My FH5 Log: Bottom-dollar Papayas

Racing is McLaren's religion. Every racing disciple from Le Mans to Formula 1 is part of McLaren's daily routine. So are the supercars that made them. When McLaren created cars like the comfort-oriented McLaren GT and the V6 PHEV powerhouse Artura, how did these cars affect McLaren's reputation?

Well, that's for me to find out. These bottom-dollar papayas from the McLaren fleet may not be as well-known as its greatest hits, like the 720S and the Senna, but when it comes to performance, they are in a class of their own.

The McLaren GT is a serious super grand tourer that's all about refinement on the road. It's separate from every other McLaren supercar because it uses its own monocoque body structure developed specifically for this car. It's also a hundred kilograms lighter than its closest rival and can accommodate up to 570 liters of boot space. Under the hood, the McLaren GT uses a specially-made 4.0L V8 Twin Turbo engine producing 620PS of power and 630Nm of torque. Mated to a 7-speed SSG transmission, it can do 0-60mph in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 203mph.

The McLaren Artura is the company's first V6-powered PHEV supercar. It 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.

To see which of the bottom-dollar papayas was the superior one, I went to the main festival site to conduct this unnecessary experiment. Let's roll the tape!

And here are the results...

McLaren GT - 1m12.973s

Artura - 1m09.620s

The Artura is better than the McLaren GT. While the McLaren GT's comfort-oriented dynamics are out of character on the track, the Artura still packs McLaren's racing DNA even in its unorthodox powertrain. It's no wonder the Artura was chosen for GT4 Class duty.

McLaren's GT and Artura are considered "bottom-dollar Papayas" in the McLaren fleet. However, both cars performed well on the track, showcasing their potential to be part of the fleet.

Well, now that my quick log about the two unsung papayas is over, it's time for my little aftershow where the McLaren GT and the Artura are taking centerstage and with that, it's off to the dressing room floor!

Miss Amane Sumeragi, you're off to the Secret Garden! It looks like my McLaren GT is ready for its Eternal Revue.

Rinrin Shinomiya is a member of AISMIRIN and Quartet STAR, and her specialty is data analysis. Since driving the Artura can be as much fun as wrestling a brown bear, I've brought her in to analyze the data from my test drive. If her data is accurate, we're in for a long run. Wow, looks like I've completed the Quartet STAR design collection. Why not take a look at them sometime?

Donning their respective roles that match their dynamics, the two McLarens are ready to tackle two EventLab masterpieces. The McLaren GT takes on another re-enactment of a certain racetrack from a certain racing game while the Artura takes on an EventLab re-enactment of the Road Course segment of Mobility Resort Motegi. Take it from Rinrin, she has studied these EventLab creations completely, and looks like we're good to go. VTR, start!

Eternal Revue or Bear Bear Bear? Amane or Rinrin? Which one will you go for?

The McLaren GT and the Artura are already worthy of respect, but recent updates will make them even more praiseworthy. These updates will enhance their performance and handling, making them even more fun to drive.

Looking forward to more from these "bottom-dollar" papayas.

My FH5 Log: EPISODE Z

Back in the Japanese Automotive update last year, I got my hands on the Nissan Fairlady Z RZ34 and I said that the added power from its turbocharged engine and Z-centric bits made the RZ34 the ultimate Fairlady Z ever made despite the electric power steering drama that caused some understeer at the bends.

Of course, the year 2023 introduced us to a power-packed Fairlady Z NISMO which has 20 more power than the base RZ34 Fairlady Z. Now that it's here as the hero of the Horizon Holidays Mix-up update, which is littered with four old clunkers I'm not interested with, let's get to know about the NISMO version of the RZ34, having obtained it from Week 1's seasonal championship.

The RZ34 Fairlady Z NISMO transforms the familiar RZ34 into the ultimate road-legal track vehicle, closely resembling racing machines such as the Super GT racing car and the Formula Drift car made famous by Chris Forsberg.

