Back in the Horizon Holidays Mix-up, I've pitted the all-new Nissan Fairlady Z NISMO RZ34 against a quartet of clunker saloons on the streets of Guanajuato's Bola Ocho. Having defeated the quartet of clunkers, the quartet warned of something powerful heading its way.
Being the only prize car of the Horizon Extreme update is a sign that the countdown to the Forza franchise's dissolution has begun. Because 2025 signals the franchise's end, here comes the worst clunker junker ever to emerge on the Horizon Mexico stage.
The Slayer is a 1965 Chevrolet C10 pickup truck that has been transformed into a mad creation by DeBerti Design. It is powered by a built 900hp LSX B15 6.2-liter Chevrolet engine with a 5-liter Whipple supercharger and 8-stack fuel injection on top, paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. This world-famous three-time SEMA booth show truck is sure to turn heads wherever it goes. Word from the Hot Wheels HQ is that the DeBerti Slayer is set to become a Hot Wheels toy this 2025.
To demonstrate the monstrous power of the Slayer, I went to the Horizon Oval track against a pack of clunker junkers and went for broke. Let's roll the tape.
That sums up rather well.
With the stage set, our hero from last month faces off against the harbinger of Forza's end-time on the plaza. Let's get the battle started!
And here are the results...
Z NISMO - 1m36.313s
Slayer - 1m36.713s
It's a close call but our modern JDM superhero just trumped the abomination clunker but a razor-thin margin. It's a win for modern cars and this will send a clear message to the Forza producers to NEVER QUIT when it comes to featuring modern cars.
Forza Horizon 5 and Forza Motorsport (Xbox Series X|S) are two of the latest games in the Forza series. Unfortunately, it appears that the Forza franchise will be coming to an end in 2025. Why? Because Forza chose to feature old cars instead of the latest models, which is a departure from the direction of other modern racing games.
As I said, enjoy the remaining days of the Forza franchise.
The ghosts of the Australian motoring past have invaded Forza Motorsport's Update 15 as prize cars and having got my hands on these two, let's have a word with them.
Here is the 2011 HSV GTS that I won from clearing the Update 15 Open Class Tour until the January 8, 2025 deadline.
The HSV GTS is a high-performance executive saloon car that competes against European cars such as the BMW M5 and the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG. It is based on Holden's VE Commodore and is powered by a 6.2L V8 engine sourced from the Chevrolet Corvette. The "E Series 3" version of the HSV GTS features minor exterior changes, interior improvements, and an enhanced electronic interface.
Lastly, here is the 2013 Holden #10 Holden Xbox Racing Team Commodore VF race car that I won by clearing the Australian Tour until the January 22, 2025 deadline.
Served as the wildcard entry at the 2013 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, the #10 Holden Xbox Racing Team Commodore VF was driven by globally acclaimed racing drivers Andy Priaulx and Mattias Ekstrom under the helm of Triple Eight Race Engineering team. The car sports an XBOX ONE livery in honor of the Forza Motorsport 5 game as one of the launch games for the XBOX ONE gaming console in 2013.
The XBOX One racing team became one of the top ten finishers of the 2013 Bathurst 1000, leading for a total of 17 laps. The car recorded the fastest speed of the day at 295kph, which is a first for any wildcard entry.
Time to line up The Inmates of Summernats for their little death march around Bathurst, and see how capable these ghosts of the Australian motoring past are. Roll the tapes.
These are the ghosts of Australian motoring's past. They were once great machines when Australia was a hub for car manufacturing. Now, they're relics of a bygone age.
You may recall back in my impression of the Nissan Fairlady Z NISMO (RZ34) in Forza Horizon 5, having proven that it's the ultimate Z-car ever made, the Z NISMO told me that it wants to battle against the quartet of clunkers. Well, here we go.
Here we are on the streets of Guanajuato where the hero car of the Horizon Holidays Mix-up update, the Nissan Fairlady Z NISMO RZ34, is facing these junk cars.
Yes, it's a quartet of junk cars from the said update, with the BMW M5 CS being the big boss and the Flying Spur being its head honcho. The two clunker wagons are their subordinates, if you catch my drift.
