Not only did we get an insight into Forza Motorsport’s improved AI and physics, but June’s Forza Monthly stream also offered a first look at the new Forza Horizon 5 Summer Party series. Starting this week, Summer Party adds six new reward cars as well as a new Horizon Story taking you through the history of racing.
Release date
Forza Horizon 5 Summer Party starts on Thursday 20 July and ends on 17 August. Before then, the Summer Party update will be available to download on 18 July. As well as new content, this update will include numerous bug fixes to improve the game experience.
Icons of Speed
After last month’s Donut Media HiLo, Summer Party introduces another new Horizon Story.
Icons of Speed sees you team up with the Horizon Festival’s head mechanic Alejandra and experience iconic cars across the history of racing. Completing all eight chapters will unlock the extreme 2019 Hennessey Camaro Exorcist.
Hennessey is a familiar name to tuner car enthusiasts. The Texas-based tuner is famous for taking American muscle cars to new extremes. Based on the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, the Exorcist is one of the tuner’s most popular builds.
Hennessey has extracted 1,000 horses and 966 lb-ft torque from the Camaro’s already-powerful 6.2-litre V8 engine, resulting in a 0-60mph time of 2.1 seconds and a top speed of 217 mph.
Summer Party Stadium
Just in time for the warmer season, the Horizon Stadium is getting a summer-themed makeover. Throughout the Summer Party series, the stadium will feature summer-themed ramps and smashable props.
In response to feedback, the night cycle has been permanently extended. Nights will be shorter than Midnights at Horizon but noticeably longer than before.
Reward cars
In addition to the Exorcist, five new reward cars are coming to Forza Horizon 5 in the Summer Party festival playlists. One of the most requested is the 2022 Toyota GR86, which was only previously available in Gran Turismo games.
Replacing the Toyota GT86, the new GR86 features a 2.4-litre 4-cylinder boxer engine delivering 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. It’s the kind of fun yet affordable sports car you rarely see anymore.
Joining the GR86 is the 2018 DeBerti Ford Mustang GT, 1973 Ford XB Falcon GT, 1970 Hot Wheels Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Custom, and 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am SD-455. These reward cars can only be unlocked for a limited time, so don’t miss out.
The 2018 DeBerti Ford Mustang GT is a Series Progress car unlocked at 80 points alongside the Dodge Super Bee, unlocked at 160 points.
You can find a breakdown of the Forza Horizon 5 Summer Party festival playlist below.
Summer
At 20 points, you can unlock the 1973 Ford XB Falcon GT in the Summer festival playlist. 40 points also unlocks the McLaren 765LT.
In addition, you can win the 2014 Volkswagen Golf R and BMW M1 by completing playlist challenges. Unfortunately, the summer season’s remaining reward cars were not shown.
Autumn
The 1970 Hot Wheels Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Custom is unlocked in the Autumn season at 20 points, while your 40-point reward is the 2018 Audi RS 4 Avant. You can also win the Jaguar E-Type, McLaren GT, 2020 Toyota Supra, and 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo in the autumn season.
Winter
Winter’s Season Progress reward cars are the 2022 Toyota GR86 and McLaren 650S Spider, unlocked at 20 and 40 points respectively. The 1992 Ford Escort is unlocked in The Trial, but the other Winter reward cars remain a mystery for now.
Spring
In the final Spring season, the 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am SD-455 is earned at 20 points, while the Ferrari SF90 Stradale is yours at 40 points. Other reward cars this season include the Opel Manta 400, Hoonigan Escort, Jaguar MK II 3.8, and 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.
Stellantis returns to Forza Horizon 5 in Italian Automotive
Playground Games also teased the next series: Italian Automotive. Beginning in August, this series sees the long-awaited return of Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Abarth and Lancia to Forza Horizon 5.
Since being owned by the newly-formed Stellantis in 2021, these Italian brands have been noticeably absent in major racing games like Forza Horizon, Gran Turismo, and Need for Speed, but this could finally change.