C-ZETA's car reviews - C-ZETA Awards 2012 - 21/12/12

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Bonus

A Question: What Would I Drive If I Had Forza 4 Instead?

It is a good question indeed. If I had chosen an Xbox 360 over a PS3 and gone and bought Forza 4 over Gran Turismo 5, what would my favourites be? Well, I went and devised a list of my top 50 cars I would probably own, tune, drive etc. on the game. Some are in GT5, a good majority of them aren't...

I'm also going to be giving the 50 cars you see here names, which I'd ideally name them as under tuning purposes.

Right, let's see them.

1977 AMC Pacer X - He’s Got The Pace!

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Hilarious styling, decals, and not even that fast. The 121hp 3.8 litre inline 6 sums up a fair number of American cars around this time - hilariously oversized, hilariously underpowered. The nickname comes from a FIFA term.

1973 AMC Gremlin X - Little Gremlin

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Same company that did the Pacer but a decent bit faster. The Gremlin had 151hp to use on this X trim, which given its sub-compact status, was a fair bit.

1986 Alfa Romeo Spider Quadrifoglio Verde - Spiders!

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In the middle of the two Spider ranges that GT5 provides - the original 60's version and the GTV based one. Very striking looking, and you can actually drive this one with the top down. Only 115hp to start but very changeable.

1958 Austin-Healey Sprite MKI - Frogeye Sprite Top Gear Edition



That video is where the Top Gear name comes from. The Healey in Forza is way less powerful, but it is bloody light. And I reckon it'd be a cool thing to drive in Forza, personally.

1982 DeLorean DMC-12 - Sakuya’s DeLorean DMC-12

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This is technically in GT, but it is in a far different guise. Don't mind the nickname too much - it's personal stuff. But no matter what way, when you hit 88, you're gonna see some serious 🤬.

2011 Ford Transit SuperSportVan - White Van Man

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The Transit is a very very common sight in the UK. Sometimes it is used for all the wrong reasons, but here it'll be used for all the right ones. Wielding 200hp in a diesel engine, this is by far the most fitting Transit for the game.

1973 Ford Pinto - Pedro Pinto

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Named after the Portuguese-American journalist who works for CNN. The Pinto is one of the game's slowest cars, wielding a relatively tiny 85hp and costing probably the same as a pint of milk, literally. Also known for its fuel spill recall.

1952 Hudson Hornet - Dr. Hudson

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Named after the Cars character. Surprisingly powerful at 211hp, given that it was from 1952. Also surprisingly slow given that it has so much power. Still awesome though.

1966 Lotus Cortina - Lotus Cortina Touring Car

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Because all Cortinas are meant to be touring cars. An original road and track rocket. Under 10 seconds to 60, 115hp from a 1.6 I4. So much fun.

1978 Saab 99 Turbo - Saab 99 Turbo Top Gear Edition

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One of the cars Jeremy and James credited in their Saab tribute. 143hp turbo, looks very nice too. Not many cars are made like this one anymore.

1981 Volkswagen Scirocco S - Jeremy Clarkson’s Volkswagen Scirocco

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Named like so because Jeremy had one as his first car. Said he took one over a Golf GTI back then despite an extra 1k price tag because he would have more sex. Good reason to get one personally. Also features in MC:LA. Only 74hp, but it looks OK so it's alright.

1980 Abarth 131 Abarth - Abarth Abarth

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Such a good brand name they went to all the trouble of putting it in the car's name twice. 140hp, brilliant looks. Under 8 seconds 0-60 time. 230hp rally version was dominant in the WRC from 1977 to 1980.

2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon - Jeep Wrangler Rubixcube

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One of the classic off-roaders that has gone on since 1987 and hasn't changed much since then. 280hp, 4WD, but unfortunately there's not much in terms of off-road terrain in Forza 4 to use it in. That's for Forza Horizon.

1988 Pontiac Fiero GT - Generic Tuned Pontiac Fiero

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I might be thinking of the wrong Pontiac, but I know there are a few Pontiacs that get tuned to all the wrong levels in America. Not particularly powerful, only 135hp. I have no idea how Buick is more important than Pontiac.

1984 Toyota Celica Supra - Celica and Supra?!!

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They actually bothered to put in two famous Toyota models on the name of this car. This is in GT5 in the guise of the Toyota Celica XX 2800GT. 160hp, probably not the Celica or Supra most would take now.

1986 Dodge Shelby Omni GLS - Omnificent​


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Omnificent: adj. creating all things; having unlimited powers of creation. Not sure if it's quite that powerful but whatever. 175hp, America's attempt at an 80's hot hatch.

1993 Ford SVT Cobra R - Ford SVT Cobra R

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It looked nice, so I went and put it down. 235hp, not the Mustang most would choose, probably not enough power given the number of names it has on it. Looks like an Audi quattro and a Ford Escort fused together.

2010 Mazda MX-5 Superlight - Copyright Infringement

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Ripped off the Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss. Not by any stretch of the imagination as fast. Only 125hp but as the name suggests, light. Based off of the NC. Most Cars in General forum viewers chose the NA over this.

