Showing posts with label ford. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ford. Show all posts

Saturday, December 2, 2023

My FH5 Log: Junkyard Dogs

The Forza Horizon 5 American Automotive series update is littered with old-school American cars out from the junkyard and into the Horizon Mexico playground, a swarm of flies attracting a cesspool of vintage American cars.

As the American Automotive series update is wrapping up, let's check out the cesspool of old-school American cars that littered through the Horizon Mexico playpen.


The Wet Season playlist brought us the fifth-generation Plymouth Belvedere, the only model to come with the 426 Chrysler Hemi Engine and the one that scored Plymouth's podium sweep at the 1964 NASCAR race in Daytona, with one of them driven by the legendary Richard Petty.



The Storm Season playlist brought us the first-generation Pontiac Firebird, the first chapter of Pontiac's equivalent of the Chevrolet Camaro, as well as the second-generation Chevrolet Nova, in Super Sport trim with the Turbo-Fire 327 cu in V8 engine producing a power output of 350hp while mated exclusively with a 4-speed MT.


The Dry Season playlist brought us the Pontiac GTO "The Judge". Known for its funky logo and stripe decals, The Judge is powered by a 6.6L V8 Ram Air 3 engine that produces over 361HP of power output while mated to a Hurst shifter, heavy-duty suspension, wide tires, and a rear spoiler. It is the ultimate sports spec car made before the GTO was laid to rest.


Lastly, the Hot Season playlist brought us the fourth-generation Lincoln Continental luxury sedan, the first in the Continental lineage to feature suicide doors.







I've sent these junkyard dogs on a short trip through four new sprint races introduced in the American Automotive series update; the Línea Costera Sprint, the Aeródromo Sprint, the Marigold Sprint, and the Vista Del Mar Sprint. These four new sprint races will serve as the litmus test for these American vintage cars to flex their muscles as they scat through the competition in style. Want to see these dogs in action? Let's roll the tapes...






What do you think? Do these scavengers make you fall in love with old cars? I bet you are because your gut tells you to have fun with these junkyard dogs fresh from being junkyard scrap and into the Horizon Mexico sandbox but wait, there's more.

As it turns out, the vintage prize cars from the American Automotive update weren't the only stray dogs littering around the Mexican landscape. In fact, there's one junkyard dog to end them all...


What you're looking up here is the DeBerti Shop Rod, which is included in the game's American Automotive DLC Pack. Based on the 1961 Ford Econoline, it's been stripped off, lowered, made it right-hand-drive, and jammed with a Coyote engine paired to a Reid racing 4L80-E transmission with an ATD reverse manual valve body, producing 850hp of power output.


I got to sample it on an oval track to see if the Shop Rod from DeBerti is the hot rod in a van body. Let's roll the tape.


It's a hot rod, alright. A hot rod in a van's body.


This latest cesspool of old-school American cars proves that a game like Forza never stops jamming old cars to younger players who never heard of them. There are Gen Z players out there and showing them old cars is like slapping dog poo on their faces. In the end, this is how they roll.

When sleeping dogs lie, they'll come back to cause havoc another day and these junkyard dogs proved their point. We can expect more junkyard dogs littering around Horizon Mexico even before 2023 ends and 2024 begins and what a living nightmare our Gen Z players will experience.

The fun's just getting started...

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

My FH5 Log: Bronto Pronto

When Forza Horizon 5 was launched two years ago, the sixth-generation Ford Bronco became one of the stars of the show, making it the ideal offroader to traverse through Mexico's toughest places.


Now though, things have changed since the beginning of the Horizon Mexico adventure, and with the success of the sixth-generation Ford Bronco, the Blue Oval pushed the revived Bronco beyond the limit with this...


What you're looking up here...


...is the badder version of the Ford Bronco. Say hello to the Ford Bronco Raptor, the offroader that I've obtained from the Forza Horizon 5 Dia De Muertos Dry Season Playlist for 20 points.


First and foremost, what is the Ford Bronco Raptor?

The Ford Bronco is an off-road-inspired vehicle that has been a hit with both enthusiasts and regular motorists alike. In 2022, the Bronco received a significant update with the Raptor variant, which brings a range of powerful and advanced features that set it apart from its predecessors.

