My FH5 Log: The first Porsche

The Porsche saga began 75 years ago with the 356, the first Porsche car ever made. Penned by Ferdinand Porsche and running on Volkswagen mechanicals, inheriting its rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout from the original Beetle, the 365 is the genesis of Porsche that inspired its iconic successor, the 911.

Here in Forza Horizon 5, there are two decent 356 vehicles that are untouched by human hands and kept as if they had emerged from The Book of Genesis. Let's get to know about the two sides of the Porsche legend.

Let's begin with the 356 SL, a racing version of the 356, and the one that I've won from the Forza Horizon 5 Dia de Muertos Hot Season Playlist.

The 356 SL Gmund Coupe is no doubt the first racing Porsche in history and the first to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1951, class victory of course. The story of the first racing Porsche began when Ferdinand Porsche met the Le Mans organizers at the 1950 Paris Motor Show and they invited him to take part in the 1951 race. Rather than using steel from the production versions, they've used some aluminum for their racing 356 machines. It placed 19th overall and won the class for 1.1L vehicles.

Now, let's get to know the 356A, the genesis of Porsche redefined. Introduced in late 1955, the 356 A is a minor change from the original 356 with earlier models designated as Type 1 while the 1957 models and beyond were designated as Type 2. The 356 A was offered with a four-cam Carrera engine only available on spyder race cars. Engine ranges vary from 1300 1.3L Type 506 engine up to the 1600 1.6L Type 616 engine with dual downdraft Zenith carburetors, producing 59hp of power and 110Nm of torque.

Let's give these two 356 machines a quick lap around the Bahía De Plano just to see if they're still the stuff of legends that gave rise to the Porsche empire. Let's watch.

...and now the results...

356 A - 1m26.420s

#46 356 SL - 1m26.904s

What a close result. The gap between the two is nearly half a second apart but it's fun driving these two ancient marvels that made Porsche great.

Without the 356, there would be no 911 and Porsche would cease to exist as one of the greatest sports car makers emerged from the ashes of the Second World War. This is why the 356 is the genesis of Porsche worth knowing about and if you're asking what is the first Porsche ever made, you're looking at it.

Be it on the road or on the track, the legend of the Porsche 356 will never die. Here's to 75 more years of Porsche!

My GT7 Log: Perfection is never the start

In the Gran Turismo movie, Jann was given the chance to drive the 992-spec Porsche 911 GT3 RS around the Nurburgring Nordschleife to relieve himself from the trauma he experienced following his on-track tragedy that nearly cost his life. With the Porsche 911 GT3 RS (992) arrived in Gran Turismo 7, players got their shot at mindfulness by driving the Porsche that popped up in the Gran Turismo movie.

Fresh from Jann Mardenborough's healing drive at the Gran Turismo movie, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS (992) made its way on Gran Turismo 7. This extreme track toy from Stuttgart is the only stress reliever Gran Turismo fanatics are looking forward to driving in the game.

The 992-spec Porsche 911 GT3 RS is the extreme track toy version of the said car that uses most of the 911 GT3 R racing machine's knowhow to create a road-legal track weapon capable of lapping the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 6:44.85, slightly faster than the most extreme Lamborghini Aventador ever made, the SVJ.

With styling identical to the normal 992 911 GT3, the GT3 RS features front aero bars and air outlets at the front and rear fenders as well as the front adjustable active diffuser and the main highlight of this car; the swan neck mounted rear wing, the largest ever on a production Porsche, with F1-style Drag Reduction System that allows it to be positioned flat at the touch of the button. The frunk of the 911 GT3 RS was heavily occupied with the centrally-positioned single radiator inspired from its racing equivalents

The naturally aspirated 4.0L flat-six engine that powers it saw a 15PS power hike compared to the normal 911 GT3, resulting in a 525PS power output and 465Nm of torque output. Mated exclusively to a 7-speed PDK, it has a 0-100kph time of 3.2 seconds, .2 seconds less than the normal GT3, and flat out in 296km/h, 22km/h slower than the normal GT3. Thanks to its extensive carbon fiber usage, courtesy of the Weissach Package, the 911 GT3 RS weighs 1,450 kg.

Being the first Porsche with an F1-inspired Drag Reduction System, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS (992) transforms from a track toy into an extreme track toy at the push of a button, pushing the limits of what a 911 can do on the track. At enough speeds, you can engage the DRS by holding the right analog stick and you can really push the GT3 RS further at straight-line speeds. Essential if you're going to overtake opponents at such speeds.

