My FH5 Log: Rennsport Reunion V - Tornado GP

The 992 911 domination in Forza Horizon 5's Horizon Track Day update continues with the in-game arrival of the offroad-oriented limited edition model, the 911 Dakar.

Having obtained this offroad-ready 911 from the update's Storm Season playlist, it's time for a quick introduction to the limited-edition rally raid sports car the Forza producers labeled as "911 Rallye" for unknown reasons.

Unveiled at the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Show, the 911 Dakar is an off-road-oriented version of the iconic 911, paying tribute to Porsche's first-ever victory in the Paris-Dakar rally in 1984—an event that inspired the creation of the all-wheel-drive 911.

The 911 Dakar is powered by the same 3.0L biturbo six-cylinder engine found in the 911 Carrera, producing 480 PS and 580 Nm of torque. It is paired with an 8-speed PDK transmission, which enables it to accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in just 3.4 seconds. The top speed is limited to 240 kph, a restriction due to the all-terrain tires that are standard for this model, marking a first for the 911.

Notable features of the 911 Dakar include Rallye Launch Control, a standard lift system, increased ground clearance, a modified radiator with stone chip protection, and two new driving modes: Rallye and Offroad. Customers can also choose the Rallye Design Package and three decal sets inspired by Porsche's entries in the East African Safari Rally during the 1970s. Additionally, they have the option to add either a roof rack or a roof tent.

A total of 2,500 units were produced and sold.

Recently, a unique 911 Dakar commissioned by Sonderwunsch has been completed in Signal Yellow and Lamperdusable dual color, with light blue lines separating the two colors. This commemorates the end of the 911 Dakar's 2500-unit production run. My take may not match the real deal but this is what the 911 Dakar will be donning for today because this offroad sports car is up its show.

At this point, I was going to get our Teenieping friend Sandping to make me a sandbox for the 911 Dakar to play with but instead...

Instead, I went to another one of Dexter 4130D's EventLab creations which makes good use of the Halo props provided in this update. It's called the Spartan Rally and the 911's unique styling and spartan driving manners as well as the Dakar's offroading prowess will feel at home in this Halo-themed dirt track envisioned by one of the most respected Forza-devoted content creators.

Commence the operation.

Although slight mistakes were made, the 911 Dakar still has the beating heart of the Spartan warrior...from the world of Halo.

Capable of tackling everything Sandping would throw at it, the 911 Dakar is what happens when you turn one of the most influential sports cars of all time into a road-legal rally raid car that can embarrass even the Cayenne.

Sandping, you have lost your battle.

My FM Log: Black Label

The prize car for clearing the Mustang Tour in Forza Motorsport (Xbox Series X|S) before the November 27, 2024 deadline is another of the professionally-tuned sixth-generation Mustangs featured in the world of Forza; the Saleen S302 Black Label.

Based on the facelifted sixth-generation Ford Mustang, the Saleen S302 Black Label is the top-tier variant that enhances the capabilities of the standard Mustang.

For this model, Saleen has equipped the base Mustang's 5.0L V8 engine with a 2.6L screw-type supercharger and an intercooler system, featuring a 103mm throttle body that generates 12 psi of boost. It also includes 47 lb fuel injectors, a cold air induction system, a retuned ECU, and a Saleen-tuned exhaust system. By Saleen's standards, the Black Label boasts an impressive 340 horsepower increase over the standard V8-powered Mustang, all while maintaining Ford's full warranty.

To see how capable this near-800HP 'Stang by Saleen is, I return to Laguna Seca for a one-lap drive. Let's roll the tape.

My personal best in Seca in this car is 1m45.020s. Not quick as such but it proved its worth as one of the most formidable tuned 6th-gen Mustangs on the road and track.

Enjoy your new ride.

Let's Do The News! (November 15, 2024)

         

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The PH Department of Transportation targets the December groundbreaking for the Taguig City Integrated Terminal Exchange.

- Parts of Cagayan Valley remained flooded due to Typhoon Ofel while parts of Bicol are bracing for Typhoon Pepito.

- Adjusted mall hours in Metro Manila will begin this Monday. According to the MMDA, malls will open from 1100 to 2300 hours Manila time.

- The brother of the late Mohamed Al Fayed, Salah, also abused Harrods staff, according to female witnesses.

- The boss of the Bank of England says the UK must "rebuild relations" with the EU in some of his strongest comments yet on Brexit. 

