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Forza Horizon 5’s latest blog post revealed its huge Horizon Realms mode, set for a 25th April release. Adding limited-time locations from the game’s history, the update includes 11 previously visited areas, including the Stunt Park and Ice Rink, plus the brand-new Stadium Track, all of which will be released across PC, Xbox and, for the very first time, PlayStation 5.
However, tucked away inside the post’s reams of text was the ‘Nissan Retro Rides Car Pack’, listing four Nissan cars on their way to the game. These are the 1989 Nissan Pao, the 1991 Nissan Figaro, the 1989 Nissan S-Cargo and the 1987 Nissan Be-1.
Pike cars
In 1982, the Nissan Technical Center in Atsugi, Kanagawa Prefecture, was set up. This consolidated all of Nissan’s design team in one location. As a direct result, the Nissan Pao, S-Cargo, Figaro and Be-1 all emerged from the same source.
Nicknamed the ‘Pike’ cars, due to their edgy nature, their design seemingly pushed the visual boundaries of the time, managing to be both retro and modern at the same time. Produced in limited numbers, the Pike cars have a more kitsch appeal today and are likely not well-known to FH5 players.
1989 Nissan Pao
The name Pao derives from the Chinese word for a nomadic Mongolian dwelling, with the car having a cutesy, bulbous look.
Around 30,000 units were sold, with the car featuring external door hinges and a split rear tailgate, producing around 50 bhp from its 987cc engine. As a result, its performance could not be described as brisk.
1991 Nissan Figaro
A distinctive convertible with a 2+2 seating arrangement, the Figaro is better known to Brits thanks to its relative import success.
Only 20,000 units were produced in the Figaro’s single year of production but they remain a popular second-hand buy for discerning JDM fans. Again, performance isn’t this car’s strong point, with a three-speed automatic transmission driven by the same 987cc engine as the Pao.
1989 Nissan S-Cargo
The S-Cargo is a van derivative of the Pike cars, featuring ovular portholes on its flanks and vesicular-like headlights. This is apt, considering the link between ‘S-Cargo’ and ‘escargot’ – French for snail.
The body looks like a gastropod too, with a bulbous rear-end designed to carry commercial payloads. I doubt you get a sheet of plasterboard in there, though…
1987 Nissan Be-1
A rival to the Honda City, the Nissan Be-1 is based on the first-gen Micra and could be purchased with a three-speed auto transmission or a five-speed manual.
The Be-1’s proportions made it perhaps the most attractive of the Pike cars and it was perhaps the most popular. Only 10,000 cars were due to be manufactured but sales were over-subscribed, so a lottery was used to determine which customers would own one.
No such contrivance will be required in FH5 , however.
Forza Horizon 5 Nissan Retro Rides Car Pack price and release date
The Nissan Retro Rides Car Pack will be available from the 25th of April for $4.99/€4.99/£3.99. Players who own the Ultimate Car Pack Collection will receive this Car Pack at no additional cost.
Are you looking forward to driving four weird Nissans in Forza Horizon 5’s next update? Let us know in the comments below!
Featured image: Nissan S-Cargo. Image courtesy of Nissan Heritage Collection
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