Today’s Forza Monthly stream has revealed what players can expect from the upcoming Forza Horizon 5 Series 30 when it gets underway in just under a week’s time.
Officially titled “Lunar New Year”, the event sees a surprisingly Chinese-themed takeover of Horizon’s Mexico, with brand new cars and a world makeover somewhat appropriate to the impending Chinese new year on February 10.
Along with some new free cars, new props, and a new theme for the ever-changing stadium, there’ll be yet another paid DLC car pack and the chance to pick up some previously playlist-only vehicles in the Autoshow.
Forza Horizon 5 Series 30 New Free Cars
There’s a selection of five new free cars from across Asia in this month’s Playlist, headed up by the Hyundai Ioniq 6 sedan as the first Series reward car. The flagship — for now — of the Ioniq range of electric vehicles, the 6 was all set to be a race car in FIA eWTCR until the series folded mid-2023.
It’s a sibling that arguably headlines the series, with the i30N appearing in the cover tile. This hot hatch, is available as a facelifted 2022 model with 276hp from its two-liter turbo four, will be available as a seasonal reward car in Winter.
A third Hyundai arrives in the Summer season too, although in a somewhat more humble form. 20 points will score you the 2022 Hyundai Kona crossover, in late first-gen form but, sadly, not the full-fat N model.
Two Chinese cars complete the list of newcomers, both from brands that we’ve seen in the Playlist before.
Autumn’s 20-pointer is the Lynk&Co 02. Sharing underpinnings with the Volvo XC40, this hatchback variant of the 02 sports the same engine as the 03+ model already in the game, making for 250hp to the front wheels.
Finally there’s MG’s flagship sedan, the MG 7, which comes in the Spring season for 20 points. While the original car was merely a rebadged Rover 75, this all-new vehicle made its debut in 2022 and produces 253hp.
Forza Horizon 5 Series 30 New DLC Car Pack
Accompanying the free cars is another DLC car pack that focuses on cars from — or in one case technically from — China. The pack is, appropriately, called the “Chinese Lucky Stars Car Pack”, and it’ll be available from January 30 for $/€4.99 (£3.99).
As we’ve previously seen, the pack will include the MG Cyberster. This is an all-new, all-electric sports car developed by MG, and unlike the lightweight, low-power models of old this one is quite the performer. It’s equipped with a twin-motor, all-wheel drive system good for 536hp.
Quite the opposite end of the EV scale is the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV Macaron. Clearly designed by someone who thinks Kei cars are a bit porky, this tiny, two-seat city car packs just 27hp from one motor on the rear axle. If you play FH5 with a CSL DD wheel, you’ve got 10% of the Wuling’s torque in your hands…
Joining the Lynk-train is the Lynk & Co 05+, an SUV variant of the 03. It shares the 03+’s capabilities too, with a 265hp, two-liter turbo four under the nose and driving the front wheels only.
Finally there’s a car wearing a non-Chinese badge, but the Volkswagen Santana is a very Chinese vehicle indeed. One of the first, affordable European cars, the Santana was a four-door based on the Passat and built in Shanghai by what would become SAIC as knock-down kits until its local assembly line came online.
Forza Horizon 5 Series 30 Other Changes
The centerpiece of the update is a makeover at the stadium, which transforms for the month into the Lunar Drift Arena.
This features a number of drift routes, and some special platforms from which to watch other drivers getting their slides on. More notable is the long decor, featuring multiple instances of the famous Chinese dragon — including a massive floor decal — as well as Chinese paper lanterns everywhere.
The dragon is in the skies too, with a special drone show. Extended nights return to take full advantage of it, but the drone show will be visible during the day too as the drones are trailing lanterns.
A new firework box collectible is available and will become part of the Playlist in the Winter season. The box and the long pieces will be added as EventLab props too.
Additionally there’ll be 13 previous Playlist reward cars added to the Autoshow to allow players who may have missed them in the past two years to pick them up for credits. Ten were previously announced last month, but the full list is as follows:
- Aston Martin One-77 2010
- Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso 1962
- Ferrari 330 P4 #24 Ferrari Spa 1967
- Ferrari 599XX 2010
- Hyundai Veloster N 2019
- Italdesign Zerouno 2018
- Lamborghini Sian Roadster 2021
- Lynk & Co 03 2021
- Peel Trident 1965
- Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer 1990
- Porsche 917/20 #23 1971
- Rimac Nevera 2021
- Xpeng P7 2020
The update for Forza Horizon 5 Series 30 is expected to arrive on Tuesday January 30, ahead of the Series getting underway on Thursday February 1 and running through to Thursday February 29 — what with 2024 being a leap year.
Playground Games has also teased Series 31, beginning on February 29, which sports the title “European Automotive” and is set to bring more props, more new cars, and another paid DLC car pack…
See more articles on Forza Horizon 5 Game Updates.
