Forza MotorSport 4 December DLC signifies everything Turn 10 is doing right

Following on from the November Speed Pack, the latest car pack for Forza MotorSport 4 is about to roll off the forecourt in December. And my, what a sumptuous lot we’ve got here.

Once again there’s no shortage of variety. Turn 10 have everything covered, from raucous race cars and hatchbacks to stylish coupes and heavyweight pickups, spanning a superb variety of decades and world manufacturers.

Arriving on 6 December for 560 Microsoft Points (or for free if you purchased the Season Pass), the December pack will feature the following 10 new cars:

2011 Suzuki SX4

Well we certainly didn’t expect this. While Gran Turismo fans may recognise its resemblance to the infamously absurd Suzuki Escudo Pikes Peak, the Suzuki SX4 made its videogame debut in DiRT 3’s hill climbing events. Being the first AWD R1 to feature in Forza MotorSport 4, its inclusion is somewhat unprecedented since Forza features little in the way of hill climbing.

Not that we’re begrudging it, of course - it’s hard to resist a machine famed for setting a new record in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb that has a modest 897 horsepower and a somewhat sizeable spoiler. Time to relive those memories of performing wheelies in your overpowered Escudo in Gran Turismo 3 all over again.

2011 Mazda RX-8 R3

We’re sad to say it, but this latest iteration of the Mazda RX-8 will be the last. It certainly seems to be going out with a bang however, with a respectable 232 horsepower, a 0–60 time of 7 seconds and contemporary styling that still retains the sporty looks the RX-8 has been renowned for since its inception in 2003.

The inclusion of the RX-8 reaffirms Turn 10’s connection to the car community and just how in-tune they are with staying up to date and delivering cars that are significant to petrolheads.

2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

Um, yeah. It’s a pickup. We don’t have those in Englandland.

This one is rather special, though. Boasting a whopping 400 horsepower and an earth-shatteringly deafening growl, this towering menace will surely strike fear into the hearts of your cowardly competitors. It’s just a shame there aren’t any dirt tracks, since it was principally designed for off-roading.

1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS-396

It’s fair to say that Forza Motorsport 4 is a bit overrun with American muscle cars, but I think we can just about make room for one more when it’s as strikingly beautiful as this. While most games opt to showcase the Chevelle from the ‘70s era, its ‘60s heritage is rarely given a look in, which makes its appearance in Forza particularly stand out.

This specific model represents the last of the Mk1 shapes, and is equipped with a dealer specification that was fitted into a limited number of Chevelles at the time, comprising of a four speed gearbox and a V8 with 375 horsepower.
 
1977 Ford Escort RS1800

I’ve always had a soft spot for vintage Fords. Personally I blame my dad, who has owned a Ford Cortina, Capri and Escort XR3i to name but a few. His current car of choice? A sensible family Ford Focus. Talk about a backwards step.

Joining the Escort and Sierra Cosworth duo in Forza Motorsport 4, the 115 horsepower Escort RS1800 remains a rallying icon of the 1970’s having won a few championships and is cherished by Ford enthusiasts to this day.

1981 Volkswagen Scirocco S

Having recently made a comeback into the market, it’s easy to forget about the Scirocco’s old originator, meaning it’s a rare sight in videogames.

The looks on this 1981 model are as retro as the graphics of original arcade Pole Position, and have aged just as unfavourably, but at the time the design was certainly turning heads. With just 74 horsepower cranking out a blistering top speed of 117 mph, it’s certainly not the most desirable choice of the pack but is still a rarity in driving games nonetheless.

1986 Alfa Romeo Spider Quadrifoglio Verde

Now we’re talking. If you want looks, almost every Alfa has it in spades.

The Spider is no exception – here we see the Italian manufacturer’s unmatched stylistic flair and passion in full swing. In fact it looks so good, they barely changed the design throughout the three decades it lived for.

Now please excuse me whilst I mop up the excess drool I’ve deposited.

1988 Pontiac Fiero GT

Another surprise entry, and one that makes up for lack of ‘80s cars in Forza Motorsport 4, the Pontiac Fiero could be seen as a car that videogames forgot, as its inclusion in the December DLC pack marks its first ever appearance in a driving game. Little wonder, too, given that it was only in production for five years.

It’s obvious that Pontiac was very proud of the Fiero, notable for being the only mass produced mid-engined car in America – the fact that Fiero is Italian for ‘proud’ is a bit of a giveaway. This 1988 model represents the last we would see of the Fiero, despite failed attempts to continue production in the ‘90s after a prototype was produced in 1990.

2010 Maserati GranTurismo MC GT4

Designed for competing in the GT4 European Cup, this racing version of the Masarati GranTurismo has circuit racer written all over its carbon fibre body panels, from its GT4 livery to a fitted rollcage. Performance-wise, it houses 433 horses under the bonnet, making it a worthy addition to Forza’s race car rosta.

1957 Maserati 300 S

Flashback five decades earlier in Maseratiland and here we have the 300 S, another car that makes its videogame debut in Forza Motorsport 4. It too was a flagship contender in a famous racing championship, in this case the 1950’s World Sports Car Championship which saw it face off Ferrari.

Despite its age, it’s certainly no slouch at 230 horsepower, and its classic looks make it a unique addition to an all-round stunning car pack.

All in all, it’s hard to complain about such a varied car pack, particularly one that adds a slew of cars seldom seen in driving games. Based on the strength of these last two batches of DLC, we can’t wait to see what surprises Turn 10 have in store for us over the coming months.

Words by Martin Bigg (Twitter: @drivinggamespro)

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