Hoonigan Car Pack
- Thread starter C_Raccoon23
- 62 comments
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Easily my favourite car pack.
- 2,740
- Italy
- Yellohead
- Clydeyellow
It took me more than usual to get the new cars through their paces, but here we are. The Hoonigan Pack is, so far, the fastest to hit FH3 - and in all likelihood, it's also the fastest ever added to the series. The choice to add such different and unique machines as a preorder bonus, instead of something like the Fast and Furious Pack (which I hated, just like I hate the cinematographic saga) is one that meets my full approval. And I'm sure that the decision to also offer the Hoonigan Pack as a stand-alone DLC will make a lot of people very happy....
Before the introduction of the Super Stock and Pro Stock formulas in the late 60s/early 70s, the fastest stock-alike cars on the drag strip where the so-called "gassers", whose main characteristic was the unusual ride height of the front, which was achieved with the use of a beam axle to achieve better weight distribution at launch. The "Tri 5 By Fire" built by Hoonigan's art director Jon Chase out of the rusted-out shell of a '55 Bel Air is as true to the formula as possible, while boosting its charisma with a wonderful patina that is a testament to the dedication that went into resurrecting it. Performance-wise it's the worst car in the pack - although it's still a fast cat in a straight line, thanks to the 410hp, 350c.i. V8 motor purring under its hood. The problems start when the roads get bendy: the raised front, soft springs and chunky rear tires mean that this Bel Air will corner with all the readiness of an elephant on Valium, experiencing massive understeer in corner entry, and unpredictable loss of control at the apex. But then, a car like this was never designed to be enjoyed anywhere else than on the drag strip...
Goliath laptime: 15:36.733
Pros: timeless charisma and a nice, burbly V8.
Cons: getting it to rotate is a proper trial by fire.
Say what you want about the Hoonigan brand; but the fact that even their PR manager is a dedicated car nut goes to show how serious they want to perpetrate the genocide of automotive rubber. Brian Scotto's "Napalm Nova" is a fresh take on the pro-touring genre, foregoing the usual show floor in favor of a more brutal and unrefined look. To better pursue its mission statement of "killing all tyres", this Chevy's been equipped with the best subframe components Art Morrison had to offer; and a 454 c.i. big block engine pushing 450hp to the rear wheels through a six-speed T56 transmission and a 9" Currie Enterprises rear end. The result of Scotto's efforts to build a mean, lean, tire-burning pro-touring machine is a car that is consciously reminiscent of the one driven by Kurt Russell in Tarantino's Death Proof; and its behavior doesn't betray its menacing looks. Do not expect a refined ride: the Napalm Nova needs to be muscled inside corners, and then balanced on the way out; errors will be paid for dearly, as my many close-calls during my all-out Goliath lap can attest. But if you're not looking for a corner-carving missile, and prefer the brutality of a fire-breathing V8 to more refined solutions, then this car is more than ready to become your best friend.
Goliath laptime: 13:07.154
Pros: feel like Stuntman Mike in the opening scenes of Death Proof!
Cons: ...unless you mess up, then you'll feel like Stuntman Mike a few minutes later.
If you think Ken Block's Gymkhana vids are insane, then you've never seen B.J, Balwdin's own brand of automotive madness: in his "Recoil" videos, he's hunted the Sasquatch and spread terror to the narrow calles of La Habana in his 850hp trophy truck, which also featured prominently in Forza Horizon 3. But B.J. is also an accomplished desert racer, having several off-road championship and two editions of the Baja 1000 under his belt. This K5 Blazer is his prerunner - that is to say, it's a milder and more comfortable alternative to his racing machine, used for track reconnaissance. The history of this truck begun all the way back in 2003, when RDC's admin John Bitting set out to build the ultimate prerunner, using only the best after-market components; swapping the original front end for that of a 2007 Silverado was his idea. Under B.J.'s ownership the truck only got better, thanks to the installation of a smattering of custom parts. It's fair to say that there is no other off-roader in Forza Horizon which provides the same loose, but manageable handling of the "Loki"; and the torque of the Chevy 350 c.i. engine allows it to rocket out of corners leaving behind tall clouds of dust. If there's one flaw that I can point out, that'd be the car's top speed, which is barely over 200 kph: more than enough for the wild dirt roads that it was build to tackle, sure, but it made the Goliath lap a bit of a pain.
