EC40

Although they look the same as the now-defunct XC40 Recharge and the C40, the first-ever EX40 and the EC40 are picking up where the recently deceased former selves left off in the name of mobility for all.

 

2025 Volvo EX40 interior

2025 Volvo EC40 interior

While the styling and the interior layout look and feel the same as the XC40 Recharge and the C40 it replaced, so does the boot space of up to 1286 liters for the EX40 and 1196 liters for the EC40, not to mention the driving feel between them, which in their case, civilized, relaxing, well-poised, and thanks to the most advanced safety features Volvo has championed, it's surprisingly safer as well, the EV powertrains saw a major shake-up with the addition of a new flagship version.

In addition to the 238PS rear-wheel-drive Single Motor and the 408PS all-wheel-drive Twin Motor variants, the EX40 and the EX40 received a new Performance variant where a special Performance drive mode bumped the 82kWh Twin Motor powertrain with an additional 34PS of power, bringing the power output of 442PS. It will go from 0-100kph in four and a half seconds and being a new-normal Volvo, the maximum permitted speed is 180kph. 

Asked about the driving range, the EX40 Twin Motor Performance variant is good for 538km while the EC40 Twin Motor Performance does 552km, which is more. Both can hit 80% in less than 30 minutes while charging at a 50kw DC charging station at a public place.

The EX40 starts at 607,000 kr while the EC40 starts at 625,000 kr plus additional costs. Both can be ordered online.

Even with the name change, the Volvo EX40 and the EC40 deserve some attention.

Photo: Volvo Cars

Volvo EX30

The first-ever Volvo EX30 is undeniable proof that the Swedish carmaker's going big on its electrification gamble as plans to become an electric car maker going full circle.

2024 Volvo EX30

Priced at 429,000 Swedish Krona plus additional costs, the first-ever Volvo EX30 is the baby EV crossover that showcases the Swedish carmaker's commitment to going all-electric since the moment they announced it. Like it or not, this is the new normal for the new Volvo.

2024 Volvo EX30

Beginning with the styling, the EX30 dons Volvo's new-era design that prefers subtlety over obviousness, and being subtle is a good thing for an all-electric crossover made for the new normal. From the new-era Thor's Hammer headlamps, wheel arch creases, clamshell bonnet, and two-piece taillights, the EX30 is "new normal" material.

2024 Volvo EX30 interior

2024 Volvo EX30 interior

Inside, the EX30 prefers minimalism, which spells trouble for speedo boys behind the wheel but hey, this is the new normal after all, and cars with large touchscreens are a big deal. The 12.3-inch touchscreen with Snapdragon Cockpit Platform and Android AOS takes control of not just infotainment, but also navigation, room temperature, and other important bits and bobs surrounding it. 

First-timers will find this gizmo complicated at first but they'll find it enjoyable the more they know it.

The EX30 has a complicated infotainment system, but other than that, it has a lot going for it. It comes with a Harman Kardon premium audio system that includes a soundbar located at the top of the dashboard.

In terms of comfort and spacing, despite its just-sizing dimensions, the EX30 is as cozy as most commoners' cars can be and with the rear seats folded down, you can store up to 904 liters of boot space, fit for all walks of life. Stealing the idea from the Hyundai Santa Fe, the EX30 comes with a door-opening safety feature that warns the driver when he or she is about to open the door in front of a cyclist, scooter, or runner, to prevent accidents.

2024 Volvo EX30

The EX30's electric powertrain consists of a rear-wheel-drive Single Motor layout with 272PS of power and a 4WD Twin Motor Performance layout with 428PS of power. The Single Motor variant comes with the 51kWh lithium iron phosphate battery while the Single Motor Extended and Twin Motor Performance variants get a 69kWh NiMC battery.

The Single Motor Extended Range variant has up to 476km of driving range while the Twin Motor Performance, with its 0-100kph time of 3.6 seconds, has up to 450km of driving range. Charging times? While charging at a 150kW charging station, it will take less than 30 minutes to hit 80% for most variants.

Running on Geely's SEA platform, the EX30 behaves well for a Swedish EV crossover. Although not as exciting as expected, it is civilized on various scapes from suburbia to the great outdoors. As for safety, the EX30 features various safety tech you would expect from a Volvo such as the new-generation Park Pilot Assist, 360-degree camera, Pilot Assist, Collision avoidance system, and driver warning system, among others.

Although not one of the best crossovers of the new normal, the Volvo EX30 is proof that the Swedish carmaker's electrification transition is going full circle. As one said, what you say is what you get. Volvo wanted to become fully electric because climate change is the real safety test, and this is what they've got. This is only the beginning...

