My FH5 Log: Centennial Podium Reimagined

Ferrari, Toyota, and Cadillac. Three carmakers took over the podium of the centennial anniversary running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans back in the summer of 2023 with Ferrari the victor. I've been asked if I can reimagine the Le Mans' centennial podium as road cars, which car per brand will it be standing in the now-legendary podium and why?

My obvious choices for my Le Mans centennial podium reimagined as road cars are; the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, the Toyota GR Supra, and the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. When you do an improv on them, you'll know they had learnings from their now-legendary podium-standing equivalents in Le Mans.

The SF90 Stradale uses most of Scuderia Ferrari's motorsport know-how and the teachings from the LaFerrari to create the de-facto flagship PHEV hypercar that can dominate the road and track with surgical precision. Powering the SF90 Stradale is a plug-in hybrid setup, a first for Ferrari, where the turbocharged F154 4.0L V8 engine, producing 780PS of power, is connected to three electric motors, two on the front axle and one between the engine and the 8-speed double-clutch gearbox, resulting to a monstrous 1,000PS of total power output that pushes the SF90 to a 0-100kph time of 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 340kph.

The Toyota GR Supra is the first of the Reiwa-era JDM sportscars when it was launched in May 2019, a month after the beginning of the Reiwa era in Japan. Despite the BMW connection because it runs on the same mechanicals as the BMW Z4 G29, most speedo boys went for the Toyota rather than its BMW equivalent because, obviously, IT'S A TOYOTA. Powering the GR Supra is a choice of a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo engine and the 3.0L BMW TwinPower Turbo engine for the range-topping RZ variant, seen here, producing 340PS of power and 500Nm of torque. All of the engines are mated to an 8-speed Steptronic gearbox. Later updates gave a power hike on the 3.0L turbo engine as well as the implementation of a 6-speed manual gearbox, which made it slightly lighter and more fun.

The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing transforms the sober American businessman's car into a WMD for the road and track. The 6.2L Supercharged V8 engine was a complete carryover from the old CTS-V but it has been boosted to produce 668HP of power and 659lb-ft of torque while mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed AT that propels this car from a 0-100kph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of over 200mph. It also comes with eLSD, advanced suspension refinements, Launch Control, Performance Traction Management, and MRC 4.0, among many others.

Judging by the performance the reimagined centennial podium possessed, there's no way I would have a three-way shootout between them because, truth be told, the SF90 will mince them both just as Ferrari crushed both Toyota and Cadillac in the Le Mans centennial anniversary race of 2023. I know, the CT5-V Blackwing's more powerful than the Supra but because the Supra is lighter, it slips through the American businessman's car gone mad at ease. Still, using the power of improv, I decided to give the reimagined Le Mans centennial podium a little talent show to demonstrate their native talents and with that, some makeovers.

Using Hana again? I'm starting to fall in love with my in-game GR Supra decorated with Aikatsu Planet's Hana because it has that "main character energy" on it, just like her. This is why I'm using her again for the little exhibition show I've run for her. A final encore, if you like.

The Wings on the Road, CT5-V Blackwing, is now peppered with a touch of Beat from Aikatsu Planet. Suits its personality well because driving the CT5-V Blackwing gives you the impression of pouring a bottle of cola into a teacup and sipping it in. I admire its level of sophistication as much as Beat herself. The CT5-V Blackwing is an awesome super saloon but today, the wings on the road's got Beat's name all over them, the equivalent of drinking cola out of a teacup. Classy, siddity, and elegance.

Lastly, Ferrari's de-facto flagship hypercar, the SF90, is now wrapped in the thorns of Rose from Aikatsu Planet. The toughest ones are always in the Ferrari and Ferrari is the alpha male of the supercar realm, making it the ideal role for the SF90 as Aikatsu Planet's toughest character, the final boss if you like. Up for a real challenge? You'll gonna have to take on her.

With my favorite cars mirrored in, it's time for the reimagined Le Mans centennial trio to have exhibition matches against Horizon's best drivers assembled including dummy drivers in reserve. Time to show these three what they're capable of and how Le Mans influenced sports cars like these. Send in the clips.

The trio put on a great show as if this was the last live show of their lives.

Ferrari, Toyota, and Cadillac took over the podium of the centennial anniversary running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the summer of 2023 with Ferrari the victor. When reimagined as road cars in the form of the SF90 Stradale, the GR Supra, and the CT5-V Blackwing, they really shine because of the learnings from their podium-standing equivalents, and when they're mirrored in, they can see their true colors.

Should the next Le Mans race come in, will Toyota mean revenge against Ferrari? Is Ferrari defending its Le Mans comeback? Or will there be another surprise in store? Only time will tell in the summer...

