Forza Horizon 5 Season Change: Euro Fighter

Andrew Evans · · Comments

The celebration of Europe’s motoring history continues in the third week of Forza Horizon 5’s current Series, starting today.

Officially called European Automotive, Series 31 is all about the best that Europe can produce. Well, the best for the most part…

It’s a gentler series than some of the recent ones, as Mexico gets a chance to relax back into its original form. You won’t be seeing dragons in the sky, neon lights everywhere, or brightly colored skulls; even the stadium returns to its standard decor.

Instead the focus is on the cars, with eight new vehicles available across the Series. Unusually, just four of these are rewards for points targets in the Playlist, with others coming by way of special events in each week. You’ll score an Evolving World Accolade for owning them all too.

Another paid-DLC car pack also brings four further cars, also all from Europe as the “European Automotive Pack” name suggests.

Table of Contents

Series 31: European Automotive

As the eight new cars appear as season and event rewards, neither of the overall Series reward car are newcomers. That said, they’re also “Hard to Find” cars that don’t appear in the Autoshow (mmm, artificial scarcity), so if you’ve previously missed out on earning them this is a good chance to do so.

For 80 points, which should be a dim and distant memory by now, you’ll pick up the Ferrari 575M. This was the final bow for the 550-generation of Ferrari’s V12 GT car, before the 612-based 599 succeeded it.

The increase in numbers in the name points at a larger and more powerful engine than the original 5.5-liter V12, with the addition 250cc adding 30hp to 508hp. That “M” appellation means “modificata”, but thankfully most of Ferrari’s modifications were under the skin with a more oval grille the main visual difference.

Such has been the pace of car development that the second car, Audi’s 2021 RS6, is a five-seater estate car that will absolutely demolish the range-topping Ferrari everywhere — especially in the wet.

You’ll pick this monster up, along with its 600hp, four-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 and all-wheel drive system, for 160 points across the Series.

Series 31 Winter/Dry Season Rewards

Hitting 20 points this season will earn you the new Mercedes-AMG SL63, the range-topping convertible from the brand.

Replacing the Mercedes-AMG GT, the SL sees a return to the folding fabric roof that the model sported before folding hardtops became fashionable — pioneered by the R230 SL.

It’s also the first SL model to come with all-wheel drive as standard (rear-wheel drive remaining available on the lower-spec SL43), helping to rein in the 577hp and 590lbft of the four-liter, twin-turbo V8 to make this the quickest car to wear the Sport Leicht badge.

There’s a bit of fiction with the 40 point car, as you’ll have another chance to add the Mini Forza Edition to your collection.

This specially tuned version of the classic 1965 Mini sports a twin-motor electric setup with a two-speed rear axle. Producing 235hp to its four wheels, it slots into the Super Hot Hatch category and has a Stunt Skills boost.

Winter will run until 1430UTC on Thursday March 21, with Series 31 continuing for another week until the same time on Thursday March 28.

Series 31 Winter Playlist: Forzathon Events

This week’s Forzathon Weekly Challenge star is another low-volume, pint-sized, sporty European car, but of a slightly different ilk — and the type of car the continent pioneered. Pick up the Renault Clio Williams hot hatch, which is awarded for an EventLab challenge this week, to get Blue & Gold started.

You’ll be testing out the car’s A-B qualities first, as you aim to score two stars at Trailblazers — and the City Escape location in Guanajuato is an easy one even standard. The car won’t be staying standard though, as you need to spend 20,000cr on upgrades for the car next.

Finally head out to any Speed Traps that take your fancy and rack up three stars to score five Playlist points and 80 Forzathon Points.

Weekly Challenge: Blue & Gold

  • Car: Renault Clio Williams ’93
    • Chapter 1: Own and drive the Clio Williams
    • Chapter 2: Earn two stars at Trailblazers in the Clio Williams
    • Chapter 3: Spend 20,000cr on upgrades for the Clio Williams
    • Chapter 4: Earn three stars at Speed Traps in the Clio Williams
  • Reward: 5 points, 80FP

Seven more Daily Challenges, mainly centered on European cars, await this week. You’ll have access to a new one each day at 1430UTC, with seven full days to complete each one for a point apiece.

You’ll be Fine Tuning first as you spend 10,000cr on upgrades for any Porsche model.

Go Sand Skipping next, earning ten Air Skills at the Horizon Baja Outpost. It’s not entirely clear what area this encompasses, but you should be fine if you go bouncing around the Baja Circuit and its various infield ramps.

Earn three stars at any Speed Zones next in any Mercedes-AMG model to show its Merc of Quality. As the PR Stunts this week also feature the brand, you might want to reuse the same car.