From its unheard levels of grip, aerodynamics, and classic 911-ism, this is the true driver's car that deserves no substitutes.

Because I'm heavily impressed with the 911 GT3 RS's DRS feature, I was going to attempt breaking the real-world Nurburgring Nordschleife lap record with this car but at my rate, feels like I can't do it. Instead, I was forced to try the Tourist segment of the Nurburgring Nordschleife, the segment for those who want to challenge the Nordschleife but don't have the skills to beat the real-world lap times. Still, this is the ideal healing drive for me to ease myself from the stresses of life, just like what Jann Mardenborough did in the movie. Anyway, let's roll the tape.

Feeling better now? I sure am after a long drive with this street-legal track-focused Porsche.

The Porsche 911 GT3 RS (992) is the definitive meaning of an extreme track toy that is built not just for the track but for the road as well. At the age of the new normal, this is definitely the last Porsche you'll ever want to drive for eternity, almost. You'll be thankful that you got your hands on a nearly definitive 911 that feels at home on the track and because it got featured in a Gran Turismo movie, you'll feel better with it.

Perfection is never the start. But always the goal.

My FH5 Log - The 911: Then and Now

It's 9-11 day in Porsche land and what better way to...you know what that is...than driving the most iconic Porsche ever made, the 911.

60 years of the Porsche 911, from the first one launched in 1963 to the current 992-spec model, the recipe that dates back to the first Porsche ever made, the 356, remains the same. Rear-engined rear-wheel-drive, unique styling, spartan driving manners, trademark stability, and overall Porsche-ism; these what made the Porsche 911 a European superpower in its own right. Influentially enjoyable as they say.

How much did the Porsche 911 evolve from the first one to the current 992 model, you may ask?

Traversing through the roads of Copper Canyon, the original model 911 Carrera RS and the 992-spec 911 Carrera S are locked and loaded for a sprint run just to find out how far the Porsche 911 evolved and progressed. 

Before we begin, let's get to know about these cars. The Urmodell Porsche 911 Carrera RS is by no means the hardcore version of the first 911. A GT3 RS before the GT3 RS existed many years later. Powering the most hardcore 911 at the beginning of time is a 2.7L engine producing 210PS of power output and 255Nm of torque. Mated to a 5-speed gearbox, it does 0-100kph in 6.3 seconds and has a top speed of 240kph.

The 992-spec Porsche 911 Carrera S is powered by an upgraded version of its flat-six turbo engine that produces 30PS more than the previous model, resulting in 450PS of power output, and when mated to a newly improved 8-speed PDK, the rear-wheel drive 911 Carrera S is capable of a 0-100kph time of 3.7 seconds with the 4S an inch of a second faster but the added Sport Chrono package makes them 0.2 seconds faster.

Now that we know about these two, it's time to witness the progress the Porsche 911 has gone through then and now. Let's roll the tape.

And now the results...

911 Carrera RS (Urmodell) - 3m02.983s

911 Carrera S (992) - 2m26.280s

Less than 37 seconds, I presume, for the Porsche 911 to evolve from the Urmodell to the 992. Guess the theory of evolution got itself a time skip after all but hey, this is progress - the Porsche way.

The Porsche 911 truly is one of the all-time greats and as the times change, this German masterpiece is here to stay, whatever it takes. A German superpower, the 911 proved its worth on the road and on the track for six decades and we can expect great things to come from this rear-engined powerhouse.

As the world celebrates Porsche's 75th anniversary, rest assured that the 911 will always be the best Porsche in history but the question is, which 911 is the best in Porsche history? It's debatable but anyway...

Here's to 60 more years of the 911 and to 75 more years of Porsche!

My FH5 Log: "Mission: Future Sportscar"

So this is what Porsche's "Mission: Future Sportscar" tagline is all about; an electric racing machine that previews Porsche's fully electric sports car coming soon.

Of course, Porsche braced electrification with the launch of the Taycan fully-electric luxury sports sedan but that's just the start of the "Mission: Future Sportscar" project because as the world enters the new normal, Porsche joins the electrification bandwagon by promising new and exciting electrified sports cars in the foreseeable future. One such example is this;

This is the Porsche Mission R concept that I won from the Forza Horizon 5 High Performance Hot Season Playlist. Now that I got one, it's time to have a quick dive into Porsche's electric racer.

