The 22nd Festival Playlist for Forza Horizon 5 is set to launch later this week on Thursday, 22nd June. “Upgrade Heroes” is the newest Festival and with it, Donut Media is back with new content, in forms of unlockable cars and new features, as well as a new Horizon Story.
This latest Festival was revealed in a special stream of Forza Horizon 5 – Lets GO! on Monday (19th June) which went over the new cars, new content and the details and quirks of the new festival ahead.
Here’s what’s in store, and it all starts this week.
13 new cars coming to Forza Horizon 5
There are a total of 13 new cars coming to Forza Horizon 5 this time around. There are five to unlock in the Upgrade Heroes Festival Playlists, one for each season and one in the overall Festival. Four more cars can be unlocked in the new Donut Media Horizon Story. Finally, four cars are coming in the form of paid DLC.
New Festival Cars
The five unlockable cars in the Upgrade Heroes Festival range from drift spec to high performance and class to a few sporty GMCs.
- 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series (20 PTS in Week 1 – Summer)
- 1991 GMC Syclone (20 PTS in Week 2 – Autumn)
- 1992 GMC Typhoon (20 PTS in Week 3 – Winter)
- 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series (20 PTS in Week 4 – Spring)
- 2023 Formula Drift #64 Forsberg Racing Nissan Z (160 PTS in Overall Festival)
A new Donut Media Horizon Story – HiLow
The new Horizon Story mode reintroduces Donut Media back to the franchise for the first time since the 14th Festival Playlist last year. Within the story mode, players can unlock four special cars by completing the chapters.
- Donut Media Nissan 350Z High Car (Complete the Donut Media Hi-Low Story Chapters)
- Donut Media Nissan 350Z Low Car (Complete the Donut Media Hi-Low Story Chapters)
- 1994 Ford Supervan 3 ‘Donut Media Edition’ (Complete the Donut Delivery Story Chapter)
- 1996 Formula Drift #51 Donut Media Nissan 240SX (Complete the Bumper-2-Bumper Story Chapter)
New paid DLC – Horizon Racing Car Pack DLC
These four cars are new-to-Forza and will be available as of Tuesday, 20th June. The Car Pack will cost $4.99.
- 2023 Lotus Emira
- 2022 Pagani Huayra R
- 2021 Forsberg Racing Nissan ‘Altimaniac’
- 2020 Saleen Sportruck XR Black Label
Forza Horizon 5, “Upgrade Heroes”, Series Rewards
Let’s finally get into the Festival itself, which is Upgrade Heroes and does revolve around this new HiLow theme from Donut Media.
A whopping 304 PTS are up for grabs this month, 76 points per week. Completing a full week could almost unlock the first full Festival machine, the ‘legendary’ and ‘hard to find’ Pagani Huayra BC for 80 PTS.
At 160 PTS is the #64 Nissa Z, a new, ‘epic’ and ‘exclusive’ drifting beast on Forza this month. Players can also compete in monthly challenges. Those include the usual Monthly Rivals deals, but this month, playing through parts of the HiLow Horizon Story will yield new cars and tons of PTS. Don’t forget Hot Wheels and Rally PTS!
Forza Horizon 5, “Upgrade Heroes”, Summer rewards
The Summer “Wet Season” is the first week of the new Upgrade Heroes Festival. At 20 PTS, the new ‘epic’ and ‘exclusive’ Mercedes-AMG GT Black is up for grabs. Earn 40 PTS and you’ll unlock the ‘hard to find’ and ‘rare; Lynk & Co 03+.
For the #FORZATHON Weekly Challenge, you’ll be ‘Playing Around’ with the 1992 Volkswagen Golf GTI 16v Mk2 through the multiple chapters. With the reintroduction of the Horizon Test Track, that will be a part of the theme for the next month, debuting in the Daily Challenge on the opening day with a simple task.
Those in the Hall of Fame will have a bit of a change when taking on The Trial in each week. These large reward challenges will be “Tune it Up” challenges, and the first rewards an ‘epic’ McLaren 650S alongside 10 whole PTS for a good tune and race from a Nissan Silvia.