One 420PS Z NISMO versus the 2280HP Quartet of Junk Cars. Will our JDM hero defeat the knights of the scrap-o-calypse? Let's roll the tape!
And here are the results...
M5 CS - 54.037s
Flying Spur Mk3 - 59.426s
CTS-V Wagon - 1m01.411s
E55 Wagon - 1m01.879s
Z NISMO RZ34 - 53.770s
The Nissan Fairlady Z NISMO RZ34 took on four clunker cars in a race on the streets of Guanajuato. The Z NISMO is a light and agile sports car with NISMO's motorsports expertise. It was a close race, but the Z NISMO won. I'm glad that Guanajuato's Bola Ocho favors the Z NISMO's dynamics.
With the Z NISMO defeating the quartet of junk cars, the quartet warned of something powerful heading its way.
The Horizon Holidays Mix-up mess is done but for the Z NISMO, the real final battle begins because of the only prize car we'll be getting in the Series 42 update. Will our Z NISMO take on...The Slayer?
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 end the FH5 Koenigsegg history lesson with the Jesko, the current-generation megacar.
The Jesko, named after the father of founder Christian von Koenigsegg, represents the next step in Koenigsegg's quest for speed, building on the legacy of the legendary Agera. It is equipped with a re-engineered V8 twin-turbo engine that generates up to 1,600 horsepower and 1,500 Nm of torque when using E85 fuel. This power is paired with a custom 9-speed Light Speed Transmission, which offers the advantages of a dual-clutch gearbox without the added weight. In addition to its impressive power, the Jesko boasts the most advanced aerodynamics and track-focused dynamics, making it suitable for racetracks and everyday driving. It does 0-100kph in two and a half seconds and has a top speed of 483kph.
In its Absolut variant, the Jesko set four speed records: a 0-250 mph time of 19.20 seconds, a 0-250-0 mph time of 28.27 seconds, a 0-400 kph time of 18.82 seconds, and a 0-400-0 kph time of 27.83 seconds. The Attack variant, shown here, broke the Laguna Seca production car lap record with a time of 1 minute and 24.86 seconds. It recently set a new production car record at the Top Gear Test Track, finishing in just 1 minute and 10.9 seconds.
To prove the Jesko's worth, I've invited the Hennessey Venom F5 and the Rimac Nevera for a one-lap shootout outside the Stadium. Let's roll the tape.
Here are the results...
Venom F5 - 1m03.764s
Jesko - 1m01.678s
Nevera - 1m00.978s
The Jesko narrowly lost to the all-electric Croatian hypercar, the Rimac Nevera, after defeating the all-American monster machine, the Hennessey Venom F5. I have no idea what am I going to say to Christian von Koenigsegg about this. After all, he did speak to the bosses of Hennessey and Rimac about these monster machines. Frank conversation, perhaps.
For 30 years, Koenigsegg has forever rewritten the rules of speed and power from the CC8S to the Jesko. As cars continue to evolve, so is Koenigsegg as its pursuit of speed never ends, whatever it takes.
Here's to three more decades of speed, Koenigsegg!
The H200-spec Toyota HiAce has been in production for two decades, a record for Japanese cars currently in production. I got the chance to drive the immortal HiAce in Gran Turismo 7.
Launched in the summer of 2004, the H200-spec HiAce comes with a variety of configurations and trim levels to suit different needs. It offers a choice of three engines: a 2.0L petrol engine, a 2.7L petrol 4-cylinder engine, and a 2.8L diesel engine. One such fact is that Mazda borrowed one for the Bongo Brawny van.
The main reason the H200 HiAce has remained in production to this day is its affordability, reliability, and versatility in various situations, ranging from business to leisure. Whether it's for micro-business purposes or family camping trips, the H200 HiAce continues to be the obvious choice.
This version featured in Gran Turismo 7 is the 2016 MY model in the base DX variant. It is powered by a 2.0L 1TR-FE engine that produces 134 HP and 134.5 ft-lb of torque.
To demonstrate if the 20-year-old HiAce is still as capable in today's landscape, I went to Tsukuba Circuit to do a one-lap time attack. I did this with its ambulance equivalent, and I'll do it again in the normal HiAce. Let's roll the tape.