My FH5 Log: Purists' Huracan

Asked which Lamborghini is the best after six decades, most would go for the Huracan. Sure, it is not as good as its V12-powered masterpieces from the Miura to the Aventador but it's known as the last of its kind. The last to don the V10 engine in history.

The Lamborghini Huracan served as the hero car of Forza Horizon 2 in 2014 and in Forza Horizon 5, there are different versions of the Huracan offered from the LP610-4 to the STO. What Forza fanatics didn't know, is there's another Huracan in the stable and like the STO from the High Performance series update a few months ago, it's also a purists' choice except for one thing; it isn't as radical as the STO.

This is the Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica from the Italian Exotics Car Pack and although not the peak of the Huracan lineage, it's the Lambo purists wanted.

Unveiled in the spring of 2022, the Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica slots between the Evo and the hardcore STO variant. With STO-inspired styling but with a less aggressive approach to make it look tamed on the road and track, the Huracan Tecnica's 5.2L V10 engine produces 630hp and 416ft-lb of torque. Mated to a 7-speed double-clutch gearbox, it sprints from 0-100kph in three seconds and has a top speed of 325km/h, 15km/h more than the STO.

The Huracan Tecnica also comes with the LDVI system that takes control of the car's behavior such as the rear-wheel steering, suspension, torque vectoring, and traction control.

To demonstrate the true potential of the Huracan Tecnica, I've invited a bunch of V10 enthusiasts to play with, even Lamborghini fanatics, for this V10-powered bull's one last dance. Let's roll the tape.

What? I had to be desperate at the end but hey, this is the V10-powered raging bull at the fit of peak.

Be it a four-wheel-drive or a purist-friendly rear-wheel-drive, the Lamborghini Huracan is proven to be "the last one" in the age of the new normal. It really is the last car to have a V10 engine in it, which is rather a sad undertone to spell it out. Although it may not be forever, the last V10 car on earth is proven to be the final gambit that never gives in unless it uses its last resort to keep speedo boys happy until the very end.

With all units of the Huracan officially sold out, it really is the end not just the car itself but what's known as the best-sounding engine ever made. They said all good things must end, and for the last V10-powered vehicle on earth, its final mission in this unstable world is complete.

Grazie ragazzi, Lamborghini Huracan. You made us proud.

My FM Log: V12 for Victory

Forza Motorsport's Update 6 brought back two V12-powered monster machines in the stable; one is a track-only Prancing Horse that takes pride in its Nurburgring struggle and the other one is the ultimate getaway car when you're in the middle of, you guessed it, hot pursuit.

First up is the Ferrari 599XX that I won from the Update 6 Open Class Tour until the April 10 deadline. 

The 599XX is a track-only version of the 599 GTB Fiorano. It comes with a rev limited raised to 9000rpm, a V12 engine rated for 720HP, reduced weight by cutting the weight of the engine unit components, and the use of composites and carbon fiber materials. It was showcased at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show and it set the Nurburgring Nordschleife lap time of 6:58.16.

Lastly, the Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster that I won from Update 6's Combustion Tour until the April 24 deadline. 

Cinque (five in Italian) is what we believed to be the final version of the Pagani Zonda when it was launched in 2009 with a limited run of five hardtop models and five roadster models. Furthermore, the Cinque is known to be the road-legal version of the track-only Zonda R, which became the fastest at the Nurburgring Nordschleife. This model is the first to feature a new composite material that combines carbon fiber and titanium, known as Carbotanium.

Having obtained these 12-cylinder marvels, I've driven them both around the Nurburgring Grand Prix Circuit to demonstrate the loudness and strengths these two V12 monster machines possess. Let's roll the tapes.

V12 for Victory.

Enjoy your new rides!

My FH5 Log: The last Audi TT

Production of the Audi TT ended late last year, ending its 25-year run since its 1998 debut. Although gone, its legacy will never be forgotten.

The world already bid the Audi TT farewell but here in Forza Horizon 5, it's time to have one last ride with the Audi TT.

The Audi TT RS, in its final generation guise, is the ultimate version of the Audi TT, the fitting car for the TT's final drive here in Horizon Mexico. But first, a little re-introduction with this one.

The Audi TT RS is the ultimate all-around sports car, capable of reaching uncharted heights that no other sports car in its class dares to go. Powered by a five-cylinder 2.5L turbocharged engine, the Audi TT RS produces 400PS of power and 480Nm of torque. Mated to a 7-speed DSG, the Audi TT RS sprints from 0-100kph in 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of 280kph thanks to an optional extra.

