Earlier this week, we showed you a whole new world of racing in Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels, the first, eagerly awaited expansion coming July 19 to Forza Horizon 5. Therefore, it’s only fitting that Series 9 celebrates the unique blend of fun and creativity that is distinctly Hot Wheels with new cars, events and cosmetics.
Forza Horizon 5 Series 9 will be available to download on Xbox, Windows and Steam from Tuesday, June 21. The Festival Playlist related rewards and content discussed in this blog are available to unlock from June 23 through July 20. Read on for all the details!
Game Fixes and Release Notes
Series 9 includes numerous changes to improve your Forza Horizon 5 experience. This includes a fix for an issue that prevented full 12-player Convoys from launching events, a fix for the darkened hood and bumper views that occurred when changing camera views, and a fix for Daily Challenges in the Festival Playlist that were either incompletable or suffered from progress loss after rebooting.
The next Forza Horizon 5 update prevents a Speed Zone exploit where boosted speeds were achievable by entering Photo Mode. We’ve also fixed an issue which caused the incorrect car class to be used in a race if players idled before entering the event.
The Accolade “It Just Works” now unlocks as expected once players have completed the Car Mastery skill tree on the 1963 Volkswagen Beetle. In addition, players will see their Creative Hub rank increase as intended.
For players with large car collections who wish to easily auction or remove duplicate cars from their garage, we’ve introduced a new filter option to the car select screen that when enabled, shows only the cars you own duplicates of.
In Series 9, the list of officially supported languages for subtitles in Forza Horizon 5 has been updated to include Danish, Greek, Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish and European Portuguese. We’re also expanding VO to include European Spanish, Italian and Korean.
For the full list of fixes and improvements coming in Series 9, check out our release notes. We continue to listen closely to your Forza Horizon 5 feedback as we introduce new fixes with each game update. Here’s where you can stay up to date on the issues we’re currently investigating.
Horizon Stories
Series 9 introduces the option to play Horizon Stories in co-op, supporting up to six players in total. In co-op play, the Convoy Leader is allowed to host any Horizon Story available to them. The highest score earned in the group is applied to all participants, so even if some players don’t achieve the objective, those who succeed will complete the mission for everyone.
Players who complete a Horizon Story in co-op will find that mission is already marked as completed once they unlock it in their playthrough.
Temporal Anti-Aliasing (TAA) for PC Players
For Series 9 we are adding a new graphics option called temporal anti-aliasing (TAA).
As an alternative to multi-sample anti-aliasing (MSAA), TAA reduces shimmering by blending multiple video frames and ensuring frame to frame differences are smoothed. Additional detail is captured, resulting in a softer image that works particularly well at lower resolutions.
Our TAA implementation in Forza Horizon 5 minimizes trails and ghosting as is typically seen with this technique. Players can also customize its final appearance using a sharpness control.
We think this is a great, new option for PC gamers, improving our tree foliage while ensuring a smoother, more stable gaming experience overall.
Festival Playlist
Starting with Series 9, a new Forza EV Monthly Rivals event will be open to drivers to set their best lap times. This new Forza EV Rivals complements the existing Monthly Rivals challenge. Every month, you’ll drive a different EV – simply set a clean lap time to score the available Festival Playlist points. We’ve also added a new dedicated EV class to EventLab.
Expand your Forza Horizon 5 garage and wardrobe with new Hot Wheels cars and cosmetics before you blast off to Horizon Hot Wheels Park. Below is a list of the new clothing and car horns available on the Festival Playlist over the coming weeks:
Clothing:
- Hot Wheels Hoodie
- Hot Wheels Cap
- Hot Wheels Tee
- Hot Wheels Sundress
- Hot Wheels Suit
- Hot Wheels Crew Socks
- White Bird Leather Boots
- Leaf Pattern Leather Boots
- Farid Rueda Lion Cap
- Farid Rueda Bear Cap
- Raúl Urias Horizon Cap
- Doodle Pattern Cap
Car Horns:
- Hot Wheels Flame
- Hot Wheels Guitar Stadium
- Hot Wheels Ice
- Hot Wheels Monster Truck
Next, we’ll dive into the new cars available to unlock in Series 9, including some returning Hot Wheels fan-favorites that you’ll be certain to recognize.
2018 Hot Wheels 2JetZ
Handcrafted by Luis Rodriguez, the 2JetZ would go on to be the first-ever winner of the Hot WheelsLegends Tour. The futuristic, yet retro styling of the car is a shining example of the creativity, originality and automotive spirit that makes Hot Wheels such a household name. In building the 2JetZ, Rodriguez was inspired by the record-breaking automobiles that raced the Bonneville Salt Flats, jet-powered aircraft, and a sketch from Hot Wheels designer Dwayne Vance. It’s fitted with a fully race-built 2JZ-GTE – the same motor as found in the Toyota Supra, with a custom Subaru STI six-speed converted into a transaxle and F1-style twin radiator cooling. It outputs an incredible 627 horsepower and weights 1,600 lbs. With a custom chrome moly tubular frame chassis and a molded aluminum skin, as well as custom aero tubing front suspension angled at 30-degrees, the 2JetZ easily establishes itself as a work of art, but the best part of the story is this: to achieve the exhaust's “afterburner” look, Rodriguez welded a vegetable steamer from his kitchen to the muffler. Sometimes one must make do with the tools at their disposal, and in this circumstance, the right decision was clearly made.
