Showing posts with label aston martin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aston martin. Show all posts

Thursday, March 7, 2024

My FH5 Log: IMPOSSIBLE. DRIVEN

You may remember back in the Winter Wonderland update on Forza Horizon 5, you have been given access to Aston Martin's ultimate masterpiece, the Valkyrie. Now, in the European Automotive update, its track-only equivalent, the AMR Pro, bursts into action.


Having obtained this car in the update's Wet Season Playlist, it's time to get to know about the Valkyrie's track-only equivalent.

Based on the Valkyrie hypercar, the AMR Pro is a track-only version that delivers the same performance and dynamics just like a Formula 1 car.

In addition to its more aggressive aerodynamic upgrades that add more dimension compared to the normal Valkyrie, making it capable of achieving lateral acceleration of more than 3G, the AMR Pro ditches the Valkyrie's hybrid system, trading power for weight loss. The 6.5L Cosworth V12 NA engine remains, producing over 1000PS of power.

During testing, the Valkyrie AMR Pro lapped the Le Mans circuit in 3 minutes 20 seconds, delivering the same performance as an LMP1-class race car.

Only 40 were made and sold. Customers who bought the Valkyrie AMR Pro have gained access to a bespoke track day experience at select FIA-approved circuits worldwide as well as other privileges.



The Aston Martin Valkyrie is known for being the road-legal Formula 1 car thanks to its space-age aerodynamics and dynamics derived from its F1 know-how. With the AMR Pro, well, let's find out how good the track version is by pitting it against its road-going version at the festival grounds. Roll the tape.


And now, the results...

Valkyrie - 1m00.344s

Valkyrie AMR Pro - 59.343s

Even in race-spec configuration, it's too close to call between them. Still, even without hybrid power, it's just as good as its road-going equivalent.


The Aston Martin Valkyrie is the engineering triumph a century in the making, combining most of its racing pedigree from Le Mans to Formula 1 to create a space-age hypercar that shatters expectations and the AMR Pro brings the Valkyrie's trademark performance to greater use. Here's hoping Aston Martin's 2025 WEC ambitions will come to fruition with this one.

This is IMPOSSIBLE, DRIVEN. 

Sunday, March 3, 2024

My FM Log: King's Weapon

The McLaren Senna and the Aston Martin Valkyrie are British hypercars performing exceptionally well not just on the road, but also on the track. With its track-only equivalents roaring in the Forza Motorsport game, it's time to exploit them further.


How do these two hypercar-turned-track weapons differentiate themselves? Let's begin with the McLaren Senna GTR, the track-only version of the King of McLaren Ultimate Series.

Revealed as a concept in 2018 and spawned into a limited-production model moments later, the Senna GTR transforms the already track-proven hypercar with even more potential.

The 4.0L V8 twin-turbo engine from its road-going equivalent remains the same, meaning it still produces 814hp of power, but it's mated to a racing transmission McLaren says it's faster in a straight line compared to the normal Senna.

In addition to its race-tuned aerodynamics that generate 1000kg of downforce, the Senna GT-R comes with a revised double wishbone suspension and slick Pirelli tires for improved grip.

The track-only Senna GT-R is limited to 75 units sold.

Now, let's get to know the Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro, the closest thing you can get from a Formula 1 car.

Based on the Valkyrie hypercar, the AMR Pro is a track-only version that delivers the same performance and dynamics just like a Formula 1 car.

In addition to its more aggressive aerodynamic upgrades that add more dimension compared to the normal Valkyrie, making it capable of achieving lateral acceleration of more than 3G, the AMR Pro ditches the Valkyrie's hybrid system, trading power for weight loss. The 6.5L Cosworth V12 NA engine remains, producing over 1000PS of power.

During testing, the Valkyrie AMR Pro lapped the Le Mans circuit in 3 minutes 20 seconds, delivering the same performance as an LMP1-class race car.

Only 40 were made and sold. Customers who bought the Valkyrie AMR Pro have gained access to a bespoke track day experience at select FIA-approved circuits worldwide as well as other privileges.



To bring out the anger of the beast from these two track versions of British hypercars, I'm heading to Silverstone and find out which of them is the superior king. Let's roll the tapes.



