The festival is heating up with a distinct international flavor this week. Forza Horizon 5 has launched a new weekly event that reignites the age-old battle: Japanese precision versus American displacement. It’s a showdown at the Horizon Backstage featuring four distinct rides that cover everything from 90s nostalgia to modern widebody chaos.
Team Japan: Agility Meets Luxury
Representing the Rising Sun, Playground Games is highlighting two very different ends of the spectrum. First up is the 2021 Lexus LC 500. If you haven't driven this yet, you're in for an auditory treat—its naturally aspirated V8 is one of the best-sounding engines in the game. While it's a heavy Grand Tourer that requires careful braking into tight corners, its straight-line stability is fantastic for cruising Mexico's highways.
Joining it is the returning 1995 Toyota MR2 GT. This mid-engine classic is a fan favorite for a reason. It offers incredible turn-in response, but like its real-world counterpart, you need to respect the physics engine. The "snap oversteer" is real if you lift off the throttle aggressively mid-corner, making it a rewarding drive for players who master throttle control.
Team USA: Torque and Traction
The American roster is bringing the heavy artillery. The 2018 DeBerti Ford Mustang GT isn't your standard rental car; it’s a custom-built beast designed to shred tires. It’s wide, it’s loud, and it usually dominates drift zones thanks to its extreme steering angle and torque output.
Then there's the 1991 GMC Syclone. Don't let the pickup truck silhouette fool you. In the Forza meta, the Syclone is legendary for its AWD launch capabilities. In B and A class racing, this thing is an absolute rocket off the line, often leaving dedicated sports cars in the dust during short sprints or dirt scrambles.
Which side has the competitive edge?
If we're talking strictly about competitive viability in Horizon Open, the GMC Syclone usually punches above its weight class due to that AWD launch, especially on mixed surfaces. However, for pure road racing feel on technical tracks like the Arch of Mulegé, the MR2 GT is hard to beat.
Head to the Horizon Backstage this week to pick your side. Whether you prefer the scream of a Lexus V8 or the turbo whine of a GMC truck, there are rewards waiting for those who hit the asphalt.