Goliath laptime: 14:31.905
Pros: it's like an old sweater - one with a small-block Chevy and long-travel suspension.
Cons: the abysmal top speed.
The first time I saw this car was in the Beard Life Harlem Shake video, which came out all the way back when the Harlem Shake was a thing, a V8-powered RX7 was still blasphemy in many circles, and the battlecry of Hoonigans worldwide was the nonsensical #aintcare. For me, it was love at first sight: somehow, the mismatch of the classic late-80s-Japanese lines of the FC and the guttural sound of an Nehandertalian pushrod 'murican engine made sense in my brain. It could even be said that it was that video that opened my eyes to the potential of this platform, which until then I mostly ignored. Since then, a lot has changed: for starters, the world isn't as crazy about hashtags anymore. Brian Hertech's Mazda lost the rear wing and gained a look more reminiscent of the highest-budget, garage-built Japanese drift missiles; and LS engines have become such an ubiquitous swap that eventually the scummiest RX7 around went back to a rotary engine. For shame: this thing was as radical as they come. This is one of the first dedicated drift cars to ever come to a Forza game, and it shows: initiating a slide is incredibly easy, and maintaining it is just a matter of keeping the revs in that optimal range where the rear wheels keep sliding, but won't try to overtake the front end of the car. Don't try to treat this ride like any grip car, tho: it's not only a waste of its best skills, but it will also adamantly refuse to behave by understeering like a pig. You know what you have to do: just keep the rear tires lit.
Goliath laptime: 12:32.253
Pros: it does, indeed, "do the Harlem Shake" at every corner.
Cons: the interior visibility is brought to you by Fig Newtons.
Before the Napalm Nova, this was mr. Scotto's ride - the second RWB USA car, meticulously built alongside the equally famous "Pandora One". Back in 2012, Rauh-Welt hadn't yet built the reputation it has nowadays: as the popularity of specials such as the "Stella Artois" grew worldwide, many Porsche enthusiasts winced at Nakai-san's radical approach to body modification. And this build was based on a rare 964 Turbo 3.3, which angered purists even more. But you have to admit, the execution is flawless: the wide wheel arches somehow blend in perfectly with the lines of the car, and even the huge rear wing doesn't seem to exaggerated in context. The Fifteen52 wheels were custom-built for the car and color-matched with the red interior, and complement the looks of the car nicely. The massive rear tires and the improved suspension geometry ensure a massive increase in available grip, and an equally significant improvement in the otherwise mercurial personality of the car: this is not a mere positive byproduct of the aesthetic enanchements brought to the car, but was one of the main reasons behind this build. Under the rear bonnet, the engine's been upgraded by famed Porsche specialist Andial with more aggressive cams from the Carrera C2, a more open exhaust and larger turbo: the mods account for a power increase of 70hp from the factory 315, which is just enough to make the car a bit more lively without upsetting its balance - after all, like many other RWB creations, this 964 was built for daily use. Although I'm not quite sure what kind of person would look at this and say "yes, this will be a fine grocery-getter"...
Goliath laptime: 12:20.407
Pros: looks awesome, and drives even better.
Cons: oh, now I want a stock 964 in the game!
