What Is Missing for Japan in Forza Horizon 6? | Real JDM Culture Is More Than a Few Classic Cars

Posted: Aug 21, 2026

Forza Horizon 6 brings the stage to Japan. For many players, this is a long-awaited choice. Japan boasts a rich array of car brands, a unique tuning culture, a tradition of mountain driving, and a globally influential JDM culture.

Whether it's the neon-lit streets of Tokyo at night or the winding roads of Mount Akina, Japan seems a natural fit for Forza Horizon. But here's the problem: while FH6 perfectly integrates Japan into the game's geography, it doesn't seamlessly integrate Japanese car culture into the gameplay.

Car Tuning Culture

What Is Missing for Japan in Forza Horizon 6? | Real JDM Culture Is More Than a Few Classic Cars

One of the most captivating aspects of Japanese car culture isn't a few famous JDM cars, but rather how enthusiasts transform ordinary cars into entirely different things through modification.

Japanese streets have witnessed a diverse array of tuning styles: Bōsōzoku, Kaido Racer, Shakotan, VIP Style, and various extreme lowriders, widebody kits, and street styles. These cultures are rooted in their own aesthetics, history, and owner communities.

However, in FH6, while players possess a considerable number of Japanese car models, they aren't necessarily able to truly customize them into these styles.

For example, a Toyota Crown, Celsior, or other large Japanese sedan, with more comprehensive customization options, could be transformed into a true Japanese VIP vehicle through exaggerated wheels, extremely low stances, air suspension, camber, and body kits.

This illustrates a crucial point: the existence of a Japanese car in the game and allowing players to create a car rooted in Japanese culture are two different things.

Underglow is another prime example. While it doesn't represent the entirety of Japanese car culture, it undeniably alters the visual appearance of modified cars at night. For a game that perfectly recreates Japanese city streets at night, adding this feature is highly suitable.

Forza Horizon 6 underglow car

Therefore, rather than simply adding a few already familiar JDM classics, FH6 should perhaps focus on providing existing Japanese vehicles with more customization possibilities reflecting Japanese car culture.

Japanese Car Enthusiast Life

Car culture is never just about cars. True Japanese car culture also includes car enthusiasts, parking lots, tuning shops, mountain road rest areas, and nighttime car meets. Where does someone go after modifying their car? Who do they talk to? What cars are others driving? These elements collectively constitute what we call car culture.

The Daikoku Parking Area is a mecca for car enthusiasts worldwide not just because it has a parking lot, but because it fosters a unique car social scene: different types of cars, tuning enthusiasts, and fans appear in the same space, with the vehicles themselves becoming a medium for communication.

If Forza Horizon 6 can further utilize this culture, the game's portrayal of Japan will feel completely different. Imagine: a player drives their modified car to a large parking area at night, surrounded by various JDM, VIP, Kei Cars, and supercars. The player can get out to admire, take photos, exchange car designs, and even participate in impromptu virtual car meetups - completely different from participating in a race.

Because players aren't aiming for rankings or completing festival playlists, but simply to enjoy cars with other enthusiasts - that's the true essence of car culture.

If a game depicts Japan with only beautiful streets, Mount Fuji, cherry blossoms, and convenience stores, it represents the scenery. But when a game starts showcasing car meetups, tuning shops, nighttime parking lots, and player interaction, it begins to represent Japanese car culture.

Touge Culture on Mountain Roads

Forza Horizon 6 Touge Culture

When discussing Japanese car culture, mountain roads and drifting are almost unavoidable. The immense influence of Japanese touge culture isn't just due to the suitability of mountain roads for driving, but also because it has fostered a unique car culture: uphill and downhill driving, routes, vehicle selection, driving techniques, and the chases between two cars.

Forza Horizon 6's track design inherently provides an environment perfectly suited for this gameplay style. If more specialized touge activities were added, such as tandem drifting, downhill time trials, nighttime mountain road challenges, or more free-flowing tandem drifting, then Japan's geography would no longer be just a visual backdrop, but would genuinely influence the player's driving style.

A modified AE86, Silvia, or RX-7 drives along a dimly lit mountain road, two cars chasing each other, with only city lights and headlights visible in the distance - this scene itself is a quintessential visual symbol of Japanese car culture. Forza Horizon 6 possesses most of the necessary elements to create this scene, but it lacks the gameplay elements to further integrate it into Japanese touge culture.

The Contradiction Between Horizon's Global Formula and Japanese Culture

Of course, Forza Horizon 6 is still just a racing game; it can't completely become a Japanese car culture simulator. Open world, vehicle collection, racing, and various entertainment events are the core features of the Horizon series, and these elements themselves are not problematic.