While it looks and feels similar to the standard RZ34 Fairlady Z, the NISMO version features exclusive aerodynamic upgrades and custom-made RAYS 19-inch forged aluminum wheels. Inside, it boasts RECARO sports seats, an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, a specially designed instrument panel, and a drive mode selector, all of which set the Z NISMO apart from the regular Z.

Its 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo engine has been enhanced to deliver an additional 20PS of power, bringing the total to 420PS. This makes it the most powerful Z-car ever produced. However, this added power has a downside—it is paired exclusively with a revised 9-speed automatic transmission featuring paddle shifters, which may disappoint driving enthusiasts, even when set to SPORT+ mode. Fuel economy is approximately 9.2 km/L based on WLTC Mode standards.

The Nissan Fairlady Z RZ34 NISMO is a powerful car that makes the base RZ34 Fairlady Z feel like a walk in the park. With a 9-speed automatic transmission, 420PS, a 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo engine, and NISMO credentials, this car is a dream. Speaking of which...

Let's find out if 20PS more power means better for the Fairlady Z RZ34 NISMO as it battles against its basic version around the Winter Wonderland Circuit, which is one of the returning highlights of the Horizon Holidays Mix-up update. Let's roll the tape.

Here are the results...

Z - 1m10.454s

Z NISMO - 1:07.084s

A near-3 second gap between them. Guess more power is better in NISMO's case. Well done.

When the RZ34 Fairlady Z was launched in 2022, it was celebrated as the most powerful Fairlady Z ever created. However, the introduction of the NISMO variant changed that narrative. This truly is the ultimate Z car ever made, and given the way things are evolving, it might be one of the last cars you drive in your lifetime. Add it to your bucket list!

Although this is the end of the discussion, the Z NISMO tells me it's preparing for its little show. What could it be? Since this is our hero car of the Horizon Holidays Mix-up update, which is cramped with four old cars, looks like it wants to battle against the quartet of clunkers.

Anyway, watch for it, and in the meantime, enjoy your new Z.

My FH5 Log: The M Class

 No, it's not Mercedes-Benz's M Class, it's BMW's M Class. Since its inclusion in the Superrace Championship in the 2018 season, the M Class is the world's first and only race series for owners of BMW M cars that are rear-wheel-drive and powered by a 3.0L turbocharged straight-six engine as said in the rulebook.

Because of the M Class rules, the M4, the M3, and the M2 are the M cars eligible for this race series, but judging by the participants, the M4 Coupe became the king of the hill in Superrace's M Class races.

Now in their G-body forms, the current-generation models are showing us what they're capable of, apart from the fact that they're the last-ever rear-wheel-drive M cars.

The G80 M3 marks the third generation of BMW's four-door M3, following the E90 and F80 models. It features the controversial vertical kidney grille on the front, which has stirred considerable debate in the automotive community. Despite its divisive design, the G80 M3 is equipped with a powerful 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine. This engine can be paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed automatic gearbox, especially in the more powerful Competition variant, which delivers 510 PS and 650 Nm of torque. It boasts a 0-100 km/h time of just 3.9 seconds. Additionally, the G80 M3 comes with an upgraded suspension and chassis setup, making it wider, lower, more rigid, and overall more enjoyable to drive than its predecessor.

The G82 M4, similar to its four-door counterpart, the G80 M3, features the controversial vertical kidney grille at the front, which has sparked significant debate among car enthusiasts. Despite its polarizing design, the G82 M4 is equipped with a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine. This engine can be paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic gearbox, particularly in the more powerful Competition variant that delivers 510 PS of power and 650 Nm of torque, achieving a 0-100 kph time of just 3.9 seconds. Additionally, the G82 M4 boasts an upgraded suspension and chassis setup, making it wider, lower, more rigid, and ultimately more enjoyable to drive compared to its predecessor.

