My FM Log: Spirit of Forza Motorsport - E-Ray and V.Series-R

Since its inception in 2005, the Forza Motorsport franchise has delivered us some of the most amazing vehicles spanning half a century through the world's most demanding racetracks spanning from Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Now it's the turn of the two cover cars that starred in what's known to be the last-ever Forza Motorsport game ever made.

First up, the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, the hybrid version of the eighth-generation Corvette that caused a lot of stir since the advent of the base model. 

The first-ever Chevrolet Corvette C8 E-Ray rewrote the American sports car's seven-decade history ever since the eighth-generation model, the first mid-engined Corvette, broke cover in 2020. 

The E-Ray features a 6.2L LT2 V8 engine that is mated to an electric drive unit powering both front and rear wheels, making it a four-wheel-drive supercar, a Corvette first. It produces a total power output of 655HP, and while mated with an 8-speed transmission, it has a 0-60mph time of 2.5 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 10.5 seconds. 

The ZER Performance Package comes with high-performance Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S ZP summer-only tires as well as chassis tuning and other performance enhancements.

Lastly, the #1 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R, Cadillac's entry to both IMSA's GTP class and the WEC's Hypercar class.

The V-Series.R racing prototype is Cadillac's commitment to the LMDh class and it's made to compete not just in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for the new-generation GTP class but also at the WEC's Hypercar class. It was built in cooperation with Dallara.

In compliance with the LMDh standards, the V-Series.R is powered by a 5.5L DOHC V8 Hybrid engine, the only naturally aspirated engine in the GTP class. It has a series-specified 670hp of power output and it is mated to a 7-speed sequential gearbox.

The #01 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R used in the IMSA 2023 season was driven by IndyCar veteran Sebastien Bourdais and Renger Van Der Zande.

In the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the #01 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R won the Motul Course de Monterey endurance race at Laguna Seca. At the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans, the #01 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R finished 4th place, behind the 3rd-placer #02 V-Series.R race car.

For one last drive for the entire Forza franchise, let's bring the final Forza Motorsport game's cover cars to Yas Marina Circuit. It's an appropriate circuit for an appropriate moment because, as they say, it all ends here. For those of us who consider the end of something, I would say that this is the perfect location to say goodbye to the Forza series.

Without further ado, let's roll the tapes.

Like all good F1 drivers, their final lap in Yas Marina really marks the end of an era. I have to be honest with you: As demonstrated with the cover cars of the last-ever Forza Motorsport game, it pains me to say that it really is the end of what's known to be one of the best gaming franchises in the world of Xbox.

From the first Forza Motorsport game launched in 2005 to the last-ever Forza Motorsport game launched in 2023, this two-decade journey became one heck of a ride for Forza fanatics everywhere. Fast cars, challenging tracks, and an ever-growing community that helped mature this franchise.

With the Forza franchise officially no more, let's take a quick moment of silence to be thankful for having one of the longest-running video game franchises in Xbox history.

Thanks for the ride.

My FM Log: Descendants

What did the Acura NSX (NC1) Type S and the Nissan Z NISMO (RZ34) have in common? They are descendants of the cars that featured in the first two Forza Motorsport games, and having obtained these two JDM descendants, I got the chance to explain what's what.

Imagine Mal and Red from Descendants, with the NSX representing the original VK who restored balance, and the Z NISMO symbolizing the new VK ready to paint the story red. You get the point, but let's get on with the quick intro about these two...descendants.

Let's begin with the NSX Type S (NC1) from Acura, a car that I won from completing the entire Spirit of Forza Motorsport tour.

The NSX Type S is the final edition of the Acura/Honda NSX NC1, signaling the end of the second-generation NSX's production after its six-year tenure.

In addition to its aggressive design, the 3.5L V6 Twin Turbo Sport Hybrid SH-AWD powertrain was juiced to produce 608PS of power and 667Nm of torque. The improved 9-speed DCT with Rapid Downshift feature shifts 50% faster in Sport and Sport+ modes, while Track Mode provides earlier downshifts into corners thanks to a 1,500rpm increase in the rev threshold.

The available Lightweight Package shaves over 26kg of weight with the inclusion of a carbon fibre engine cover, steering wheel, and instrument binnacle, along with carbon ceramic brakes.

Only 350 units were made and sold, with 300 of them in the US market. Production ended in 2022. In Japan, where it was sold as the Honda NSX Type S, it is the last Honda to be powered by a V6 engine.