But when Horizon arrives in Japan, is Japan merely a map, or should it further influence gameplay?

If, after arriving in Japan, players still only drive Ferraris in off-road races, perform stunts in Lamborghinis, participate in activities unrelated to Japanese car culture, and even encounter road signs only in English, then Japan, to some extent, is just the game's background - no different from driving in a Japanese theme park in America.

This doesn't mean the FH6 should remove Horizon features, but rather that it should incorporate more Japanese-specific elements into its existing framework. Custom cars can have their own car clubs, mountain roads can offer unique touge experiences, and the city at night can become a stage for custom car culture. In this way, Japan won't just be placed within Horizon, but will truly become a part of it.

Forza Horizon 6 Series 4 Festival Playlist Review | All 10 Reward Cars and Their Performance

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Forza Horizon 6 Series 4 Festival Playlist Review | All 10 Reward Cars and Their Performance
FH6 Series 4 Horizon Mascot Party, will begin on August 13, 2026, at 14:30 UTC and run until September 10. You can take your new cars for a cruise around Tokyo.

There are once again 10 Festival Playlist reward cars in total. The official team has confirmed the complete lineup and the required points for each one. Two are Series Rewards available throughout the entire Series, while the other eight are tied to the four individual seasons. Let's take a look at whether these cars are good enough.

Forza Horizon 6 Series 4 Festival Playlist:
- 1970 Honda N600 (Series Reward)
- 1967 Renault 8 Gordini (Series Reward)
- 2018 Exomotive Exocet Sport V8 XP-5 (Summer Reward)
- 1969 Datsun 2000 Roadster (Summer Reward)
- 2024 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (Autumn Reward)
- 2016 Abarth 695 Biposto (Autumn Reward)
- 1974 Toyota Celica GT (Winter Reward)
- 1989 Toyota MR2 SC (Winter Reward)
- 1988 Mitsubishi Starion ESI-R (Spring Reward)
- 1968 Dodge Dart HEMI Super Stock (Spring Reward)
1970 Honda N600

This is one of the most distinctive Forza Horizon 6 cars in Series 4 and a brand-new addition to Forza Horizon series. It is a very small Kei car with a starting D class and 100 PI in FH6, making it the lowest-performance car among the 10 rewards in this Series.

1970 Honda N600 was the first Honda model to enter the U.S. market, featuring a 600cc two-cylinder engine and originally introduced in 1969. It also has considerable collector appeal. Its performance is not particularly impressive, but it should feel much better to drive after upgrading.

1967 Renault 8 Gordini

This French hot hatch has a strong rally pedigree, winning Tour de Corse Rally for three consecutive years from 1964 to 1966. It is a classic French high-performance compact sedan and the highest-tier Series Reward in Series 4.

Its key characteristics include a lightweight body, a rear-mounted engine, and a sport-oriented setup. Compared with the standard Renault 8, Gordini is much more focused on racing and performance driving.

2018 Exomotive Exocet Sport V8 XP-5

This car is an open-frame race car based on Mazda MX-5 Miata, equipped with a Chevrolet LS3 V8 engine and an extremely high power-to-weight ratio. Cars of this type usually deliver very direct acceleration and handling feedback in Forza Horizon 6.

This is the 20-point Summer reward for Series 4 and is also one of the new additions to FH6.

1969 Datsun 2000 Roadster

1969 Datsun 2000 Roadster is one of the early representatives of Japanese sports convertibles, primarily competing with lightweight roadsters from Britain and Europe at the time.

It features a 2.0L four-cylinder engine with an initial PI of 323 PI (D class), which isn't particularly outstanding in racing. However, it's a typical collector's car, suitable for players who appreciate classic Japanese sports cars.

2024 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

2024 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is the final model of the 6th-generation Camaro and has no successor. It was equipped with a 650-horsepower supercharged V8 engine.

This Camaro ZL1 is also another new addition to FH6 in Series 4. It starts at S1-class 718 PI and delivers 650 horsepower.

2016 Abarth 695 Biposto

This is a track-focused compact performance car based on Fiat 500. Biposto means two-seater in Italian, so this car has no rear seats. It underwent extensive weight reduction and performance enhancements, resulting in an extremely compact body with highly agile handling.

1974 Toyota Celica GT

The first-generation Celica was a very important classic sports model for Toyota, and 1974 Celica GT is one of the early versions. It represents the typical style of Japanese sports cars from the 1970s, with a lightweight body, front-engine rear-wheel drive, and a classic Japanese coupe design.