The Porsche Mission R showcases the future of Porsche's motorsport in the era of electrification. The electric powertrain with an 82kWh battery pack and 900-volt technology can be configured with two driving modes; qualifying mode and race mode. In qualifying mode, the power output is 1,088PS, while in race mode, the power output is dropped to 680PS. Whichever mode is on, the Mission R delivers performance on par with the 911 GT3 Cup and because it weighs 1,500kg thanks to its natural fiber bodywork it uses, it's capable of a 0-100kph time of two-and-a-half seconds. Apart from the performance, the Mission R features Michelin slick tires, front double wishbones, rear MacPherson struts, ball-jointed control arms, front six-piston calipers, rear four-piston calipers, and brake-by-wire system, among many others.

The Mission R featured in FH5 is set to 680PS race mode but you can set it to the highest power output in the game's upgrade shop. Of course, this is more than what the qualifying mode offered and enough to make some speed records with such a setup. That's "high performance" for you. Enough to give you a high kick everywhere all at once.

I really wish I want to try such a thing but let's tone it down to Race Mode for a while because it's time to give the Mission R a dry run at the oval track in the stadium, just to experience the power of the electrified performance this future sports car can do. Let's roll the tape.

Not what I was expecting but mission accomplished for the Mission R.

The Mission R Concept really explained a lot about Porsche's "Mission: Future Sportscar" tagline and with the entire community celebrating Porsche's 75th anniversary, consider this part of the celebration. With such performance and thrills, this could be the prelude to what an electrified Porsche sports car would be, but in the meantime, let's bask in the glory of the Mission R's electrified performance and prepare ourselves for Porsche's electrified future.

This is not the end. This is only the beginning...

My FH5 Log: Whale Warrior

As the world of Forza honors the 75th anniversary of Porsche, an extreme track machine with the legendary name made the rounds for those who achieved 20 points in Forza Horizon 5's High Performance Storm Season Playlist.

Yes, this is the Porsche 935, the reborn version of the iconic Le Mans racing machine that took part in the 1978 Silverstone 6 Hours and won. So, what's it all about the revived 935? Cue the Unanswered Questions music, we're going in.

The reborn 935 is essentially a track-only version of the 991-spec Porsche 911 GT2 RS, although there is already a track-only version of the said car, the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport. However, this is the extreme version of Porsche's Nurburgring beater, and because it isn't homologated, the modern 935 is all about pushing itself to the very limit on the track. It made its world premiere at the 2019 Rennsport Reunion VI at Laguna Seca.

Donning its iconic design, the 935 is bigger than the 911 GT2 RS it was based on, but despite its neo-classic exterior design, it still runs on the same 3.8L twin-turbo flat-six engine from the said car, meaning it produces 700hp of power while mated to a 7-speed PDK. It also packs similar features such as LSD, electromechanical steering with variable ratio, front McPherson struts, and rear multi-link setup. Unlike the 911 GT2 RS, the 935 uses three-way adjustable racing dampers as well as front six-piston aluminum monobloc brake calipers and rear four-piston aluminum monobloc brake calipers.

Production is limited to 77 units, each costing 701,948 euros plus additional costs.

Although this is basically the 991 911 GT2 RS underneath, the reborn 935 puts it in a completely different league. With its iconic looks, race-focused performance and dynamics, and overall Porsche-ism, the Porsche is all about being unique and spartan to the fullest degree and I totally agree with what Porsche did to this reborn legend.

Speaking of which, it's time to put the reborn 935 to the max by battling against a pack of highly-skilled drivers in the newly-opened Horizon Oval Circuit in the stadium. Brace yourselves because it's going to be fast and furious. Roll the tape.

Not perfect but mission accomplished.

The track-only revival of the legendary Porsche 935 showcases how much progress the iconic German sports car maker has pushed for over seven decades. By celebrating the past and bracing for the future, this car is Porsche at its summit and that really is the bottom line.

Enjoy your new ride.

My FH5 Log: An ancient Porsche

The Forza Horizon 5 Rami's Racing History update is here and this latest series update celebrates the past, present, and future of motoring in Mexico with each season highlighting the motoring decade. The Wet Season highlights pre-70s motoring and the prize car in question is something your parents and grandparents would love; the ancient Porsche 550A Spyder.