2009 Renault Twingo Renault Sport Cup - Renault Twingo Renault Sport Renault Super Renault Cup Renault

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Renault need to stop putting their own name on everything they have. Selfish bastards. 133bhp, not as fast as a Clio or Megane but still good. Lots of decal work.

2002 Saab 9-3 Aero - Saab 9-3 Boiling Aero

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Name comes from the top version of the 9-3, 'Hot Aero'. After hot comes boiling so yeah. 205bhp, looks like the aforementioned 99. Not a jet engine exactly.

1992 Toyota Celica GT-Four RC ST185 - Toyota Celica GT-Four RC ST185

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Present in GT5. Absolute rally legend. 232hp, 4WD. Driven by Carlos Sainz. RC adds 10 more hp. 3 times driver's champion, 2 times constructors champion. Before Subie and Mitsu came and monopolized the thing.

1983 Volvo 242 Turbo Evolution - Ultimate Volvo

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Good touring car. 225hp. One of Volvo's original crazy tourers.

1997 Volvo 850 R - Ultimate Volvo Estate

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237hp. Under 6 seconds to 60. The estate that competed in the BTCC - therefore, utterly awesome. The Swedes really are crazy with their cars.

1971 AMC Javelin-AMX - Thrown Like A Javelin

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That is every AMC in the game here now by the way. Big wheel arches for the oversized tyres. 332bhp. Nice ducktail spoiler.

1995 BMW 850CSi - BMW 850CSi: Crime Scene investigation

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The closest thing to an M8 BMW ever made. 5.6 litre V12. Made into an art car at one point. 372hp. They don't make the 8-series any more. There is at least something close to an M7.

1986 BMW M635CSi - The Ultimate BMW

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One of my favourite BMWs. Successor to the 3.0 CSL. 6 seconds flat to 60. 286bhp. The current M6 goes way further than this now...

1991 GMC Truck Syclone - Boost Syclone

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Personal naming again for the win! 280hp, crucially 4WD. Quite possibly the greatest pickup truck to grace the world. Very good launch, could almost keep up with an RX-8, but costs the same as a Smart ForTwo.

2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo - Hyundai Velociter Turbo

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Jeremy Clarkson hates this car. Rhys Millen licks it like it's his girlfriend. One of the weirdest cars to come out, with a small engine, 3 doors, odd looks, and a name that is almost like Velocity. I've fixed that as much as I could with the nickname.

1982 Lancia 037 Stradale - The Greatest Lancia Of All

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Ranks higher on the epic scale than any car I know of. Group B homologation, last car to win the WRC with RWD. Really pricey. Only 202hp in road form, but still a bonkers drive. Wild looks. I want one of these more than my next breath.

1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS - The First Porsche

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The oldest 911 available here. 207hp. Very pricey. Looks basically the same as the 911 that you can buy today. Probably not as cheap though.

2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo X - Saab 9-3 Turbo X

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Every Saab is on this list. 4WD. 280hp, which is more than enough for the most part. Looks nothing like the other two Saabs.

1994 Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205 - Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205

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Present in GT5. Controversial WRC car, got Toyota banned from it for wielding illegal turbo restrictors which Max Mosely said were bloody sophisticated. 255hp, 4WD.

1995 Audi RS2 Avant - The Ultimate Audi

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Best Audi ever. Turbocharged I5, ludicrous launch ability. 311hp. Looks like no other estate on earth.

1981 BMW M1 - Roadworks On The M1

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The M1 is a motorway in England. Every motorway has roadworks on it in England. None of them are actually worked on. Rules for race cars changed as the BMW was under development so it wasn't legal. What a farce. 277hp.

2002 BMW Z3 M Coupe - The Other Ultimate BMW

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Present in GT5. Another superb BMW. Epic shooting brake. Released with the M Roadster. Minuscule wheelbase. Looks quite cute if you think about it. Aww. 315hp.

2000 BMW Z8 - Shambles

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Was sawn in half by a helicopter in The World Is Not Enough. Giant 4.9 V8 making 394hp. But the Alpina version was terrible with handling. They messed up on that one.

1999 Lotus Elise Sport - The Cutie

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The female of the sports car world. Cute size and lights. 60 in 4.3 apparently. Original made 118hp but was still rapid. This makes 190hp and weighs the same as a teaspoon. Very cool, you'd expect a girl to be driving this in a fast car film.

1982 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3 - The Second Porsche

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Very fast. Quintessential Porsche 911. Giant whale-tail. RUF BTR is the closest to this in GT5. And you can put another spoiler on that. What a car. Air-cooled I6. Looks like every 911 today.

1968 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale - Alfa Romeo 33 Straddler

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This one is no Straddler, that's for sure. Only 245hp but really, really light. Insane acceleration and launch. You wouldn't think this was a road car, more a race homologation. Costs a house and a half.

1999 Dodge Viper GTS ACR - Dodge Viper GTS ACR

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Preceded the current Viper ACR by about 10 years. 460hp. All-rounder, which says something for an American car. 8-litre V10. Just under 4 to 60. Best in silver with blue stripes. Basically in GT5 as well.