This classic Japanese car is also more valuable as a collector's piece. Its acceleration and braking are clear weaknesses, making it difficult to compete in intense races.

1989 Toyota MR2 SC

1989 Toyota MR2 SC was one of the first mass-produced Japanese cars with a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. This gives it a clear distinction from conventional Japanese sports cars with front-mounted engines.

1989 MR2 SC is already available in FH6, but it returns as a Festival Playlist Reward in Series 4. Purely in terms of driving layout, it may be one of the most interesting cars to experience among this batch of rewards.

1988 Mitsubishi Starion ESI-R

This Starion ESI-R is another new addition to FH6 in Series 4. It was Mitsubishi's final rear-wheel-drive turbocharged sports car, featuring a 2.6L turbocharged engine. Introduced in the 1980s, the ESI-R was the high-performance version.

1988 Mitsubishi Starion ESI-R may be one of the most anticipated cars in FH6 Series 4 Festival Playlist. It offers solid speed while also fitting perfectly with Horizon's Japanese theme.

1968 Dodge Dart HEMI Super Stock

This is the reward for the final week of Series 4. Its role is completely different from that of the standard Dodge Dart. 1968 Dodge Super Stock is clearly more focused on straight-line acceleration and drag racing. It is powered by a HEMI V8 and is a classic American muscle car built specifically for drag racing.

Is Series 4 Festival Playlist Good Enough?

To be honest, Series 4 Festival Playlist only just passes the bar and can even feel somewhat lacking insincerity. Only three of the 10 cars are brand-new additions to the game, while most of the others are returning cars.

2024 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, for example, is only a refreshed version of an existing model, so it does not bring much novelty. However, if you prefer classic cars, models such as the 1970 Honda N600 and 1967 Renault 8 Gordini can still satisfy that nostalgic appeal.

If you want to buy some great cars at IGGM, don't forget to use your points to redeem IGGM coupons for discounts or cash coupons.

That is the assessment of all the cars in Forza Horizon 6 Series 4 Festival Playlist. If you like these cars, you can unlock them by completing the weekly rotating events and challenges.
Forza Horizon 6 Series 4 Mascot Party Goes Live August 13 | 200 Collectibles, New Time Attack & JDM Icons Arrive
As a major content update for Forza Horizon 6, Series 4 has yet to receive an official announcement. However, reliable leaks have revealed its release date and content design, allowing for some reasonable predictions.

Series 4 brings FH6's focus back to Japanese automotive and pop culture, making it a content-rich season update.

Timing and Deployment Arrangements

Series 4 deployment will be divided into two phases: content patch release and the official season launch. The approximately 14GB update files are expected to be pushed to all platforms on August 11th at 17:00 (UTC), primarily for preloading new resources, fixing stability issues, and optimizing some tracks.

The actual season will begin on August 13th at 14:30 (UTC), at which time Festival Playlist will also be updated, and all new cars and events will be officially unlocked.

While Forza Horizon 6 Series 4 isn't released yet, players should check their hard drive space to ensure they have at least 14GB of free room to avoid affecting automatic game updates.

Also, pay close attention to the official patch notes released before the update to better understand the specific fixes for Series 4.

Main Gameplay

Mascot Party Theme

Since the core theme of Forza Horizon 6 Series 4, Mascot Party, revolves around the unique local mascot culture of various regions of Japan, after this update goes live, we'll see over 200 collectible mascots scattered across the entire map of Japan.

These mascots are modeled after representative characters and foods from traditional Japanese culture, including Edamame, rice balls, and sweet mochi dumplings. Players will need to find and smash these collectibles in various corners of the map: city streets, village shrines, and coastal roads.

Rewards

If players successfully collect all 200 mascots in Series 4, they will receive a massive reward of 1,000,000 Forza Horizon 6 credits - enough for most players to unlock a rare vehicle.

During the collection process, players will also unlock various fun cosmetic rewards, including giant mascot headgear masks and themed horn sound effects, all of which can be displayed in Horizon Life multiplayer mode.

In addition, many players in the community and online have shared complete mascot location guides and interactive maps for reference, so you can plan your routes in advance to maximize your collection efficiency in Series 4.

Evolving World Time Attack

The most significant new content in FH6 Series 4 is undoubtedly Evolving World Time Attack mode.

While the game already has a Rivals leaderboard system, Time Attack introduces a dynamic sandbox-style timed challenge mechanism.

Throughout the four seasons of Series 4, specific Japanese road tracks, city streets, and distinctive mountain roads will be transformed into dedicated time trial arenas, waiting for your challenge!