With the prize car in question obtained, it's time to have a hardline with this ancient Porsche from a very long time ago. The Porsche 550 is well-known to have a Giant Killer image following its trumped-up performance that trumped the fat cats on the road and track and this Spyder model, the 550A, follows the same recipe.

Like the normal 550, the Spyder is powered by an air-cooled 1.5L flat-four engine that produces 109HP of power and 95ft-lb of torque. Unlike the normal 550, which uses a ladder chassis, the Spyder uses a space frame, which cuts its weight by about 95 pounds and increased rigidity.

The 550A's noteworthy accomplishments include a class win in the 1957 Mille Miglia and a victory in the 1957 Targa Florio.

A well-known fact is that James Dean drove this car to his death.

Now that we quickly learned about the 550A Spyder, it's time for me to give this ancient Porsche an unforgettable drive worthy of its racing pedigree with a rather bumpy twist. Good luck surviving this one!

Battered and bent but it managed to survive and win the race.

Enjoy your new ride!

My FH5 Log: Stuttgart Classics (PART 4)

The final classic Porsche prize car in the FH5 Series 10 update is one of my favorites. It's the Singer 911 DLS that I've obtained from the Hot Season Playlist and it's good to have this restomodded 964-spec 911 back in the fray because the modern touch on the classic 911 made me fall in love with it, not to mention the Williams connection in it. Anyway, what's it all about the Singer 911 DLS?

The California-based Singer Group Inc. is known for restoring and reimagining 964-spec Porsche 911 vehicles since 2009. Following the success of their first Singer 911, the Classic study, the 911 Dynamics & Lightweight Study was born, evolving the iconic Porsche DNA with Formula 1 know-how. Pursuing the vision of the most advanced air-cooled 911 in the world, the Singer 911 DLS features reworked bodywork courtesy of its updated aerodynamics and extensive use of carbon fiber. In collaboration with Williams, the 4.0L air-cooled flat-six engine was pushed to 500hp of power while mated to a 6-speed Hewland gearbox.

The DLS is part of the Singer 911's 75-unit limited production run along with the Classic Study and it's priced at over 1.8 million US Dollars.

Since this is my favorite restomodded Porsche in the Series 10 prize cars, this calls for something special. Something that should have been done a long time ago back in my UK adventure in the previous installment, if you know what I mean.

See what I did to this million-dollar 911 DLS? I call this the Eve commission because it was named after the idol character from a certain idol girl anime show I loved and missed. This commission fits perfectly with the timeless design of the Singer 911 DLS and it's about as fancy as a sleepover in Hotel Del Luna. Get it?

Anyway, with the idol girl design set and with massive upgrades underneath done, my Singer 911 DLS Eve commission and I are off to the Hot Wheels Park and set off for a wild ride. It wasn't an easy drive due to its 20th-century mechs underneath despite being a restomod, but it sure is a thrilling feat to attempt. Roll the tape.

It ain't a pretty drive but we survived.

I hope you've enjoyed all four classic Porsches you've obtained from Series 10. From the 917/20 race car to the Singer-reimagined 911, such timeless designs will never be forgotten and this is how Porsche rolls, speedo boys.

Have fun!

My FH5 Log: Stuttgart Classics (PART 3)

The next Porsche prize car in FH5 Series 10 update is another resto-mod and this time, it's the Emory Special 356 that can be won from the Dry Season Playlist. With this resto-modded 356 under my disposal, it's time for a quick dive with the bespoke masterpiece.

The Emory Special is a bespoke 356 made to cater to every customer's desires with Rod Emory's eye for detailing. Because no two Emory Special are the same, the bespoke Special benefits from all of Emory Motorsports' restoration standards with some modifications that will set other clients apart. Every Emory Special is equipped with the Emory-Rothsport Outlaw 4-cylinder engine, which is based on the 3.6L dry-sump engine architecture from the Type 964 but displaces from 2.4 to 2.6-liters, depending on the specific configuration.

With the intro done, it's time to take the Emory Special to the skies and tackle through the Hot Wheels tracks while the competition's making an impression out of it. Ready? Let's roll the tape.

The Emory Special made a lasting impression on the Hot Wheels tracks. Not bad for a bespoke artwork.

Enjoy your new ride!

My FH5 Log: Stuttgart Classics (PART 2)

The second of the four classic Porsche machines that invaded Forza Horizon 5's Series 10 update is the Gunther Werks' 400R, a resto-modded 993 911 Carrera that pleases purists in a way never before experienced.

