Spring is with us once more in Forza Horizon 5, just in time for players in Europe to be changing their clocks to summer time. Remember: spring forward, fall back.
It’s the final week of Series 5, which means that the Horizon Rush Takeover is nearly at an end, and the Series 6 theme “Horizon Customs” is creeping up on us.
The Rush event has seen the map transformed with 16 new PR Stunts around Mexico, four of which will be sticking around once the event is over.
In addition, we’ve seen the central Horizon Stadium (or “El Stadio Horizon”) turned into a giant stunt park, with ramps, bowling pins, and a halfpipe. If you’ve always wanted to drive on the roof of the stadium, the Stadium Stunt Park gives you the chance…
As well as the new bits and bobs around the map, there’s also a new set of Accolades in the Evolving World section. With only a week left on the Playlist and many of the features disappearing on March 31, you don’t have much time left to finish these off.
Series 5
It’s the final week of this Series, so you’re looking at one last chance to pick up the rewards while you still can. Of course dedicated players will have both already, but only just, so the remaining 52 points this season will be mere icing on the cake.
Playground’s new policy of placing Playlist Exclusive cars on the lower tier of each Series and Season means that the Mini Forza Edition is available for just 80 points from the 208 total.
This special car is based on the classic 1965 Mini Cooper, although there’s a few electrifying changes. Quite literally, as the agricultural A Series engine has been junked in favor of a electric motors. Yes, plural.
The Mini FE has one motor on each axle, creating a 235hp, AWD hot hatch (well… hot sedan, technically). There’s also a two-speed gearbox, and the car comes with a Stunt Skills boost. Fairly appropriate for the theme of the Series, we reckon.
For 160 points you can pick up an example of the Porsche 917 “Langheck”, or longtail. It’s not a Playlist Exclusive car, but as it would cost you 15 million credits it’s worth picking up for free by scoring the points.
This particular car, the 917 LH “hippie car”, finished second at the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans. Porsche designed the longtail body in order to generate better stability at speed and reduced drag compared to the regular 917K, so the car was hitting 240mph down the straight. Since fate has a sense of humor, the only car that beat it was… a regular 917K.
Don’t forget that this week is also the last opportunity to pick up the Series-specific “Evolving World” Accolades before the map transforms for Series 6!
Series 5, and the Spring season, will run through to 1430 UTC on Thursday, March 31. At that point Series 6 will replace it, and we should know what to expect from that later today.
Spring
Both of Spring’s reward cars are Playlist Exclusives, one of which is actually a repeat showing.
First on the list, at just 20 points, is the Nissan GT-R Nismo, probably the ultimate version of the R35 platform.
The GT-R itself is getting on for 15 years old now, and has been developed, tweaked, and honed over the years. It wasn’t exactly slow when introduced as a 480hp car in 2007, but the latest models are 100hp up on that — and more.
This 2020 model GT-R Nismo is the fastest possible version of the car. Using technology (and turbos) from the GT3 race car it packs 600hp, new suspension, brakes, wheels and aerodynamics to make it go and stop much better than the already potent “base” model.
At 40 points you can pick up the Honda Civic CRX Mugen, which also appeared in the Playlist way back in Series 1 Autumn. We’re not entirely sure why it’s popped up again so soon, but it is another opportunity to snare a pretty rare beast.
Although Mugen is a pretty famous name now, the CRX was the first car ever offered with its tuning expertise. While much of the modification comes by way of the cosmetic, there’s also some under-the-hood tweaks. It features the later 1.5-liter engine from the Ballade Sports, turned up from 105hp to 120hp.
You can’t pick up either car from this week’s Playlist elsewhere, so you’ll need to score 40 points from the 52 available to nab both. Unfortunately that will require online multiplayer, so without an Xbox Live Gold subscription — or playing on PC — you can only take the Nissan home.
Forzathon Events
The final stunt-themed Forzathon Weekly Challenge is an homage to a fan favorite PR Stunt machine from Forza Horizon 4, the Mosler MT900S. Pick one up to start off the Light As A Feather event.
It should come as no surprise that you’ll be attempting to pick up stars (or, if you’ve already earned them, a score that would get you stars) at PR Stunts. Firstly, it’s Speed Traps, where you’ll need to blow through enough of them fast enough to score 10 stars in total.