Speaking of "cars that will make purists froth at the mouth"... Well, there you have one item that sent many gearheads all over the world into a frenzy: Ken Block's own Mk. II Escort RS. Reading its specs on paper, it'd sound like a Ford fanatic's wildest dreams come true: under the bonnet is no exotic engine swap, but a 330-hp, 9000-rpm-capable Millington Racing Engines Cosworth YB engine, breathing through a set of Jenvey throttle bodies and sending hot gases to a Simpson race manifold: does it get any more British than that? No, I didn't think so either. The rest of the car has also received numerous uncontroversial improvements during its life as a tarmac rally car and in the two years of work that went into its rebirth as a gymkhana racer: the chassis has been lightened and stiffened, for example, and the gearbox is a much sought-after Tractive 6-speed sequential unit. But then, there's the rest of the build to deal with: the wide Fifteen52 rims that sit beneath arches sculpted by TRA Kyoto's Kei Miura and painted in a dudebro-tastic matte black finish are a punch to the gut of Ford aficionados, and the flashy stars and stripes motive which adorns the hood seems to spit in the face of everything traditionalists hold dear. The sum of all this elements is nothing less than the meanest, baddest Escort ever built: a car which perfectly unites modern styling cues and components with the classic essence of a legendary car, into a high-revving little monster that can be tossed into a corner in any way you want. And the aesthetic modifications may have been unnecessary, but they complement the character of the car all too well. Usually I hold the purity of classic cars very dear, too - but in front of such a brilliant machine, I can be more open-minded than usual.
Goliath laptime: 12:49.470
Pros: as precise as a scalpel, and as forgiving as a puppy dog.
Cons: the high-revving engine may give you tinnitus on very long flat-out stretches.
And finally, after this smorgasbord of unique and infinitely charming rides, it's time for us to take a look at the star of the pack: Ken Block's "Hoonicorn" Mustang, here depicted in its second iteration. And to be fair... It's the least interesting car in the pack for me. Oh, don't get me wrong: it's a fun ride alright. How could a 'stang with a twin-turbo Roush V8 sending 1400hp and enough torque to probably counter the rotation of the Moon to all fours not be? It may be perhaps that we've already seen so much of the Hoonicorn; or it may be that it ultimately it's just a product, no, a tool for marketing with no real story of passion behind it, a car built-to-order by the specialists of RTR to appear in an automotive coreography instead of a love of labor with some sort of higher purpose. It may even be that in-game it's so good at doing what it's supposed to do that it lacks any flaws that may give it character. As it is now, it's just a car that will allow you... To slide through corners.... At speeds close to 400 kph. Oh, well - I didn't say it wasn't fun, did I?
Goliath laptime: 10:46.715
Pros: it's basically a spaceship with the body of a '65 Mustang.
Cons: it has a button for donuts... But none for coffee? Shame!
Before the introduction of the Super Stock and Pro Stock formulas in the late 60s/early 70s, the fastest stock-alike cars on the drag strip where the so-called "gassers", whose main characteristic was the unusual ride height of the front, which was achieved with the use of a beam axle to achieve better weight distribution at launch. The "Tri 5 By Fire" built by Hoonigan's art director Jon Chase out of the rusted-out shell of a '55 Bel Air is as true to the formula as possible, while boosting its charisma with a wonderful patina that is a testament to the dedication that went into resurrecting it. Performance-wise it's the worst car in the pack - although it's still a fast cat in a straight line, thanks to the 410hp, 350c.i. V8 motor purring under its hood. The problems start when the roads get bendy: the raised front, soft springs and chunky rear tires mean that this Bel Air will corner with all the readiness of an elephant on Valium, experiencing massive understeer in corner entry, and unpredictable loss of control at the apex. But then, a car like this was never designed to be enjoyed anywhere else than on the drag strip...
Goliath laptime: 15:36.733
Pros: timeless charisma and a nice, burbly V8.
Cons: getting it to rotate is a proper trial by fire.