These time trial events feature protective barriers made from stacked tires, optimized racing line markings, and weekly changing local weather patterns.

Racing conditions will also dynamically evolve, including real-time changes in atmospheric conditions such as fog density, road surface moisture, and wind speed.

As a challenge, FH6 will naturally provide players with leaderboards, allowing them to compete for rankings globally or within their own clubs.

Achieving excellent results in time trials will also earn you substantial FH6 credits, rare Wheelpins, and unique in-game player badges.

Regarding this new gameplay, we might also speculate that this could be a technical prelude to a larger expansion expected later this year, meaning the significance of FH6 Series 4 update may extend beyond the current season's content.

Are there any new cars?

Given the immense attention Series 4 has garnered, its vehicle lineup is unlikely to disappoint.

According to reliable leaks, Series 4 will focus on introducing a number of classic and modified Japanese domestic market models that have been eagerly awaited by the player community. The following are currently known vehicles:
- 2026 Toyota GR Prius
- 1998 Suzuki Cappuccino (Custom Widebody)
- 2024 Honda Civic Type R (FL5) Mugen
- 2025 Mazda Spirit Racing 3 Concept
- 1992 Autozam AZ-1 (Mascot Edition)
- Toyota Chaser Tourer V (JZX100)
- Nissan Skyline GT-R (R33) NISMO 400R
Specifically, the 2026 Toyota GR Prius should be obtained as a reward for completing Series 4 (accumulating 80 points).

1998 Suzuki Cappuccino (Custom Widebody), 2024 Honda Civic Type R (FL5) Mugen, 2025 Mazda Spirit Racing 3 Concept, and 1992 Autozam AZ-1 (Mascot Edition) correspond to the weekly rewards of the summer, fall, winter, and spring seasons, respectively, requiring 20 or 40 points to unlock.

The other two are highly anticipated heavyweight models - Toyota Chaser Tourer V (JZX100) and Nissan Skyline GT-R (R33) NISMO 400R - one a mainstay of the Japanese rear-wheel-drive drift scene, the other one of the rarest production models in Skyline family, boasting a legendary 400 horsepower.

All of these vehicles require accumulating points by completing the weekly Festival Playlist challenges in Forza Horizon 6. Therefore, players should plan their weekly playtime wisely, prioritizing higher-difficulty challenges to ensure they don't miss out on their desired vehicles!

Another noteworthy point is that if you lack any resources in Series 4, you can visit IGGM Forza Horizon 6 store and order your desired products. Accumulating points allows you to redeem IGGM Coupons for even more future discounts!

However, please remember to register and log in first to earn valid points according to the points rules.

Overall, Forza Horizon 6 Series 4 is far more than just a simple content update; it's a major update meticulously crafted from theme design to gameplay.

Therefore, whether you're a casual player who enjoys exploration and collecting, a time trial expert pursuing extreme lap times, or an enthusiast obsessed with classic JDM performance cars, you can find your own goals and enjoyment in Series 4.

We wish you all a fantastic time playing Forza Horizon 6 Series 4!
Forza Horizon 6 First Expansion Predictions: September Release, Typhoon Weather, and a LEGO Collaboration

Friends, we still have no official news about the exact release date of the first expansion for Forza Horizon 6, nor an official timetable for FH6 coming to the PlayStation 5 platform.

However, we might be able to reasonably extrapolate and predict the timing of this first expansion based on past release patterns and market strategies.

Based on Predetermined Strategies

We can naturally think of FH5's overall release schedule: the base game was released on November 9, 2021, the first expansion, Hot Wheels, was released 252 days later, and then the second expansion, Rally Adventure, was released 253 days later.

If we apply this timeline directly to Forza Horizon 6, which is scheduled for release on May 19, 2026, the theoretical release date for the first expansion would be January 26, 2027, and the second would be October 6 of the same year.

However, a little thought reveals that this calculation based on previous games has significant flaws.

On the one hand, the end of January is close to the low consumption period after Christmas and New Year holidays, and the market popularity of games is probably very low, so large games usually do not choose this time to release.

On the other hand, after the holidays, FH6 development team is often in a period of personnel adjustment and recovery, making it difficult to support the high-intensity release and maintenance needs of a large expansion.

Internal Competition Impact

Another important variable to consider is another project within the development company, Fable, which has been announced for release in February 2027.

Although FH6 and Fable are developed by different teams, they share similar ForzaTech engine technology, and in the critical sprint before Fable's release, the studio is very likely to temporarily pull artists, programmers, or audio personnel from FH6 project to support Fable's development to ensure on-time delivery.