After that, head for Speed Zones and try to rack up a cumulative 300mph across as many as you like. There’s no bonus points for doing it in one hit, but it’s the most efficient way!
Finally you’ll need to complete (and we assume this means one star only is necessary, but we’ll clarify that when we can) one Speed Trap and one Speed Zone in under two minutes. Probably the best way to do this is to head to the highway and chain the Trebol zone with either the Federal Highway or Autopista traps either side of it.
Complete that and you’ll take the regular five season points and 80 Forzathon Points (doubled to 160FP if you own the La Casa Solariega player home).
It’s another stunt-packed list of Daily Challenges too, with each of the tasks worth one season point and 10FP. They pop up at the rate of one a day, and you’ll have seven days to complete each.
Muscle Power starts us off, with the goal being six stars across any Speed Traps with Modern Muscle machinery.
You’ll need this week’s first Season reward for Stay On Target on Friday. Snag the Nissan GT-R Nismo and head to the Stadium Stunt Park, then knock down ten bowling pins in ten seconds or less to pass the test.
For No Wings Required you’ll need to get jumping. Rack up a total distance of 1,829 meters (6,000ft) from any Danger Signs (we’d recommend Runway, Launch Control, or the new Ranas Saltarinas for efficiency) to complete this challenge.
Sunday’s Hot Shot task is to score a total of 150mph across any Speed Zones in any Hot Hatch category car. Again, Trebol on the main highway is the ideal location to do this in one hit.
Scenic Route on Monday will test your camera skills only. Head to the River Rapids Trailblazer start gates, right up at the north edge of the map, and take a photo for an easy point.
You’ll need to go fast on Tuesday for Speedy Speed Boy. Any S2 Class (901-998 PI) car will do, and you’ll aim to score five stars at Speed Traps to complete it.
Finally there’s Shining Star. This requires you to score ten stars from any PR Stunts in three minutes or less. That means you’ll need to chain stunts together, and if you want to get hyper efficient we’d blast up the highway from the Autopista Speed Trap to the Los Jardines Danger Sign in the fastest car possible.
Season Events
As we’ve come to expect, there’s five more PR Stunts, each worth two points, to take you through this Season, this time joined by an EventLab challenge. Four of the five stunts take place at new locations, one of which is set to remain on the map permanently.
The Punto Norte Drift Zone is the odd one out this week, having been with us since the beginning. It’s located on a dirt road, which makes life a lot easier when it comes to losing traction, and the requirement to use a Hoonigan car tuned to S1 class (801-900 PI) makes it easier still. Hit the low-ball 50,000pt score to win a Wheelspin.
Cruse de Granja is a tricky Trailblazer which runs from near The Eliminator down to the “Polytunnels” area near Teotihuacan. You’ll need a B Class (601-700 PI) car from Mini, which can make the 12s limit a bit awkward; avoid being suckered into the river bed and watch your final approach through the fields to avoid jumping into the surprisingly solid roofs of the polytunnels. Complete it for White Trailblazer Finish Tee.
For the Trebol Speed Trap you’ll need an “Open-Top Car”, which appears to specifically mean a car that doesn’t have a roof rather than a convertible. Get it tuned into S1 Class (801-900 PI) and average 190mph through the highway zone to score a Bugatti Type 35C.
The Salto de Rio jump takes you from the south side of the river to the north, near the Sierra Verde dam. You can use any car from the Rally Monsters category so long as it is in the S1 Class (800-901 PI), and the 113m jump distance should be pretty simple — just start your run near Super 7. You’ll win a Wheelspin for your trouble.
That leaves the Tulum Speed Trap, which has a little extra difficulty this week. It’s not the 145mph target that’s the issue, but the fact you’ll need to use the Nissan GT-R Nismo from this week’s Playlist. Rack up 20 points elsewhere, grab the Nissan, make sure it stays in the S1 Class (800-901 PI) as standard and hit the trap to win a Pagani Huayra Forza Edition.
The rather wordy Horizon Rush Touge-Style Circuit is the EventLab race this week. It’s based at the Lookout Circuit, located up at the Horizon Rush Festival Outpost and takes the form of a head-to-head race with a single AI car, and some pretty heavy claustrophobia.
It’s a regular three-lap race around the Lookout Circuit, only half the road width is walled off. That makes it a pretty difficult race to pass your opponent, and you’ll both be in B Class (601-700 PI) cars from Japan.