Say what you want about the Hoonigan brand; but the fact that even their PR manager is a dedicated car nut goes to show how serious they want to perpetrate the genocide of automotive rubber. Brian Scotto's "Napalm Nova" is a fresh take on the pro-touring genre, foregoing the usual show floor in favor of a more brutal and unrefined look. To better pursue its mission statement of "killing all tyres", this Chevy's been equipped with the best subframe components Art Morrison had to offer; and a 454 c.i. big block engine pushing 450hp to the rear wheels through a six-speed T56 transmission and a 9" Currie Enterprises rear end. The result of Scotto's efforts to build a mean, lean, tire-burning pro-touring machine is a car that is consciously reminiscent of the one driven by Kurt Russell in Tarantino's Death Proof; and its behavior doesn't betray its menacing looks. Do not expect a refined ride: the Napalm Nova needs to be muscled inside corners, and then balanced on the way out; errors will be paid for dearly, as my many close-calls during my all-out Goliath lap can attest. But if you're not looking for a corner-carving missile, and prefer the brutality of a fire-breathing V8 to more refined solutions, then this car is more than ready to become your best friend.
Goliath laptime: 13:07.154
Pros: feel like Stuntman Mike in the opening scenes of Death Proof!
Cons: ...unless you mess up, then you'll feel like Stuntman Mike a few minutes later.
If you think Ken Block's Gymkhana vids are insane, then you've never seen B.J, Balwdin's own brand of automotive madness: in his "Recoil" videos, he's hunted the Sasquatch and spread terror to the narrow calles of La Habana in his 850hp trophy truck, which also featured prominently in Forza Horizon 3. But B.J. is also an accomplished desert racer, having several off-road championship and two editions of the Baja 1000 under his belt. This K5 Blazer is his prerunner - that is to say, it's a milder and more comfortable alternative to his racing machine, used for track reconnaissance. The history of this truck begun all the way back in 2003, when RDC's admin John Bitting set out to build the ultimate prerunner, using only the best after-market components; swapping the original front end for that of a 2007 Silverado was his idea. Under B.J.'s ownership the truck only got better, thanks to the installation of a smattering of custom parts. It's fair to say that there is no other off-roader in Forza Horizon which provides the same loose, but manageable handling of the "Loki"; and the torque of the Chevy 350 c.i. engine allows it to rocket out of corners leaving behind tall clouds of dust. If there's one flaw that I can point out, that'd be the car's top speed, which is barely over 200 kph: more than enough for the wild dirt roads that it was build to tackle, sure, but it made the Goliath lap a bit of a pain.
Goliath laptime: 14:31.905
Pros: it's like an old sweater - one with a small-block Chevy and long-travel suspension.
Cons: the abysmal top speed.
The first time I saw this car was in the Beard Life Harlem Shake video, which came out all the way back when the Harlem Shake was a thing, a V8-powered RX7 was still blasphemy in many circles, and the battlecry of Hoonigans worldwide was the nonsensical #aintcare. For me, it was love at first sight: somehow, the mismatch of the classic late-80s-Japanese lines of the FC and the guttural sound of an Nehandertalian pushrod 'murican engine made sense in my brain. It could even be said that it was that video that opened my eyes to the potential of this platform, which until then I mostly ignored. Since then, a lot has changed: for starters, the world isn't as crazy about hashtags anymore. Brian Hertech's Mazda lost the rear wing and gained a look more reminiscent of the highest-budget, garage-built Japanese drift missiles; and LS engines have become such an ubiquitous swap that eventually the scummiest RX7 around went back to a rotary engine. For shame: this thing was as radical as they come. This is one of the first dedicated drift cars to ever come to a Forza game, and it shows: initiating a slide is incredibly easy, and maintaining it is just a matter of keeping the revs in that optimal range where the rear wheels keep sliding, but won't try to overtake the front end of the car. Don't try to treat this ride like any grip car, tho: it's not only a waste of its best skills, but it will also adamantly refuse to behave by understeering like a pig. You know what you have to do: just keep the rear tires lit.
Goliath laptime: 12:32.253
Pros: it does, indeed, "do the Harlem Shake" at every corner.
Cons: the interior visibility is brought to you by Fig Newtons.