The first-ever Ford Bronco Raptor is powered by a 3.0L EcoBoost V6 engine that produces 418HP of power and 440lb-ft of torque. This is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission that allows for impressive acceleration and high-performance driving. The Bronco Raptor is armed with HOSS 4.0 with FOX Live Valve 3.1 internal bypass semi-active dampers and specially developed 37-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires.


Although some would say "This isn't its final form", the Bronco Raptor pushes the reborn Bronco past its limits, and when taken to its natural habitat, the Raptor's power comes alive as its off-road-ready performance and dynamics will claw through uncharted paths like bread and butter. Are you digging this, players?



Anyway, to see if the Bronco Raptor is the superior version of the sixth-generation Ford Bronco, let's pit these two horses at the Horizon Baja area for a quick lap comparison. Let's roll the tape.


And now the results...

New Bronco - 1m35.112s

Bronco Raptor - 1m33.594s

What a close call. A near-two-second gap between the two Broncos! Yep, this isn't even its final form but the Bronco Raptor sure is potent compared to the normal Bronco.


The Bronco and the Bronco Raptor are both amazing, offering a lot of grip and stability on any terrain but overall, the Bronco Raptor is an impressive vehicle that offers a unique blend of style, substance, and power. Whether you're looking to tackle rugged terrain or simply crave the thrill of driving a true off-road-inspired vehicle, the Ford Bronco Raptor is the perfect choice for you.


I was going to conclude my word on the Bronco Raptor but...I have other ideas with this potent offroader so...watch this space.

Saturday, October 28, 2023

Ford Ranger (P703)

The world-proven Ford Ranger pickup truck is now in its 5th-generation and this all-new version strives to be the world's best midsize truck that can tackle the likes of the Toyota Hilux and the Chevrolet Colorado.

2024 Ford Ranger
2024 Ford Ranger

Starting at $32,565 plus additional costs, the fifth-generation Ford Ranger continues to assert its world-class quality that makes the Ranger, well, a Ranger. Once and always.

2024 Ford Ranger
2024 Ford Ranger

Beginning with the design, the fifth-generation Ranger is more of a macho-sized version of its little brother, the Maverick, but unlike the Maverick, the all-new Ranger is still the macho man known the world over. From the bustling streets of the West Coast to the desert hills, this Ranger still asserts its Built Ford Tough mantra.

2024 Ford Ranger
2024 Ford Ranger interior

Step inside, the all-new Ranger features a 12-inch center touchscreen with SYNC 4A, digital instrumental panels, climate control, a B&O sound system, and a wireless charging pad, among many others. Like its predecessor, it's offered only in a four-door SuperCrew but when asked about the space, it is slightly more spacious compared to its predecessor. It even has a wider track compared to its predecessor, meaning you can now load a full-sized 'Euro' pallet flat in the bed.

2024 Ford Ranger
2024 Ford Ranger Raptor

The fifth-generation Ford Ranger is powered by a choice of a 2.3L EcoBoost 4-cylinder, a 2.7L EcoBoost V6, and a 3.0L EcoBoost V6, all are mated to a 10-speed automatic. The lesser one produces 270HP of power and 310lb-ft of torque while the so-called superior one produces 405HP of power and 430lb-ft of torque. All engine variants gave the Ranger a towing capacity of up to 7,500 lbs.

Depending on the variant, the Ranger is armed with the Ford Trail Control, five driving modes from Normal to Sport, independent front suspension with gas-pressurized shocks and a stabilizer bar, electronic shift-on-the-fly for 4x4 variants, electronic-locking rear differential, rear outboard mounted shocks, and increased track width, making it capable of handling the world's roughest conditions from the Scandinavian winter wonderland to a bridge over the River Kok.

The first-ever Ranger Raptor runs on the same 405HP 3.0L EcoBoost V6 but with a specially-developed 10-speed AT, a full-time 4x4 system with an Electromechanical Transfer Case, 10.7 inches of ground clearance, Ford Trail Control, electronic-locking rear differential, and Fox Racing shocks with Live Valve technology. With the signature Baja Mode set, the Ranger Raptor is ready to trailblaze through the Moab without going FUBAR. It's more than enough to crunch the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 alive in the open.

Asked about safety features, the all-new Ford Ranger is armed with driver-assist features such as Pre-Collision Assist, BLIS, Lane-Keeping System, Rear View Camera, and Auto High-Beam Headlamps. It even comes with a 360-degree camera, Active Park Assist 2.0, Pro-Trailer Backup Assist, Trailer Brake Controller, and Tow/Haul Mode on the transmission shifting, giving it better confidence behind the wheel.

