Forza Motorsport 4 February DLC features legendary Le Mans cars

Yes, it’s that time once again where Turn 10 releases its latest lustrous list of car DLC for Forza Motorsport 4. And, once again, we’re praising it profusely.

Dubbed as the American Le Mans Series pack, February’s DLC serving is low on salt but suitably high on environmentally-unfriendly horsepower, with a particular emphasis on racecars from Le Mans, as you may have guessed.

Don’t think, however, that this means the pack is overrun with suped up cars built for the track - far from it. This being Turn 10, the AMLS pack is packed with ample diversity, featuring additional race and road cars of all manner of shapes, sizes and nationalities. There’s even room for another Audi and Alfa Romeo.

Available for 2400 Microsoft Points, here’s a breakdown of the new crop of cars added in February's DLC:

2011 #2 Audi Sport North America R18 TDI

The successor to the Audi R15, the R18 represents Audi’s victorious entry into last year’s gruelling Le Mans 24 hour race. It went on to achieve full honours, and is the first closed cockpit LMP1 Audi sports car in 10 years, equipped with a hefty 3.7 litre engine and sleek carbon fibre body.

1991 Mazda #55 Team Mazdaspeed 787B

Having appeared in every Gran Turismo sequel since GT3 in 2001, the Mazda 787B is no stranger to Polyphony Digital, but this marks its debut for Turn 10 in Forza Motorsport 4. Unlike Gran Turismo, Forza Motorsport, more often than not, gets the engine sounds virtually spot on, and so we’re eager to find out if Forza Motorsport 4 can capture the 787B’s distinctively devastating sound. It’s an aural assault like no other – we can’t wait to hear the wonderful whine of the 690 horsepower Wankel (hehe) rotary engine shudder our surround sound speakers.

This excessive speed made the 787B a bit of an outlaw when it came to Le Mans. Reaching speeds up to 215 mph on the infamous Mulsanne straight resulted in organisers adding additional chicanes to the track in 1990.

Like the Audi R18, the 787B also holds significant legacy in Le Mans, after winning the championship in 1991. Its reign was sadly shortlived however, as new regulations the following year banned the use of Wankel engines. Jaguar XJR-9 next time please Turn 10?

2011 Bentley Platinum Motorsports Continental GT

This is no ordinary Bentley Continental GT. Aside from its beastly 6.0 litre engine churning out a monstrous 700 horsepower, this special modified matte white Bentley was the winning Car of the Show at Turn 10’s E3 party last year.

2010 Dodge Quinton "Rampage" Jackson Challenger SRT8

I’ll be honest here, but this Dodge Challenger is unquestionably the weakest leak in the line-up. Also stemming from last year’s E3 competition, its eye-bleeding red rims look ridiculous and its performance increase up to 550 horsepower can be easily achieved through customisation in-game making it a thoroughly pointless addition.

1986 #2 Audi Sport quattro S1

This is much more like it. The Audi Quattro is widely regarded as one of the greatest rally cars of all time, thanks to its staggering performance that made it a staple of the notorious Group B rally series in the 1980s. Capable of over 460 horsepower, its sterling reputation earned it a spot in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb where it went on to break multiple world records. Little wonder that rally fans get all giddy inside whenever it appears in a video game, then.

2011 Panoz #050 Panoz Racing Abruzzi

Here we have the very striking looking Panoz, featuring a front end that resembles a rather angry looking fork. Like many of the cars featured in this pack, its heritage stems from Le Mans, but unlike the other cars the Abruzzi actually raced in the American Le Mans series. Makes sense considering that, you know, this DLC is called the “American Le Mans Series” pack.

Oh yes, nearly forgot the stats. Well, its vicious V8 churns out a respectable 500 horsepower. This particular production model is exceedingly rare, too, since only 81 were made.

1992 Alfa Romeo 155 Q4

It seems no Forza Motorsport 4 car pack is complete without an aesthetically-beautiful Alfa Romeo, and February’s offering is no exception. Its decidedly square shape instantly exposes its outdated 1990s styling, but if you call yourself a racing fan you should fondly remember it for its legacy as a touring car. Expect an onslaught of replica liveries to be made.

1995 Ford Mustang Cobra R

You could argue that we’re not exactly in desperate need of a new Mustang in Forza, but this particular model needs no justification. Boasting an impressive 5.8 litre, 300 horsepower engine, Ford made it abundantly clear that this car was built primarily for the track, depriving it of creature comforts such as air conditioning or even a radio. Only 250 were made all in all, making it a rare treat to drive in Forza Motorsport 4.

2011 Holden HSV GTS

Holden has always been renowned for their high powered muscle car range, but they have truly out done themselves with the new HSV GTS. From its whopping 6.2 litre engine capable of 436 horsepower to its intimidating front end and its clever MRC suspension that automatically changes the dampening settings hundreds of times a second, the HSV GTS is the complete package that should make for a thoroughly fiesty drive in Forza 4.

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI

The new Polo GTi may look like a cutsey underpowered hatchback that’s about the same size as a shoe, but do not be deceived. Its 1.4 litre turbocharged engine 177 horsepower, resulting in a respectable 0 – 60 mph in less than seven seconds.

Photos compiled by Jorge Herrero from the Internet Games Car Database.

Words by Martin Bigg (Twitter: @drivinggamespro)

Please register or login to post comments