Beater or Sleeper? FH4 COTW! - Week 34: Third GT's the charm!

[Obelisk]

Gotcha. Can't beat an American at his own game.

Unfortunately, I couldn't keep on the Super Sprint and invalidated my time, so one for one. Fair trade!

This week is the...

Lancia Stratos!

We'll be running this legendary machine on the Glen Rannoch Trail!

 

[Vyper 316]

Hello all, I've been on the American Racing League GTS GR.4 forum and came across this forum. I have been playing Horizon 4 for a while now so I'll participate in this forum as well. Looking forward to seeing everyone else's times for this week!

 

[Vyper 316]

In the beginning, I was not really impressed by the Stratos. That was mainly because I had only seen what it can to on the road and this car is clearly meant to be a dirt demon! Going uphill on the trail, I found myself having to constantly downshift to make the car pull quicker. When I finally hit the downhill section of the trail, it felt like pure madness. I was afraid of losing control of the car and causing myself to have a dirty time, but I pulled through. It was extremely fun to say the least. My final verdict: Sleeper.

 

[Vic Reign93]

What’s there to say about the Stratos that hasn’t already been said?

Short wheelbase, mid engined and rear drive, 2.4 Ferrari Dino V6 making 190hp and was incredibly successful in rallying.

It even saw modest success as a Group 5 silhouette racer where it was boosted to 560hp.

How’s it to drive? Just like a Stratos.

The midship layout, plus the short wheelbase and skinny tyres means it’ll always want to swap ends in the turns so a steady, but skilled set of hands are needed.

The engine likes to rev so keeping it near its stratospheric() redline of 9,000rpm will pay dividends over the course of a run.

And if the normal version isn’t your thing, you are just a body kit addition away from a Group 4 version.

Verdict: Sleeper 👍

 

[Obelisk]

No one:

Absolutely no one:

Stratos:

I don't much like the Stratos. When the entire design process of the road car is to make a hyper-murderous machine, I feel like that's not the right way to go about it.

That said, it can be brutally quick if you master it, so sleeper!

As for our times, we now have a new guest - welcome aboard @Vyper 316!

Congrats, @Vic Reign93!

Vic Reign93: 3:27.674
Obelisk: 3:39.532
Vyper 316: 3:49.897

As for this week's car, we're testing the...

1995 Porsche GT2!

We'll be testing this machine at the Broadway Village Circuit.

--Oh, and we have a Preset!

We'll be testing the Preset on the Holyrood Park Circuit!

 

[Vyper 316]

No one:

Absolutely no one:

Stratos:
View attachment 838775

View attachment 838792

I don't much like the Stratos. When the entire design process of the road car is to make a hyper-murderous machine, I feel like that's not the right way to go about it.

That said, it can be brutally quick if you master it, so sleeper!

As for our times, we now have a new guest - welcome aboard @Vyper 316!

Congrats, @Vic Reign93!

Vic Reign93: 3:27.674
Obelisk: 3:39.532
Vyper 316: 3:49.897

As for this week's car, we're testing the...
View attachment 838794
1995 Porsche GT2!

We'll be testing this machine at the Broadway Village Circuit.

--Oh, and we have a Preset!
View attachment 838795
We'll be testing the Preset on the Holyrood Park Circuit!

Could clarify what you mean by preset on the Holyrood Park Circuit? I'm a newbie at this lol

 

[Obelisk]

Could clarify what you mean by preset on the Holyrood Park Circuit? I'm a newbie at this lol

When you go into your Garage's Tuning menu, there's a small option on the bottom left that reads Bodykit Presets. On the GT2, there's a bodykit preset available.

 

[Drex124]

Fast car is fast, more at eleven.

(0:53.710)

(1.08.210)

Probably my favorite 911 of the lot, but then that's likely got more to do with the racing version (dat evo ) than the road car.

 

[Vic Reign93]

It’s pretty much what you expect from a lightweight pumped up turbo Porsche, quick, agile, but doesn’t tolerate fools lightly.

Verdict: Sleeper 👍

And for the preset..

With the preset adding many things, like wider and sticker tyres, the 4.0 litre F6 from the GT3 RS and so on, the GT2 becomes even more grippy and agile and allowing you to really throw the car into the high speed turns.

Verdict: Sleeper 👍

 

[Drex124]

Attempt #2 (idk what happened to the colours in the screenshots, it wasn't like that in game...)

