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 - Honda NSX

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 begin with the one that started it all. It's the NA2 Honda NSX-R, the hero car of the first Forza Motorsport game, launched 20 years ago.

Honda revived the NSX-R variant of the facelifted model in the form of a concept, as seen on the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show, and then it went on sale a year later.

Like the base model, the NSX-R still comes with the same 3.2L V6 engine, which is an improvement from the previous NSX, and is mated with a new 6-speed MT. Unlike the base NSX, the R features improved performance and aerodynamics, resulting in better downforce courtesy of its new hood, new rear wing, and extensive use of carbon fiber.

It became the first street-legal road car to break the 8-minute barrier from the legendary Nürburgring.

Let's have a little commemorative drive around Suzuka Circuit in honor of the first cover car of the first Forza Motorsport game. Kinda think of it, I've already done this stint when I was playing Forza Motorsport 7 several years ago, examining the evolution of the Honda NSX. Anyway, let's see if I can do better with the same setting but playing what's now known as the final Forza Motorsport game.

I did a bit better this time, but I still had a lot of fun taking a commemorative drive in the legendary NSX. This car graced the cover of the first Forza Motorsport game two decades ago, and it still looks impressive after all these years.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU RACE

Next time, let's explore the Z33 Nissan Fairlady Z, the cover car of Forza Motorsport 2.

Project CARS 3: The NSX Story

From the first-generation NA1 to the second-generation NC1, the NSX is a legend in Honda's sportscar history and although not perfect, it still knows how to pull the right punches in the modern motoring world. As sportscars come and go, the NSX remains one of the all-time greats.

The first-generation NSX, included in Project CARS 3's Legends Pack DLC, is where the story begins. Unveiled at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show as the Acura NSX, the car became a game-changer because of its potential to compete against the world's best exotics. From its all-aluminum construction to its 270HP V6 VTEC engine mounted in the middle, the NSX delivered supercar performance for a moderate price. No wonder Ayrton Senna got involved in the making of this car.

As the NSX's production came to an end in 2005, they've used that void to work on its potential successor and after a decade of trial and error, the revived NSX has been unveiled at the 2015 North American International Auto Show and then went on sale a year later. Inspired from the 2012 NSX Concept, the reborn NSX features a Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system that connects the turbocharged 3.5L V6 engine with three electric motors and a Li-ion battery, making it capable of producing 569HP of power while mated to a 9-speed DCT. Unlike its predecessor which is made in Japan, the reborn NSX is made in the Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio, a made-in-USA hybrid supercar known the world over. 

To see how much the NSX progressed from the NA1 to the NC1, let's find a proving ground to see the evolution in action, and with that, I went to the streets of Long Beach, California, to conduct this experiment. Of course, I've done this one several years ago from another game but it never hurts to conduct such experiments for the fun of it. Let the experiment start.

After a quick lap around the streets of Long Beach, here are the results;

1997 Acura NSX - 1:44.451

2020 Acura NSX - 1:29.502

From the past to the present, the NSX never fails to impress drivers behind the wheel and although they are different, these two generations carried the same game-changing spirit that upsets the motoring world in every way. This is why the NSX is one of the all-time greats and that is the bottom line.

Project CARS 3: The heroes of the game

The Mercedes-AMG GT R, the Acura NSX, and the Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray are the stars of Project CARS 3 and these machines deserve the respect it needs because these cars truly defined what makes Project CARS 3 great.

Without further ado, let's get to know more about the heroes of Project CARS 3.

First off is the Acura NSX, known as the Honda NSX in the rest of the globe. Ever since Honda revived the NSX after its 2005 discontinuation, the world rejoiced and by many surprises, the modern-day NSX shares nothing in common with the old NSX, although it retains the midship engine layout from its predecessor. Although Japanese in spirit, it was built in the USA, and powering it is a revolutionary Sport Hybrid SH-AWD where the 3.5L V6 DOHC Twin Turbo engine is connected to three electric motors that take care of the Power Drive Unit and a li-ion battery that takes charge on the Intelligent Power Unit, resulting to a total power output of 581PS of power. In its updated version, the NSX features refined chassis components, tires, and software tuning to make it more engaging than before.