Although its age reached "senior citizen" status, it still got it. No wonder Toyota remained the H200 HiAce in production.
The H200-spec Toyota HiAce has been in production for two decades, a record for Japanese cars currently in production. The HiAce is known for its affordability, reliability, and versatility, making it a popular choice for both business and leisure activities.
As the world evolves, the H200 HiAce will live on thanks to numerous updates until the time comes to be euthanized.
This JDM van believes in "forever" in the world of "no forever". It really is...the Forever HiAce.
Christmas celebrations in Forza Horizon 5 are officially ruined because of the arrival of The Four Horsemen of the Scrap-o-calypse.
Four older-generation luxury cars have invaded Horizon Mexico to darken our Yuletide celebrations. Who are this update's nightmares during the Christmas celebration?
Week 1 of the Horizon Holidays Mix-up saw the first horseman of the scrap-o-calypse: the third-generation Bentley Flying Spur. The last W12-powered Flying Spur.
Week 2 saw the arrival of the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG Wagon. This German junk is powered by a supercharged 5.4L V8 engine producing 469HP of power and 516ft-lb of torque. This is more than your auntie's basic W211 E-Class saloon.
Week 3 shocked Bimmer fanatics in Forza with the wrong M5. It's the previous-generation F90 M5 CS. This limited-edition M5 is based on the facelifted F90 M5 and is the first to have four seats. The tuned 4.4L V8 Twin Turbo engine produces 627HP of power and 553ft-lb of torque, sprinting form 0-60-mph in 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 190mph, making it the fastest-accelerating M saloon ever made.
Lastly, the final week of the Horizon Holidays Mix-up brought us another "clunker" wagon; the Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon. Even in its estate setting, it carries the same features from the CTS-V sedan and coupe such as control arm front suspension, Multi-Link rear suspension, Brembo brakes, dual-mode Magnetic Ride Control, Bose 5.1 surround sound system, standard navigation system, and a choice of two transmission types; a 6-speed 6L90 automatic or a 6-speed Tremec TR-6060 manual. It even packs a supercharged 6.2L V8 engine from the C6 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, producing 556hp power and 550ft-lb of torque.
It's time to unleash the ghosts of Christmas past around Horizon Mexico. These four horsemen of the scrapyard are going to give us a taste of what they're made of.
Welcome to the dark side of the Horizon Holidays.
It's typical Forza. They've shunned the evolution of automobiles and shocked the younger generation of car enthusiasts by dumping older-generation cars into games like Forza Horizon 5. As the year 2025 approaches with nothing from the Forza producers, I guess this is what they called the death kneel.
That's right. The Forza franchise is officially DEAD in 2025 because none of the games featured every single 2025 Model Year vehicle. This means that the new Forza Motorsport game and Forza Horizon 5 are the last Forza games they'll ever make as the Forza franchise is set to permanently close its doors in 2025.
I just remembered: the Horizon Extremes update next week will have just one prize car, and it's a rotten piece of junk from the depths of the inferno: the DeBerti Chevrolet C10 Slayer. Still, this is the beginning of the end—the end of not just Forza Horizon 5 but THE END OF THE FORZA FRANCHISE.
Good luck enjoying the final days of the Forza franchise. It was a fun racing franchise while it lasted...
First emerging in 1954, the SL rewrote the rules of grand touring for seven decades from the gullwing-doored first-generation W198 model to the current-generation Mercedes-AMG SL W232 range. How does it start and go? Let's find out.
For seven decades, the lineage of the SL, ranging from W198 to W232, has epitomized the enduring legacy of one of Mercedes-Benz's most celebrated grand touring automobiles. This remarkable journey highlights the impressive design evolution and engineering prowess of the SL and its unwavering status as a symbol of luxury and performance.
The Mercedes-Benz 300SL, codenamed W198, was introduced in 1954 as a coupe with fascinating gullwing doors and later an open roadster. This car is a softened road-legal version based on the company's successful 1952 race car, the W194. It comes with the 3.0L M198 SOHC I6 engine fitted with a Bosch mechanical gasoline direct injection system that generates about 212-222 hp. It was mated with the 4-speed manual transmission.
