My FM Log: Turning the page to a new Forza

The all-new Forza Motorsport is here and as players jump into their newest installment, they begin by choosing one of three starter cars after playing the pre-game races that featured the hero cars.

Unfortunately, none of the three starter cars interest me because they're basically previous-generation vehicles such as the Honda Civic Type R FK8, a facelifted sixth-generation Ford Mustang, and a Subaru VA WRX STi in S209 form. Still, I made my decision...

I have gone for the 4WD Subie, the last WRX STi ever made.

Based on the facelifted VA-spec Subaru WRX STi, the S209 is the third STi-tuned model for the United States following the WRX STi Type RA and the Subaru BRZ tS released in 2018. Because this is sold exclusively Stateside, the engine that powers it is a tuned version of the EJ25 2.5L flat-four turbocharged engine offered in the world market version rather than the EJ20 for the Japan-spec WRX STi, producing 341hp of power and 330lb-ft of torque while mated exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Apart from that, the S209 features 19-inch forged BBC wheels wrapped in Dunlop 265/35R19 high-grip tires, the widest in an STi car, as well as a unique strut tower bar and draw stiffener that has been proven in the Nurburgring 24-hour race, carbon roof, and other aerodynamic upgrades to deliver improved airflow and downforce.

It is limited to 209 units exclusively for the US market.

I am already familiar with the un-Japanese ultimate version of the WRX STi back in FH5 but because this is Forza Motorsport, the driving experience of the S209 does vary. Still, it's more than enough to be called the final blow unleashed by Subaru. Judging by the way it handles and performs, this is a WRX STi like I've never experienced before. Something that is off-limits for the Japanese Subarists, if you catch my drift.

Because the S209 is a US-exclusive ultimate version of the VA-spec WRX STi, I decided to give it a quick run around the legendary Laguna Seca, home of the infamous Corkscrew Corner. Let's see how much of an STi the S209 performs. Roll the tape.

I managed to set a lap time of 1m52.816s around the Laguna Seca in the S209. Not the quickest but at least, I managed to experience what's like behind the un-Japanese ultimate WRX.

Although this is the end of the road for the WRX STi, my Forza Motorsport experience is only getting started. There are plenty of road cars and race cars from spanning half a century tackling through the world's challenging racetracks and these cars can't wait to have my word on it.

THIS...IS...FORZA!!!

My FH5 Log: The ultimate WRX that doesn't speak Japanese

The VA-spec Subaru WRX STi is sadly the last chapter of the WRX STi saga and although sad to see it go away because of the new normal, it cemented Subaru's history of creating a sports saloon that can tackle not just in rally stages but also on the Nurburgring.

From its 2014 launch to the EJ20 Final Edition, the VA-spec WRX STi has spawned various special variants to ensure its longevity including the S models tuned by STi for those who demand more. Out of all the S models, there's one that didn't make the cut on Japanese soil.

What you're looking at here is the STi S209, one of the DLC cars in the game. This is the first time an STi S model didn't sell to the Japanese public because it was exclusively sold in the United States, the first for an STi S model to do so. Time a deep dive into the un-Japanese STi S model.

Based on the facelifted VA-spec Subaru WRX STi, the S209 is the third STi-tuned model for the United States following the WRX STi Type RA and the Subaru BRZ tS released in 2018. Because this is sold exclusively Stateside, the engine that powers it is a tuned version of the EJ25 2.5L flat-four turbocharged engine offered in the world market version rather than the EJ20 for the Japan-spec WRX STi, producing 341hp of power and 330lb-ft of torque while mated exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Apart from that, the S209 features 19-inch forged BBS wheels wrapped in Dunlop 265/35R19 high-grip tires, the widest in an STi car, as well as a unique strut tower bar and draw stiffener that has been proven in the Nurburgring 24-hour race, carbon roof, and other aerodynamic upgrades to deliver improved airflow and downforce.

It is limited to 209 units exclusively for the US market.

For an STi that doesn't speak Japanese, the S209 truly is the peak of the STi S model lineage, and although not a worthy send-off to the WRX STi saga because the EJ20 Final Edition truly is the final chapter of the said rally legend, it's still more than enough to be called the final blow unleashed by Subaru. Judging by the way it handles and performs, this is a WRX STi like I've never experienced before and the Japanese Subarists truly missed out on such a hardcore Subie that is too extreme to be ignored.

