The new Series of Forza Horizon 5 continues into its second week today, with a fresh set of challenges and reward cars to cover the next seven days.
Officially known as #FORDzathon, Series 16 centers on one brand — and if you hadn’t guessed from the name, that’s Ford.
You’ll be required, almost exclusively, to drive Ford cars across the series and be rewarded with yet more Fords for doing so. That doesn’t just cover cars under the Ford brand in the game either, with some aftermarket modified cars under other brands — notably Hoonigan — also part of the action
Curiously the five new cars available this Series, with an Evolving World accolade available for collecting all five, aren’t actually Ford models. Instead you’ll be aiming to pick up two new-to-series MGs and three Renaults returning from older titles.
Series 16: #FORDzathon Rewards
The first of those new vehicles will be coming into range this week, with the MG6 XPower available for 80 points across the whole Series.
This sporty sedan revives the Xpower name, last used on — in the most flimsy of Ford links — a Ford-engined supercar from the pre-Chinese ownership days and added to FH5 in Series 4.
That’s a lot of performance branding to live up to, and the MG6 delivers. It’s based on the ordinary MG6, with styling to mimic the brand’s TCR race car — also available this week — and a notably enhanced powertrain.
It consists of a two-liter turbo ICE mated to an electric motor, which delivers a combined system peak of 300hp. Given that it all heads to the front wheels, it should be pretty lively.
Score 160 points across the series — which is only possible starting next week — and you’ll win the Hoonicorn v2.
Considerably more Ford in origin, the Hoonicorn is based on a classic first-gen Mustang. However barely any of the original vehicle exists, with the car extensively reworked for the late Ken Block by Vaughn Gitten Jr.’s RTR workshop.
Built around a spaceframe chassis, with the Mustang’s shell wrapped round it and seam welded, the Hoonicorn boasts a 6.7-liter V8 twin-turbo that delivers a ridiculous 1,400hp to all four wheels.
Neither of this month’s two vehicles will be available in the Autoshow, so it’s definitely worth scoring the points where you can.
Series 16 Autumn/Storm Season Rewards
You’ll be able to pick up the MG’s more serious sibling this month, with the MG6 Xpower TCR coming in as the 20-point prize.
Introduced in 2019 — and making its competitive debut at the FIA Motorsport Games after some non-championship rounds of TCR China — the MG6 Xpower TCR is the touring car variant of the MG6.
Physically similar to the road car, albeit with more relevant and functional aerodynamic aids, the MG6 produces over 350hp from its two-liter petrol engine, just like its rival TCRs.
The 2021 car featured in FH5 is the TCR China-championship winning machine of Macau’s Rodolfo Avila, who was also best-of-the-rest behind the all-conquering Lynk&Co cars in TCR Asia this season.
For 40 points you’ll have another chance to win the Ford Ranger Raptor, a car you can ordinarily only pick up as a Wheelspin reward or a very occasional Playlist prize — last appearing in Series 1!
The little brother of the F150, Ford’s Ranger is a more modestly sized pickup for markets where gargantuan trucks are neither necessary nor wise.
While the regular Ranger is a one-tonne pickup, the Raptor’s practicality credentials are slightly harmed by being a performance model. Maximum load capacity is significantly reduced, but then maximum fun is through the roof.
It sports a two-liter turbodiesel with 210hp, delivering power through a ten-speed auto to all four wheels. Along with a bunch of off-road modifications, the Raptor is one of the more fun ways to get through the rough stuff.
Autumn will run through to 1430UTC on Thursday January 19, while Series 16 will continue for another two weeks to the same time on Thursday February 2.
Series 16 Autumn Playlist: Forzathon Events
This week’s Ford-themed Playlist gets underway with one of the most iconic Ford models ever — and given the long list of them, that’s quite some label. Pick up the Escort RS Cosworth to get The Cossie underway.
With the Escort made for the rally stages, head out and win three Dirt Racing Series events at Trail courses; that’s point-to-point, rather than the lap-based Scrambles.