- US President-Elect Donald Trump named former presidential competitor Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as US health secretary. RFK became infamous for his COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy theories. During the election period, he ran for president but withdrew his campaign to support Donald Trump's re-election campaign. RFK got a shoutout from Donald Trump's victory speech as Trump said RFK could "make America healthy again".

- At least ten people died and others were hurt in a fire at a retirement home in the Spanish town of Villafranca de Ebro.

- Global health advocates press Cephied for a cheaper mpox diagnostic test to help tackle low testing rates in poorer nations affected by the virus.

- The first-ever Acura ADX compact crossover was unveiled.

2025 Acura ADX

- Ken Akamatsu was named as the parliamentary vice-minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology as well as Reconstruction.

- Satire site The Onion buys InfoWars. The sale drew support from families of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary shooting victims.

- Bugatti's W16 Mistral smashed the open-top road car speed record with 282mph top speed.

- Jaguar previews its all-electric GT car as it gears up for its 2026 comeback.

- Newborn Italian supercar company Giamaro will unveil its first vehicle this May 22, 2025. It will be powered by a V12 quad turbo.

- Seiyuu Ibuki Kido announces her marriage.

- K-pop boy group OMEGA X cancels their US tour.

- The National Telecommunications Commission is set to commence Phase 1 of Analog Switch-Off in Metro Manila by the end of 2024.

TTFN.

My FH5 Log: Rennsport Reunion V - Spartan GP

The 911 is Porsche's iconic rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive coupe, known for its distinctive styling and minimalist driving experience. The Horizon Track Day update in Forza Horizon 5 pays tribute to the 992 model of this legendary sports car, beginning with the most stripped-down version of the 911: the GT3 RS.

Obtained from this update's Wet Season playlist, it's time to have a word with the most spartan 911 ever made.

The 992-spec Porsche 911 GT3 RS is an extreme, track-focused version of the 911, utilizing much of the technology from the 911 GT3 R racing car. This allows it to achieve a lap time of 6:44.85 at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, making it slightly faster than the most extreme Lamborghini Aventador, the SVJ.

Visually similar to the standard 992 911 GT3, the GT3 RS features aerodynamic enhancements including front aero bars and air outlets located at the front and rear fenders. It also boasts an adjustable active front diffuser and highlights include the massive swan-neck mounted rear wing—the largest ever installed on a production Porsche. This wing features an F1-style Drag Reduction System, enabling it to be flattened at the touch of a button. The front trunk (frunk) of the 911 GT3 RS is significantly occupied by a centrally positioned single radiator, inspired by its racing counterparts.

Under the hood, the naturally aspirated 4.0L flat-six engine produces a power output of 525 PS, which is a 15 PS increase over the standard 911 GT3. It generates 465 Nm of torque and is exclusively paired with a 7-speed PDK transmission. The GT3 RS can accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in just 3.2 seconds—0.2 seconds quicker than the regular GT3—and has a top speed of 296 km/h, which is 22 km/h slower than the standard GT3. Thanks to the extensive use of carbon fiber, particularly from the Weissach Package, the 911 GT3 RS has a weight of 1,450 kg.

Being the first Porsche equipped with an F1-inspired Drag Reduction System, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS (992) easily transforms from a track toy into an ultra-high-performance track machine at the push of a button, pushing the boundaries of what a 911 can achieve on the racetrack.

To demonstrate the capabilities of the 992 911 GT3 RS, I decided to have a no-holds-barred Coast Run against these "born again" 911s I've lined up.

These are the "born again" 911s my 992 GT3 RS will face against; the Singer 911 DLS and the GuntherWerks 400R, two restomodded 911s that rewrote each other's histories in a spectacular and bespoke fashion. Anyway, let's get this show on the road.

And now the results...

Singer 911 - 2m44.648s

GW 911 - 2m50.170s

992 GT3 RS - 2m41.512s

Whether you love it or hate it, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS (992) stands as the ultimate expression of an extreme track car that is designed for both the track and the road.

Having enjoyed driving the 992 911 GT3 RS in the game, it's time to reward the most spartan 911 ever made a little treat.

Riddle me this: I'm Austrian. Those girls ended my undefeated streak, and I transferred to the school where they were enrolled for revenge. Who am I? If your answer is Wien Margarete, then Ding-Dong-Dang! You're correct because the most spartan 911 ever made is all dressed up for the role of one of my favorite foreign school idols from the world of Love Live!

With the revengeful soul of Our Lady of Margarete fused, my 911 GT3 RS is battling against the competition in the EventLab re-enactment of the legendary Laguna Seca track curated by Forza player Arbi4908. Let's get it!