Let's discuss the Nissan Z NISMO (RZ34). It's important, so please pay attention. Originally, this car was a prize for completing the Update 20 Open Class Tour before the deadline of June 25, 2025. However, with the release of Update 21, it has now become a permanent prize car. You can obtain it by clearing the newly expanded and now-permanent Open Class Tour at the Builders Cup.

Let's give these descendants a mad dash around Laguna Seca, tasting the essence of what it's like to drive the descendants of the first two Forza Motorsport cover cars. Let's roll the tapes.

Rotten to the core, they said. Well, one of them is.

There's a saying that goes, "Find something to believe in and discover it for yourself. And when you do, pass it on to future generations." As descendants, we have a purpose: to share the stories of our famous predecessors. The NSX has fulfilled its purpose, while the Fairlady Z is still writing more chapters, albeit only a few.

Shame that they're the last new prize cars, not just the game itself, but for the rest of the Forza universe.

My FM Log: Spirit of Forza Motorsport - Porsche 911 GT2 RS

2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the Forza Motorsport series. To commemorate this milestone, let’s take a look back at the cover cars from the Forza Motorsport franchise, starting with the very first game released in 2005 and continuing through to the final installment launched in 2023.

Let's continue with the Porsche 911 (991.2) GT2 RS, the car that graced the cover of Forza Motorsport 7.

The 991.2-spec Porsche 911 GT2 RS is hailed as the ultimate 911. It is powered by a turbocharged 3.8L flat-six engine, sourced from the 911 Turbo S, but tuned to produce an impressive 700 horsepower, making it the most powerful 911 ever produced. Mated to a 7-speed PDK transmission, it can accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in just 2.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 340 kph.

The 911 GT2 RS features a racing chassis equipped with rear-axle steering and dynamic cornering capabilities. It also includes a specially designed Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system with Sport Mode for an enhanced driving experience. The optional Weissach Package reduces the car’s weight by 30 kg through the removal of non-essential features and the use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic and titanium. With this package, it set a record lap time of 6m47.25s at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, making it the fastest Porsche to conquer the legendary track.

This car made its world premiere at the 2017 E3 Showcase, where it was featured as the cover car for the Forza Motorsport 7 video game.

I originally wanted to recreate my Nordschleife achievement like I did in FM7. However, this time, I decided to take on the entire 24-hour layout of the Nürburgring, which combines both the GP Track and the Nordschleife. I wondered why no one else had attempted this. Instead of just tackling the Nordschleife, why not take on the entire Nürburgring? Anyway, let's roll the tape.

Both the Porsche 911 GT2 RS and Forza Motorsport 7 have demonstrated their limit-breaking capabilities to the world. They have rewritten the rules of how you race in the world, not just what you race.

TAKE YOUR PICK. TAKE YOUR SHOT. TAKE THE LEAD!

Next time, let's conclude Forza Motorsport's 20th Anniversary celebration with the 2023 Cadillac #01 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R and the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, the cover cars of the last-ever Forza Motorsport game.

My FM Log: Spirit of Forza Motorsport - Ford GT

2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the Forza Motorsport series. To commemorate this milestone, let’s take a look back at the cover cars from the Forza Motorsport franchise, starting with the very first game released in 2005 and continuing through to the final installment launched in 2023.

The next car that I would like to cover is the second-generation Ford GT that was featured in Forza Motorsport 6. This was a special game for the franchise as it celebrated 10 years of Forza Motorsport.

Unveiled at the 2015 North American International Auto Show, the second-generation Ford GT is another modern interpretation of the legendary Le Mans winner, the GT40.

This new version features significant styling improvements compared to its 2005 predecessor, along with various aerodynamic enhancements, including an active rear spoiler and a large underbody. The car also incorporates aluminum subframes and carbon fiber body panels for better performance and efficiency.

Under the hood, it is powered by a 3.5L V6 twin-turbo engine that produces 647 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a Getrag 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), the Ford GT can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds and has a top speed of 216 mph.

It was originally limited to 200 units built at Ford's Markham plant in Ontario, Canada, with each costing nearly half a million US Dollars. However, increased demand prompted five times the production until Ford ended production of the new Ford GT in 2022 with a total of 1,350 units made.

How about a little commemorative lap around the Watkins Glen track to demonstrate how a decade of automotive brilliance made the second-generation Ford GT the American supercar that embodies the heritage of the legend itself? Let's roll the tape.