Such cross-project personnel movement is not uncommon in the current game industry, but it will inevitably affect the development progress and scheduling of Forza Horizon 6 expansion, thus making it impossible to continue with the regular and relaxed update rhythm like FH5.

Earlier Releases for Reference

Going back to FH4 timeline, the game was released on October 2, 2018. Its first expansion was released just 72 days later, on December 13, 2018, and the second expansion, LEGO Speed Champions, was released 182 days later.

However, if we map this tight timeframe onto Forza Horizon 6, we get the first expansion date of July 30, 2026, which is too rushed and completely mismatched with the current size of the game content and the complexity of its development.

A more credible reference is the avoidance of GTA 6 in release strategies - Halo Remastered avoided its 25th anniversary and was released earlier, while Fable has also postponed its release from its original fall release date, all to avoid the appeal of GTA 6 to players in November.

Therefore, we can infer that the first expansion for Forza Horizon 6 is highly unlikely to be released in January or November; its reasonable window should be compressed to between August and October 2026.

Timeline Prediction

Considering the above constraints, a highly probable prediction is that the first expansion for Forza Horizon 6 will be released in September 2026, with a more specific date of September 15th.

An even more ideal marketing strategy would be to release the PS5 version of FH6 one to two weeks before the expansion launch, leveraging the influx of new platform players to create initial buzz and give these new players ample time to experience the base game content. Then, the first expansion would be released simultaneously on all platforms.

This would maximize the promotional effect and avoid putting pressure on new players by presenting two types of content simultaneously.

Expansion Content Prediction

Traditionally, aside from the original Forza Horizon, each game has released two expansions, usually a brand collaboration theme plus an extreme weather or motorsport theme, though the order in which these two themes are released is not fixed.

For Forza Horizon 6, given its map setting in Japan, its first weather-themed expansion will probably leverage the extreme weather (typhoons, torrential rains, etc.) and complex terrain (volcanoes, rice terraces, etc.) of Southeast Asia to create a new driving experience for players.

If the expansion is geared towards motorsports, it will most likely revolve around closed-track racing.

Regarding brand collaboration expansions, while players may be hesitant to collaborate with LEGO or Hot Wheels again, the reality is that very few non-automotive brands possess the financial resources and global brand influence to support a AAA expansion development.

There are already indications that the development company's collaboration with LEGO continues, with related FH6-themed LEGO sets already planned or already available in retail channels.

In addition, potential brand collaborations may involve a major film or a well-funded emerging company, but due to high confidentiality, the specifics remain unknown.

It's worth noting that the development team prefers to design separate new map regions rather than directly expanding upon the existing Japanese map when designing expansions. Therefore, the expansion will probably follow the usual practice of providing a completely new playspace within the game, accessible via menus or waypoints.

Given that the expansion will inevitably introduce a large number of high-performance cars and exclusive upgrade kits, the demand for credits will increase dramatically. If you want your favorite vehicle to be available in the new expansion as soon as possible, you can buy FH6 credits from IGGM.com!

Do you agree with these predictions regarding the various aspects of the first expansion of FH6?
Don't Be Fooled by Forza Horizon 6 Driving Modes: From AMG ONE to Rimac | Which Are Real Upgrades and Which Are Just for Show?
In the real world, driving mode switching is nothing new. From Comfort to Sport to Track, different settings can indeed change a car's performance. But in a racing game like Forza Horizon 6, are these modes truly performance switches, or merely visual gimmicks?

To answer this question, we conducted a series of rigorous real-world tests. The tests focused on track lap times and top speeds on straightaways, covering a variety of car models. Below are the complete conclusions and model guide.

Testing Methodology: Limitations and Standards

First, it's important to clarify several hard limitations of driving mode switching in FH6. According to our tests, all mode switching can only be done in Free Roam mode, and the vehicle must be completely stationary. This means you cannot adjust the mode mid-race. The only viable scenario for competitive use is in-game time trials.

To quantify the differences, we chose Legends Island Circuit as our primary test track. This track features both high-speed and low-speed combination corners, effectively testing the handling differences caused by changes in downforce. We also conducted top-speed comparison tests on the highway to verify the actual effect of the low-drag mode.

Testing of Various Cars

Mercedes-AMG ONE

As one of FH6 models with the most significant visual changes, AMG ONE's mode switching is a veritable transformation show. In Highway mode, the massive active rear wing is completely flattened, the front wing flaps are closed, and the ride height is at a normal level. Once switched to Track Mode, the rear wing rises, and the front air vents and flaps deploy, creating a striking visual impact.