What about the W232 model? No longer called the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, the first-ever Mercedes-AMG SL continues the SL lineage in a new approach. Sized and styled to AMG GT standards, the Mercedes-AMG SL is powered by the same 4.0L V8 Twin Turbo engine as the said model. In the SL63, it produces 585PS of power and while mated to an AMG Speedshift 9G and 4MATIC+, it does 0-100kph time of 3.6 seconds and 315kph of top speed.
I'm going to the sandy Bahia de Plano to see how much the Mercedes-Benz SL has evolved from the W198 to the W232. Let's roll the tape and find out!
Here are the results...
300SL (W198) - 1m14.908s
SL63 (R232) - 0m57.741s
According to my Forza Horizon 5 standards, it took over 17 seconds for the Mercedes SL to evolve from the W198 300SL to the Mercedes-AMG SL63. Impressive, I dare say.
The Mercedes-Benz SL has been around for a long time, and it's one of the longest-running nameplates in Mercedes history. As I've said before, the SL rewrote the rules of what a grand tourer should be in terms of elegance and performance. The W232 Mercedes-AMG SL is the pinnacle of the SL lineage, and with its elegance and performance inherited from its ancestors, the star is reborn after all.
With the SL's evolution check sorted, it's time for my little surprise for the Mercedes-AMG SL63. As I said before, my brain just hatched an idea. What role will the Mercedes-AMG SL63 4MATIC+ play in Horizon Mexico? It's long overdue but here goes...
Ight, this is what happens when you let an AiPri character, Airi Mitsuba of Quartet STAR, overcook my SL63 with power similar to today's SL63 S E Performance but with less torque and added anti-lag trickery to shoot some flames from its exhaust. This is like the time she called her cleaning robot Samba. Thanks, Airi-chan.
With trickery provided by Airi-chan, my SL63 is taking on an EventLab creation by AndyPsBack. It's based in the Playa Azul area but with some added high-speed straights and stuff inspired by the Singapore Marina. This player called his EventLab invention "Azul Bay" and I'm here to sample it. Roll the tape.
I guess this is what the journey to the mind of Airi Mitsuba feels like. Arriba!
There you have it, folks. The SL of the new normal. The Star is Reborn. I have nothing else to say but right now, if you have a backstage pass, now's the time to get one.
It's nice to see prize cars in FH5 permanently stay in the game's Backstage Shop, where you can spend your Backstage Pass for one prize car from past updates. The list updates regularly just so you know.
Sonic and friends are back on the third live-action movie outing based on the megahit video game franchise. This time, Sonic's up against his ultimate arch-nemesis; Shadow.
Sonic The Hedgehog 3
Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the third installment of the live-action Sonic movie series sees Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles up against the ultimate threat; Shadow the Hedgehog. What's worse is that Dr. Eggman Robotnik joined forces with his pops Dr. Gerard Robotnik. With the threat of world domination imminent, this latest adventure is Chaos...Control. Get it? Chaos Control!
This installment is another shocker for fans of the Sonic series with John Wick actor Keanu Reeves lending his voice as Shadow the Hedgehog in this movie. Like Wick, Sonic's greatest arch-nemesis always leaves his signature trails of destruction. With a hedgehog as fast as Sonic but hellbent on revenge, this is the showdown fans have been waiting for since the days of playing Sonic Adventure 2 a few decades ago.
Of course, like past movies, it still packs a high-speed blend of action, comedy, and drama. Seriously, the comical parts made Sonic wish he would play Super Smash Bros. and beat Pikachu, Mario, and Luigi. GAME!
The ultimate showdown that fans have been eagerly anticipating is finally here. From beginning to end, this movie promises to be the biggest Sonic adventure to hit the cinemas.
Fortunately, it won't be the last, as the world's fastest blue hero continues to delight audiences with his antics. Never stop, Sonic! Never stop!