And just like that, many things happen in a decade. Faster things.

Forza Motorsport 6, like the second-generation Ford GT, shows what a decade of brilliance can create. It met the demands with incredibly realistic results.

WHAT WE'VE BEEN RACING TOWARDS

Next time, it's the turn of the 991.2-spec Porsche 911 GT2 RS, the hero car of Forza Motorsport 7.

My FM Log: Spirit of Forza Motorsport - McLaren P1

2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the Forza Motorsport series. To commemorate this milestone, let’s take a look back at the cover cars from the Forza Motorsport franchise, starting with the very first game released in 2005 and continuing through to the final installment launched in 2023.

Let's continue with the McLaren P1, the hybrid hypercar that graced the cover of Forza Motorsport 5, one of the games that spearheaded the Xbox One era of 2013.

The McLaren P1 is a hybrid supercar that embodies the brand's technological expertise and motorsport heritage. Its main goal is to be one of the best driver's cars in the world and a worthy successor to the McLaren F1. The P1 is powered by McLaren's newly developed IPAS petrol-electric powertrain, which features an improved version of the 3.8L V8 twin-turbo engine used in the 12C, along with a single electric motor. This combination produces a remarkable total power output of 903 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque.

Unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the P1 is limited to just 375 units, each priced at £866,000. All units have been sold out.

Let's have a commemorative lap around Spa in the midst of the rainfall. It's just like that Top Gear episode where Jeremy Clarkson drives the McLaren P1 around Spa during rainfall. I've recreated that moment before, and I'm more than happy to do it again, see if I'm better than last time. Let's roll the tape.

Just like old times, they said.

The McLaren P1 transformed our perception of hybrid cars with speed and power, just as Forza Motorsport 5 transformed the franchise in ways previously unimagined. This is evolution, personified.

A NEW GENERATION OF RACING

Next time, let's take a look at the Ford GT, the hero car of Forza Motorsport 6.

My FM Log: Spirit of Forza Motorsport - Ferrari 458

2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the Forza Motorsport series. To commemorate this milestone, let’s take a look back at the cover cars from the Forza Motorsport franchise, starting with the very first game released in 2005 and continuing through to the final installment launched in 2023.

Let's continue with the Ferrari 458 Italia, the supercar that headlined the last Forza Motorsport game of the Xbox 360 era, Forza Motorsport 4.

Launched in 2009, the Ferrari 458 Italia serves as the replacement for the F430, marking a significant evolution in Ferrari's design and engineering philosophy, blending craftsmanship and technology.

Behind the Pininfarina styling, the 458 is powered by a 4.5L naturally aspirated V8 engine producing 570HP of power and 398 ft-lb of torque. Mated to a 7-speed F1-style dual-clutch gearbox, it sprints from 0-100kph in 3.2 seconds and has a top speed of 325kph.

The 458 features an aluminum spaceframe that contributes to its lightweight construction. The suspension system features front double wishbones and a rear multilink setup. Equipped with the most advanced traction control systems, including E-Diff and F1-Trac, it offers exceptional dynamics and stability befitting a supercar.

The 458 is the last mid-engine Ferrari supercar to feature a naturally aspirated engine. It was replaced by its turbocharged successor, the 488, in 2015.

Let's have a commemorative lap around the sacred ground of F1's Spanish Grand Prix, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, demonstrating the feeling behind the wheel of the last mid-engine Ferrari supercar to feature a naturally aspirated engine. Roll the tape.

The Ferrari 458 Italia is not just a supercar; it demonstrates performance that goes beyond limits, similar to how Forza Motorsport 4 exceeded expectations as an Xbox 360 game.

AN ENTIRELY NEW CAR EXPERIENCE

Next time, let's take a look at the McLaren P1, the star car of Forza Motorsport 5.

My FH5 Log: Parting Shot

Forza Horizon 5 has delivered its final update, which is now available on Xbox Series X|S, PC via STEAM, and, for the first time in Forza history, on PlayStation 5. Welcome to Horizon Realms!

What is Horizon Realms? This new feature allows players to revisit areas from past updates, such as:

- The Retrowave Highway from the Horizon Retrowave update

- The Oval Track from the High Performance update

- The Cars and Coffee venue

- The Summer Party location

- The Midnight Neon Airstrip

- The Lunar Drift Arena

- Dia De Muertos

- The Stadium Maze from Hidden Horizons

- Winter Wonderland

- The Stunt Park

- The Ice Rink

- The Stadium Track, which debuted in the last-ever FH5 update

With Horizon Realms, you can relive these exciting locations!