However, the actual driving experience contrasts sharply with the exaggerated visual effects. In Legends Island Circuit lap time comparison, Track Mode lap times were only about 0.2 to 0.3 seconds faster than Highway Mode. In terms of perceived performance, theoretically, lower wind resistance should result in higher top speeds. However, in actual highway testing, both modes remained stable at 227 mph, with no difference.

In other words, the mode switching in Mercedes-AMG ONE is more of an emotional experience. In high-speed corners, there's almost no perceptible change in grip. Unless you're staring at the mode icon in the upper left corner of the screen, most drivers wouldn't be able to tell the difference blindly.

Gordon Murray T.50: The Only Real Power Difference

Gordon Murray T.50 is the most unique case in this test because it boasts an extremely hardcore setup: VMax Boost. This isn't just a simple suspension or steering tuning adjustment; it's a genuine power boost.

In High Downforce mode, the output is approximately 655 horsepower; while in VMax Boost mode, the output jumps to 685 horsepower, while the active rear wing enters a low-drag state.

In track testing, the lap times of the two were minimally different. However, in top speed tests, High Downforce reaches 217-218 mph, while VMax Boost easily achieves 222 mph, with potential for even higher speeds.

Despite this, the perceived difference remains negligible. Whether in high-speed long curves or heavy braking zones, the T.50 performs extremely stably; you can hardly determine the current mode through steering wheel feedback or vehicle dynamics.

McLaren P1 & Ford GT: The Only Two Perceptible Handling Differences

These two cars prove that mode switching in Forza Horizon does indeed produce a sense of handling.

McLaren P1's mode switching process is extremely slow, with an animation lasting several seconds, visually only showing a change in the rear wing angle and a slight lowering of the body. But in actual driving:
- Sport mode: Slight hesitation in cornering, noticeable understeer
- Race mode: Significantly faster front axle response, sharper cornering, improved rear-end tracking
And the lap time difference reaches 1 second, which is a clearly perceptible difference in FH6's physics system.

Ford GT's performance is even more pronounced. In Track Mode, the car feels noticeably more grounded, boosting confidence when navigating high-speed, undulating terrain and allowing players to brake later and accelerate earlier.

If you'd like to experience the differences between these two cars' modes firsthand, but haven't unlocked them in your garage, you can buy Forza Horizon 6 cars from IGGM.com to immediately experience the realistic handling in the virtual world.

Toyota GR Yaris: No Change

Theoretically, this popular performance car has a complex all-wheel-drive torque distribution tuning in reality, with noticeable differences between modes. However, in the game, there are no perceptible changes to the vehicle's appearance, lap times, or top speed in either Sport or Track modes.

Rimac Nevera: The Real Difference

If the mode switching of the previous models was a minor adjustment, then Rimac Nevera's Drift mode is a genetic mutation.

In all-wheel-drive mode, the Rimac Nevera achieves a lap time of 42.7 seconds, demonstrating extremely efficient power distribution and rapid cornering exits. In Drift mode, the vehicle is forced into pure rear-wheel drive, causing the lap time to drop to 47.8 seconds, more than 5 seconds slower.

In Drift mode, even a slight touch of the accelerator exiting a corner will cause the rear wheels to spin instantly. You must control your right foot with the same finesse as if you were driving a modified 1000-horsepower rear-wheel-drive car. While the lap time is abysmal, this mode is a godsend if you want to create exaggerated drift angles in high-speed corners.

In short, there are indeed differences between the different driving modes of Forza Horizon 6, but they are far from game-changing. Until more driving modes are added, you can confidently leave your AMG ONE in track mode and enjoy the visual and psychological satisfaction it provides.
Forza Horizon 6 Series 3 Italian Exotics Festival Playlist | Full Rewards and New Features
The patch for Forza Horizon 6 Series 3 has arrived, and Italian Exotics Festival Playlist Series will officially run from July 16 (2:30 UTC) through August 13.

A large batch of new cars is heading to Japan, including both complimentary unlocks and content from additional vehicle packs. At the same time, several fairly significant mechanical adjustments are about to go live, and hope these changes will make the gameplay experience better.

Exotics Festival Playlist New Cars

Over the 4-week Series, players can unlock new cars at no extra cost by completing tasks in Festival Playlist. The two models below become available once you earn enough points:
- 80 PTS: 2024 Lamborghini Temerario
- 160 PTS: 2022 Ferrari 296 GTB
Seasonal Content

Summer
- 20 PTS: 1984 De Tomaso Pantera GT5
- 40 PTS: 2004 Maserati MC12
1984 De Tomaso Pantera GT5 features a distinctive and retro design, and its V8 engine provides a solid foundation with plenty of tuning potential. 2004 Maserati MC12, on the other hand, is an excellent track car that offers strong grip and precise handling while rarely losing traction.