Avid Top Gear fans will likely remember the showdown between the Z4 and the Fairlady Z. In a Season 13 episode, Jeremy Clarkson compared the Z4 E89 and the Z34 Fairlady Z, ultimately handing the victory to the Nissan, driven by The Stig. Additionally, in Top Gear: The Perfect Road Trip, Clarkson, driving the first-generation Z4, outperformed Hammond and the Z33 Fairlady Z with the help of a shortcut through a dirt stage that Clarkson doesn't particularly favor.
With the current generation of these longtime arch-rivals, which one will have the last laugh? But first, let's get to know them, starting with the Z4 G29.
The third-generation model is a return to the Z4's roots. It has a soft-top roof that can be folded up or down in ten seconds, even at cruising speeds. The range-topping M40i model has a 3.0L BMW TwinPower Turbo engine that produces 340PS of power and 500Nm of torque. When mated with the 8-speed AT, it does 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds and is electronically limited to 250kph.
Now, let's talk about the Nissan Fairlady Z RZ34, the latest version of Nissan's legendary Z-car.
Despite its fresh appearance, the RZ34 remains fundamentally a Z34 at its core, making it a car from the Heisei era that has been updated for the Reiwa era. Given the extensive updates, it has been designated as the RZ34, with the "R" standing for Reiwa. Like the Z Proto, the RZ34 Nissan Fairlady Z incorporates design elements inspired by earlier generations.
Under the hood, the RZ34 is equipped with the same 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo engine found in the Skyline V37 400R. This engine delivers 405 PS of power and 475 Nm of torque and can be paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 9-speed automatic transmission.
In addition to the new monotube shocks and enhanced front geometry, increased rigidity, available sport brakes, a mechanical limited-slip differential (LSD), and rear suspension tuning, the RZ34 introduces, for the first time, features like launch control and electric power steering.
With a makeshift circuit near the fancy beach resort, it's time to find out which of these longtime rivals is the best. Remember the Top Gear days; the first-gen Z4 beat the Z33 in the dirt thanks to an unexpected shortcut Clarkson found. Rewind to the Top Gear track circa late 2009, the Z34 is faster than the E89 with The Stig behind the wheel. It's one win for each. Let a game like Forza Horizon 5 be the decider. Roll the tape.
And now the results...
Z4 G29 - 1m03.380s
Z (RZ34) - 1m03.664s
That was the closest result I've ever witnessed but in the end, this is how the West was won. The final-generation G29 Z4 defeated the RZ34 Fairlady Z by a narrow margin.
The BMW Z4 is the "ultimate driving machine," and it proved it in a duel against the Fairlady Z. In a close race, the Z4 won by a narrow margin. The Z4 was outshone by its Toyota GR Supra twin, but against the Fairlady Z, it proved its mettle just like its predecessors. If Jeremy Clarkson remained in Top Gear, this would be his bet compared to the RZ34.
Speaking of which, I've prepared a little something for the eternal rivals from the world of Top Gear.
The RZ34 Fairlady Z is donning the role of the PriPara main character, Laala Manaka. Let's admit it, she's unstoppable in her tracks just like the show itself. PriPara really is the GOAT of the Pretty Series.
As for the G29 Z4, look what I just did. On one side, you have Matsuri Hibino, while the other side has Myamu. Matsuri and Myamu, they're both main characters from Waccha PriMagi!
So, what we have here are two of my favorite rear-wheel-drive sports cars bearing significant Pretty Series milestones. One represents the greatest Pretty Series show of all time while the other represents the last of its kind before the switch. Yes, PriMagi is the last Pretty Series anime that had Tatsunoko involved in it before switching to OLM for AiPri. Long story short.
With two of my favorite Pretty Series milestones written all over the bodywork, the Z4 G29 and the Fairlady Z RZ34 are showcasing their high-performance prowess in two EventLab creations against a pack of rivals. Let's roll the tapes.
Meganee-san would be proud of their achievements today!
The letter "Z" is the last letter of the alphabet, and it represents the culmination of the alphabet. The BMW Z4 and the Nissan Fairlady Z are both at their peak. They know that their time is limited in this "new normal," but they're determined to put on a heck of a show as sports cars built for the "new normal." They have done it just like their predecessors and even when the endgame comes, they have proved their worth in this unstable world.
This is the zenith of sports car perfection, redefined.