The fifth-generation Ford Ranger continues to assert its world-proven credentials with its muscular new design, interior, performance, and technology that makes the Ford Ranger THE Ford Ranger, once and always. It's the official pickup truck of the new normal and whether you're ready or not, it's morphin' time, ladies and gentlemen. You're looking at the world's best Ford Ranger.

Photo: Ford Motor Company

Friday, August 11, 2023

My FH5 Log: Muscle Garbage

Forza Horizon 5's Summer Party update gave us a cesspool of muscle oldies fresh off the garbage bag. That's right, older-generation muscle cars have invaded the summer-themed playlist and we got our hands dirty on scavenging such garbage.

Anyway, let's take a look at the Summer Party dump we've scavenged throughout the course of the update...


This is the Ford XB Falcon that was salvaged from the Wet Season playlist. This car needs no further explanation because this appeared in the Mad Max movies, a car worthy of surviving the post-apocalyptic warzone. Anyway, if you need some info, the XB Falcon is the second phase of the third generation of Ford's Australian-made model, which features minor cosmetic differences from the previous XA model. The XB Falcon features different body styles from a saloon, an estate, a ute, a van, and many others. Engine configurations include a 200ci 6-cylinder, a 250ci 6-cylinder, a 302ci V8, and a powerful 351ci V8. Depending on the engine choices, it can be mated with either a 3-speed MT, a 4-speed MT, or a 3-speed AT. In its involvement in motorsports, a driver named Allan Moffat drove a Falcon to victory in the 1974 Sandown 250 using a GT hardtop model as well as the 1976 Australian Touring Car Championship in the same model and the 1977 Australian Touring Car Championship, using both the XB and the XC Falcons.


Next up is the DeBerti Ford Mustang, the one we've salvaged from the Summer Party playlist as one of the overall prize cars. Tuned by DeBerti, this facelifted 6th-gen Mustang features a unique grille and a heavily tuned V8 engine producing over seven hundred horsepower.


Salvaged from the Storm Season playlist is the Hot Wheels Pontiac Firebird, the winner of the 2020 Hot Wheels Legends Tour and immortalized as a Hot Wheels toy a year later. Based on a 1970 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, owner Riley Stair jammed an LSX V8 engine into it and heavily tuned it to produce a thousand horses.


Lastly, fresh off the Hot Season Playlist, the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am SD-455. It's by no means one of the muscle cars that survived the Oil Crisis to live the tale.





Having gotten to know the latest cesspool of old cars, it's time to give the latest dump a wide variety of challenges to show their worth in these trying times. The XB Falcon will live a Mad Max moment by taking on a post-apocalyptic sandbox curated by Forza resident "GT Deny" while the DeBerti Mustang battles against a pack of unbeatable drivers in an EventLab creation penned by "DorifutoMerc", the Hot Wheels Pontiac Firebird racing through the Acceleracers-inspired cave track curated by "AnPsyc0", and the Firebird SD-455 taking on a rather familiar racetrack re-enacted by "TypeHardFark". Alright, let's get this party started.

Launch!





How's the cesspool doing? Are they still doing the shots? Good.

And that's the cesspool of muscle garbage fresh off the FH5 Summer Party update. Expect another wave of toxic waste coming to this game; mostly Italian ones because next week marks the beginning of the Italian Automotive update where Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Abarth, and Lancia are back in the party and you can expect another cesspool of old cars sweeping your way as expected.

Until then, enjoy your new rides!

Monday, July 31, 2023

Ford Mustang - Seventh Generation

The previous-generation Ford Mustang rewrote the history of America's greatest muscle car by taking over the world with its stampede. With its world-renowned dynamics, raw American power, and classic Mustang moments, it really was the turning point for the now world-proven muscle car. Hot on the heels on the road to its 60th anniversary, the seventh-generation Mustang is unleashed, picking up the pieces where its world-proven predecessor left off.

2024 Ford Mustang
2024 Ford Mustang Convertible

America's longest-running muscle car is now on its seventh generation and the all-new Mustang is locked and loaded with new and exciting features that will show speedo boys worldwide this is the pure alpha and pure omega of the new normal. Speaking of pure omega, it really is because with the competition's gone extinct, this is the only muscle car you'll gonna need in this unstable world.