The M2 G87, based on the G42 2-Series Coupe, features a distinctly different front design that sets it apart from the standard 2-Series Coupe. Under the hood, the M2 G82 is equipped with the same S58 3.0L turbocharged six-cylinder engine found in the M4 G82; however, it has been detuned to deliver 460 PS of power and 550 Nm of torque, making it more powerful than the previous M2 F87 Competition model. 

The M2 can be paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission with Drivelogic. With this setup, it can accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in just 4.1 seconds and achieve a top speed of up to 285 kph, thanks to the optional M Driver's Package—5 kph faster than the previous M2. Additionally, it is equipped with features such as the Active M Differential at the rear axle, Dynamic Stability Control, M Drive Professional with M Traction Control System, Adaptive M suspension, and other advanced dynamic technologies.

With the trio of G-body RWD M cars gathered at the festival site, let's find out which of today's M Class heroes is the king. Let's roll the tape.

And now, the results...

M3 G80 - 1m18.111s

M4 G82 - 1m17.911s

M2 G87 - 1m18.862s

It's a close result but the M4 is pure alpha of the RWD M Class cars. No wonder 9 out of 10 M Class participants go for the M4 Coupe.

The G-body RWD BMW M cars are unfortunately the last of their kind, as they are the final models to offer manual gearboxes and rear-wheel drive. While the M3 G80 and M4 G82 still have manual gearbox options and RWD, the M2 G87 is only available with RWD and offers a manual gearbox as well. However, with BMW's imminent transition to the Neue Klasse era, it's clear that these options will soon be gone, just as Audi did when it discontinued the A5 coupe range, the TT, and the R8. It's a harsh reality, but this reflects the grim situation of the "new normal" we are facing.

At this point, I'm preparing a little something for our BMW M Class friends but since Lemon has my M4 G82, she decided to decline my invitation so our little tribute show will be done by my M3 G80 and the M2 G87.

I know the M3 G80's front face looks awful but with the "Pop Step Getchu" spirit of PriPara idol Mirei Minami written all over it, I know she will cheer us up, pri!

My M2 G87 meanwhile dons the role of Liella newcomer from Love Live! Superstar!!, Tomari Onitsuka. Trust her, she's got more common sense than her big sister, Natsumi, but be warned. Because of her jellyfish insignia, she will sting your hearts out. Ouch.

With their roles assigned, my M3 G80 and the M2 G87 are ready to take on some of the coolest EventLab creations with the M3 taking on an original EventLab masterpiece while the M2 taking on what's presumably an EventLab re-enactment of the Hong Kong track from GT4. Roll the tapes.

Who performed better? Mirei or Tomari?

What will the fate of the BMW M division be as it moves into the Neue Klasse era? One certainty is that BMW will stop producing two-door coupes, similar to Audi's decision. If that happens, BMW will lack a competitive vehicle for GT3-class races, DTM, IMSA, and other motorsport disciplines. It's a tough reality, but this is the "new normal" we face.

Regardless, I appreciate that BMW has continued to make rear-wheel-drive M cars until the not-too-distant future. While this era may not last forever, they have created a lasting legacy for the M division.

Danke, M.

My FM Log: Bowties Are Cool

Update 14 in Forza Motorsport (Xbox Series X|S) showcased two heavy-hitting bowties for grabs; a #77 Beretta Trans Am and the Hennessey Exorcist. Now that I got my hands on these two, let's have a word with them.

Let's begin with the #77 Beretta Trans Am that I won from the American Thunder Tour until the December 25, 2024 deadline.

The #77 Beretta Trans Am was a race car used in the SCCA Trans Am Championship during the 1988 racing season. It was one of the notable entries of that period, driven by Scott Pruett for the Roush Racing team.

Built on a modified Beretta production car chassis, it was powered by a 4.5L V6 engine producing 515HP of power, crucial for the high-speed nature of Trans Am racing. It even featured custom body modifications for improved aerodynamics, including a large rear wing and other race-specific adjustments to improve downforce and handling.