Before the Napalm Nova, this was mr. Scotto's ride - the second RWB USA car, meticulously built alongside the equally famous "Pandora One". Back in 2012, Rauh-Welt hadn't yet built the reputation it has nowadays: as the popularity of specials such as the "Stella Artois" grew worldwide, many Porsche enthusiasts winced at Nakai-san's radical approach to body modification. And this build was based on a rare 964 Turbo 3.3, which angered purists even more. But you have to admit, the execution is flawless: the wide wheel arches somehow blend in perfectly with the lines of the car, and even the huge rear wing doesn't seem to exaggerated in context. The Fifteen52 wheels were custom-built for the car and color-matched with the red interior, and complement the looks of the car nicely. The massive rear tires and the improved suspension geometry ensure a massive increase in available grip, and an equally significant improvement in the otherwise mercurial personality of the car: this is not a mere positive byproduct of the aesthetic enanchements brought to the car, but was one of the main reasons behind this build. Under the rear bonnet, the engine's been upgraded by famed Porsche specialist Andial with more aggressive cams from the Carrera C2, a more open exhaust and larger turbo: the mods account for a power increase of 70hp from the factory 315, which is just enough to make the car a bit more lively without upsetting its balance - after all, like many other RWB creations, this 964 was built for daily use. Although I'm not quite sure what kind of person would look at this and say "yes, this will be a fine grocery-getter"...
Goliath laptime: 12:20.407
Pros: looks awesome, and drives even better.
Cons: oh, now I want a stock 964 in the game!
Speaking of "cars that will make purists froth at the mouth"... Well, there you have one item that sent many gearheads all over the world into a frenzy: Ken Block's own Mk. II Escort RS. Reading its specs on paper, it'd sound like a Ford fanatic's wildest dreams come true: under the bonnet is no exotic engine swap, but a 330-hp, 9000-rpm-capable Millington Racing Engines Cosworth YB engine, breathing through a set of Jenvey throttle bodies and sending hot gases to a Simpson race manifold: does it get any more British than that? No, I didn't think so either. The rest of the car has also received numerous uncontroversial improvements during its life as a tarmac rally car and in the two years of work that went into its rebirth as a gymkhana racer: the chassis has been lightened and stiffened, for example, and the gearbox is a much sought-after Tractive 6-speed sequential unit. But then, there's the rest of the build to deal with: the wide Fifteen52 rims that sit beneath arches sculpted by TRA Kyoto's Kei Miura and painted in a dudebro-tastic matte black finish are a punch to the gut of Ford aficionados, and the flashy stars and stripes motive which adorns the hood seems to spit in the face of everything traditionalists hold dear. The sum of all this elements is nothing less than the meanest, baddest Escort ever built: a car which perfectly unites modern styling cues and components with the classic essence of a legendary car, into a high-revving little monster that can be tossed into a corner in any way you want. And the aesthetic modifications may have been unnecessary, but they complement the character of the car all too well. Usually I hold the purity of classic cars very dear, too - but in front of such a brilliant machine, I can be more open-minded than usual.
Goliath laptime: 12:49.470
Pros: as precise as a scalpel, and as forgiving as a puppy dog.
Cons: the high-revving engine may give you tinnitus on very long flat-out stretches.
And finally, after this smorgasbord of unique and infinitely charming rides, it's time for us to take a look at the star of the pack: Ken Block's "Hoonicorn" Mustang, here depicted in its second iteration. And to be fair... It's the least interesting car in the pack for me. Oh, don't get me wrong: it's a fun ride alright. How could a 'stang with a twin-turbo Roush V8 sending 1400hp and enough torque to probably counter the rotation of the Moon to all fours not be? It may be perhaps that we've already seen so much of the Hoonicorn; or it may be that it ultimately it's just a product, no, a tool for marketing with no real story of passion behind it, a car built-to-order by the specialists of RTR to appear in an automotive coreography instead of a love of labor with some sort of higher purpose. It may even be that in-game it's so good at doing what it's supposed to do that it lacks any flaws that may give it character. As it is now, it's just a car that will allow you... To slide through corners.... At speeds close to 400 kph. Oh, well - I didn't say it wasn't fun, did I?
Goliath laptime: 10:46.715
Pros: it's basically a spaceship with the body of a '65 Mustang.
Cons: it has a button for donuts... But none for coffee? Shame!
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