2024 Ford Mustang
2024 Ford Mustang

Beginning with the styling, the all-new Mustang looks vaguely similar to the pre-facelifted sixth-generation predecessor but they've sharpened it knife-edge to make the all-new model the sharpest-looking Mustang on the road, be it hardtop or open-top. As expected, the iconic rear view retains and when the signals flare up, watch out because they're still scary to look at just like someone's full moon.

2024 Ford Mustang
2024 Ford Mustang interior

2024 Ford Mustang
2024 Ford Mustang Convertible interior

Sharp the new exterior is, the new interior is a real shock for the speedo boys behind the wheel because of the dual display with a 13.2-inch touchscreen. Although there are buttons and switches involved, navigating through this brand-new touchscreen is a mere herculean task, especially for seasoned Mustang veterans. 

Complain all you want about the dashboard but the optional RECARO seats and a cool-looking handbrake dubbed the Drift Brake adds some fun to your Mustang driving pleasure. As for spacing, it feels slightly roomier compared to its predecessor, although the rear seats are still deemed nearly inaccessible for humans like you, meaning it only works for your pets, a child seat, or some extra goodies in case your 13.5cu.ft. boot space is full.

2024 Ford Mustang
2024 Ford Mustang

Now, let's talk more about the performance and this is where the seventh-generation Mustang gets its hooves. Of course, the Drift Brake is one of the signature features you can find on this model but let's dig more on the other cool features on this seventh-gen Stang. While retaining the independent rear suspension and line lock from its predecessor, the seventh-generation Mustang features an updated MagneRide Damping System as well as selectable Electric Power-Assisted Steering with three settings. When you get it right, this new model feels so much addictive to drive even on the bends. Smoke it all you want because this could be your last muscle car to smoke with for eternity.

Under the hood, the seventh-generation Mustang features two engine choices such as the 2.3L EcoBoost engine with Modular Power Cylinder, producing 315hp of power and 350lb-ft torque, and the fourth-generation 5.0L Coyote V8 engine that produces 486HP of horsepower and 418lb-ft of torque, not to mention the secret Remote Rev feature that allows you to rev the engine with your remote car key. All engines are mated to either a 10-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Those who want more from the Mustang can consider the potent Dark Horse variant packed with the 500HP 5.0L Coyote V8 engine, specially-made 6-speed TREMEC manual, and Brembo brake system.

Addictive the all-new Mustang's performance is but what's not addictive is the implementation of Ford Co-Pilot360 safety features consisting of Auto High-Beam Headlamps, AutoLamp Headlamps, BLIS, Lane-Keeping System, Pre-Collision Assist with AEB, Post-Impack Braking, Digital Rear View Camera, Rain-Sensing Wipers, and Rear Parking Sensors, among many others.

The all-new seventh-generation Mustang starts at 30,920 US Dollars for the coupe, 39,020 US Dollars for the convertible, and 50,270 US Dollars for the Dark Horse.

With its legendary performance, controversial technology, the unique Drift Brake, and the more potent Dark Horse variant, rest assured that the seventh-generation Mustang is the last word in American performance, and as the competition's gone extinct, this Mustang means forever even until the end of time itself. You'd be glad to have it when you had the chance to drive the last true American muscle car.

Photo: Ford Motor Company

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

My GT7 Log: Three Legendary Cars

Three Legendary Cars...The three legendary race cars that were once destined to win 24-hour races. What are they? If you remember your GT5 adventures, these three legendary cars ring a bell to you; the Jaguar XJ13, the Ford Mark IV, and the Ferrari 330 P4.


These three legendary race cars feel like they appear once in a blue moon and when one of these popped up at the Legend Cars dealership, it's gonna take more than winning difficult races to rack up some eight-figure income to snag the three legendary race cars that were once destined to win 24-hour races. Come unprepared and broke, you'll gonna need to win some money to buy one.

Anyway, just what are these three legendary race cars required to hit the namesake trophy achievement?


Beginning with the Jaguar XJ13, a Le Mans contender that never was. Intended to succeed the legendary D-Type that won Le Mans three years in a row from 1955 to 1957, the XJ13 is Jaguar's first mid-engine race car. Shaped like the E-Type, the XJ13 is fitted with a 5.0L V12 DOHC engine producing 495HP of power. Despite high hopes for racing, Jaguar canceled the XJ13 project as it tries to keep the V12 engine development a secret, and if that wasn't enough, it was badly damaged during filming for a promotional video for the E-Type. Thankfully, it was restored in 2005 in Whitley so it can showcase its exhibition run in Le Mans a year later.