While the #77 Beretta didn't dominate the series, it was a significant entry, with Scott Pruett consistently competing at a high level. The car's performance that year was notable for its reliability and speed, making it a strong contender in many races.

Now, let's get to know about the Hennessey Exorcist, a heavily-tuned Camaro that I won from this update's Open Class Tour until the December 11, 2024 deadline.

Using the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 as its foundation, Hennessey has transformed the ZL1 into a thousand-horsepower sleeper car known as the Demon Slayer.

At first glance, it appears to be a standard ZL1, with most interior and exterior features, including the steering and braking systems, remaining unchanged. However, Hennessey has significantly increased the ZL1's power by enhancing its supercharged 6.2L V8 engine, allowing it to produce an impressive 1,000 horsepower and 883lb-ft of torque. This makes it more powerful than the Challenger Demon and noticeably louder.

Now that I got to know more about these two bowties, let's take a quick drive around Lime Rock Park to prove their worth. Roll the tapes...

As some guy said, "bowties are cool." Do you agree? What do you think of the #77 Beretta Trans Am and the Hennessey Exorcist?

Enjoy your new rides!

My FH5 Log: Emira's Horizon Macabre

From cars like the Elan, the Elise, and the Exige, Lotus championed itself by creating sports cars that value dynamics over performance in the name of lightness.

In the age of the new normal, Lotus presented the greatest sports car ever made.

From Forza Horizon 5's Horizon Racing Car Pack comes the Lotus Emira, the last-ever pure ICE-powered Lotus sports car.

So, what's it all about the Emira?

The Lotus Emira is the last-ever pure ICE-powered Lotus sports car that replaces the trio of sports cars such as the Elise, the Exige, and the Evora. With styling inspired by the all-electric Evija, the Emira runs on Lotus' new Sports Car Architecture and comes with two chassis and suspension settings ranging from a comfort-oriented Tour setting and the preferable Sport setting from the optional Lotus Drivers Pack.

The First Edition, seen here, is powered by the same Toyota-sourced 3.5L V6 supercharged engine from the Exige but produces 400hp of power and 430Nm of torque while mated to either a 6-speed MT or AT with the latter capable of hitting 180mph of top speed. Aside from the V6 variant, the entry-level Emira Turbo variant is powered by the 2.0-liter in-line four-cylinder sourced from the Mercedes-AMG A45, packing up to 360hp of power.

As I stick with the Emira First Edition specifications, let's find out if the Emira is as good as one of its predecessors, the Exige, around the Emerald Circuit venue. There's the E to that, mind you. Anyway, let's roll the tape.

And now, the results...

Exige - 1m04.164s

Emira - 1m02.830s

Nearly one-and-a-half seconds apart between the Exige and the Emira. I guess Lotus was right about creating the culmination of its sports car lineage.

As the final Lotus sports car to operate solely on internal combustion, the Emira marks a significant moment, especially in today's era of electric vehicles. However, it represents the peak of Lotus' rich sports car heritage, which includes iconic models like the Elan, Elise, and Exige.

Well, I guess that's everything about the Lotus Emira but...the macabre's just begun as I prepared something special for the Emira's hard work in the festival. But first...

What do you think? The Emira's looking sharp in Ren Hazuki's attire...for sentimental reasons.

With Ren Hazuki as her special guest, today's Emira's Horizon Macabre proudly presents...an EventLab presentation by Papi Gamer7597. Hang on, is this what the roads of Mt. Aso look like? It doesn't look like the one from the Kaido Battle games but never mind. Let the macabre begin!

Ain't the Mt. Aso I'm familiar with but the Emira barely performed decently. Well done.

I am incredibly honored to drive the Lotus Emira in Forza Horizon 5. This car represents the pinnacle of Lotus' sports car lineage, and I truly respect its dynamics and performance, which are characteristic of a Lotus.

Thank you, Lotus.