Win the race and you’ll score three points and pick up a Black Drift Zone Tee for your avatar.
Danger Sign: Salto de Rio
- Car: S1 Class, Rally Monsters
- Location: Cordillera, Salto de Rio
- Challenge: 113m
- Reward: 2 points, Wheelspin
Drift Zone: Punto Norte
- Car: S1 Class, Hoonigan
- Location: Bahia de Plano, Punto Norte
- Challenge: 50,000pt
- Reward: 2 points, Wheelspin
Speed Trap: Tulum
- Car: S1 Class Nissan GT-R Nismo ’20
- Location: Tulum
- Challenge: 145mph
- Reward: 2 points, Pagani Huayra Forza Edition
Speed Zone: Trebol
- Car: S1 Class, Open-Top Cars
- Location: Teotihuacan, Trebol Speed Zone
- Challenge: 190mph
- Reward: 2 points, Bugatti Type 35C
Trailblazer: Cruse de Granja
- Car: B Class, Mini
- Location: Tierra Prospera, Cruse de Granja
- Challenge: 12s
- Reward: 2 points, White Trailblazer Finish Tee
EventLab: Horizon Rush Touge
- Car: B Class, Japan
- Location: Horizon Rush, Lookout Circuit
- Challenge: Win the Race
- Reward: 3 points, Black Drift Zone Tee
Horizon Arcade returns to join The Trial and the regular Seasonal Playground Games in this week’s multiplayer events, for which you’ll need to either play on PC or have an active Xbox Gold subscription to take part.
In case you’ve forgotten in its week’s absence, Horizon Arcade simply requires you to complete all three rounds of any type of Horizon Arcade event: Air, Chaos, Drift, Speed, and Wreckage.
Events are highlighted on the map by pink circle “zones” — and are visible for miles thanks to the Arcade blimp — and you merely have to be inside a zone when the event gets underway to take part. They start every ten minutes or so, with one Drift and one of the other four types available at any one time.
You’ll get three points for successfully completing the third-round task, with no additional reward.
The Trial fills its usual spot, as probably the hardest event on the Playlist. That comes in part from the difficult — or rather “Unbeatable” — AI you need to beat, but largely from your human team-mates who still don’t seem to grasp that the point is to work together rather than go for individual glory.
Your goal is to outscore the AI team. Each player gets 100 points for every ‘bot they beat, and the AI get 100 points for every human they beat. There’s also a 50-point bonus for the race win, as a sort of tiebreaker.
This means there’s a total of 3,650pt available in each of the three races, and it doesn’t take much to win. Third place for one human and 5th-9th for the rest is all you need, so it’s often more important to block the lower-order AI to help your team-mates pass than it is to try to catch the front two Unbeatables.
It’s a celebration of Lotus this week, and any car from the famous British brand is eligible so long as it meets the A Class (701-800 PI) limit. That relatively low performance level should mean slightly more clean and controlled performances from your team-mates, on the Road Racing-based event.
Should you beat the AI team over the three races you’ll take the usual 10 points, along with a Lotus 3-Eleven track toy.
Seasonal Playground Games this week takes you to the Aerodromo en la Selva location for the usual best-of-three rounds event. You’ll team up with up to five other players against another squad of humans to infect, cure, steal, and score in games of Flag Rush, King, and Zombies.
Victory isn’t required here. Just stay to the end and, win or lose, you’ll take three points and a Subaru WRX ’08.
Horizon Arcade: Mini Games
- Car: Any
- Location: Horizon Arcade (any)
- Challenge: Complete three rounds
- Reward: 3 points
Seasonal Playground Games: Jungle Boogie
- Car: B Class, Super Hot Hatch
- Location: Aerodromo en la Selva
- Challenge: Finish the event
- Reward: 3 points, Subaru WRX ’08
The Trial: Blooming Lovely
- Car: A Class, Lotus
- Location: Tierra Prospera, Tierra Prospera Circuit
- Challenge: Win the Championship
- Reward: 10 points, Lotus 3-Eleven
Challenges
There’s three Challenges for you this week, with a Treasure Hunt joining the usual fair and, for a change, no place for The Eliminator.
Treasure Hunts require you to solve a riddle and perform the task the riddle suggests in order to get a “Clue”. This takes the form of a red circle “zone” on the map, within which is a Treasure Chest. Smash the chest to complete the challenge and get the rewards — which this week are two points and 50,000cr.