Spoiler: 0:53.141

Spoiler: 1:06.489

 

[Vyper 316]

Broadway Village Circuit:

Running this car showed me that older cars STILL have it and that we have progressed very well in the world of performance cars. The GT2 will always be one of the greatest Porches out there.
Holyrood Park Circuit:

When I ran the car with its preset option, I had to check and see if it included any engine upgrades! Surprisingly, there were no changes made to the engine. The car was easier to run in corners and seemed way faster than before. Awesome pick for the week!
Verdict: Sleeper

 

[Vic Reign93]

So @Obelisk has asked me to step in and announce this weeks line up, he’ll sort out the times and such when he’s available.

The car in question is..

The 1985 HDT VK Commodore Group A!!

Based on the VK model Holden Commodore, HDT(Holden Dealer Team) led by Aussie icon Peter Brock developed it into a car that thanks to its paint job, would get the nickname ‘Blue Meanie’.

Built for Group A homologation, around 500 models of the ‘Blue Meanie’ were built.

Packing a 263hp 4.9 litre V8, it sent that power to the rear via a 5 speed manual gearbox.

The track for this week is a relatively short one in the form of Ambleside Sprint, but with hairpin switchbacks and a constant hillclimb up to the finish line at the Festival, it’ll keep you working that V8 hard throughout.

Best of luck people

 

[Vic Reign93]

The VK was respectable in all aspects, braking, handling and acceleration.

It might even give a similar vintage homologated special like the Ford Sierra Cosworth a work out around this track.

Verdict: Sleeper 👍

 

[Obelisk]

First things first, I owe you all the times for last week -

Porsche GT3
Drex124: 53.141
Vic Reign: 53.187
Vyper: 1:01.662

Porsche GT3 Preset
Drex124: 1:06.489
Vic Reign: 1.07.034
Vyper: 1:09.236

@Drex124 blew away the competition this week. Impressive!

VK
Vic Reign: 2:12.533

From three down to one. Guessing no one likes the VK...

Anyways, for this week, we're running the...

Acura Integra Type R!

We're taking this classic Honda sports coupe around The Meadows Sprint!

But wait! We're also testing the...

LEGO Speed Champions Porsche 911!

We're testing this brick beast on the North South Sprint in LEGO Valley!

 

[Vic Reign93]

Don’t be deceived by the fact it’s been Americanised with the Acura name, it’s still a corner carver at its core.

Nearly 200hp out of a 1.8 litre NA 4 banger is still pretty remarkable for non turbo 4 bangers, a in game redline of 9000rpm also helps.

Handling is responsive and direct, but can understeer if you overestimate the level of grip it can dole out, it can even kick the rear out if you want it to.

Overall, it’s just a Honda Integra Type R with a different badge on it.

And there’s not much wrong with that.

Verdict: Sleeper 👍

As for the Lego Barnfind 911, much grip, very wow.

With nearly 500hp from a 3.0 turbo F6, under 1200kgs and a 5 speed manual gearbox, this brick can certainly shift.

Because tyre compounds can’t be changed on Lego cars(for obvious reasons), they had it set up with around 9.4 handling right out the gate so it can definitely hang on through the turns and stop rather sharpish too. 👍

While it was held back for marketing reasons at dlc release, it at least can still be usable with a good setup for S1 or S2.

Verdict: Sleeper 👍

 

[Drex124]

(2:27.617)

Manual w/ Clutch! *shakes fist*

Verdict: Neutral

(1:51.838)

It doesn't drive like a Porsche, and barely looks like one. It's a shame they went with the Speedracers series when there are Lego sets which much better resemble the car they're based off.

Verdict: Neutral

 

[Vic Reign93]

I have been asked again by @Obelisk to announce this weeks car and here it is.

It is..

The 2017 Ford GT!!

The 3rd act in the Ford GT lineage and the Forza Motorsport 6 cover car gets the COTW treatment.

Powered by an amped up version of the 3.5 Twin Turbo Ecoboost V6 and making 630hp and 539 ft-lbs of torque, it hauls just under 2900lbs to speeds in excess of 215+mph while knocking off sub 3 second 0-60 sprints.

With a 7 speed gearbox sending that power to the rear and an active wing keeping things right side up at high speeds, 6.4 miles of Lakehurst Forest Sprint should be a breeze for it.

Best of luck people

 

[Vic Reign93]

There are many things you can level against the Ford GT, the fact it doesn’t have a V8 like the GT’s, Ford being quite picky in who they allowed to buy one, the even smaller fuel tank than the previous GT and the fact that the rear end looks like the pig from Angry Birds.(You can’t unsee it once you do see it. )

But there are also many things that the GT does well, It’s fast, grippy and quite forgiving to drive.

Yes there’s a little turbo lag coming out of a low speed turn, but the car stays planted and agile, plus that V6 does bring plenty of grunt to the party.