The STi S209 is the un-Japanese STi that made the other WRX STi variants look chewable and with such power, dynamics, and classic STi recipe that has been proven on the road, track, tarmac, gravel, and snow, this is truly the peak Subie above and beyond. Wait a minute, that wasn't right...the beauty of Subaru AWD perhaps? Sounds good to me. Speaking of beauty, it's time to give the S209 a worthy challenge to showcase the legendary WRX character that has been festooned since the original Subaru Impreza WRX STi of the 90s. But first...

Need to say this? Hard to miss one of the Miracle Kiratts cuties but hey, it brings out the best in this Subie here. Anyway, I've prepared a little challenge for the S209 and it's basically an "if" scenario I made up with. Before telling a little "what if" scenario, if you like this design I made on the STi S209, you can have one.

The Share Code is: 101 111 034

Anyway for this "what if" scenario I made; 

"As some roads in Guanajuato left unrepaired indefinitely, the organizers hosted a rallycross event to raise funds for road repairs"

I've turned the streets of Guanajuato into an RX stage packed with some dirt roads slapped onto it and a non-functional joker that is tricky to get through. It's hard to make a joker on my made-up rallycross track in FH5, but let's give my creation a shot in my specially-made S209. Roll the tape.

There's room for improvement with my Guanajuato RX experiment but hey, the S209 proved its worth and won.

It's sad to find out that the VA WRX STi really is the final chapter of the WRX STi saga that began in the '90s but it left a major impact in the history of Japanese sports cars and soon, it's worth becoming an instant classic. Although it's made for Subarists Stateside, the S209 is a worthy send-off to the legend that blew the rallying world away as well as in the Nurburgring.

Domo arigato, WRX STi. You made us proud.

GT SPORT: The modern Heisei JDMs

Earlier, after a little game at Tsukuba on GT SPORT, I crowned the R34 Skyline GT-R as the best Japanese sportscar to emerge from the early years of the Heisei era. Continuing on our farewell tribute to the Heisei era on GT SPORT, it's time to bring in the modern Heisei JDMs. Before you ask, no, you won't see the GR Supra in here because that one hasn't been on sale yet.







As the Heisei era tips to the climax here's how the Japanese car industry progressed so far. For Mazda, the only sporty offering in the SKYACTIV era is basically the ND Roadster, which celebrates its 30th birthday this year, the Lancer Evolution X is the last Lancer Evolution ever made and its reign ended in 2015 with a Final Edition, today's WRX STi is all about conquering the Nurburgring rather than rallying, Toyota wowed us with the 86 (which is made in cooperation with Subaru), Lexus continues to upset the luxury car market with their flagship LC grand tourer, and today's NSX is a hybrid supercar. Out of the modern Heisei JDMs, the R35 Nissan GT-R reigns supreme or is it?



To find out, I'm using the Tsukuba Circuit again to see which one of the modern Heisei-era Japanese sportscars is the top star and I got a little something for it later on so ladies and gentlemen, let's get this show on the track.



After the time of their lives at Tsukuba, here come the results...

Roadster S (ND) '15 - 1:14.018
86 GT '15 - 1:11.302
WRX STi Type S '14 - 1:07.100
Lancer Evo.Final '15 - 1:06.282
LC500 '17 - 1:06.129
NSX '17 - 1:03.377
GT-R '17 - 1:01.974



Here you are, ladies and gentlemen. The R35 is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best modern Heisei-era Japanese sportscar ever made but the question now is, is it really the best Heisei-era car? Check back for the big finish of this Heisei-ending tribute.

Forza Horizon 3: WRX STi vs. The World

Surprised? You might thought that it was the same special WRX STi that I drove before in the festival but by the looks of it, it's different than the specially-prepped STi I made a couple a while back. Look closely what's new with my Subie from side to side.