Next is the Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray. For the first time in Corvette history, the eighth-generation model is now a mid-engined sports car, which most purists call sacrilege. Matching the best of Europe in terms of performance, the mid-engined C8 Corvette is powered by an all-new 6.2L LT2 V8 engine, producing up to 495HP of power and 470lb-ft of torque, while mated to a Corvette-first double-clutch gearbox. With the Z51 Performance Package, the C8 Corvette is armed with Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 which reads the road every millisecond and adapts in about 10 to 15 milliseconds.

Lastly, the Mercedes-AMG GT R. Served as the high-performance version of the AMG GT sports car, it's powered by a specifically-tuned version of the AMG 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine that produces 585HP of power and 700Nm of torque while mated to a 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT. It does 0-100kph in 3.6 seconds and has a top speed of 318kph. In the recent update, the AMG GT R was made even better with the special PRO variant with improved suspension, lightweight construction, aerodynamics, and appearance.

Now that we get to know about the three hero cars, it's time to find out which of the three PC3 hero cars is the best and with that, it's time to conduct my little experiment at a Tuscan vineyard, which was displayed on the game's official key visual.

Let the experiment begin.

After a quick lap around the vineyard, here are the results;

Corvette - 1:19.593

NSX - 1:18.168

AMG GT R - 1:18.893

The mid-engined, four-wheel drive, hybrid-powered NSX emerged is the winner of this experiment and as a result, this is the best of the three PC3 hero cars. Score another one for the Japanese carmakers.

There is a clear reason why the NSX, the C8 Corvette, and the AMG GT R are the hero cars of Project CARS 3 because these three cars represent the world of motorsports we live in. The NSX represents Asia, the Corvette represents America, and the AMG GT R represents Europe, therefore Project CARS 3 features the world's best cars and racetracks for everyone to take on.

This is the brave new world of motorsport we live in and only the fastest will come out on top.

Good luck and welcome to the world of Project CARS 3.

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.

GT SPORT - The early Heisei JDMs

Today marks the end of the Heisei era and what better way to pay tribute to this golden era than sampling the most iconic Japanese sportscars emerged from the early years of the Heisei era? Of course, since the Gran Turismo franchise is part of those that were born from the Heisei era, our little game of GT SPORT takes us to the heroes of Gran Turismo, the best Japanese sportscars emerged from the early years of the Heisei era.



The FD-spec RX-7, the original Honda NSX, the Impreza STi, the JZA80 Supra, the R34 Skyline GT-R, and any of the pizza-lamped Lancer Evos are known to be the best of the Japanese sportscars to emerge from the early years of the Heisei era and here in GT SPORT, they have what's greater or nearer as the drivers can get from those Heisei era JDM sportscars.

These Japanese sportscars emerged from the early Heisei years are known to be collectibles for speedo boys worldwide because these cars are notoriously known for its street cred and known to be tuned to wake the neighbors after hours. Whether they can let them roar through the Shutokou by nighttime or living the track life by day, these Japanese marvels are everywhere and whether you love them or hate them, Japan is home to those street machines like these and as a tribute, let's take them to the common battleground for testing cars before hitting Japanese roads; Tsukuba.



Ah, Tsukuba Circuit. If my memory serves me correctly, the Tsukuba Circuit is the favorite playground for the over-the-video motoring program known as Best MOTORing. Over the years, we seen professional drivers across Japan testing out the coolest and the weirdest on this very track they called home. Of course, Best MOTORing may be officially dead several years ago but here in GT SPORT, people can do their Best MOTORing homage on this very track while sampling most of the cars offered in-game, just to give them their first impressions.

