Beneath the Gamescom buzz for Forza Horizon 2 and its competitors, Forza Motorsport 5 has proved once again that it isn’t ready to step into the shadows with Turn 10 Studios’ announcement of a new car pack for August.
- 2014 Infiniti Q50S
- 2014 Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge
- 2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith
- 2015 Ford Mustang GT
- 2014 Renault Spark SRT_01E
- 2013 Vauxhall Astra 1.6 Tech Line Top Gear Edition
We imagine that the Infiniti Car Pack will be popular not only because of its price tag – it is free – but for the less-publicised variety and introduction of a new name.
[youtube http://youtu.be/Y2OAoGad_Og&w=560&h=315]Infiniti
Looking at Infiniti first, Nissan’s brand appears in the form of the 2014 Q50S production car and the ‘concept’ 2014 Q50 Eau Rouge borne of a partnership with the Red Bull Formula One team. Though not aspects to manifest themselves in Forza, according to Turn 10, the Q50S saloon car is big on technology. Features such as fly-by-wire steering and lane-holding systems don’t apply in-game but there are more base properties that we’re interested in at OnlineRaceDriver: rear-wheel drive and horsepower!
The Q50S heads a fair way north of 300hp and with those horses being sent to the back axle, we’re told to expect a tail-happy machine that’s ready to drift. Move to the Eau Rouge variant and Infiniti’s own spec sheet suggests that we’re suddenly looking at 560BHP!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajI6EzIoAlQ&w=560&h=315]Comparing with the standard Q50S, carbon fibre blends into the Eau Rouge coachwork to sculpt the air’s passage through the car and add downforce. The engine steps up from the 3.7-litre V6 of the ‘S’ model to dual turbos and a 3.8-litre V6 as used in Nissan’s GT-R. Drive goes to all wheels in this concept car, so you know that it can be pushed!
Rolls-Royce
The headlining Infiniti duo tells only a fraction of what this August update offers. The 2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith is one of a bundle of cloaked delights.
Quite the arrival, this one! Distracted by the car itself, it’s easy to miss that this is the only time that the historic and exclusive name has officially featured in a racing game. After almost two decades of games with vast vehicle collections, it’s a wonder that the marque hasn’t once stood alongside its peers. Yes indeed, Rolls-Royce is a newcomer!
What about the Wraith, then?
Well it’s a two-door coupé that Rolls-Royce describes as the “most potent and technologically advanced Rolls-Royce in history”.
Leaping away from its 1930s namesake, the modern Wraith is a grand car of flowing lines, obvious presence and as we have Forza in mind, impressive numbers. A twin-turbo V12 engine reaches almost 6.6 litres in capacity and is driven through an 8-speed gearbox. All necessary to propel its 2.4 tonnes forward, of course!
Mustang
More rear-wheel drive fun!
The new Mustang has featured on ORD before in relation to Project CARS and it’s great to now see the 2015 Ford Mustang GT included in Forza Motorsport 5.
Another machine whose reputation has a reach beyond enthusiasts, it found a new lease of life with the first of its modern redesigns in the mid-2000s. To many eyes, today’s Mustang continues the improvements and reflects more of what has made the cars of the 1960s true icons of the road and screen.
Alternative propulsion
Through the Infiniti Car Pack, Forza Motorsport 5 moves away from internal combustion and turns its eye towards the future.
Following a final test session at Donington Park on Tuesday 19th August, the inaugural FIA-sanctioned Formula E Championship starts on September 13th this year with the Beijing ePrix. A complex designer-manufacturer collaboration that includes Renault and subsidiaries of McLaren and Williams has resulted in this Dallara-built all-electric racing car.
Ahead of the first Formula E season, the Renault-Spark Racing Technology SRT_01E now makes its gaming debut in Forza Motorsport 5. The original design mandate included a wide set-up range for the suspension and aerodynamics that aid rather than hinder competition. Real-world aerodynamics efficiencies that have been so problematic to Formula One for years don’t generally manifest themselves in games, but we’re keen to see what the unique mid-car wings and limited car settings might bring to Forza.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzLXFm6X_-c&w=560&h=315]With so much of the car ‘fixed’, this SRT_01E might be the great racing leveller. For example, gear ratios are set and the treaded Michelin tyres are a standard all-weather compound. Given the restrictions and car design, reading the slide and careful use of throttle and brake should have more of an impact than usual.
Top Gear
Forza Motorsport 5 maintains its links to the successful BBC TV series with the 2013 Vauxhall Astra 1.6 Tech Line Top Gear Edition. What can you say? It won’t shine at anything but hey, it moves forward and will keep you coming back to get those lap times at Dunsfold Park down!
Formula E Competition
This August car pack also adds a prize-winning Rivals event that uses the 2014 Renault Spark SRT_01E. Using the Formula E car, players can compete to achieve the fastest lap time at Forza Motorsport 5’s Long Beach East Circuit. The entrant with the best time will win VIP tickets for next year at the Formula E Championship race in Berlin, Germany. Anyone that sets a time in this event also has a chance of winning in-game credits. Press your way to Rivals Mode and the Community Channel to take part!
The Formula E Challenge closes on August 26th at 11:59PM Pacific Time. Full terms and conditions for this competition can be found on its Official Rules page.
Game updates
In addition to content, news comes of developments on the steering side. Past work in respect of caching the car liveries, Turn 10 added a note regarding “some general improvements” for the Thrustmaster and MadCatz wheels that are compatible with the Xbox One and Forza Motorsport 5. Specifics aren’t given, with the changes only described as being there to “increase the feel and performance” of the two wheels when playing Forza 5.
If you have either of the Thrustmaster TX or Mad Catz Pro Racing Force wheels and use them in Forza Motorsport 5, do let us know how their feel and reaction has advanced!
The Forza Motorsport 5 Infiniti Car Pack is available now.
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