As you may be aware, the S4-themed STi, so literally named because the current VA-spec WRX STi is based on the WRX S4, the one my cousin currently drives every day, has been changed to accommodate the latest members of S4, as showcased in the current season of Aikatsu Stars. I know, don't try to talk but I hope you'll like the latest redesign for my STi I made just for everyone.

The VA-spec Subaru WRX STi has always been my favorite Subaru since its inception and whether this sports sedan competed in the likes of rallycross or the Nurburgring 24-Hour Race, the one Subaru proudly calls its home after their WRC stint, it always suits itself to take on any battlefield it desires like a lone ronin without a fierce rival to fight on. I know that the decade-long rivalry between the Subie and the Evo is over because Mitsubishi killed the Evo after its two-decade-long presence in the world of street cars, but come on, this Subie still stands and loves to pick on any fight it lands on, whatever lay ahead.



Since I got all of the three areas around us after tackling a Goliath of challenges at each area, I decided to give the Subie a fresh new look a new kind of challenge to pick fights against the world's best but we're not doing it on the Land Down Under just yet because the Subie has to take on places beyond Down Under. Something like...



Blizzard Mountain! With such a snow-filled wonderland, it's the ideal place to see if the STi is as rally-proven as its ancestors. In order for the Subie to accommodate such frigid conditions Blizzard Mountain has to offer, some rally equipment has been made in order to survive such a harsh winter wonderland, and with the proper gear, let's see if the Subie loves snow...



So, if the WRX STi enjoys playing snowball fights, how about something a bit more extreme?



Ah! The Hot Wheels Thrilltopia, an orange-track rollercoaster ride that pushes your driving skills to the extreme limit, and with the Subie swapped its rally-tuned equipment to track-tuned equipment enough to take on Thrilltopia's terrifying twists and turns only the bravest can survive, it's now time to see if the Subie can feel the orange-track heat. Ready?



The Subie not just mastered snow but also mastered Hot Wheels! It's incredible that no matter where you put the WRX STi, it just keeps on going until the battle has been won and this car really is a defiant one thinking that even with its long-time rival gone, it just feels like it won the battle but even though the WRX STi ended the war between the Subies and the Evos by unanimous decision, there are countless battles this car will face and it never loses the art of war ascended by its ancestors.



So, with the job done, looks like this Subie is ready to head back Down Under to take some rest but there's a welcome home present awaiting this fierce Subie; a race!



Man, I love this Subie when it takes on all comers it came across the road and no matter the verdict, it will keep on fighting until its last drop.

Forza Horizon 3: Baby Back Rib Driver

In the movie Baby Driver, a young man was hired by a crime syndicate to become their getaway driver and the car he drives in this movie is a red Subaru WRX. Of course, you can see him driving a Dodge Challenger but the WRX is the star of Baby Driver and I would like to honor this film by filling his boy racer shoes on this kind of Subie you can see on this film, right here on Forza Horizon 3.



Uh, you know what, the Subie WRX STi we had in this game is better than the WRX the Baby Driver drove in the film. Seen here is a GDB-F Subaru Impreza WRX STi, the final facelifted version of the second-generation WRX STi first launched in 2005 and while it remains mechanically the same as the previous GDB-Type II WRX STi, the front face is donned with Subaru's old trademark grille penned by a former Alfa Romeo designer which traces back to the company's airplane roots. It was powered by the same EJ20 engine as any other WRX STi models you are familiar with, producing 311HP of power and same amount of torques while mated with a 6-speed manual gearbox and this was one of the Japanese emerged from the mid-2000's when the 280HP limit set up by the Japanese government was lifted so carmakers are free to add whatever power they want.



Although this is different than the Baby Driver's Subie, it still behaves just like one and you can imagine how much reenactment you can do with it if you watch this film this weekend. With all that rally-proven performance, this Subie is all about getting its tires dirty while letting its all-wheel drive magic do its thing on and off the road and in the Baby Driver's case, you'll need some mad skills to pull one off in your sleeves.



Speaking of which, let me take that so-called Baby Driver car for a spin round Surfers Paradise with the other Subarists while I, the Baby Back Rib Driver, making the case with this Subie just to see if I can get mad driving with it. Get your coffee and headphones ready because this is no joy ride. This is a joy ride, Baby Driver style!