Winning, the Wien Margarete way! Get it? Winners are for Wien-ers. Was it supposed to be "Wieners are for winners"? Hehe... I'm such a fan of Wien Margarete (though someone whispered to me that I'm actually a Win Morisaki fan). Never mind all that!

The 911 GT3 RS is the hottest, hardest, tightest, and most exotic 911 ever made, and with the 992 model, it managed to blur the line between common sense and nonsense the Porsche way. Road and track egoists, rejoice.

Let's Do The News! (November 14, 2024)

        

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- A total of 4,908 police officers are deployed in Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and Bicol Region following threats from Typhoon Ofel.

- Philippine President Bongbong Marcos appointed Joe Torres as the new head of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security. This announcement was made by President Marcos during his speech at the 50th KBP Top Management Conference held in Tagaytay.

- Republicans projected to retain control of the US House of Representatives, giving the party a clear path to enact President-elect Donald Trump's agenda. Recently, outgoing President Joe Biden "welcomes back" Donald Trump to the Oval Office, shaking hands.

- Seiyuu Suzuko Mimori welcomes her second baby boy.

- Hundreds of unionized ZeniMax workers go on strike today over an alleged lack of bargaining by parent company Microsoft.

- Prime Video's original animated series Secret Level will feature celebrity voice casts such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kevin Hart, Keanu Reeves, and more.

- NewJeans has sent a certification of contents to their agency ADOR, and ADOR has issued a statement in response.

- A former Phoenix Suns employee sued the team Wednesday, citing allegations of harassment, racial discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination, according to reports.

- Veteran actor Timothy West passed away at the age of 90.

- Actor Tony Todd dies at the age of 69.

TTFN.

PriPara Song♪ Collection Melody Moments

Although the PriPara series concluded with the finale of Idol Time PriPara, its reputation as the greatest of all time (GOAT) in the Pretty Series remains strong. Fans attending past Pretty Series concerts were surprised by the performance of never-before-heard songs from the PriPara universe.

PriPara Song♪ Collection Melody Moments

The PriPara Song♪ Collection Melody Moments album features 13 songs that made their debut from past concerts including SoLaMi Smile's ウィー・ラブ・プリパラ！, DressingPafé, Breaking Bloom!!!, DARK NIGHTMARE's DARKNESS SOUL, Cosmo Hojo's Burn! Cosmic Liberty, and more.

This album is proof that PriPara is Pretty Series' GOAT and what a way to wrap up PriPara's 10th anniversary celebration. As the saying goes, they're not done yet...

TRACK LISTINGS:

01.ウィー・ラブ・プリパラ！

02.Breaking Bloom!!!

03.ストロベリー・バレット・ナイト

04.DARKNESS SOUL

05.オレーザービーム

06.Burn! Cosmic Liberty

07.NonSugar × Age

08.以心伝心パンチライン

09.L'amour en Tricolore ～ラムール・アン・トリコロール～

10.パルプス・ノンフィクション♪

11.ぽわぽわ♡NURSE？

12.シリアル・ドリーマー!!!

13.Stay Tuned

Idol Land PriPara Song♪ Collection OPEN DREAM LAND!

The Idol Land PriPara app game's anime segments saw Laala Manaka and Amari Katasumi join forces to truly save Idol Land from its impending doom. Throughout their adventures, they've reawakened Shuka Hanazono's PriPara career as well as Yui Yumekawa, made a chance encounter with a giant vocal doll named Pololo, a showdown between Amari and Mario, and ultimately, saving Idol Land. That's everything.

Having enjoyed the songs heard from the Idol Land PriPara app game's anime segments, a mini-album featuring full versions of the Idol Land PriPara songs has arrived with some of it.

Idol Land PriPara Song♪ Collection
OPEN DREAM LAND!

This mini-album features some of the songs as heard from the Idol Land PriPara app game such as the theme song titled "OPEN DREAM LAND!" by SoLaMi Smile, Chaotic Hurricane by Amari, Chocolate Ice Cream Tornado by Mario, and more.

It's a way of saying thanks for watching the anime segments of the Idol Land PriPara app game. The story may be finished but the fun continues while you're still around IDOL LAND so make the most of it!

TRACK LISTINGS:

01.OPEN DREAM LAND!

02.カオティックハリケーン

03.チョコレートアイスクリーム・トルネード

04.My Way Star☆

05.リープ・トゥ・ザ・ゴールデン・イヤー！！！

06.ポォロン♪あまやどりのうた

07.究極合神アマリオン －破滅と創造の狂想曲－