With the best JDM cars from the early Heisei era stepped to their very own Holy Land of sampling and time attacking, they are ready for a revue they will remember forever.

It's showtime!



After their Tsukuba revue, here are the results...

Impreza 22B-STi Version '98: 1:07.522
NSX Type R '92: 1:10.581
RX-7 Spirit R Type A (FD) '02: 1:07.700
R34 GT-R V-Spec II Nur '02: 1:06.864
Lancer Evo.IV GSR '96: 1:08.481
Supra RZ '97: 1:07.330



So, there we are. The R34 Skyline GT-R, launched from 1999 to 2002 is without a shadow of a doubt, the best Japanese sports car to emerge from the early Heisei years and no matter the opinion, I placed my fate that this is the best Japanese sportscars to emerge from the early years of the Heisei era.

Next time, let's pit in the Japanese sportscars from the modern Heisei era.

Forza Motorsport 7: Indy Jaws

Having Indy hangovers, I went back to the racing capital of the world, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and drive cars that possess the same potential as IndyCars of today. From Chevrolet side, I summoned the Corvette Z06, and on Honda/Acura side, I summoned the NSX. Both these sportscars possess some motorsport pedigree it delivers and while these cars are a direct representation of the past and the present, well, that's what I'm here to find out.



I am already familiar with the Corvette C7 Z06 since me and the car first met with some untapped impressions that got me away with it. Although it's now a middle child of the range, its supercharged V8 engine is too much to ignore as well as C7.R-inspired aerodynamics, making it a race car built for the road and track, a best for both worlds. True to my experience, the Corvette C7 Z06 is the kind of car you won't get out until you're fully satisfied with its performance but even if you're happy with it, you still want to keep driving with this Corvette for more.



As a representation of today's world, the NSX hybrid supercar is a very clever masterpiece that shouldn't be overlooked upon. Although it's not as fast as its Euro rivals but such performance and intelligence really made this hybrid worth enjoyable to drive non-stop and while this is all's fair in love and war, the NSX is all about shuffling drivers with its own whim of stroke. Like the original, the NSX really is the king of Hondas, leaving the Civic Type R its own prince and such hierarchy is what made Honda a favorite among speedo boys worldwide.





Chevrolet and Honda have always been longtime rivals in the world of IndyCar, the two opposite sides of the same coin, a little reminiscent of the time the Japanese blown Pearl Harbor and start the war and ended with the Americans dropped a big bomb to Hiroshima. With its road-going equivalents deployed, the American-Japanese rivalry rages on the track and like all good IndyCar drivers, it's not just about impressing their bosses after the race, it's about how good a Chevy or Honda-powered one can do and for the Corvette and the NSX, we're now on a different kind of ballgame.

Ball game aside, it's time to see with the help of these road-going equivalents, it's time to see how the rivalry between Chevrolet and Honda payed off with a quick lap round the GP portion of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Time to show the world how these cars can do and which one packs the hardest bite out of their Indy jaws.



With their laps done, it's time to see the results...

C7 Z06 - 1:35.064
NSX NC1 - 1:35.831

By such result, seems that the gap between the past and the present are a .8 of a second apart and because this is an American motorsport, Chevrolet packs the biggest bite than Honda. Homegrown advantage, huh? I'm not surprised by this. I mean come on, this new NSX is made in the USA but in the end, the American has beaten the Asian-American by such margin. Man, I'm going to be in a lot of trouble for this.




The Corvette and the NSX are representatives of longtime rivals in the world of IndyCar and no matter the result, this different kind of American-Japanese war will go on and with a plethora of world-class drivers in store, choosing the side between the Americans and the Japanese is all about playing Game of the Generals.

Of course, I still had my Indy hangovers after this run but like all good heroes and icons, I'll be back and looks like I'll be bringing my snacks for the biggest race ever to happened in the final week of this month. Are you excited for Indy 500? Me too.