And now, the results...

Senna GTR - 2m11.792s

Valkyrie AMR Pro - 1m52.599s



Thanks to its F1 know-how carried over from its road-legal equivalent as well as other track-based improvements, the Valkyrie AMR Pro massively sliced the Senna GTR into bits around Silverstone.

Regardless of today's result, I'm extremely satisfied that the Senna GTR and the Valkyrie AMR Pro are truly at home in the new Forza Motorsport game because this game served as a chance to demonstrate their de-restricted track capabilities against the world's most demanding race tracks.

Come try Britain's most extreme track weapons in Forza Motorsport if you're brave enough. You're welcome to do so.

Friday, January 5, 2024

My FH5 Log: Community Day Classic (PART 1)

The Community Choice series update in Forza Horizon 5, running through the whole month of January,  features fan-voted events and challenges as well as a cesspool of returning cars from past installments. What a way to kick off the new year with a blast from Horizon's pasts.

So, the Hot Season Playlist of the FH5 Community Choice series update features an old McLaren supercar and a Bond car. What are these, you may ask?


First up is the McLaren MP4-12C, which can be yours after hitting 20 points on the Community Choice Hot Season Playlist. It's the first all-new McLaren model since the F1. Purely McLaren inside and out, the 12C is powered by a 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo engine that produces 592hp and 442ft-lb of torque while mated to a 7-speed SSG. Apart from the engine, the 12C features Carbon MonoCell, a first in a segment, as well as a Proactive Chassis Control system, double wishbone suspension with coil springs, a Brake Steer, and many others. If you have seven and a half minutes to spare while taking a break at the Ring, this is the McLaren for you.


Lastly is the Aston Martin DBS, which can be yours after hitting 40 points on the Community Choice Hot Season Playlist. Based on the DB9, the DBS is the replacement of the V12 Vanquish that is powered by a six-liter V12 engine producing 510hp and 420ft-lb of torque while mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Inside the world of 007, the V12-powered DBS appeared in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, starring Daniel Craig as James Bond.



Let's give these classic supercars a quick spin with the 12C battling against other modern supercars in a re-enactment of the streets of Cairo, Egypt, while the Aston Martin DBS drives through the touge roads at the dead of night without rolling over just like what happened in Casino Royale. Let's roll the tapes.



Job well done to these two, that's all I can say.

Next week, let's tackle the Koenigsegg CCX and the Lykan HyperSport at the Storm Season Playlist of the Community Choice update. Insert Fast and Furious joke at the latter, please.

Sunday, December 31, 2023

Aston Martin DB12

Aston Martin's glorious era of crafting V12 engines is well and truly over as the DBS 770 marked the end of an era. This is the newest chapter of Aston Martin's 110-year history.

2024 Aston Martin DB12
2024 Aston Martin DB12

2024 Aston Martin DB12
2024 Aston Martin DB12 interior

This is the Aston Martin DB12. Priced at 185,000 GBP plus additional costs, this so-called Super Tourer rewrites Aston Martin's 110-year history with controversial but exciting features that will make you beg to drive one someday.

At first glance, the DB12 is more of a refined version of its DB11 predecessor but with a bigger front grille and the new Aston Martin logo to contemplate the new GT's aesthetics. As for the inside, the DB12 features a rather dramatic cockpit view with a fully functional touch-screen made by Aston Martin themselves rather than the Mercedes-sourced one from the DB11. Despite being a super tourer, it's got two extra seats at the back that can only fit your pet or your extra stuff so clearly, the inside is driver-focused indeed.

Because the DB12 is the "new normal" Aston, the engine that powers it is a controversial 4.0-liter biturbo V8 engine that produces 680PS of power and 800 Nm of torque. Mated to an 8-speed AT, it does 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds and flat-out in 202mph, faster than its DB11 predecessor.

Apart from the performance, the DB12's dynamics are dramatic but jaunty behind the wheel thanks to its e-diff, all-new adaptive dampers, revised EPAS, improved suspension setup, improved brakes, and a multi-mode ESP with six-axis inertial measurement unit, among others. When you drive it on the road, the DB12 is beyond compare to other grand tourers because, as Aston said, this is no mere GT. On the track, however, the DB12 is as elegant as chewing a Kouign-Amann cookie served on a golden platter. Divine.