For the 2020 model year, the third-generation Audi TT RS received a minor change, featuring an improved exterior design with wider air intakes, a new front spoiler, new inlets flanking the grille, redesigned sills with black inlays, a new rear wing, new air vents, and a revised diffuser. However, the 2.5L turbocharged engine remains unchanged, meaning it still has 400PS of power and 480Nm of torque.

In late 2022, Audi unveiled the TT RS iconic edition, of which only 100 were made for European customers. It features a unique aero kit, a special interior, and Nardo Grey exterior paint. In late 2023, Audi ended production of the TT, which had a three-generation run of 25 years since its 1998 debut.

I won this car at the Horizon Race-Off Storm Season Playlist and the way it looks and feels is just like its pre-facelifted equivalent that we had years ago. Despite donning a different look, it is still the unscripted hero we're familiar with, chewing off the Ariel Nomad and spitting its backbones.

It's still the 4WD sports car in its class you don't want to mess with because anyone trying to square off against the Audi TT RS will make them realize why it performs that others can't. With its unique turbocharged 5-cylinder engine, legendary quattro all-wheel-drive, and short proportions, no one comes close to the Audi TT.

To see how much the final Audi TT RS progressed compared to the first TT that got the RS variant, the second-generation Audi TT, let's drive these two at the Castillo Del Mar for a little progress check. Roll the tape.

And now the results...

TT Mk2 RS - 2m30.334s

TT Mk3 RS F/L - 2:21.7084

Nearly nine seconds. That's how much improvement the final TT RS gained from the first TT RS and Audi never joked about the progress the TT has made through the years.

Before making my last farewell with the Audi TT, I gave it one last attempt to shine and that meant calling in an old friend.

The third-generation Audi TT RS gets all vibrant and pastel for the role of Waccha PriMagi's Miruki Amauri. It's the same one I did from the pre-facelift but you will notice a slight difference between them. Don't thank me, thank Honeytan for this, dao.

With Miruki back for her final encore, it's time for the last Audi TT in history to perform its final dance. Roll the tape.

Not the prettiest ending I hoped for but this is how the Audi TT rolls.

It's been a privilege working with you...

25 years, three generations, one Audi TT. Beyond its tenure, this unique sports car chose to exist rather than to live, and in the end, it made a huge mark in the motoring scene. Although gone, its legacy will never be forgotten.

Auf Wiedersehen, Audi TT...

My FH5 Log: Artura The King

Forza Horizon 5's Horizon Race-Off series update saw a clash between Team Mustang and Team F-150, a heated debate between asphalt racing and off-road racing, and whoever side gets first, wins one of the hero cars of the update.

Behind the heated debate between asphalt racing and off-road racing, an unexpected visitor appeared and that's okay because this is the McLaren Forza fans waited for since the car's debut three years ago.

This is the McLaren Artura, the hybrid supercar that I won from the Horizon Race-Off Wet Season Playlist. We've been pleading for this car to arrive here and now that it's here, it's time for a little word with McLaren's hybrid supercar.

The McLaren Artura is the company's first V6-powered PHEV supercar that injects most of its motorsport know-how into the making of this unorthodox machine. The 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo engine is mated to an axial flux motor and a refrigerant-cooled Li-ion battery producing 680PS of power and 720Nm of torque. Mated to an 8-speed SSG, it sprints from 0-60mph in three seconds and has a top speed of 205mph. Running on electricity alone, it can go for as little as 19 miles.

Aside from the performance, the Artura has near-perfect weight distribution courtesy of its carbon bodywork, front double wishbone, multi-link rear, Proactive Damping Control, electro-hydraulic power-assisted steering, Carbon Ceramic Discs, forged aluminum brake calipers, and specially-developed Pirelli P-ZERO tires. It even comes with a Variable Drift Control that can adjust its drifting angle.

The Artura may be a show-off in the middle of a heated debate but being the ideal gentleman disruptor, it sure knows how to flex its muscles well. Although it feels different compared to most McLarens offered in the game, it feels moderately good to drive on asphalt terms, and for the fun of it, addicting. It's all about making a great statement in the name of McLaren-ism.

Still, I've waited long enough to drive the Artura in the world of Forza, and in honor of its arrival, it's time for a leisurely street race against tough drivers to prove if I'm either Lando Norris enough or Oscar Piastri enough to be with the Artura. Roll the tape.

Yes, it was a tough challenge but the Artura survived and won.

Forza players like me have waited three years since McLaren debuted the Artura supercar and now that it's here, we found great reasons to enjoy it, even while disrupting the heated debate between Team Mustang and Team F-150 we're on. This is performance, amplified.

Gosh, I wanted to conclude my little impression with the Artura but...I'm working on a little surprise for the Artura so...watch this space.