Photo: Volvo Car Corporation

My FH5 Log: Community Day Classic (PART 2)

The Spirit of Performance and a "Fast and Furious" fan favorite are the highlights of the FM5 Community Choice update's Storm Season Playlist.

First up is the Koenigsegg CCX, which I snagged after hitting the 20-point mark on the Storm Season Playlist. 

The CCX was unveiled at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show and served as the replacement for the CCR. CCX is an acronym for "Competition Coupe X", in fact, the X commemorates the 10th anniversary of the completion and test drive of the first CC vehicle in 1996. It was powered by a 4.7L twin-supercharged V8 engine that claims to go 0-60m in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of over 245mph.

There was a version called the CCXR that was tuned to run on biofuel and produced more power than the standard CCX.

Lastly, the W Motors Lykan Hypersport, which I snagged after hitting the 40-point mark on the Storm Season Playlist.

After spending two years in development, the Lykan Hypersport made its first appearance at the Top Marques Monaco Auto Show. While this is truly Arab's first supercar, the engine is a boxer-six engine sourced from Ruf, developing 780HP of power, and with the seven-speed PDK equipped, it is capable of doing 0-100kph in 2.8 seconds and onwards to 395kph. Apart from its performance, the Lykan Hypersport comes with carbon-fiber bodywork, an active spoiler system, and six-piston aluminum monobloc calipers with ventilated, cross-drilled ceramic composite discs.

This car is limited to seven units, making it one of the rarest cars in the world. Exclusivity aside, the LED headlight in the Lykan is encrusted with 220 diamonds or a combination of any other precious or semi-precious stones chosen by the customer. A Lykan Hypersport owner is entitled to a private concierge provided by Quintessentially Group as well as ownership of a very exclusive Franck Muller Lykan watch.

This car rose to stardom when it appeared in Furious 7, the seventh installment of The Fast and the Furious franchise, where Dom and Brian hijacked one and iconically leaped through a skyscraper, making it one of the most insane car stunt moments in cinematic history and so insane, experts wanted to test this film theory at their own risk.

In the spirit of Community Choice, I've sent the CCX and the Lykan Hypersport their respective EventLab challenges to try out. The CCX speeds through a post-apocalyptic town while the Lykan Hypersport edges the competition in an upside-down world. Mindfreak, huh? Anyway, let's roll the tapes...

Job well done to these two, that's all I can say.

Come Dry Season Playlist, let's sample the Pagani Huayra and the W113 Mercedes 280SL. Get your Pagoda air fresheners ready because these expired goods are going to be fresh.

My FH5 Log: The Koenigsegg Agera

Obtained from Forza Horizon 5's Forza Horizon 10th anniversary series update's storm season playlist, the original Koenigsegg Agera's back for more as players are getting some throwbacks with the hypercar that reigned the early 2010s with an iron fist of fury, whatever that means.

The Koenigsegg Agera is the spiritual successor of the CCX that continues the Swedish supercar maker's tradition of pushing beyond the limits of speed. Unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the Agera is powered by a 5.0L twin-turbo engine, a huge departure from its supercharged predecessors, producing 960HP of power and 1100Nm of torque. The Agera was named Top Gear's Hypercar of the Year in 2010.

With the quick introduction done, it's time for the Agera to live up to its name and with that, it's time to take it to the skies and unleash its inner beast while slipping and sliding through the Hot Wheels tracks. This should be fun. Let's roll the tape.

This car packed some monstrous power but we survived, just.

Enjoy your new ride!

My FH5 Log: Chaotic Hurricanes

Two exclusive-marked hypercars are the latest prizes to be won at the Forza Horizon 5's Series 2 Storm Season Playlist. What are they? Let's find out.

First up is the Koenigsegg One:1, the world's first megacar that can be obtained by hitting the 25 point mark in the Storm Season playlist. As the name implies, this megacar has the virtually impossible power to weight ratio of 1PS per 1kg weight, thanks to the 5.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine developing 1360PS of power and the car weighs 1360kg. It is mated with a specially developed 7-speed DCT. For aerodynamic purposes, the One:1 trades the Agera's removable roof for an airscoop on the roof, to generate more downforce. As a result, it does 0-100kph in less than 2.8 seconds and has a theoretical top speed of 440kph. Koenigsegg has built six of these models and all six of these models have already been sold.

Next up, the one-off Lamborghini Aventador J, which can be obtained by winning the Getting Hyped Seasonal Championship from this playlist. Built to celebrate the Aventador's 1st anniversary since its 2011 unveiling, this one-off features a systematic lightweight design and a brand new carbon fiber material called Carbonskin.

It's time to unleash the twin hurricanes on the streets of Mexico. Brace yourselves because these hypercars are going to rock you like a hurricane. Brace yourselves.

Enjoy your new rides!