2010 Bertone Mantide - High Mantide

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What the hell is a mantide anyway? I hope it's not what I think it is. Castriota-designed. 6.1 V8 with 638bhp. Very fast. Design ideas are questionable. Pricey, rare.

1992 Bugatti EB110 SS - The Greatest Car That Never Was

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Quad-turbo 3.5 V12. Not even BMW make engines quite as insane as that today. Bugatti went bankrupt shortly after this car came to light. Was revived to make the Veyron. Which went well. 611hp, 4WD. Preceded the Veyron in some ways. Very heavy. Fast.

2010 Devon GTX - Cornwall To Devon

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Cornwall and Devon aren't very far apart so it's only a short trip. Looks like a Viper. Has an 8.4 litre V10 from one. 650hp. Looks very good. But no one really knows about it.

1995 Ferrari F50 - Ferrari F50

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513bhp. Not tested by journalists. I could have taken the F50 GT, but I couldn't be bothered. Was apparently a bit of a shambles to drive. Only a little faster than an F40. 4.7 V12.

2011 Ferrari FF - Ferrari FF

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Best Ferrari on sale today, honest. Not many people agree with me on that sadly. 4WD, 6.3L V12 making 660bhp. 2 gearboxes. All the Ferrari you will ever need. Looks good.

1987 Porsche 959 - The Third Porsche

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Really good looking. Involved in the top speed wars with the F40. Drove off-road before, won the Paris-Dakar. 450hp, 4WD. Probably the only Porsche I would really want to own.

2006 Mitsubishi HKS Time Attack Evolution CT230R - HKS CT230R-7

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GT5's best car comes to Forza 4 to give everyone a heart attack again upon lift-off. Doesn't look as good though. Unicorn, extremely rare. Godly launch. 600hp beast. 2.3L I4. I think I have talked an awful lot about this in the past.

1998 Nissan R390 - Nissan R390 GT1

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In GT5, but in a far more powerful form here next to GT5's. Probably not as OP. 1 million dollars. Shouldn't really be a road car at all. Not the best of daily drivers. 3.5 Nissan V8 making 550hp. Very lightweight to boot. Beat that GT-R.

2012 Ultima GTR - Ultima GTR

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I have seen one of these in real life. No joke. Clinically insane. 990kg, 565hp Chevy small block V8. Not even the ultimate Ultima. The ultimate Ultima holds the TGTT lap record and does 0-60 in 2.6.

2008 Mazda Furai - Mazda Furai

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In GT5, but not with decals there. Alternate colours in GT5 though. 466bhp, really, really light. 3-rotor. Meant to bring Mazda back to motorsport. It'd probably do a good job. Mad styling.

I think that just about covers the lot of them. Hope I didn't bore you too much. Have a merry Christmas.

Writing by C-ZETA
 
Now that is what I call a golden note to end the year with. Fantastic job as always, C, although I'm a bit shocked you've picked the "Poor man's GT-R" to win the Worst Car of the year award. :crazy: Yes, it is underpowered and it does not have 4WD, but I don't see it as a bad car. On the other hand, I firmly believe that the Scoobie Impreza WRX STI '07 should be the holder of that award. Ugly, heavy, and full of understeer. And its not even that fast.:ouch: A car that that isn't deserving of the Impreza name at all. But then again, it is my opinion... Cheers on a job well done, and a great 2013 for ya! 👍 :)

It's just the idea that something so bad could grace the Skyline and R32 names that gets me. It doesn't deserve the name.

I tested the Subie '05 last year, and that counts for all Subies really. 22B aside.
 
It's just the idea that something so bad could grace the Skyline and R32 names that gets me. It doesn't deserve the name.

I tested the Subie '05 last year, and that counts for all Subies really. 22B aside.

Well, it is a rightful reason, I guess that car was made for those people who didn't knew that Nissan made the Silvia... :dopey:

Hum, and you sure loved that one... :dopey:
 
Mouthwatering pictures as usual C-ZETA, and as always, the best in succinct motorcar writeups . . . okay, blah,blah . . . I've told you all this before. Am I glad you continued to continue - haven't visited in awhile but happy to see you still at it.
Spot on on the 2J and the RX-7; made me want to go play both GT5 and GT4 right now. 👍
And then you whack me with Forza. :crazy:

But . . . now I feel really bad about having so many GTS-R R32s in so many different colours and configurations in both GT5 and 4. :grumpy: I had an obsession about collecting them. That and the Midget. Last I looked I think I had a dozen Midgets.

Keep up the good work man - I hope you maintain this thread even after GT6 comes out. Valuable reviews - and with enough rewarding chuckles to make it readable (never mind the stunning plethora of eye-popping photos) - but I know you will. New players will always find it valuable.
 
Cheers. :cheers:

I am planning on doing a couple of 15th anniversary things as well. However, a problem with my laptop has taken my mind away from it a little, but I will be doing some stuff for it, I swear.
 
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