Next up, earn a total of 100,000 Skill Score (not Skill Points, as the description says!) in the Escort RS Cosworth. Use any method you wish to rack up the score — drift, smash, speed, and jump your way to the 100k (or 20k with a 5x multiplier!).
Finally earn nine stars from any Danger Signs in the Cossie (sadly it’s too new to double up on this week’s PR Stunts) to complete the challenge and earn five points and 80FP, with the Forzathon Points doubled if you own the La Casa Solariega player house near Teotihuacan.
Weekly Challenge: Built Wild
- Car: Ford Escort RS Cosworth 1992
- Chapter 1: Own and drive the Escort RS Cosworth
- Chapter 2: Win the three Dirt Trail events in an Escort RS Cosworth
- Chapter 3: Earn 100,000 Skill Score in an Escort RS Cosworth
- Chapter 4: Earn nine stars from Danger Signs in the Escort RS Cosworth
- Reward: 5 points, 80FP
The seven Daily Challenges — one a day, with seven days to complete for one point and 10FP per challenge completed — have a heavy Ford lean too.
That starts with Animal Crossing, requiring you to earn two stars from any Trailblazers in any Mustang; one star twice will do it, but you can easily pick up two from a simply one such as Malpais at the south end of the highway.
You’ll be abusing the Horizon Mascot next, by smashing five “Tank” pinatas in Horizon Arcade Wreckage. This will require you to enter a Wreckage game of Horizon Arcade — these run in rotation with Air, Chaos, and Speed event; Drift events are always available — and drive into five of the good pinatas during a pinata round; avoid the cactuses! It may be worth holding off until Monday though…
Pay it Fordward on Saturday by spending 15,000 credits on upgrades for any Ford vehicle you have.
Show Lightning Speed next by earning five Speed skills in Playa Azul. You don’t need to do this in the F150 SVT Lightning though, for some reason, but try it anyway to stay on-brand.
Monday’s event is There Ford You, and requires that you complete Round 3 of any Horizon Arcade event type. Pair it with Friday’s task to double-up for efficiency.
It’s a case of Mega Evolution next. Upgrade any Unlimited Offroad vehicle to S2 Class (901-998PI) and win any Cross Country race with it to complete the task.
Round out the week by Keepin’ It Clean. Earn three Clean Racing skills in a Road Race — and there’s two Road Race seasonal championships this week that you could use — to earn the point.
Daily Challenges
- January 12 – Animal Crossing: Earn two stars from Trailblazers in any Mustang
- January 13 – Horizon Mascot: Smash five Pinatas in Horizon Arcade Wreckage
- January 14 – Pay it Fordward: Spend 15,000cr on upgrades for any Ford
- January 15 – Lightning Speed: Earn five Speed skills in Playa Azul
- January 16 – There Ford You: Complete Round 3 of Horizon Arcade in any Ford
- January 17 – Mega Evolution: Win a Cross Country race in any Unlimited Offroad vehicle upgraded to S2 Class (901-998)
- January 18 – Keepin’ It Clean: Earn three Clean Racing skills in a Road Race
Series 16 Autumn Playlist: Season Events
It’s another 3×3 in this week’s Season Events, with three Seasonal Championships and three PR Stunts.
The PR Stunts stick to the Series theme, with the recent open events trend giving way to a Ford-specific list. You’ll still only need one car to do them all, but for this week it’s a B Class (601-700PI) Ford car from 1989 and earlier. As usual there’s two points and a Super Wheelspin for hitting your targets.
You’ll be heading to the volcano for the Event Horizon Danger Sign, the stadium for the Estadio Speed Trap, and to the Valle de las Ranas for a Trailblazer this week. The goals are all relatively gentle, with 210m, 140mph, and 22s targets respectively — well short of three stars in each case.
As usual the three Seasonal Championships each consist of a three-race series against Highly Skilled AI. In each case you’ll need to top the final points table to win five points to your season total.
There’s two Road Racing events this week, with Caprisy Does It a one-make event for D Class (≤500PI) Ford Capri RS3100s awarding a 2018 Mustang, and Superstar & Hatch an open challenge for B Class (601-700PI) Hot Hatch and Super Hot Hatch Fords giving a 2003 Focus RS.