Next is the Ford Mark IV Race Car, Ford's last effort to challenge for the 24 Hours of Le Mans title. Served as a worthy successor to the Le Mans-winning GT40 Mark II race car, the Mark IV is built according to Article J of the FIA vehicle regulation. Although well-known for its aerodynamic form, the Mark IV uses the same engine as the GT40 Mark II but it's been tuned to 523HP of power, making it capable of hitting 215.6mph of top speed. In 1967, it won the Sebring 12-hour race and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, beating Ferrari by five laps.


Lastly, the Ferrari 330 P4, the V12-powered masterpiece dubbed as "the most beautiful machine ever". Made as a response to the Le Mans-winning Ford GT40, the 330 P4 features the same 4.0L V12 engine as the P3 but it's been tuned to produce 444HP of power output. Debuted in 1967, it won the 24 Hours of Daytona and the Monza 1000km race but lost to the Ford GT40 in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Despite that, it managed to defeat Porsche in the sports car world championships and became a series champion.


These three legendary cars were once destined to win 24-hour races but now, it's time to find out which of the three legendary cars is the superior one.




I've selected the Goodwood Motor Circuit, which has been my go-to track to set lap times on cars bought from the Legend Cars dealership, and with the three legendary cars primed and ready, it's time to commence their one-lap time attack to determine which one is the pure alpha. Roll the tape.



And now, the results...

Jaguar XJ13 '66 - 1m18.759s

Ford Mark IV Race Car '67 - 1m18.522s

Ferrari 330 P4 '67 - 1m18.331s

What a close result for this legendary trio. Although they have set similar times, it looks like the Ferrari is pure alpha by a narrow margin.


Like I said before, these three legendary cars appear once in a blue moon and if you come unprepared when one of these popped up at the Legend Cars dealership, you'll gonna need to win some difficult races to rack up such a herculean income to invest in one of these masterpieces. 

Fortune favors the prepared. Keep on racing and keep on winning if you are itching to grab all three legendary race cars when the opportunity arises. Miss one of these and you'll gonna have to wait for a long time for these vintage racers to reappear so keep your eyes open and be sure to have enough funding because...it's going to be a long night.

Never stop driving.

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

My FH5 Log: Rise of the #PrimeDay Beasts

You guessed it, it's Prime Day again. The once-a-year event is where the heavy beasts have gone uncaged and become bats out of hell for the most insane moments of their lives.

For the second time in Forza Horizon 5, it's time to celebrate Prime Day by letting these beasts roar and this year, it's going to get even more feral as the cars I used last year, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor and the Pagani Zonda R, are rejoined by the Renault Megane RS 250, the hot hatchback that I won back at the #FORDZATHON series update last January.




Ah yes, the beasts of Prime Day. They're the Jurassic menace I'm talking about because they are business and leisure without compromise. From the roaring sound of the 6.2L V8 engine of the F-150 SVT Raptor, the lightness of the Renaultsport Megane III, to the Zonda R's ultimate expression of speed, these unstoppable missiles are the heavy beasts only a few people are lucky enough to drive these while their concentration's on racing mode.

From the moment the F-150 SVT Raptor battles against a HALO jumper, a Renaultsport Megane III battling against a Porsche Boxster, to the Zonda R going all-out, you can really hear these high-performance cannibals roaring to the sounds of prime. These heavy beasts really are badass. Yes!




Since we got the Horizon Badlands on schedule, it's time to give these heavy beasts the most insane races of their lives in select Horizon Raptors venues, just to showcase their technology, lightness, and brutal power, well, scratch the second part because only the Megane and the Zonda got that part.

From as far as Arizona and Rockingham, these heavy beasts come all the way to Mexico, determined to take on the Horizon Raptors. The challenge is on!




THIS...IS...PRIME DAY!!!

From the Zonda R's race-derived technology, and the Megane's lightness, to the F-150 SVT Raptor's brutal power, these unstoppable missiles made PRIME DAY the Jurassic menace you don't want to mess with. Life couldn't get even more exciting when you have the rare opportunity to drive these heavy beasts mixing business and leisure without compromise.

See you next PRIME DAY. (Tiger Roar)