Visit the sunken Temple of Quechula in the Sierra Verde reservoir — thankfully at a low ebb in the Dry season! — to complete Water Way to Go.

Take any Alpine up to a 120mph Red Line for your next point.

Capture some Astonishing Beauty next by taking a photograph of any Aston Martin.

Finally complete — and it does say “complete”, not “win” — a Street Race in the Vauxhall Corsa VXR to complete Urban Vaux.

Daily Challenges

  • March 14 – Fine Tuning: Spend 10,000cr on upgrades for any Porsche
  • March 15 – Sand Skipping: Earn 10 Air Skills at the Horizon Baja Outpost
  • March 16 – Merc of Quality: Earn three stars at Speed Zones in any Mercedes-AMG
  • March 17 – Water Way to Go: Visit the sunken temple near Sierra Verde Dam
  • March 18 – Red Line: Reach 120mph in any Alpine
  • March 19 – Astonishing Beauty: Take a photo of any Aston Martin
  • March 20 – Urban Vaux: Complete a Street Race in the Vauxhall Corsa VXR

Series 31 Winter Playlist: Season Events

This week’s solo Playlist is a pretty robust nine events, as three EventLabs join three PR Stunts, along with two Seasonal Championships — including the Series-long Exclusive Event — and Horizon Arcade.

That latter item can of course be done co-operatively in Horizon Life, with the target scores for each stage scaling with the number of participants. As usual you just need to complete three stages of any theme — Air, Chaos, Drift, Speed, Wreckage — to score the standard three points.

All three EventLabs are based on the mainland this week, and all three see you racing against AI Drivatars for the three points on offer.

FBMR GP8 Ram Jam is just as convoluted as the name, with a road course based on the streets of Guanajuato hosting a race against the AI in A Class (701-800PI) Super Saloons from Europe. You’ll need to take victory to earn a Lancia Stratos.

The Link City Full Throttle course is a bizarre, 1v1 highway layout with numerous sharp corners, making the S1 Class (801-900PI) Hypercars from Europe a touch uncomfortable to drive. That also applies to the signage, which is commonly false, and in our race the AI got stuck near the end of the one-lap event anyway. Win to earn a Super Wheelspin.

Finally there’s Nelipo Track Night, which is another 1v1, in S1 Class (801-900PI) Modern Supercars from Europe. It’s relatively similar to the Arch of Mulege Circuit for much of its run, so you shouldn’t find victory too hard in the two-lap race and you’ll earn the Clio Williams required for the Forzathon Weekly.

All three of the PR Stunts this week require an A Class (701-800PI) Mercedes-AMG model of any kind, again with fairly modest targets but you’ll need a different approach to each if you want the two points and a Super Wheelspin.

Two of the challenges are Speed Traps, with 130mph required in each case. However, both have a cross-country component, with Caballo Blanco (near Copper Canyon) and San de Las Minas (southwest of the volcano) both best-achieved by some straightlining across terrain. You’ll also want some drift capability to hit a relatively gentle 80,000pt in the Los Campos Drift Zone.

Once more there’s a brand-new car available as a reward for the special Seasonal Championship. There’s still two events, and in each case they’re three-race championships against “Highly Skilled” AI on hardtop. You’ll need to top the points table at the end to claim five points and the bonus rewards.

The Exclusive Event is Lotus Leaf, a Street Racing event requiring any A Class (701-800PI) car from the British brand; taking victory will award you the Lotus Esprit V8 required for the Photo Challenge this week. Sand Speeders meanwhile is a Road Racing challenge for S1 Class (801-900PI) Hypercars, with a Lamborghini Huracan, needed for the Horizon Open challenge, as the prize.

EventLab: FBMR GP 8 Ram Jam

  • Car: A Class, Super Saloon, Europe
  • Location: Guanajuato
  • Challenge: Win the race
  • Reward: 3 points, Lancia Stratos
  • Car: S1 Class, Hypercars, Europe
  • Location: EventLab Island
  • Challenge: Win the race
  • Reward: 3 points, Super Wheelspin

EventLab: Nelipo Track Night

  • Car: S1 Class, Modern Supercars, Europe
  • Location: EventLab Island
  • Challenge: Win the race
  • Reward: 3 points, Renault Clio Williams

Horizon Arcade: Mini Games

  • Car: Any
  • Location: Horizon Arcade (any)
  • Challenge: Win the race
  • Reward: 3 points

Drift Zone: Los Campos

  • Car: A Class, Mercedes-AMG
  • Location: Estadio Horizon
  • Challenge: 80,000pt
  • Reward: 2 points, Super Wheelspin