There will be a ton of Donut Media rewards this Festival as well. A ‘legendary’ clothing option is unlocked by completing the first EventLab, and a ‘legendary’ car horn is there for the second in Summer.
The usual PR Stunts will yield the usual Super Wheelspins.
There are two Seasonal Championships, one which rewards a ‘common’ Honda S2000, but the other has an ‘epic’ 1971 Nissan GT-R up for grabs.
The Summer Treasure Hunt is ‘In Focus’ and is no longer re the Pathfinder challenges a requirement. Something about taking a photo with a Ford Focus is the what the hint is suggesting.
Speaking of photos, the #SHOOTINGSTARS Photo Challenge will need you to take a picture of a 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 65 AMG at the Star-27 mural for a ‘legendary’ clothing item.
If you compete in the Horizon Open and score three flags in a game of Flag Rush, you can unlock a ‘rare’ Mercedes-Benz E63.
Forza Horizon 5, “Upgrade Heroes”, Autumn rewards
Autumn is the “Storm Season” and the puns kick off early with the introduction of the ‘exclusive’ and ‘epic’ GMC Syclone, a new pickup truck addition to the title. This is unlocked in this week for 20 PTS.
At 40 PTS is the HDT VK Commodore, one of Forza Horizon 5’s existing ‘rare’ and ‘hard to find’ vehicles.
For the #FORZATHON Weekly Challenge in Autumn, you’ll need a 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR. Once again in the dailies, the Horizon Test Track makes an early appearance.
Another Tune it Up edition of the Trial asks for a fine tune on a Honda S2000 in order to unlock the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro. Two more EventLabs offer two more Donut Media rewards, a ‘legendary’ hoodie and a ‘legendary’ horn.
As for the PR Stunts, you probably guessed you’ll earn some Super Wheelspins.
This week has three Seasonal Championships. The last one is another Donut Media Car Horn reward, but the other two have car gifts in the form of a ‘common’ Datsun 5 10 and a ‘rare’ 1969 Dodge Charger.
There’s not a Treasure Hunt this week. There is a #LOWRIDER Photo Challenge though, and you’ll need a 1964 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport 409 to pose for you at one of the player houses.
Also, there is a Collectible’s challenge with some Tank smashing to do at the Baja Circuit.
Forza Horizon 5, “Upgrade Heroes”, Winter rewards
Winter also offers a GMC reward for the weekly, this one is the new ‘exclusive’ and ‘epic’ GMC Typhoon which can be yours for 20 PTS.
Another ‘epic’ in the ‘hard to find’ 1990 Porsche 911 is also on the table for earning 40 PTS.
Looking at the #FORZATHON Weekly challenge, the 1977 Holden Torana A9X is the required car to complete the chapters. Once again with the first Daily Challenge, it’s ‘The Experiment’ and it involved that Test Track.
In the previous week, you could unlock a Datsun 5 10, this week you’ll need to tune it up in The Trail to earn a ‘rare’ 2015 Audi RS 6.
Two more EventLabs, two more ‘legendary’ Donut Media rewards. Three more PR Stunts, three more Super Wheelspins. There is, however, a Seasonal Playground Games where you can earn a Forza Link reward.
In the two Seasonal Championships this week are two ‘common’ car rewards. One is a 1987 Nissan GTS-R and the other is a 2008 BMW M3.
There will be a Treasure Hunt in Winter, “An Old Challenger Approaches”. If I had to guess today, I’d say it involves a Dodge Challenger and a drag race based on the clue.
The #ITSTURBOTIME! Photo Challenge will need the juxtaposition of a a 1982 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3 against the backdrop of the Horizon Rush Outpost for a Forza Link reward.
Finally, by earning three ultimate drift skills during a Horizon Open Drifting event, you’ll unlock an ‘epic’ 2005 Honda NSX-R.
Forza Horizon 5, “Upgrade Heroes”, Spring rewards
The final season is the “Hot Season” in Spring, the fourth and final week of the Upgrade Heroes Festival.