1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula-S
Mustang fans might not like to hear it, but the fastback with the name of a predatory fish was actually the first pony car to hit the market. While Ford had the last laugh, selling Mustangs as fast as they could make them, the Barracuda was unfairly overshadowed. But the second-generation Barracuda was a better pony car; its sleeker sheetmetal didn’t share any panels with lesser Valiants, and there were even more go-fast choices to be had in the enlarged engine compartment. In Formula S trim, the Barracuda barely swallowed a 383 Super Commando V8, one of Chrysler’s legendary “B” big-block motors, good for 338 tire-melting horsepower (although with enough credits the ‘Cuda will accept a 426 Hemi in the Upgrade Shop, so you can emulate the Super Stock 426 Barracuda drag racers). While details such as the menacing barracuda emblem on the rear panel and a characteristic split front grille make it one of the more interesting-looking pony cars ever made, it’s the fastback profile and Mopar muscle that distinguishes the Barracuda from the competition.
1970 Dodge Coronet Super Bee
With the Plymouth Road Runner selling well, Dodge requested the creation of a competitor from the Dodge styling office. One of the challenges was to create a separate identity for the car. At the time both Dodge and Plymouth were competing to become the Chrysler performance division, later to become SRT. Designers were tasked with defining the new low-priced muscle car. They held a contest and Harvey J. Winn was deemed the winner for his play on the “B” body designation and accompanying artwork. The Super Bee was born. Upon production, the Super Bee had its own nuanced appearance with larger rear wheel openings, a more dressed-up grill, and unique tail light configuration. Of course, it could be ordered with a Hemi, and of course it built a legendary history for every person that owned one. You see, the Super Bee belonged to the Scat Pack Group, a moniker that signified the best of Dodge’s power and performance. Owners could sign up to join this community at any Dodge dealership, but their car had to be capable of completing a standing-start quarter mile drag run in 14 seconds! If this challenge sounds like a breeze to you, then the Scat Pack Club would've been your ideal home.
1957 Hot Wheels Nash Metropolitan Custom
The classic American automobile. Sold from 1953 to 1961, the Austin-manufactured Nash Metropolitan was considered the everyday car of choice for so many, yet more recently it’s become a staple of the Hot Wheels world. Created by Greg Salzillo and Dave Ford, the Nash Metropolitan Custom rose above thousands of competitors and won the 2019 Hot Wheels Legend Tour. With an adorable two-tone paint and a chopped roof that matches its cutesy looks, this rat rod is capable of 350 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque delivered to the rear wheels thanks to a 5-liter naturally-aspirated V8 engine swap and a 3-speed transmission. Salzillo and Ford built the Nash Metropolitan Custom using a unique chassis that is fitted on a coil-over suspension while the wheel fitment gives the illusion of camber angle. The overall result is a car that looks innocent on the outside but can be a handful to control once behind-the-wheel, the ideal recipe for thrill seekers and the perfect candidate for a Hot Wheels badge of honor.
New Wheelspin Cars
Coinciding with those featured on the Festival Playlist, new Hot Wheels cars are coming to Forza Horizon 5’s Wheelspins as part of the Series 9 Update. In addition to those listed below, the 2018 Hot Wheels 2JetZ and 1957 Hot Wheels Nash Metropolitan Custom have been added to Wheelspins. Players can also unlock these cars in Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels by playing the campaign.
2012 Hot Wheels Rip Rod
Is it a buggy? It is a hot rod? It doesn’t matter what you call the Rip Rod because this diminutive Hot Wheels ride is ready to shake things up on any surface. This beast is equipped with a souped-up two-cylinder motor that makes better than 100 hp. While that might not seem like much, in this rod, it is more than enough to thrill (or spill depending on your skills behind the wheel). One look at the suspension tells you this tricked out custom is ready for any terrain. This is a super lightweight tube chassis pro-built machine and it’s all Hot Wheels. In short, the Rip Rod really rips.
1949 Hot Wheels Ford F-5 Dually Custom Hot Rod
Entered as a finalist in the 2018 Hot Wheels Legends Tour, the F-5 Dually Custom built by Mitch Allread transforms a commercial-grade, everyday truck into a truly unique rat rod! After five years of extensive work, which included pulling a chip-tuned 7.3-liter “Power Stroke” diesel engine from a 1999 Ford F-350 Super Duty and pairing it with the body of a 1949 Ford F-5, a truly one-of-a-kind custom monster was born. Weighing 4660 lbs., this is one of the coolest and fastest rat rods in the world! Capable of 450 horsepower, the turbocharged V8 and its five-speed transmission combine to produce a sheer 800 ft-lb of torque. On the outside, this rat rod retains the F-5's dual-rear-wheel configuration but removes the fenders to lower the truck’s stance, all while the cabin has been reduced to only the essentials with tube-and-leather seats, the dashboard basics and a large steering wheel – a constant reminder to the driver that there’s nothing else quite like this F-5 Dually Custom.