Okay, I may not have some mad skills like the Baby Driver himself but I'm glad that I'm honoring him with the car that looks similar to the Subie the Baby Driver drove in the movie. I'd expect you Subarists to watch this film this weekend and see if you can match your driving style to this...Baby Driver. You kids are going to love it, trust me.

Subaru WRX STi (VAB) - 2018 facelift

The Subaru WRX STi has been proven to be a track-proven sportscar that works not just for rallycross purposes but also tackling racetracks such as the Nurburgring, just to demonstrate the full capability of Subaru's Symmetrical AWD on and off the road as well as on the track, and for the 2018 minor change, it has elevated further.

2018 Subaru WRX STi

2018 Subaru WRX STi

The new 2018MY Subaru WRX STi has been given a revised front design that brings out the sporty character as Subaru's flagship high-performance sports saloon built for speedo boys from across the globe apart from the revised front face comes with yellow-painted brake calipers reminiscent of the WRX Concept a few years ago. It may not do justice but the new look begs us for more WRX STi action than seeing it by ourselves.

2018 Subaru WRX STi interior

2018 Subaru WRX STi interior

As for the inside, there have been some slight changes around the dashboard, and just by noticing the new, larger high-definition multi-function display, as well as the new auto climate control, it's easier to spot the difference between the old and the new. Also, the revised interior comes with new RECARO sports seats that match the WRX STi's sporty flavor and because speedo boys love a car that has a RECARO on it, this WRX STi is the ultimate expression of a speedo boy's car that they can take it on track days or midnight drives with the other speedo boys.

It still has the same EJ20 BOXER DOHC 16-Valve Dual AVCS Twin Scroll Turbo as the last time, producing 308PS of power, 422Nm of torque, and 9.4km/L of fuel economy while mated exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox standard. It also still comes with the Active Torque Vectoring applies brake pressure to the front wheel while the Vehicle Dynamics Control provides more settings such as VDC Normal, Traction, and Off, each providing lesser degrees of system engagement. Easier said than done but the 2018 model comes with retuned suspension as well as its new DCCD AWD System, which now uses electronic control for quicker and smoother response. The yellow brake calipers in question is known as the improved Brembo Performance Brake System with stronger monoblock 6-piston calipers in front, monoblock 2-piston calipers in the rear, and larger, drilled rotors all around for better heat dissipation. It also comes with new brake pads for better-stopping power with a bit more feel.

While designated as a speedo boy's car, the WRX STi can be offered with the Advances Safety Package, which comes with Subaru Rear Vehicle Direction, High Beam Assist, Front and Side View Monitor, as well as headlamps that turn left or right when you turn the steering wheel,

The new 2018 Subaru WRX STi starts at 3,866,400 Yen (tax included) and you can spec it out with optional extras including a rear wing that completes the WRX STi look you expect from Subaru's best.

Photo: Subaru Corporation

FH3 Blizzard Mountain: FORZA! ON ICE!!

Yes. You heard that right. It's Forza! On Ice!! Because for the first time in Forza history, snow has arrived and with the arrival of the brand new Forza Horizon 3 Blizzard Mountain expansion, drivers like you and me can taste snow for the very first time in a decade of Forza-ness while taking on the King of the Mountain event where you can take on several challenges, earn stars, and become the King of the Mountain in the end.



For my first outing in the brand new Blizzard Mountain expansion, I've gone for this. It's the Subaru WRX STi VT15R Rally Car, but this is the #199 car. This rally-spec WRX STi is run under the guise of Vermont SportsCar Racing. Founded by veteran rally car builder and former co-driver Lance Smith, Vermont SportsCar Racing founded the Subaru Rally Team USA ten years ago following its official support with Subaru. Since then, the team racked up nine Rally America championship wins in 2006-2009 and most recently from 2011-2015. This #199 WRX STi rally car that competed in the Open Class races this year was driven by the legendary Travis Pastrana. Even though he enjoyed his fierce rivalry by the rally ace, David Higgins, both Subaru's Rally America aces are very skilled to defend the honor of Subaru Rally Team USA's longstanding reputation in America's premiere rally championship and such reputation brought both Higgins and Pastrana back for the 2017 season of the Rally America National Championship.