Autumn
- 20 PTS: 2017 Abarth 124 Spider
- 40 PTS: 2020 Lamborghini Huracán EVO
2017 Abarth 124 Spider is a convertible sports car that blends Japanese and Italian styles. Compared to MX-5, it leans more towards speed than ultimate handling. Its performance isn't top-tier, making it unsuitable for racing.

2020 Lamborghini Huracán EVO, which was a reward car from Series 1, benefits from its AWD system to deliver astonishing grip and stability across various road conditions. Its handling is so accessible that even newcomers can drive it with ease.

Winter
- 20 PTS: 1982 Lancia 037 Stradale
- 40 PTS: 2020 Ferrari Roma
1982 Lancia 037 Stradale was the last RWD race car to secure WRC manufacturers' championship. It was developed jointly by Lancia, Abarth and Pininfarina, and it truly excels in cornering.

2020 Ferrari Roma features a more elegant and flowing design that balances sports car performance with driving comfort, which makes it well suited for everyday use.

Spring
- 20 PTS: 2022 Lamborghini Huracán EVO Spyder
- 40 PTS: 2022 Pagani Huayra R
Lamborghini Huracán EVO Spyder is a quick-accelerating open-top supercar that is very easy to get along with. Its AWD system provides formidable grip so that you can drive fast and steadily in all kinds of conditions.

Pagani Huayra R has an even shorter acceleration time than Lamborghini Huracán EVO Spyder, yet it is a professional racing machine that shines on the circuit while demanding a very high level of driving skill from the player.

Overall, it seems that this month's Playlist brings only one truly brand-new model, 1984 De Tomaso Pantera GT5. All the other vehicles either come from Motorsport, from previous instalments, or are cars already present in FH6's first Series.

Some new models have instead been placed within Car Pass, which might draw complaints from players; only after Car Pass content has run its course might we see more fresh cars available through Playlist.

Series 3 Car Pass

This is a long-term Series 3 car pass covering 30 vehicles that will be distributed gradually over time. During Series 3, pass holders can claim the following four new cars at no credit cost, week by week.
- Week 1: 2003 Aston Martin DB7 GT
- Week 2: 1972 Nissan Patrol
- Week 3: 2024 Toyota Prius Prime XSE Premium
- Week 4: 1972 Honda Z GT
Italian Passion Car Pack

Italian Passion Car Pack is a standalone vehicle pack. If you own Premium Edition of the game, you get it directly; otherwise, you will need to unlock it separately. This pack includes the following four cars:
- 2025 Ferrari F80
- 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB4 Spider
- 2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm
- 1990 Alfa Romeo SE 048SP
Italian Aftermarket Takeover

If you have recently spent a great deal of time in Auction House hunting for certain rare Wheelspin-exclusive vehicles, then Forza Horizon 6 Series 3 brings some good news.

A large number of exclusive cars that were previously obtainable only through Wheelspins will now appear at the used car dealership located near the stadium on the western side of the map.

Throughout the Series, this dealership will offer substantial discounts on various Italian models. If you want to get your hands on some very hard-to-find cars, be sure to keep an eye on this shop and visit it often.

Auction House

Auction House will also see a fairly big change in Series 3. Credits Caps for non-Auto Show vehicles will be removed from Auction House.

This change should encourage more players to list their rare cars, because they can now earn more Forza Horizon 6 credits for them, while other players will have a better chance of obtaining the rare cars they want.

It also helps address the surplus currency issue that appeared late in FH5's lifecycle. In almost every Horizon generation, long-time players eventually end up with more credits than they could ever use, yet they find nowhere meaningful to put them.

Rivals Leaderboards

With the July 13 patch, the leaderboards for Rivals mode will be completely wiped and reset. This is because the previous boards were filled with times set using cheats or exploits, and the significant nerf to Drag Tires has also rendered a large number of road-racing leaderboard times meaningless.

That covers everything for Forza Horizon 6 Series 3 Italian Exotics. If you have already completed most of the content from the first two Series, then you will soon be able to get behind the wheel of some cool new Italian machinery.
Forza Horizon 6 Watered-Down Winter: Snow is Just Background, Handling Feels the Same

Players, you've probably already experienced Winter Season of Series 2 in Forza Horizon 6. Everyone's been eager to experience the snowy landscapes and nighttime driving, as these elements provided players with a truly delightful experience in FH4. Many exclaimed that driving in the snow during Winter Season was simply perfect.