Each realm offers two gameplay modes: Free Mode and Skill Mode. In Free Mode, players can explore the realm solo or with friends. In contrast, Skill Mode lets players compete to set skill score records on their chosen realm. There is a new set of accolades to beat as well as four new prize cars.

Win the new Stadium Track race to unlock the Lamborghini Revuelto, the newest hypercar packed with a 6.5L V12 PHEV powertrain and the first Lamborghini to break the thousand horsepower barrier.

Complete Skill Mode in one Realm to unlock the Hennessey Mammoth 1000 6x6 TRX. Based on the RAM 1500 TRX, it's the ultimate V8 six-wheeler that can rip through all kinds of roads, even if they're rough.

Complete Skill Mode in six Realms to unlock the Lotus Exige Cup 430, the ultimate swansong for the Exige, powered by an improved 3.5L V6 supercharged engine producing 430HP of power.

Complete Skill Mode in all Realms to unlock the Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato, an off-road special limited to 1,499 units. It's powered by a 610PS 5.2L V10 engine mated to a 7-speed DCT, sprinting from 0-100kph in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 260kph.

Having obtained the four new accolade cars, it's time for me to have a go with these four masters of realms, just to get a taste of their performance.

So, what do you think? Well, the fun doesn't stop with these four because there's one final Forza Horizon 5 DLC car pack, the Nissan Retro Rides Car Pack. It features four Nissan cars that came straight from the legendary Pike factory. These iconic Nissan Pike cars are...

The Nissan Be-1

The Nissan PAO

The Nissan S-Cargo

And the cream of the crop, the Nissan Figaro.

These four Nissan cars that came out of the Pike Factory are well known for their rarity and uniqueness, worthy of being called a collector's item. Now...

I got the chance to drive these four Pike cars to show their worth. Roll the tape.

No kidding. The Figaro is the peak of the Nissan Pike Factory car roster. No wonder Sarah Jane Smith drove one in The Sarah Jane Adventures.

With the addition of Horizon Realms and the Nissan Retro Rides car pack, Forza Horizon 5 has officially reached a final car total of 899. This includes all 899 cars from purchasable items, prize cars, Forza Edition cars, and DLCs.

As I said before, let's enjoy the final days of Forza Horizon 5. Let's make the final moments of Horizon Mexico special, for this will be the final stop of the Forza Horizon saga. It's a shame there won't be another Forza Horizon after this.

Whether you've been playing this game on your Xbox Series consoles since Day 1 or starting Forza Horizon 5 for the first time on your PlayStation5, it's good to know that you have enjoyed the best Forza Horizon game ever made. Come on, let's make the final days count.

My FM Log: Spirit of Forza Motorsport - Audi R8 V10

2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the Forza Motorsport series. To commemorate this milestone, let’s take a look back at the cover cars from the Forza Motorsport franchise, starting with the very first game released in 2005 and continuing through to the final installment launched in 2023.

Let's continue with the Audi R8 5.2 V10 FSi quattro, the supercar that graced the cover of 2009's Forza Motorsport 3 video game.

Named after a winning Le Mans Prototype race car, inspired by the Le Mans quattro concept, and running on the same components as the Lamborghini Gallardo, the Audi R8 served as the company's image leader when it made its debut in 2007.

When it was launched, it was initially available only with the 420HP V8 FSi engine, but two years later, the V10 variant of the Audi R8 was added. It features the same 5.2L V10 engine from the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, but it only produces 518bhp of power, sprinting from 0-100kph in less than four seconds. Aside from the engine, the R8 is armed with a quattro all-wheel-drive system and an Audi Space Frame aluminum body.

The Audi R8 V10 is offered with a choice of a coupe and an open-top roadster. There's even a limited-edition GT model that shaved 100kg of weight and improved its V10 engine to produce 560HP of power.

Let's have a commemorative drive around Le Mans Circuit de la Sarthe, the place where the Audi R8 was inspired by. Roll the tape.

Although it doesn't live up to its namesake, it proved its worth.

The Audi R8 cemented its status as the brand's image leader, and its presence as the cover car of Forza Motorsport 3 showcased its “vorsprung durch technik” philosophy to both worlds.

WHERE DREAMS ARE DRIVEN

Next time, let's take a look at the Ferrari 458 Italia, the cover car of Forza Motorsport 4.