2005 Hot Wheels Ford Mustang
To celebrate 50 years of the iconic Ford pony car, Hot Wheels and specialty-builder Action Vehicle Engineering started with a 2005 Mustang and created this beautiful custom model. Featuring huge fender flares, the car’s oil-cooler lines are routed through the empty grill, and its dramatic (and adjustable) spoiler and rear diffuser all contribute to the look. The wheels are one-of-a-kind, built specially for this car. The purple and orange paint colors and carbon-fiber accents make this Mustang pop that much more. Ready for drifting duty or fit for tracking, this one-off build is as collectible as the 1:64 version it inspired.
Car Pass
Three exclusive cars arrive for Forza Horizon 5 Car Pass holders in Series 9 and will be released on a weekly cadence from June 23 through July 7. From that date, the Forza Horizon 5 Car Pass garage will be complete, and players will be able to redeem the full 42-car collection from the Car Pass menu at any Horizon Festival Outpost or Player House.
Below are the new Car Pass vehicles coming in Forza Horizon 5 Series 9 – and they’re all #NewToForza:
2021 Aston Martin DBX
Step inside and get behind the wheel of the fastest, most powerful, and best handling luxury SUV yet. The first car to be produced on Aston Martin’s new line in St Athan, Wales is arguably one of its most unique yet and worthy of being called a James Bond SUV. It features the design and materials expected of any car from the British manufacturer, while incorporating Mercedes-AMG's M177 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine capable of 542 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. That means it can achieve 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 181mph. Impressive numbers for a luxury SUV. In 2021, the DBX also became an official Formula One Medical Car, joining the Aston Martin Vantage in F1’s fleet of safety cars. Overall, the DBX is a confident SUV that makes a bold statement thanks to its near supercar-like performance and the looks of a high-end, premium sedan with luxurious finishes.
2020 Lexus RC F Track Edition
Imagine enhancing some of the world’s greatest sports cars with performance upgrades carefully chosen to match the desires of hardcore driving enthusiasts. That’s exactly what Lexus did with its limited run 2020 RC F Track Edition, fitting the kind of components that would typically be reserved for only the most exotic of automobiles while removing weight in the areas it counts most. The result is a car that’s further distinguished from its rivals, delivering fast, durable performance in a 472hp V8. Whoever sits behind the wheel gets to experience a series of upgrades that work together in harmony, with boosted acceleration speeds of 0-60mph in just 3.96 seconds and a top speed of 168mph. Lexus collaborated with its own race teams competing in the Super GT and IMSA series to create a car that could impress both on and off the track, and it’s fair to say the Japanese manufacturer delivered on its own promise.
2019 Nissan 370z Nismo
Beneath the signature-red engine cover of this 370z beats a specially tuned Nismo 3.7-liter V6 engine, capable of 350 horsepower at 7,400 rpm and a seriously impressive 276 lb-ft of torque. It also sounds great too, thanks to its free-flow dual exhaust combined with a H-pipe configuration to reduce back pressure and create responsive upper-end power for a truly unmatched redline rush. With the largest brakes ever seen in a 370Z – 14-inch four-piston front brakes and 13.8-inch two-piston rear brakes, as well as stiff, fine-tuned competition springs and special body dampers that provide reinforcement to the chassis, the 370z is race-ready. Whether you’re bringing it to the track or cruising along some of the world’s greatest driving roads, the Nismo-tuned 370z ensures you’re in for a good time. All within the bodywork of a truly iconic design, now infused with a racetrack born heritage that proves itself further than ever before.
The Forza Horizon 5 Car Pass can be purchased separately, and is included in the Deluxe Edition, Premium Edition and Premium Add-ons Bundle. Here’s where you can find the full list of Forza Horizon 5 Car Pass vehicles.
All players can continue to unlock new cars in Forza Horizon 5 through the weekly Festival Playlist. As always, we’ll share details about those reward opportunities in our monthly Series Update blogs.
What’s Next
Get ready to blast off to Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels and drive on the fastest, most extreme tracks ever in a Horizon game. Available July 19, the first expansion to Forza Horizon 5 invites you to the visually stunning, exhilarating new Horizon Hot Wheels Park in the clouds high above Mexico where you’ll embark on an exciting campaign of extreme speed to become a Hot Wheels Legend.
With 10 amazing new cars, including the lightning fast 2021 Hennessey Venom F5 and the iconic 2000 Hot Wheels Deora II; as well as the Hot Wheels Creation Kit, featuring 80 distinct, snappable track pieces so you can design, build, and share your own Hot Wheels adventure, Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels is the ultimate playset for daredevil drivers and creators alike.