So, does Winter Season in FH6 still deliver that amazing performance?

FH4 Winter Season that Everyone Misses

Winter Season is considered by many players to be the most recognizable and immersive season in Forza Horizon series.

In FH4, snow actually piled up on the roads, significantly reducing road grip. Visibility was drastically reduced because of the snowstorm. The entire map felt like it had undergone a complete transformation, not just a change to a colder color filter.

No one can resist driving through a swirling snowstorm at night, headlights piercing the darkness and snow curtain; the atmosphere and emotional impact are unmatched by later installments.

Moreover, Winter Season wasn't just about visual changes; it also altered the player's vehicle handling. Rear-wheel drive cars became more difficult to steer on icy roads, forcing players to seriously consider switching to snow tires or four-wheel drive. This forced strategic adjustments because of environmental changes added depth and enjoyment to the racing game.

Even more noteworthy was the unique social environment Winter Season provided. For example, lakes on the map froze over in the freezing cold, forming wide, flat ice surfaces that attracted large numbers of players in off-road vehicles or rally cars, either competing or simply having fun.

This social and gaming atmosphere seemed unique to Winter Season. In FH4, Winter Season was a significant event, altering player driving behavior, route selection, and even the way players communicated.

FH6 Winter Season

Now we've arrived at Winter Season in FH6, and the feeling is noticeably different. While snow still falls, and roadside vegetation and buildings are covered in a layer of white, the actual driving experience is almost identical to other seasons.

The snow you see seems merely decorative in Winter Season, as your vehicle doesn't experience significant slippage, requires no conscious adjustment to driving rhythm, and even the impact of tire temperature changes is negligible.

Of course, racing tracks need to be cleared of snow for fairness, but why are non-racing roads also cleared so thoroughly?

Players used to enjoy the thrill of carefully driving on snow-covered, remote roads, but FH6 seems to have lost the realism and wildness that Winter Season should have.

At the same time, the nighttime brightness in Winter Season has been significantly increased. The romantic atmosphere that could have been created using snow and darkness in the game is now greatly diminished.

Comparing the snowflake effects in FH6 and 4 reveals that the previous snowflakes, illuminated by headlights, appeared very dense and layered, while the latest version's snowflakes look more like rapidly passing lines.

In contrast, what everyone feels now about Winter Season seems to be just a change in color temperature and lighting, without actually altering the player's gaming experience.

To put it bluntly, in FH6, Winter Season seems to have only changed the lighting conditions.

Is this change good or bad?

Advantages

Of course, these changes in the game also offer convenience to players.

This makes Winter Season less difficult to drive, eliminating the need for frequent tire changes, vehicle settings adjustments, or even abandoning the use of some rear-wheel-drive vehicles. This constant tinkering can be very time-consuming for casual players.

At the same time, it's undeniable that some people prefer driving supercars on wide-open roads, finding far more enjoyment in this than in the challenging snowy terrain.

Furthermore, FH6 already contains numerous tasks and challenges for players to complete. If Winter Season is made too harsh, it could make time-limited events even more difficult to achieve. Even high-performance vehicles unlocked with significant Forza Horizon 6 credits might not perform well in the harsh environment.

Drawbacks

Some might argue that it's precisely the difficulties and uncertainties caused by environmental changes that make FH6 worth replaying. Each seasonal change brings new challenges and new strategies.

Since Winter Season racing tracks have been protected, retaining some snow and slippery conditions in open missions isn't unreasonable.

Aspects for Improvement

First, many players do hope that FH6 can retain some iconic Winter Season elements in key areas, such as returning frozen lakes to players, allowing them to once again experience the joy of gathering together to enjoy Winter Season.

Second, if the game cannot satisfy all players' needs, perhaps a more balanced approach could be to adopt a strategy of differentiated regional gameplay.

For example, the race routes and main roads of Japanese cities could remain open, while snow accumulation in suburban and mountainous areas could be appropriately preserved. This would satisfy the requirements of fairness in the races while retaining some seasonality during free exploration.

Alternatively, the game could add an option in the settings allowing players to determine the impact of the season on driving and the terrain, similar to adjusting the difficulty level. Everyone could define what Winter Season should look like according to their own preferences.

No one wants FH6 to become so difficult that players can't progress, but seasonal changes shouldn't be reduced to mere visual alterations; that would lose the meaning of the seasons themselves.