Forza Horizon 4 Season Change: Sunshine and Smiles

As temperatures soar around the UK, a new Summer season has officially gotten underway in Forza Horizon 4. We’re now in the opening stage of Series 55, meaning a fresh remix of events and prizes that are once more waiting to be claimed.

A colorful mixture of cars from across the performance spectrum are up for grabs, plus there’s some more rewards for finishing the 50% and 80% completion objectives for both full and seasonal playlists.

All Cars For All Tastes

One of just two cars available in the playlist completion pool is the 1973 Mazda RX-3.

Although it may look like an nondescript 2-door sedan, this machine brought Mazda’s rotary engine to wider mainstream international markets. The engine in question is a 1.1-liter twin-rotor making a respectable 110hp.

With that under the hood, the RX-3 forged a successful career in Japanese touring car racing, consistently going into battle with the Nissan Skyline.

Something more potent comes in the form of the 2018 Saleen S1.

This was meant to mark a new entry level point for the brand which would see it square up to the indomitable Porsche 911. Instead of a thumping V8 under the swooping body, there’s a smaller 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four making 456hp. However, production that was due to begin in 2019 failed to materialize.

Those looking to find more exclusive cars at the festival can pick up a couple of Horizon Backstage Passes as well.

The first Photo Challenge for Series 55 is about a huge contrast in size. #MiniMountain wants you to snap a Mini over at Arthur’s Seat near Edinburgh. Add a further sense of scale by snapping an original Mini. Summer’s championships feature a wide range of machines including the 1999 Lotus Elise and Honda Ridgeline Baja Trophy.

One particular prize to go for is the 1975 Fiat X1/9. In the wedge-heavy design era of the 1970s, Fiat opted to bring the style to a more affordable sports car. The X1/9 was stripped of essentials to keep weight close to 2,200lb, meaning that the 1.3-liter engine doesn’t need to be strained too hard making just 61hp. With some modifications, the X1/9 can be transformed into a country road slaying monster.

You’ll need to bring home glory in the “Abarth on the Hearth” championship to get the X1/9.

Summer also has a returning Showcase Remix with “Nine & Three Quarters”. In this race, you’ll be strapped into a Ford Anglia going against the Flying Scotsman. The latest Monthly Rivals features the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera over at Broadway Village Circuit.

A new season and series brings new Super7 cards to the table. Finish all seven and you’ll receive a Bugatti Type 35 C.

Events and prizes for Summer are below:

Abarth on the Hearth

  • Series: Road Racing Series
  • Cars: Fiat
  • Restrictions: D Class, 500 PI
  • Prizes: 15,000 CR, 25,000 CR, Fiat X1/9

The Knight Before Christmas

  • Series: Dirt Racing Series
  • Cars: Volvo
  • Restrictions: C Class, 600 PI
  • Prizes: 15,000 CR, 25,000 CR, Maserati Levante

Solstice Sea

  • Series: Cross Country Series
  • Cars: Extreme Offroad
  • Restrictions: S1 Class, 900 PI
  • Prizes: 15,000 CR, 25,000 CR, Honda Ridgeline Baja Trophy Truck

The Trial: Christmas Barbecue (Co-Op Championship)

  • Series: Road Racing Series
  • Cars: Retro Supercars
  • Restrictions: S1 Class, 900 PI
  • Prizes: 1999 Lotus Elise Sport 190

Summer Games – Series 55

  • Series: Playground Games
  • Cars: Winter Wonders
  • Restrictions: A Class, 800 PI
  • Prizes: Santa Hat

Super7 – Summer

  • Completion Prize: Bugatti Type 35 C

Bamburgh Dunes Speed Trap

  • Season Objective: 225mph

The Great Ridge Danger Sign

  • Season Objective: 915.4ft

Oldweir Speed Zone

  • Season Objective: 150mph

Forzathon Events

Forzathon looks to a British supercar that is often considered as a failure: the Jaguar XJ220. Jump into the most fearsome of big cats and head out to get started.

Up next, show that the old feline still has the claws to face the competition by storming to victory in 3 Road Racing Series events. Afterwards, head out for a long drive around the UK to let the Jag stretch its legs. Since the XJ220 was once the fastest car in the world, the 20-mile objective should fly past.

Finally, push all 542hp to the limit as you’ll need to hit the Jag’s top speed of 220mph.

Forzathon Shop

Classic and modern GT cars are the flavor of the week in the shop, with the 1966 Ford GT40 Mk 2 leading the way.

With Ford desperate to take revenge against Ferrari following the infamous failed takeover attempt, the GT40 was created to beat the Prancing Horse at the Le Mans 24 Hours race. Under the lightweight body sits a monstrous 7.0-liter V8 packing 485hp.

The aerodynamic curves meant the GT40 was able to outpace the Ferraris on the long Mulsanne straight, reaching speeds beyond 200mph. Ford would get its wish as it captured glory in the 1966 event to kick off a period of domination through to 1969.

At 300 Forzathon Points, the GT40 is a relatively cheap proposition, which will also save you a few million credits trying to buy one from the Autoshow.

A very different kind of GT car is the 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera.

The epitome of a modern grand tourer, the DBS ticks all the boxes for combining bombastic pace with supreme luxury. Although often criticized for not differentiating enough from a DB11, the DBS goes about its business in its own way.

Aston’s twin turbocharged 5.2-liter V12 gives the DBS a dizzying 715hp, making it the most powerful front-engined series production model in the lineup. Despite the Superleggera name harking back to the famous Italian coachbuilders, the Aston still tips the scales at within the good side of a portly 4,000lb.

You’ll need to save harder for the Aston at 599 FP, but for a car that can cover great distances before you’ve even realized, there’s almost nothing that comes remotely close.

The latest wardrobe pieces and novelty items are the Steam Boat horn and the Spring Sweater.

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