Speed Trap: Caballo Blanco

  • Car: A Class, Mercedes-AMG
  • Location: Copper Canyon
  • Challenge: 130mph
  • Reward: 2 points, Super Wheelspin

Speed Trap: San de las Minas

  • Car: A Class, Mercedes-AMG
  • Location: Descansar Dorado
  • Challenge: 130mph
  • Reward: 2 points, Super Wheelspin

Seasonal Championship: Exclusive Event – Lotus Leaf

  • Car: A Class, Lotus
  • Location: Tierra Prospera
  • Challenge: Win the Championship
  • Reward: 5 points, Lotus Esprit V8

Seasonal Championship: Sand Speeders

  • Car: S1 Class, Hypercars
  • Location: Bahia de Plano
  • Challenge: Win the Championship
  • Reward: 5 points, Lamborghini Huracan

Multiplayer drops back to a single entry this week, requiring an Xbox Core subscription in order to take part on console — although it’s free to race on PC.

Naturally that’s the ever-present of The Trial, a team challenge for a group of six human players against a team of six “Unbeatable” AI.

Each driver on each team gets 100pt for each driver they beat on the other team, but nothing for beating their team-mates — except a tie-breaking 50pt haul for the team with the race winner. Your goal should be to help slower team-mates overcome the AI in order to secure a better position for the team.

As this week’s event, Sea to Mountain, is a Street Racing challenge, with no corner or bridge barriers, it should be an easier task to dunk unsuspecting AI out of bounds or make them miss checkpoints, allowing for you to coast to victory inside two races.

You’ll need a B Class (601-700PI) Retro Saloon from Europe for the event, so it should all be nice and controlled as you earn ten points and an Abarth 595SS for the Treasure Hunt.

The Trial: Sea to Mountain

  • Car: B Class, Retro Saloons, Europe
  • Location: Club de Opalo
  • Challenge: Win the Championship
  • Reward: 10 points, Abarth 595SS

Series 31 Winter Playlist: Challenges

It’s a three-challenge week, with one being an online multiplayer event requiring Xbox Core (except on PC).

That reverts to Horizon Open this week, simply requiring that you finish any Horizon Open event of your choice in the Lamborghini Huracan ’14. Two points await, along with the Keeno track Nocturne for your playlist.

As we see across the Series, the Photo Challenge requires you to photograph a car you can only win from the Exclusive Event Seasonal Championship. You can photograph your own or an AI car during the Lotus Leaf event to complete #SpiritOfHorizon, earning two points and a Fist Pump Emote.

The Treasure Hunt returns this week too. This week’s Clue is “With a scorpion badge it’s oh so bold, jump for 1 Star to win some gold.”, and the thumbnail should suggest to you the correct course of action: achieve at least one star at any Danger Sign in the Abarth 595SS.

Completing that earns you the Treasure Hint, which this week is over Ek’Balam. You’ll need to hunt a little, as the chest is squirreled away in a corner of the structure at the north edge of the site. Smash it to earn three points and 100,000cr.

Horizon Open: Blast from the Past

  • Cars: Lamborghini Huracan ’14
  • Location: Horizon Open
  • Challenge: Finish any Horizon Open in the Lamborghini Huracan ’14
  • Reward: 2 points, “Keeno – Nocturne” Song

Photo Challenge: #SpiritOfHorizon

  • Cars: Lotus Esprit V8 ’02
  • Location: Any
  • Challenge: Photograph the Lotus Esprit V8 ’02
  • Reward: 2 points, Fist Pump Emote

Treasure Hunt: The Bare Esse-entials

  • Cars: Abarth 595SS ’68
  • Location: Danger Sign (any)
  • Challenge: Score one star at any Danger Sign in the Abarth 595SS; find and smash the Treasure Chest
  • Reward: 3 points, 100,000cr

Series 31 Winter Playlist: Monthly Events

If you haven’t already completed them, the four Monthly Events will remain available as they will across the four-week window. You can complete them at any time in the Series to earn a point to each of the four seasons from each challenge: a grand total of 16 points.

Similar to Rivals events in format, the challenges have you racing against a ghost car over a given course in a car provided. However you don’t actually need to beat the ghost, as you’re only required to set a clean time. Hit your checkpoints, stay away from solid objects, and don’t use the Rewind button.

Given that two of the events are point-to-points this month, that last one might be tricky as you’ll need to restart if you muck it up at either the Forza EV Tunnel Run in the Volkswagen ID.4 or Reservorio Sprint in the Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro. Lookout Circuit hosts the DLC pack Pininfarina Battista for a Forza EV lap, with the Esprit V8 in Monthly Rivals at Plaza Circuit.

