Forza Motorsport 4's March DLC continues to surprise

It's that time of the month again, Forza fans!

Turn 10 has done us proud when it comes to our monthly helpings of car DLC, and this latest batch is once again no exception.

As usual, we heartily recommend this pack for its variety alone: there's a concept car, a couple of legendary endurance racers, a hot hatch, muscle cars, grand tourers and, would you believe it, an Alfa Romeo. There's even a vintage station wagon, if that's your thing. We're not joking.

So without further ado, here's the lineup for March's DLC available to buy now for 560 Microsoft points: 

2011 Aston Martin V12 Zagato

Trust Turn 10 to find an Aston Martin that hasn’t been included in a video game before.

This rather angry looking Aston Martin V12 Zagato may not look like a conventional Aston, but it has plenty of pedigree when it comes to performance. A concept car that won the “Best in Class” in the Italian Concorso d’Eleganza Villa D’Este, the V12 Zagato was designed with endurance racing in mind to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original DB4GT Zagato, going on to compete in the fearsome Nurburgring 24 hour race which is no mean feat.

How does it perform, you may ask? Try a dizzying 510bhp and a top speed of over 185 mph.

Not that I’m at all biased, but I am of the opinion that all Martins of the world should be entitled to a free Aston Martin. Just sayng.

1971 Ferrari #2 Ferrari Automobili 312 P

Like the Aston, the Ferrari Automobili 312 P holds a symbolic status in the world of endurance racing, having dominated the 1972 Manufacturer’s World Championship. It was also driven by the likes of racing legends Mario Andretti and Jacky Ickx.

The fact it develops 440BHP should already make it an thrilling drive in Forza Motorsport 4, but when you consider the fact it weighs just 1,400 pounds you have a power to weight ratio that should result in some blistering lap times.

2012 Ultima GTR

Here’s a fact that makes the Ultima GTR the ultimate DIY Kit Car, and one that gives its supercar rivals a run for their money: it blitzed the Top Gear Test Track in a startling 1 minute 12.8 seconds. That’s over 2 seconds faster than the current lap leader, the Ariel Atom. In a car you can build yourself.

It’s no surprise when you feast your eyes on the statistics: the 7 litre, 565 BHP engine will get you from 0 – 60mph in less than 3 seconds and it only weighs 2,200 pounds. Count us in.

1969 Chevrolet Nova SS 396

On first glance, this Chevrolet Nova may look like an unremarkable slab of lumbering American metal, but the all-important “SS” indicates that this model is no slouch. This particular Nova boasts a V8 6.5 litre engine which churns out 375 horsepower, which should comfortably leave your rivals reeling in your own tyre smoke.

For me however, the Chevrolet Nova is special for an entirely different reason: it was of course Stuntman Mike’s iconic Death Proof car in Quentin Tarantino’s Grindhouse classic. Get to work on those custom liveries, people.

2010 Renault Clio RS

Who doesn’t love a hot hatch?

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, this 2.0 litre 16-valve Renault Clio RS boasts a multitude of features that should give it impeccable handling out on the track, including special Brembo brakes and upgraded suspension resulting in exceptional grip. Unsurprisingly, it costs nearly twice as much as a bog standard Clio in real life so it’s something of a bargain in Forza Motorsport 4.

1966 Ford Country Squire

Um, it’s a 1960’s station wagon...who can honestly say they were expecting this? We’ve always admired Turn 10’s ability to consistently surprise us with these car packs, but they have truly outdone themselves here.

It’s fair to say the Ford Country Squire is the exact opposite of, say, the Ultima GTR. Unlike the GTR, this brute weighs, and therefore handles, the same as an ocean liner and we think we’re right in saying it would struggle to match the Ultima’s 0 – 60 time. Still, at least that would make for an amusing drag race.

But despite its obvious pitfalls as a racing machine, we can’t help but admire Turn 10 for including such a rare novelty – we guarantee you won’t see this car in any other driving game any time soon. And just look at that lovely wood trim.

1995 BMW 850CSi

The BMW 850CSi is widely regarded as one of the best Grand Tourers. It’s therefore baffling to find this luxury coupe has been completely ignored in the world of driving games – until now.

Originally designed as a prototype M8, its sophisticated looks and 5.6 litre V12 engine made it one of BMW’s finest achievements in the mid-nineties. Did we say we can't resist a car with pop-up headlights, either?

1986 Alfa Romeo GTV-6

You were waiting for it, and sure enough here it is. True to tradition, Turn 10 has packed in yet another Alfa Romeo into this latest DLC offering. And no, we’re not complaining.

Another first for a driving game, the GTV-6 stands as one of Alfa Romeo’s crowning achievements in the 1980’s. With a V6 2.5 litre engine and near prefect front/rear weight balance, its outstanding performance earned it a winning spot in the 1982-85 Touring Car Championships as well as a few outings in the World Rally Championship.

Car film buffs like me will also recognise the GTV as James Bond’s accidental getaway car in Octopussy.

2011 Wiesmann GT MF5

With its lightweight fibre glass body, this swanky looking Wisemann GT MF5 is arguably the weakest link in this otherwise stellar package, principally because the 2010 model was already included in Forza Motorsport 4.

Nevertheless, this grand tourer packs a serious punch with a 0 – 60 time in under four seconds, and onto 100 mph in under eight seconds.

1969 Chevrolet Corvair Monza

This powered-up edition of the Chevrolet Corvair is something of a 1960’s monument – only 500 were produced in total, making it a car collector’s item. Its rear-mounted engine gave it a distinctive style too, resulting in a lower profile and the absence of a front grille.

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

Words by Martin Bigg (Twitter: @drivinggamespro)

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