Better take serious precautions on this one though because here in Blizzard Mountain, be on the lookout for extreme weather conditions because severe winter storms not only make the road much worse for your driving pleasure but also impairs visibility to near zero so you're going to need some serious skill to survive extreme icy conditions.

Also, to make cars prepare for the snowy conditions, snow tires are offered in almost all cars in your garage. A few cars have snow tires equipped but you are more than welcome to equip your favorite car with snow tires to get yourself ready on this frozen onslaught. Exotics are mostly welcome here as long as the tires are studless (and advisably four-wheel drive because it would be intimidating to drive a rear-wheel drive monster in the snow).

Lastly, the King of the Mountain challenges. Rather than fans, drivers need to earn stars in either bucket list challenges, PR stunts, and races. Races aside, the King of the Mountain challenges is more than just winning a race because to get three stars, you need to do a specific skill before winning a race. Skills involve jumps, drifts, wreckages, anything. So, now that you get the idea,

So, with the Blizzard Mountain basics now onto anyone's heads now, time to get my first dibs on the Blizzard Mountain expansion with this Subie that Pastrana drove in this year's season.




The snow may be as harsh as reality and so is the infamous Game of Thrones dialogue that winter is here but I got my survival instincts up and running to snag my first win and proceed to the next round of the King of the Mountain. With so many challenges going on in Blizzard Mountain, the only way to survive through this extreme icy conditions is to win through different challenges and become King of the Mountain. That's the only way I can survive Blizzard Mountain with a big smile on my face. Now, hurry. With all that snow going on around here, nothing can stop us from clearing those new challenges because (ahem) this is Forza on Ice and together, we are born to make history! Wait, what did I just said?!

Forza Horizon 3: Day off with a Subie

While I'm in the middle of a do-nothing day, I set off in a VAB Subaru STi to see how much fun this four-door sports saloon forged from Subaru's motorsport heritage in rallycross and endurance racing where it dominated the SP3T class of the NBR 24HR challenge. Nothing like taking a little time off with my favorite Subie on Australian roads while taking some time off from Horizon duties.

As I recall, the latest WRX STi is the high-performance version of Subaru's WRX line, which is now based on the Levorg station wagon. The WRX line comes in two different versions; one is the comfort-purpose S4 with the 2.0L DIT engine with a CVT and this, is the STi which comes with the same turbocharged EJ engine mated to a 6-speed manual. In Japan, just the two-liter is offered while world markets get the bigger 2.5L engine but either way, they produce almost the same, if you know what I mean?

Anyway, because the current STi is a high-performance variant of the WRX range and because it's civilized version of the WRX was called S4, not to be confused with the Audi S4, that rang me a perfect idea so I headed back to the festival to do some brainstorming and then doing some stuff before hosting an event just for this beauty I lined up.





Okay, you got me, but my Subie's now themed after the elite honor students as seen from the Aikatsu Stars anime series, which are called, of course, the S4! S4?! Would I expect to put the S4 in the STi? That sounds a rather redundant joke but there are other things why I made this thing up from scratch. The first thing they might realize is that they might mistake it for an ordinary WRX S4 that has been swapped with bits and bobs from the STi or perhaps a WRX STi that wants to be an S4 for no reason.

Enough about that but I'll give you a little secret. I had a cousin who used to own a fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro and because the fifth-gen Camaro has gone out of style with the introduction of the latest model, he traded in his Camaro with a brand new Subaru WRX. What kind of WRX has he got? Nope, you're wrong because it's an S4...except for one bit; it has a manual gearbox that the Japanese version didn't have. Yep, world-market WRXs come with either a CVT or a manual, which sounds unfair to Japanese drivers.

Anyway, now that you got the idea, time to spice my Subie with the elite idol schoolgirls from Aikatsu Stars, which is the S4 by the way, by playing rough in an event made for Subies, by Subies.

Lights! Motor! Action!!!



Heck yeah! It pays to have a cousin driving a Subie, which is cooler than my grandma's friend who also drives a Subie except it isn't as cool as my cousin's. This is what makes a Subaru, a Subaru.

Wait, where did I get that line before? Oh well...