At 20 PTS, the Mercedes-Benz SL65, which is a new ‘epic’ and ‘exclusive’ machine to Forza, can be yours. Double up and get 40 PTS to unlock the ‘legendary’ and ‘hard to find’ Eagle Speedster.
You’ll need a 1998 Toyota Supra RZ for the #FORZATHON Weekly Challenge. If you haven’t guessed yet, the Test Track is again a part of the opening day in the new week in the Daily Challenges.
The final “Tune it Up” for the Festival will need either a Toyota GT86 or a Subaru BRZ, and winning this battle will result in one ‘rare’ Lexus RC F being added to your car collection.
If you like EventLabs and Donut Media, you’ll enjoy one last pair of prizes in two fantastic creations. If you like Super Wheelspins and PR Stunts, that hasn’t changed either.
The final weekly events are the usual Seasonal Championships and Festival-ending Horizon Tour Co-Op. In the Championships, you can get a ‘common’ 1997 BMW M3 and a ‘rare’ 1998 Toyota Supra.
The final week also brings a final Treasure Hunt with “A Prelude to Something Great” and honestly, I have no clue with this clue.
A #MATCHDAY Photo Challenge is also in the final week and you’ll need a 1992 Toyota Supra 2.0 GT to take a picture with.
Finally, if you stick around for a Battle Royale in The Eliminator, you can unlock a ‘rare’ TVR Sagaris.
New Accolades and Badges
With the new Festival comes some new Accolades and Badges, some Accolades which will unlock some choice rewards. Check out the new Donut Media-specific and Test Track-specific Accolades that you can do starting this week.
Donut Media Accolades
| ACCOLADE | DESCRIPTION | CAREER POINTS | REWARD |
|---|---|---|---|
| On the Road Again | Complete Welcome to HiLow | 1500 | Donut Media Yellow Cap |
| Well, Hi There | Complete the Welcome to Hi Team chapter | 1500 | Donut Media Meep Meep |
| Under 3 Minutes or it’s Free! | Complete the Donut Delivery chapter | 1500 | 1994 Ford Supervan 3 ‘Donut Media Edition’ |
| Just A Little Further! | Complete the Time after Time chapter | 1500 | |
| History of Z | Complete the Up to Speed chapter | 1500 | |
| No Pain No Gain… | Complete the Cars Are Pain chapter | 1500 | |
| Putting it to the Test | Complete Hi Team Does More Expensive Mean More Better chapter | 1500 | |
| High Five | Complete Hi Teams chapters | 500 | 2003 Nissan Donut Media 350Z ‘High Car’ |
| Hi Performance | Complete all Hi Team chapters with 3 stars | 500 | |
| Low Team | Complete the Welcome to Low Team chapter | 1500 | Donut Media Beep Beep |
| Number 1! | Complete the Every Car at Horizon RANKED Chapter | 1500 | |
| N… Not again! | Complete the Déjà Vu chapter | 1500 | |
| Sweet Drift | Complete the Bumper 2 Bumper chapter | 1500 | 1996 Formula Drift #51 Donut Media Nissan 240SX |
| This Counts Right? | Complete the To the Rescue chapter | 1500 | |
| Better Than You Think | Complete Low Team Does More Expensive Mean More Better chapter | 1500 | |
| Low Five | Complete Low Team chapters | 500 | 2004 Nissan Donut Media 350Z ‘Low Car’ |
| Bang For Your Buck | Complete all Low Team chapters with 3 stars | 500 | |
| “One With the Drift” | Perform an Ultimate Drift or E Drift skill in the Bumper 2 Bumper chapter | 250 | Donut Media Yellow Bomber Jacket |
| This List Doesn’t Lie | Reach 120 mph in Every Car at Horizon RANKED chapter | 250 | Donut Media Black Relaxed Tee |
| Generational Speed | Stay at 120 mph for more than 10 seconds in the Up to Speed chapter | 250 | Donut Media The Beans Relaxed Tee |
| Upgrade Heroes Collector | Own the 1991 GMC Syclone, 1992 GMC Typhoon, 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series and the 2023 Formula Drift #64 Forsberg Racing Nissan Z | 1000 |