One Dirt Racing series is available, with Ford by Fours consisting of a C Class (501-600PI) challenge for Ford-brand Pickups & 4x4s. There’s a Ford Ute for victory too.
There’s also a Horizon Arcade event, which can be completed either solo or as a team as the requirements scale by the number of participants. Just complete three rounds of any event type — Air, Chaos, Drift, Speed, or Wreckage — to earn three points; save this event until Monday and you’ll score another point from the Daily Challenge for doing the same thing…
Danger Sign: Event Horizon
- Car: B Class, Ford, Pre-1990
- Location: Gran Caldera, Event Horizon Danger Sign
- Challenge: 210m
- Reward: 2 points, Super Wheelspin
Speed Trap: Estadio
- Car: B Class, Ford, Pre-1990
- Location: Estadio Horizon, Estadio Speed Trap
- Challenge: 140mph
- Reward: 2 points, Super Wheelspin
Trailblazer: Puerta Petrea
- Car: B Class, Ford, Pre-1990
- Location: Hotel Mirador Balderrama, Puerta Petra Trailblazer
- Challenge: 22s
- Reward: 2 points, Super Wheelspin
Seasonal Championship: Caprisy Does It
- Car: D Class, Ford Capri RS3100 1973
- Location: La Selva, Sierra Verde Sprint
- Challenge: Win the Championship
- Reward: 5 points, Ford Mustang 2018
Seasonal Championship: Ford by Fours
- Car: C Class, Ford, Pickups & 4x4s
- Location: Copper Canyon, Barranca Trail
- Challenge: Win the Championship
- Reward: 5 points, Ford Ute 2014
Seasonal Championship: Superstar & Hatch
- Car: B Class, Ford, Hot Hatch/Super Hot Hatch
- Location: Horizon Rush, Lookout Circuit
- Challenge: Win the Championship
- Reward: 5 points, Ford Focus RS 2003
Horizon Arcade: Mini Games
- Car: Any
- Location: Horizon Arcade (any)
- Challenge: Complete Horizon Arcade
- Reward: 3 points
Hot Wheels DLC owners have two bonus events. They aren’t required for 100% completion of the Playlist, but give an extra option for seven more points.
It’s the usual mix of PR Stunt and Seasonal Championship. You’ll head to Giant’s Canyon for the Canyon Fire Danger Sign, with the same B Class (601-700PI), pre-1990 Ford requirement. The target isn’t enormous — at 230m it’s not even a two-star jump — but you will need to watch the landing zone to claim your two points and Super Wheelspin.
Watch out for hazards in the Seasonal Championship, Shaking the Trees. This three-race event against Highly Skilled AI is open to any A Class (701-800PI) Fords in the Modern Muscle category, but you’ll need something stable to deal with the sections of hazard tracks. There’s five points and a first-generation Ford Bronco for victory.
Hot Wheels Danger Sign: Canyon Fire
- Car: B Class, Ford, Pre-1990
- Location: Hot Wheels Giants Canyon, Canyon Fire Danger Sign
- Challenge: 230m
- Reward: 2 points, Super Wheelspin
Hot Wheels Seasonal Championship: Shaking the Trees
- Car: A Class, Ford, Modern Muscle
- Location: Hot Wheels Forest Falls, Forest Falls Hazard Sprint
- Challenge: Win the Championship
- Reward: 5 points, Ford Bronco
There’s two multiplayer events on this week’s playlist, with Xbox Live Gold required — unless you play on PC — to access each.
Naturally The Trial is one of the two and is again Ford-themed. You’ll need a B Class (601-700PI) Ford FPV Pursuit Ute to take part.
This a team event pits you and up to five fellow humans against a squad of six “Unbeatable” level AI Drivatars. Each player on each team earns 100 points for each opponent they beat, but there’s no reward for beating team-mates.
That means you should aim to help out your team-mates and hinder your rivals, rather than battering your way to the front through everyone without a care.
The fact it’s a Dirt Racing Series event this week, with loose-surface driving, might make for a bit of chaos, but the relatively low performance car class should make it an easy win inside two races. You’ll earn ten points and a Hoonigan F-150 for doing so.