The riddle for this challenge is “Acura a clue by traveling fast to see new stars on the Horizon. A quick flash and you’ll see!”. Naturally then you’ll need to pick up an Acura — the thumbnail shows an Integra, but the RSX and NSX will do too.
Once you’re in your rebadged Honda, you’ll need head to one of the new Speed Traps you’ll find in Series 5 — and it’s not immediately apparent from the clue but you’ll need to hit up the Baja Circuit trap on the west coast. One star — 35mph — is enough to meet the challenge.
The treasure itself is located almost at the very northernmost edge of the map, just above the Horizon Rush Festival Outpost. Specifically it’s by a road bridge over the river at the point the train tracks disappear into the tunnel. Smash it to score your rewards.
For the photo challenge this week, #ItsATrap, you’ll need to head to the Pantano Pass Speed Trap with a Mitsubishi Starion. Photograph the two things together and you’ll gain two stars and an “It Is The Way” Forza LINK message.
You’ll need access to online multiplayer for the third challenge, which is a Horizon Open event. Hit the pause menu, go to Online, and select Horizon Open, then Playground Games.
In order to pass the challenge you’ll need to deny three flags during any round of Flag Rush. That means tagging (okay, ramming) any opposition player car that is carrying a flag, in order to stop them from scoring. You don’t need to do it all in one round, but collect three flags and you’ll win three points and an “I’m a Games Master” Forza LINK message.
There’s one last chance to finish up Monthly Rivals. You can complete this event at any time in the Series, as its rewards are applied to all four seasons — backdated if necessary.
The event for March runs round the Lookout Circuit near the Horizon Rush Outpost. All you need to do is set a clean lap in the KTM X-Bow GT4 provided to complete the event. That will score you four points in each of the four Seasons, for 16 in total.
Horizon Open: You Shall Not Pass!
- Cars: Any
- Location: Horizon Open Playground Games
- Challenge: Deny 3 Flags in Team Flag Rush
- Reward: 3 points, “I’m a Games Master” Forza LINK
Photo Challenge: #ItsATrap
- Cars: Mitsubishi Starion ’88
- Location: Riviera Maya, Pantano Pass Speed Trap
- Challenge: Photograph the 1988 Mitsubishi Starion at the Pantano Pass Speed Trap
- Reward: 2 points, “It Is The Way” Forza LINK
Treasure Hunt: Acura Me Treasure!
- Cars: Any Acura
- Location: Any Series 5 Speed Trap
- Challenge: Score one star or better on any Series 5 Speed Trap, find the Treasure Chest
- Reward: 2 points, 50,000cr
Monthly Rivals: Lookout Circuit
- Cars: KTM X-Bow GT4 (Provided)
- Location: Lookout Circuit, Horizon Rush Outpost
- Challenge: Post a Clean Lap
- Reward: 16 points (4 added to each season)
Forzathon Shop
The final Forzathon Shop update for the Series adds a “hypercar holy trinity” machine, as well as something better suited to the terrain of Forza’s Mexico.
Front and center of the Shop is the McLaren P1. This was the first car in McLaren’s “Ultimate Series”, combining its famed carbon-fiber monocoque with electric wizardy.
The P1 produced 727hp from its McLaren-developed 3.8-liter V8, but this was augmented by an electric motor good for 177hp. That made for a combined power output of 903hp, and despite the weight penalty of the electric systems it still came in at under 1.5 tonnes.
It’s available for 600FP, although you might prefer to save the points and just pick it up for 1.35m in the Autoshow.
Porsche’s Macan LPR Rally Raid is a new-for FH5 machine. As the name suggests, it’s built for tough, cross-continent events like the Dakar rally, with a fiberglass body roughly resembling a Porsche Macan on top.
Chances are you’ve driven the car during The Eliminator, but as it’s only available through Wheelspins, Playlists, and — obviously — the Forzathon Shop, you might not yet own one. At 450FP it takes the random chance out of the equation, even if it’s not the finest return for your points.
Store items this week are the Welcome Spring Horn and a Festival Sombrero for your avatar, at 75FP each. The Wheelspin (80FP) and Super Wheelspin (300FP) take their usual spots too.
See more articles on Forza Horizon 5 Season Change.