The DB12 truly is a sign of things to come for Aston Martin's future sports cars and with its glorious era of crafting 12-cylinder engines now behind them, it seems that the only way to go is V8 power for the time being until the times demand to eschew it altogether. Sounds controversial but despite the V8 power, the DB12 is a must-have for every Aston Martin fanatic and you can't escape the envy of driving one someday.

Photo: Aston Martin

Sunday, December 24, 2023

My FH5 Log: SUPER SECRET SANTA

The Winter Wonderland series update on Forza Horizon 5 challenged players to send as many gift cars as possible to hit two desired targets containing two "New to Horizon" cars such as the Gordon Murray T.50 and a Super Secret Car that is Secret...until now.


This is the Gordon Murray T.50 given to players after hitting the 50% mark at the series update's Secret Santa campaign. 

With only 100 units made and sold, the T.50 is the true spiritual successor to the legendary McLaren F1. It features a signature 3.9L natural aspiration V12 engine made in cooperation with Cosworth, producing 663PS power and 467Nm of torque while mated to a 6-speed MT. Because it weighs 986kg, the T.50 has a weight-to-power ratio of 207kg/100PS.

Aerodynamics aside, the GMA T.50 features a controversial rear-mounted 400mm fan that actively manages the body's airflow, balancing drag and downforce at various speeds. It also interacts with a pair of active rear spoilers, generating more downforce when needed.


Lastly, after hitting the 100% mark in the Secret Santa campaign, the secret car is revealed as the Aston Martin Valkyrie, the hypercar that is as close as you can get to a Formula 1 car.

Spawned from the collaboration between Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing as the AM-RB-001 project, the Valkyrie is a hybrid engine-wielding hypercar that features F1-inspired, space-age aerodynamics that makes it capable of taking corners at over 3.3G, as well as carbon blade designed by space shuttle engineers made it capable of impossible performance even at 220mph, Apache-inspired hydraulics, extensive use of lightweight materials, and a naturally-aspirated 6.5L V12 engine developed by Cosworth mated to an F1-derived KERS, producing a total power output of a whopping 1139HP, making it the most powerful Aston Martin road car ever made.

Only 150 of these units were made and sold.


These Secret Santa prize cars are like the past and the future because if the T.50 is a celebration of the past, thanks to the theory that this is the spiritual successor to the McLaren F1, the Valkyrie is what the future of hypercars will be; advanced, fast, and space-age witchcraft straight from sci-fi. Either way, they're fast enough to blow your head off at such intimidating speeds, and always ready for the climax.



Speaking of climax, let's find out which of these Secret Santa prize cars is superior, the celebration of the past or the shape of future hypercars. Because this is the Winter Wonderland series update, the clash between the T.50 and the Valkyrie takes place at the time-limited Winter Wonderland Circuit for a one-lap time attack. As always, the fastest time wins.

Let's roll the tape.



And now the results...

T.50 - 0m59.860s

Valkyrie - 0m58.425s

It's a razor-thin result! Although the futuristic F1-inspired Aston Martin Valkyrie is more powerful than the neo-classic GMA T.50, the gap between them is nearly a second apart, probably because of the technical segments the Winter Wonderland Circuit possesses. Still, it's a win for the Valkyrie, the prize car gifted to all FH5 players after hitting the 100% mark at the Winter Wonderland Secret Santa campaign. Yay.


The GMA T.50 and the Aston Martin Valkyrie are two incredible supercars that have been making headlines for quite some time. Although the Valkyrie is slightly faster than the T.50, the choice between these two supercars comes down to personal preference and which feature set resonates with you the most.

I hope you enjoy driving the two Winter Wonderland Secret Santa prize cars as much as enjoying the holidays in Horizon Mexico.

FELIZ NAVIDAD!

Friday, December 22, 2023

My FH5 Log: England vs. Spain (but crossovers)

Whenever I compare the Aston Martin DBX and the Cupra Formentor VZ5, it reminds me of a match between England and Spain in a certain finals match where one point will determine the winner, minus the post-game you-know-what.