Forza EV: Lookout Circuit

  • Cars: Pininfarina Battista (provided)
  • Location: Horizon Rush
  • Challenge: Post a Clean Lap
  • Reward: 4 points (1 added to each season)

Forza EV: Tunnel Run

  • Cars: Volkswagen ID.4 (provided)
  • Location: Guanajuato
  • Challenge: Post a Clean Time
  • Reward: 4 points (1 added to each season)

Monthly Rivals: Plaza Circuit

  • Cars: Lotus Esprit V8 (provided)
  • Location: Guanajuato
  • Challenge: Post a Clean Lap
  • Reward: 4 points (1 added to each season)

Monthly Rivals: Reservorio Sprint

  • Cars: Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro (provided)
  • Location: Horizon Festival
  • Challenge: Post a Clean Time
  • Reward: 4 points (1 added to each season)

Series 31 Winter Bonus DLC Events

Players who own the two DLC expansion packs have an opportunity to score 14 more points as a bonus — not required to hit 100% completion — with seven in each location, consisting of a two-point PR Stunt and a five-point Seasonal Championship.

In Hot Wheels you’ll need to hit 180mph through the Forest Flume Speed Zone in an S2 (901-998PI) Extreme Track Toy from Europe, with a Super Wheelspin as a bonus reward. The Koen of Phrase Seasonal requires an S2 Class (901-998) Koenigsegg, and awards a Porsche Cayman for victory.

It’s a little slower in Rally Adventure, with a 200m target required at the Canyon Danger Sign in a B Class (601-700PI) Super Hot Hatch from Europe for a Super Wheelspin, and an A Class (701-800PI) Sports Utility Heroes vehicle from Europe to complete Round the Benz and earn a Mercedes-Benz X-Class.

Hot Wheels Speed Zone: Forest Flume

  • Car: S2 Class, Extreme Track Toys, Europe
  • Location: Hot Wheels Forest Falls
  • Challenge: 180mph
  • Reward: 2 points, Super Wheelspin

Hot Wheels Seasonal Championship: Koen of Phrase

  • Car: S1 Class, Super GT, Europe
  • Location: Hot Wheels Giant’s Canyon
  • Challenge: Win the Championship
  • Reward: 5 points, Porsche Cayman

Rally Adventure Danger Sign: Canyon

  • Car: B Class, Super Hot Hatch, Europe
  • Location: Sierra Nueva Devil’s Pass
  • Challenge: 200m
  • Reward: 2 points, Super Wheelspin

Rally Adventure Seasonal Championship: Round the Benz

  • Car: A Class, Sports Utility Heroes, Europe
  • Location: Sierra Nueva Bike Track
  • Challenge: Win the Championship
  • Reward: 5 points, Mercedes-Benz X-Class

Series 31 Winter Forzathon Shop

Famous names that are hard to live up to feature in the Forzathon Shop this week, although both cars manage to do so.

There’s almost no bigger name in vehicle manufacturing than Enzo Ferrari, so the car named in his honor had to be special. Not to mention the fact it was succeeding the F40 and F50 as the company’s halo supercar.

Although just as divisive aesthetically as its predecessor, there was no doubting the Enzo’s abilities. With 650hp from its six-liter V12, it had no trouble leaving pretty much anything for dead anywhere except the top end — which was still more than enough at 220mph, and still the fastest a standard, road-going Ferrari can go.

If you want a bigger name still, you’ll need to go to the racetrack and Brazil’s legendary F1 world champion Ayrton Senna. It was certainly a bold move for McLaren to name a car after their one-time driver, even if his nephew Bruno helped develop it.

In essence it’s a significantly reworked 720S, laden with as much aerodynamic trickery as a road car will allow — and an 800hp version of the McLaren/Riccardo four-liter V8.

At 700FP, the Enzo is a good buy compared to its 2.8m price in the Autoshow, while the Senna is a toss-up at 500FP against 1m credits.

The other store items this week are the UK Race Gloves, Hot Wheels Suit and Dial Up Modem Horn at 75FP each. The Wheelspin and Super Wheelspin are also available at their usual 60FP and 150FP respectively.

Series 31 Winter Forzathon Shop

  • Ferrari Enzo ’02 – 700FP
  • McLaren Senna – 500FP
  • UK Race Gloves – 75FP
  • Hot Wheels Suit – 75FP
  • Dial Up Modem Horn – 75FP
  • Wheelspin – 60FP
  • Super Wheelspin – 150FP

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