With the recent release of new Porsches, Forza Horizon 3 is still receiving new content on a relatively regular basis. We also knew that a new expansion, the follow-up to the Blizzard Mountain expansion, was in the works, but I think it is fair to say that today’s announcement of the new Hot Wheels expansion caught everyone by surprise. The Hot Wheels car packs in Forza Motorsport 5 and 6 were only the beginning it seems.
The expansion will release on May 9 and will cost 19.99$ (probably 19.99€ as well). Together with the expansion, a new update will be launched too, adding performance improvements and new supported wheels to the PC version. A full changelog is yet to be released. A trailer was released too and you can view it above.
What is this then?
To some, it may be utter nonsense and to others, it will be the fulfilment of unspoken childhood dreams. What the new Hot Wheels expansion is most definitely, is unique.
Six small new islands will be added to the game, all connected by an enormous orange track construction, high in the air, “featuring classic Hot Wheels configurations like loops, corkscrews, and more”.
To deliver a real Hot Wheels experience, an array of new gameplay elements had to be added to the game too. Namely, boost pads, high-bank turns, half-pipes and mechanical dinosaurs. How the dinosaurs fit into the picture is yet to be seen.
With the new Stunt Swap feature, stunt track sections can even be modified and then shared with friends.
New Cars
Apart from a new single player campaign, nine cars and a barn find will be included with in the expansion.
1969 Hot Wheels Twin Mill
For many people this is the definition of a Hot Wheel. Bold design, bonkers amounts of power and a unique colour. The Twin Mill even has roots in the real automotive industry, since it was designed by Ira Gilford, who used to be a designer at Chrysler, prior to his career at Mattel. As its visuals might have already given away, the Twin Mill has power, lots of it, 1 400 horsepower to be precise. It has even received a real-life counterpart, which debuted at SEMA 2011.
2011 Hot Wheels Bone Shaker
Like the Twin Mill, this is also a prime example of “Hot Wheel-ship”, which also led to a real-life version of the car being built by in 2011 by Picture Car Warehouse. Its menacing design has some function too, apart from intimidating people. For example, the roof was left out all together to show off the interior, which includes small details like a skull-topped spine shifter and a skull-and-crossbones steering wheel. All of this, thanks to designer Larry Wood, also known as “Mr. Hot Wheels”.
2012 Hot Wheels Rip Rod
The last of the real Hot Wheels in the expansion is the rip rod. It carries over the Hot Wheels design, but pairs it with a not so powerful engine, producing only about 100 horsepower. Although it may seem unclear whether it is a buggy or a hot rod, it is very clear that it is meant for the sole purpose of enjoyment.
2005 Hot Wheels Ford Mustang
While this Hot Wheel is based on a real car, the Ford Mustang, it does implement some of the “Hot Wheel-ness” too. This is done through a very prominent body kit, featuring an adjustable rear-wing, an outrageously big rear diffusor and, of course, a wider body. It was built by Hot Wheels in cooperation with Action Vehicle Engineering, to celebrate the Mustang’s 50th Anniversary.
2016 Jeep Trailcat
This car pretty much speaks for itself. It is a lifted Jeep Wrangler with the 707-horsepower engine of a Dodge Challenger Hellcat – This may be the ultimate off-roader.
2016 Zenvo ST1
Although this may sound like a weird thing to say, this is probably the most civilised car so far. The ST1, built by Denmark’s only supercar manufacturer Zenvo, is an embodiment of engineering perfection. Just building the interior can take up to 8 000 hours and the performance is on par with the fastest of road cars – a true supercar.
2007 Toyota Hilux Arctic Trucks AT38
If the Trailcat could not get you to your destination, then this will – A heavy-duty version of the already heavy-duty Toyota Hilux, built by Arctic Engineering, an Icelandic company, which has specialised in the preparation of off-road vehicles for the toughest of conditions. Arctic Experience cars have travelled to the North and the South Pole and also featured in the Top Gear Polar Special and a Top Gear piece, where a modified Hilux was used to drive up a volcano in Iceland.
2010 Pagani Zonda R
The Zonda R is the race-only version of the Zonda, build by Italian supercar specialist Pagani. It has everything you would expect a race car to have. A carbon-fibre body, a massive rear-wing and a massive rear diffusor and an enormous V12 engine, the same which the Mercedes Benz CLK GTR used. It is so loud that you are actually not permitted to drive it on most of the racetracks, but if you are then it will perform. It was even a record holder on the infamous Nordschleife.
1972 Chrysler VH Valiant Charger R/T E49
To top things off, Playground games has added a true muscle car, but not from the United States. The VH Valiant Charger was only car to be completely designed by Chrysler Australia and it was also strictly limited. Only 149 units were produced, which all came equipped wit the “TrackPack”, using up most of the boot space by adding a massive fuel tank.