England and Spain are itching for a rematch, this time as crossovers at Horizon Mexico. The Aston Martin DBX and the Cupra Formentor are ready to play ball and determine which crossover is the winner. But first, some introductions...


The DBX is Aston Martin's first-ever sports utility vehicle that competes with the Porsche Cayenne and the Lamborghini Urus. With styling heavily inspired by the Vantage sports car, this luxury five-seater SUV is powered by an AMG-derived 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine mated to a 9-speed automatic gearbox. With a power output of 542BHP and 700Nm of torque, it goes 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 181mph. The DBX was produced in Aston Martin's Wales plant.


The Cupra Formentor VZ5 is a limited-edition model, limited to 7000 units worldwide. Under the hood, the VZ5 is powered by a 2.5L 5-cylinder turbocharged engine with a power output of 390PS. Mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG and 4Drive all-wheel-drive, the Formentor VZ5 goes 0-100kph in 4.2 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250kph.



Shucks, the DBX is Welsh-made, and England and Wales are different even though they're part of the UK. But anyway, with their quick introduction done, both the DBX and the Formentor VZ5 are ready for a one-lap duel worthy of being called a rematch between England and Spain. 

This should be interesting because, like the teams themselves, the DBX takes pride in its raw power while the lightness of the Formentor VZ5 is its trump card. Yes, the DBX is more powerful than the Formentor VZ5 but the latter is lighter and easy to get through than the bulky British crossover. Anyway, no time for jibber-jabber because as the whistle blows, the action begins. 

Roll the tape.


And now the results...

DBX - 1m09.002s
Formentor - 1m08.018s

Like the finals, it's a point victory for Spain against England. I guess the Formentor VZ5 proved its worth against the more powerful DBX by a razor-thin margin.



There you have it. England vs. Spain but crossovers. The Formentor VZ5 defeats the V8-powered DBX just like Spain beats England by a point. It's a victory for Spain minus the you-know-what. The folks from Cupra should really be proud of their instant classic that pushed the Formentor to ascension. Those 7000 drivers who drove the Formentor VZ5 weren't wrong about its all-around performance that won the day in style and comfort, no doubt.

Still, having respect to these two crossovers, it's time for a little epilogue to spice things up.





With a little "mirror in", the DBX crossover is getting its Horoscope vibes because, you guessed it, it's festooned with Q-Pit respect all over the bodywork. Thanks, Q-Pit. Hope I can look forward to today's horoscope.




The Formentor VZ5, meanwhile, has 765 million reasons to be idolized because the face of Million Live's Kaori Sakuramori took center stage in my latest makeover for Cupra's instant classic.



With their crossovers becoming "people's idols" for the day, it's time for their moment of fame with these two crossovers as the DBX tackles a somewhat re-enactment of a sprint race from a certain 90s racing game while the Formentor VZ5 takes on a near re-enactment of Sydney Motorsport Park envisioned by a certain game master. That's the magic of EventLab to you. Roll the tapes.



Who says crossovers can't race?



Having enjoyed our little epilogue with the DBX and the Formentor VZ5, these crossovers proved to me that they've proven to be as much as enjoyable as sports cars, like it or not. I know, most people don't agree, but this is the new normal. In the new normal, crossovers and SUVs are like Hollywood superheroes. The more heroic they are, the more sales will generate and that's how crossovers rule the motoring world by a firestorm.

With the whole England v Spain behind me, it's time to do some more Horizon stuff as the adventure continues...

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

My GT7 Log: Power and Honor

For 110 years, Aston Martin created some of the most beautiful sports cars on the road in the essence of power, beauty, and soul. What happens when Aston Martin ditched these essences and creates the most extreme monster machine that can be used on the road and on a track?


What you're looking at here is the most extreme Aston Martin road car ever made and it's making the rounds on Gran Turismo 7 for all the players to experience it; the Aston Martin Valkyrie.


This is by no means one of the most anticipated hypercars of the decade, the Aston Martin Valkyrie is primed and ready to take on the world's most demanding race tracks offered in the game and I got my dibs on the most extreme Aston Martin road car ever made. But first, just what's it all about the Valkyrie?


