Criterion and EA have revealed the upcoming Volume 4 update for Need for Speed Unbound, and it’s set to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Porsche.
It’s the latest in a number of collaborations to highlight the landmark — which refers to the production of the first official Porsche vehicle, the 356, in 1948 — with Porsche being the featured brand at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed, Forza Horizon 5 recently featuring a free gift Taycan in 75th Anniversary livery, and even Microsoft itself creating special Porsche Xbox Series X consoles.
The same Taycan features in Unbound’s celebration, as part of a Porsche playlist. This unique set of events will allow players to pick up the custom-liveried Taycan Turbo S by completing the playlist three times.
A brand new series of Speed Pass will also become available, with another Porsche on offer for getting through the event’s ranks. You’ll need to reach rank 50 — of the, appropriately, 75 — to earn a Legendary Custom Porsche 911 Carrera S, with other customization items available for each rank.
They’re not the only free cars this month, as players who’ve also played Unbound’s predecessor Need for Speed: Heat will receive a free McLaren F1 when they log in during the Volume 4 period. Meanwhile EA Play members will also receive a Legendary Custom Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 in electric neon for free.
Changes to the game’s activities see a new “Gauntlet” playlist, which will see players attempting to outrun “the most determined cops in Lakeshore” for some of the biggest rewards around. We’re not quite sure what that entails just yet, but we’re suspecting a very long race with lots of cops intent on smashing you to pieces.
There’ll also be seven new Linkup locations in multiplayer, with new limited-time “Boosted” events that offer up bigger rewards for completion. Volume 4 will also add another 75 events across Daily, Weekly, and One-Shot Challenges.
Three new packs will be available through the in-game store, featuring new customization items and cars that celebrate the history of Need for Speed.
That latter item is the $5.99 Customs Pack, which adds three exclusive custom builds consisting of Eddie’s Nissan Skyline R34 from Underground, Rachel’s Nissan 350Z from Underground 2, and Joe’s Polestar 1 from Heat.
At $9.99 you can pick up the Lotus Exige S Legendary Custom Pack. This adds the car itself, with a unique bodykit and livery, and a Speed Pass boost which will advance you ten levels — up to the maximum of level 75 — no matter when you purchase it.
Finally there’s the Hip Hop Origins Swag Pack, for $14.99. You’ll receive a number of items that “celebrate the origins of Hip Hop”, which include clothing items (one of which is a Doberman mask…), an exclusive driving effect, and a unique horn, along with a legendary custom Mercedes-AMG G63.
Volume 4 is set to launch next week, on August 16, across all platforms.