With only 25 examples made, this modern-day reboot of the 993-spec Porsche 911 Carerra features lightweight materials used on its body, especially carbon fiber, bespoke LED headlights, a revised 4.0L flat-six NA engine producing over 400 horsepower, and a revised Getrag 6-speed manual gearbox. Because it weighs 2677lbs, this car has a power-to-weight ratio of 6.2lbs/hp.

Having familiarized with the Gunther Werks 400R, it's time to take it to the skies and give this resto-modded 993 a real good time by driving through Hot Wheels' most perilous tracks while racing against fast cars. Let's get it!

The thrill of driving a resto-modded 993 at the great racetrack in the sky.

Enjoy your new ride!

My FH5 Log: Stuttgart Classics (PART 1)

Amid the Extreme E collaboration, the Forza Horizon 5 Series 10 update features four classic Porsches up for grabs. One of them is the #23 Porsche 917/20 that I won from this series' wet season playlist.

Donning the unique "pink pig" livery, the 917/20 uses the teachings of its Le Mans-winning predecessor while complying with Group 6 specifications. Although it qualified in 7th place, brake failures ruined its first-and-only race appearance. It is currently on display at the Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen Museum.

Since I got a pass for my Hot Wheels experience, how about taking the ancient 917/20 on the perilous turns of the Hot Wheels park for a change? This should be fun, I can tell. With that, let's roll the tape.

When pigs fly as some say...

Enjoy your new ride!

MY FH5 Log: The best 911 is personal

The 911 GT3 is by no means the greatest 911 variant ever made because of its spartan driving manners that rocked speedo boys everywhere. On the road and on the track, the GT3 is proof that Porsche is serious about creating a sportscar that can upset supercars by all means.

At long last, the 992 version of the 911 GT3 has arrived in Forza Horizon 5. Those who got it from the Series 8 Storm Playlist had the chance to experience what is known to be the 911 GT3 that reached its peak in the midst of the new normal.

So, what's it all about the 992 911 GT3, you may ask?

The 992 911 GT3 is a real, no-nonsense sports car with real, no-nonsense performance drivers who get hooked for more. Race-inspired aerodynamics aside, the 911 GT3 is powered by a 4.0L flat-6 engine that produces 510PS of power and 470Nm of torque while mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed PDK, which lets the GT3 accelerate from 0-100kph in 3.4 seconds, which is slightly quicker than the previous model. With such improvements, the new model lapped the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 6:59.927 minutes, which is an improvement from the previous GT3.

The 992 911 GT3 is the peak GT3 at its prime, although not exactly in its prime yet, and it still delivers the spartan driving manners its predecessors possessed. Blow by blow, the GT3 loves trading punches and kicks like a brawler on the fancy city streets. When provoked too much, it is guaranteed to leave a bruise on the competition and send them flying away. Even if it tries to apologize, the competition won't accept its apology. It hurts badly but this is the way the GT3 rolls. It's athletic, rowdy, and down-to-earth mild in every way. This is the one speedo boys can't get enough of.

I'm very happy to see the 992 911 GT3 arrived in Forza and because of my heightened satisfaction towards the ideal 911 variant speedo boys want, I had a little proposition for the Street Porsche Fighter, pun intended. Before that...

My favorite Street Porsche Fighter has the haute couture treatment it deserves. Get it? Haute Couture. Arguably the best fashion term in the world. You should thank a certain character who befriended a haute couture creature and performed on stage using the creature's costume power. Anyway, with its haute couture look set...

...the 911 GT3 is ready for a street race against the boys in the hood. Trust them on this. This is a Porsche and it's born to do this, says a certain racing game franchise I do not name but this is all in the name of righteous indignation. Send in the tape.

Talk about a late surge in the end! This is what they called in the world of fighting games a "great" finish. Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat in the end.

The 911 GT3 is the greatest 911 variant ever made because of its spartan driving manners that rocked speedo boys everywhere. With the 992 version, this is the greatest GT3 ever made because of its race-inspired aerodynamics, performance, and the naturally-aspirated 4.0L flat-six engine that begs to be revved. Enjoy this sound while you can, boys because, in this age of new normal, it's going to be a relic of the past like the AMG V12s and the V10s of the golden years.

The best 911 is personal.