Overall, I say it’s just about a worthy successor to the previous GT. 👍

Verdict: Sleeper 👍

 

[Drex124]

Fast car is still fast.
Sadly starting out at the top of S1 means it loses out to just about any tuned car in it's class, but it's still plenty fast for some spirited cruising.

Verdict: Neutral

 

[Vic Reign93]

So with Drex putting one and a half seconds on me in the new GT, this week at @Obelisk request, we’re turning back the clock.

To what you may ask?

The 1957 Porsche 356A Speedster!!!

Now in his request, Obelisk said 356’s, as in not just this one, probably by accident, but orders are orders.

So tagging along with the Speedster is..

The 1959 Porsche 356A 1600 Coupe!!!

(DLC car this one )

The Speedster is lighter by over 100kgs, but the Coupe still only weighs 876kgs and has 15hp more than the Speedster.

Both have a 1.6 litre Flat 4, 4 speed manual gearbox and are both rear engined and rear drive.

The Speedster will be tested at the Horizon Festival Sprint and the 1600 Coupe will be tested on the Waterhead Sprint Run.

As you take Porsche’s first production cars on a scenic drive through the U.K., just remember that a 3rd 356 will be arriving in this 13th series at some point.

Best of luck people

 

[Vic Reign93]

(2:09.062

(2:50.504)

Both cars have their differences, the Speedster feels more agile through the turns and the 1600 Coupe feels quicker down the straights, which does reflect their stats very well.

Even though it isn’t part of the test, I tested the now winnable 356SL, less powerful than both at only 40hp from a 1.1 litre F4, but it tips the scales at only 640kgs, over 120+kgs lighter than the Speedster.

It was entered in the 1951 Le Mans 24hr race where it finished 1st in the 751-1100cc class and finished 20th overall from out of the 30 remaining cars from the 60 that started the race. 👍

Porsche’s first big step into international motorsports started with the 356SL and set the benchmark of Porsche’s punching well above their weight.

As for the road cars? They also punched above their weight too.

Verdicts: Sleepers 👍

 

[Vic Reign93]

I’ll be updating to next weeks car on Monday at Midnight, just so you guys know how long you have left.

 

[Vic Reign93]

Right then no new times were added, but I’ll add them retroactively if already done, with an asterisk of course.

356A Speedster

@Vic Reign93 2:09.062

356 1600 Coupe

@Vic Reign93 2:50.504

This weeks request was simply for the most recent, Non DLC Mustang in FH4.

Which makes my life rather simple.

It is...

The 2018 Ford Mustang GT!!!

Yep, the latest car for the over eager showboater leaving Cars & Coffee.

While it has been overlooked by its more exclusive variants,(Deberti Design, RTR Spec 5 and the FD twins.) the normal GT is no slouch and not one to overlook.

With 460hp from a 5.0 litre V8, hooked up to a 6 speed manual gearbox driving the rear wheels, the 3,705lb Mustang is ready to either make you a hero or just another clip on a Youtube Fails Compilation.

The track I picked is both fitting for its name and also a fair challenge for you and the car, the White Horse Hill Trail.

Mostly tarmac, but with a bumpy dirt section about half way through, should be fun to see how the Mustang handles on the dirt. 👍

Best of luck people.

 

[Vic Reign93]

Bagged a friendly T10 scalp in my attempt.

While not as razor sharp as the GT350R, the GT certainly held its own through the turns and was even respectable on the dirt section despite the road tyres and 2 wheel drive.

Verdict: Sleeper 👍

 

[Vic Reign93]

Still nothing for the Mustang? Shame that.

Let’s see if one the Mustangs long term rivals fairs any better.

Which one you may ask?

The one wearing that fancy bow tie.

It’s..

The 1969 Chevy Camaro SS Coupe!!!

2 wheel drive, 4 speed gearbox, 6.5 litres and 8 cylinders.

Rated at 375hp and 415 ft-lbs of torque, the SS Camaro brings both the noise and the action.

While not as sharp as the Z28 that once was in Forza alongside the SS Coupe, it does bring more power to the table.

And that’s always good.

This week is another Dirt route, this one’s pretty much 95% dirt and 5% tarmac, Lakehurst Forest Trail to be exact.

So yeah, perfect conditions for a late 60’s muscle car.

Best of luck people.

 

[Drex124]

More of a Chevelle man personally, but I'll have to give this one a go. Dirt and muscle is usually a fun combo.

 

[Drex124]

(2:34.698)

Probably not the cleanest time, but can you really cut a course when it's all offroad anyway?

 

[Vic Reign93]

Eh, it was alright.

Verdict: Sleeper 👍

 

[Obelisk]

Next car tomorrow at noon.