Seasonal Playground Games returns this week, with the one-event format persisting. It’s a three-round game of Team Flag Rush, although you don’t need to win to take the prizes: three points and a ’42 Ford Coupe.
In Flag Rush each team will get a turn trying to run the flags to the goal or defending it. Tagging a car steals its flag, so it has to go back to base to pick up a new one. Whichever team scores the most flags in one round wins; complete three rounds to finish the event.
Seasonal Playground Games: Team Flag Rush
- Car: A Class, Ford
- Location: Ek’Balam
- Challenge: Finish the event
- Reward: 3 points, Ford Coupe 1942
The Trial: Ute the Best
- Car: B Class, Ford Ute
- Location: Mulege, Mulege Town Scramble
- Challenge: Win the Championship
- Reward: 10 points, Hoonigan F-150
Series 16 Autumn Playlist: Challenges
There’s just one challenge, consisting of the ever-present Photo Challenge — again called #FORDzathon as it will be all month.
This week’s subject is the Ford Fiesta ST 2014. Just take a photograph of the car at the Gran Puente — literally “big bridge” — at the south of the map.
Complete that to earn two points and a regular Wheelspin.
Photo Challenge: #Fordzathon
- Cars: Ford Fiesta ST 2014
- Location: Gran Puente
- Challenge: Photograph the 2014 Ford Fiesta ST at Gran Puente
- Reward: 2 points, Wheelspin
The Rivals challenges, both requiring a Ford, remain in place as it’s only the second week of the Series.
For each event you’ll need to set a clean laptime at the tracks indicated, using the vehicle provided to you for the task. Although marked as Rivals events, there’s no need to beat laptimes set by people on your friends list isn’t required. The only challenge is keeping it clean as any contact with solid objects invalidates your lap.
Both events will be tricky in that respect. Monthly Rivals takes place on the dirt of the Baja Circuit, with a clean lap required using the Ford Fiesta #14 Rahal-Letterman car. Forza EV might be even more difficult, as the Mustang Mach-E 1400 is overpowered for the tiny Emerald Circuit.
Completing each gives four points, with one point awarded to each of the four seasons — including completed weeks where necessary.
Forza EV: Emerald Circuit
- Cars: Ford Mustang Mach-E 1400 (provided)
- Location: Palacio Azul, Emerald Circuit
- Challenge: Post a Clean Lap
- Reward: 4 points (1 added to each season)
Monthly Rivals: Horizon Baja Scramble
- Cars: Ford Fiesta #14 (Provided)
- Location: Horizon Baja, Baja Circuit
- Challenge: Post a Clean Lap
- Reward: 4 points (1 added to each season)
Series 16 Autumn Forzathon Shop
Once again the Forzathon Shop is particularly heavy on the Ford this week, starting with a drift beast from Vaughn Gittin Jr’s RTR shop.
The Mustang RTR, here in #25 guise rather than the much better (and purpler) sibling #88, combines a modern muscle car with an even more modern engine. RTR ditched the entirely acceptable five-liter Coyote engine and side-stepped even the Voodoo and Predator version for a custom, 7.2-liter Roush V8.
That’s good for 1000hp, delivered to the rear wheels just as it should be. It also creates quite the drift beast, driven by Gittin himself.
It’s available for 400FP, but as an Autoshow-available car — and at just 500,000cr — you might want to save the points for other purposes.
That probably doesn’t include the Ford Performance Bronco R #2069 though. It’s cheaper, at 300FP, but is also available in the Autoshow for a mere 250,000cr.
Designed for, and to celebrate, the famous Mexican Baja 1000 race, the Bronco R sports a 2.7-liter V6 turbo with a ten-speed automatic gearbox. Although it didn’t complete its first attempt, Ford returned in 2020 to a podium finish in its class.
Store items this week are the Farid Rueda Lion Thin Wrist Watch and Police Siren Horn, at 75FP each. The Wheelspin (60FP) and Super Wheelspin (150FP) remain in their usual spots.
See more articles on Forza Horizon 5 Season Change.