Made in collaboration with Red Bull Racing, the team that produced big-name world champions such as Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, the Valkyrie is a hybrid hypercar with F1-inspired, space-age aerodynamics that made it capable of taking corners at over 3.3G. 

The carbon blade designed by space shuttle engineers made it capable of impossible performance even at 220mph. 

The hydraulics, meanwhile, is heavily inspired by an Apache gunship, making it capable of taking on the most extreme hydraulic demands.

Apart from the F1-derived aerodynamics, extensive use of lightweight materials was involved in the making of this hypercar especially the part where the Aston Martin emblem was etched to the front instead of using badges and decals, all in the name of saving weight and airflow, of course.

Powering the Valkyrie is a naturally-aspirated 6.5L V12 engine developed by Cosworth mated to an F1-derived KERS, producing a total power output of a whopping 1139HP of power, making it the most powerful Aston Martin road car ever made.

Only 150 of these units were made and all of them are completely sold out immediately.

 

Although it sounds foolish to call this a road-legal Formula 1 car because of its aerodynamics, the Valkyrie is a terrifyingly demanding hypercar that takes a serious amount of time to master its extreme capabilities. Only someone who is as good as a Formula 1 driver can wield this terrifying road-legal track weapon in an extreme situation such as this...




Yes, I'm talking about the Nurburgring, the most intense racetrack ever assembled. The Green Hell. The perfect place to take full advantage of the Valkyrie's capabilities as a road-legal track weapon. It may sound extreme to all of us but feels like I'm up for the challenge, just to get a feel for just how extreme the Valkyrie is.  Space-age aerodynamics, weapons-grade hydraulics, 6.5L V12 hybrid, KERS, the Valkyrie is locked and loaded as it tries to unleash its impossible performance as it tries to do...the impossible.

Trust me, this is not going to be an easy task. Anyway, as I said before, let's see if it can do the impossible. Send in the tape.


Having attempted the most impossible attempt, thanks to its KERS usage on the fast portions, I managed to post a 6m31.763s lap time, which is impossibly fast for an Aston Martin, but I'm starting to feel guilty about the KERS usage. 

Guilty pleasure aside, should Aston Martin bring the Valkyrie to the Nurburgring Nordschleife for the real deal, this would become the fastest road car to lap the Nurburgring Nordschleife. 

Bring it on, Aston Martin. Show us what the Valkyrie can do at the Nurburgring.


IMPOSSIBLE. DRIVEN.

The Aston Martin Valkyrie pushed the British sports car maker to uncharted heights. With its space-age aerodynamics, weapons-grade hydraulics, 6.5L V12 hybrid, and KERS, this hybrid hypercar is the new platinum standard. A real Force Majeure not to be underestimated.

This is INTENSITY. DRIVEN.

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

My FH5 Log: The Aston Martin One-77

Obtained from the Forza Horizon 10th Anniversary Hot Season Playlist, the Aston Martin One-77 returns to Forza Horizon 5. The most exclusive Aston Martin ever made is back to showcase its beauty and brawns to Mexican partygoers.


The One-77 is the top-of-the-line Aston Martin sports car that is priced over a million pounds and it is limited to 77 units produced at Gaydon, Warwickshire, United Kingdom. Showcased at the 2008 Paris Motor Show and at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, the One-77 is the most powerful naturally aspirated car in the world thanks to its 7.3L V12 engine that produces 750HP of power and 750NM of torque. It can do 0 to 60 in under 3.7 seconds and it has a top speed of 220mph.




With the quick intro done, it's time for the One-77 to have a welcoming party at Horizon Mexico...with a twist. Donning the same colors as the certain antagonist from a certain racing game over a decade ago, the One-77 is preparing to terrorize the opposition on the run like a wolf preying on...other wolves. See what I just did? Start running, boys and girls, because this One-77's about to play Nemesis. Oh, wait...


Yeah, you can run away from it safely but if you see this one rolling through the streets, you can't run away from it. You'd better beat it at the very end of "the run."

Enjoy your new ride!