Test Track Accolades
| ACCOLADE | DESCRIPTION | CAREER POINTS | REWARD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Testing, Testing | Apply and purchase an upgrade to any car at the Horizon Test Track | 250 | |
| Give me Five! | Apply and purchase an upgrade to 5 cars at the Horizon Test Track | 500 | |
| Tried and Tested! | Apply and purchase an upgrade to 10 cars at the Horizon Test Track | 1000 | Horizon Mexico Tee |
| Testing the Waters | Spend 10,000 credits on upgrades at the Horizon Test Track | 250 | |
| Upgrade-zathon | Spend 250,000 credits on upgrades at the Horizon Test Track | 500 | |
| Modification Specialist | Spend 500,000 credits on upgrades at the Horizon Test Track | 1000 | Blue Suit |
| Track Miles | Drive 10 miles (16.1km) at the Horizon Test Track | 250 | |
| Making Tracks | Drive 25 miles (40.3km) at the Horizon Test Track | 500 | |
| Leaving Tracks | Drive 50 miles (80.5km) at the Horizon Test Track | 1000 | Mexico Race Gloves |
| Maxing Out | Maintain a speed of 200mph for 10 seconds at the Horizon Test Track | 250 | |
| Fast Track | Earn an Awesome Speed Skill in a Super Hot Hatch upgraded to ‘S1’ Class | 250 | 2007 Honda Civic Type R |
| Short Course | Earn an Ultimate Drift Skill in any Retro Sports Car upgraded to ‘S1’ Class | 250 | |
| Off Track | Earn an Ultimate Air Skill in any Vans and Utility upgraded to ‘S1’ Class | 250 | 2018 Mini John Cooper Works Countryman All4 |
| Crash Course | Earn an Ultimate Wreckage Skill in any Buggy upgraded to ‘S1’ Class | 250 | |
| Getting Sidetracked | Travel from the Test Track starting area to the end of the Festival Drag Strip in 40 seconds in any Retro Muscle | 250 | 1966 Chevrolet Nova Super Sport |
The New Badges
| BADGE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| Keeping Track | Apply and purchase an upgrade at the Horizon Test Track |
| Track Record | Apply and purchase an upgrade to 50 cars at the Horizon Test Track |
| Just Keep Driving, Driving, Driving | Drive 500 miles (804.6km) at the Horizon Test Track |
| Break the ‘Piggy’ Bank | Spend 1,000,000 credits on upgrades at the Horizon Test Track |
| Tinker, Tailor, Car Tuner | Spend 10,000,000 credits on upgrades at the Horizon Test Track |
Patch Notes
As always, a new series also brings new updates. Starting on the 20th on June, the following highlighted updates will be implemented along with some other fixes features.
- New engine sound for the 2003 Nissan Fairlady Z (350Z).
- ASL/BSL has been introduced for Donut Media Part 1 Horizon Story.
- Improved replication of ghosting during anti-griefing measures in Multiplayer races.
- Game could crash after receiving an invisible “DLC Car” as a gift.
- Traction Control reactivated after restarting an EventLab from the finish screen.
- Smashed Bonus Boards would sometimes display the incorrect stat in the UI.
- [Console] Steering Wheel Rotation default value was incorrectly set.
- The Eliminator timeout bar would display the incorrect time and eliminates players early.
- “Racing Champion” accolade wouldn’t unlock despite winning a Horizon Open event.
- 2021 Audi RS6 Avant steering wheel had inverted shift paddles and incorrect media controls.
- Anti-lag pop animation was missing or clipping on specific car and body kit combinations.
- Player’s character might disappear after saving a Photo Mode preset
- Select cosmetic items were marked incorrectly as available through wheelspins.
- Quick Chat phrases not shown when using the Logitech G920 d-pad in Freeroam and events.
Source: Forza.net
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