Spin Your Tires as Donut Media Arrives in Forza Horizon 5

It’s Donut time! The Horizon Cargo Plane has flown James and Nolan, as well as an entire new Donut Media Test Track, into Horizon Mexico. Pull off burnouts and create lots of tire smoke in a delicious new Horizon Story available to play from Thursday, November 10.

Ahead of the new Festival Playlist series and the arrival of the Donut Media crew, the next Forza Horizon 5 update will be available to download from Tuesday, November 8 across Xbox, Windows and Steam. Once it’s released, upgrade your favorite cars with the return of Rocket Bunny widebody kits, and if you’re playing on PC, test drive new resolution scaling and ray tracing options to increase performance and car reflection quality.



It's another busy month at the Horizon Festival with plenty to unpack, so let’s dive in!

[h2]Game Fixes and Release Notes[/h2]

We continue to introduce new game fixes and quality-of-life improvements in Forza Horizon 5 as part of its monthly series updates.



Here’s a look at the most notable changes that you can look forward to in the next version:

• New resolution scaling options for NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution, NVIDIA DLAA and AMD FSR 2.2, as well as enhanced DirectX Raytracing pre-sets for PC players have been added. We have more details on these features and how they work below.
  
• Cars are now sorted Alphabetically in the “Car Type” section when players are browsing their Garage in the “My Cars” interface.
  
• We’ve fixed an issue that caused the chosen Steering Wheel Input Mapping layout to revert to its default settings after restarting the title on PC.
  
• Further improvements have been made to alleviate incorrect percentages being displayed on the Props Budget UI in the EventLab Blueprint Builder.
  
• Horizon Origins will no longer prompt players to set a route when starting the game or travelling from Hot Wheels Park to Mexico.
  
• The hat in the Tankito Doritos Outfit now correctly displays the Doritos brand logo on top.
  
• We’ve made improvements to localized VOs in Horizon Stories.

We continually evaluate our tools and processes, and have introduced new security improvements to the PC version of Forza Horizon 5 to promote a healthy and secure gameplay experience for our community.



For the full list of fixes and improvements, look out for our release notes that will be published once the update is available to download. We’re listening closely to your Forza Horizon 5 feedback as new fixes are introduced in each series update. Here’s where you can stay up to date on the issues that we’re currently investigating.

[h2]PC Improvements – DLSS, FSR and DXR[/h2]

Boost your Forza Horizon 5 framerates on PC whilst maximising image quality by enabling NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution or AMD FSR 2.2. These resolution upscaling techniques can construct a 4K rendered image from a 1080p frame buffer, allowing higher performance at higher resolutions.



NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution is available on all NVIDIA RTX graphics cards, while AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 2.2 can be used on all PC graphics cards including AMD, NVIDIA and Intel.

We’ve also incorporated NVIDIA DLAA, which uses AI-powered technology to anti-alias a native resolution image at high quality.



In addition, we’re enhancing our DirectX Raytracing implementation on PC with two new presets: Ultra and Extreme, which render true-to-life reflections for the player car in Free Roam and Races, as well as realistic Drivatar reflections in Photo Mode. Ray tracing is also available in Forzavista as before.

For additional information on these new PC features, check out this Forza Support Q&A.

[h2]New Horizon Story – Donut Media @ Horizon[/h2]

On Thursday, November 10, experience a new Horizon Series Intro in the inaugural chapter of Donut Media @ Horizon. Meet James and Nolan, who are on standby to provide radio comms as you take on a series of challenges that test your car building and driving skills on the Donut Media Test Track, built exclusively for this Horizon Story. Here you can upgrade and test drive cars with the goal of transforming a Classic Muscle or Retro Sports Car into a Rally Machine!



These are the three rides available to choose from on the Donut Media Test Track:

• 1993 Ford SVT Cobra R
  
• 1993 Nissan 240 SX SE
  
• 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans AM

It’s important that you’ve built the right car for the challenges ahead, as once you’ve committed to it, you’ll need to prove that you made the correct car and upgrade choices as you push it to the limit across a series of objectives.



Players can later revisit this Horizon Story and attempt to complete it using different car builds. By replaying Chapter 2 – The Test Track, your Story Progression across the next three chapters will be reset, allowing you to experience them using your newly upgraded car.

[h2]Rocket Bunny Widebody Kits[/h2]

Mechanics at the Horizon Festival are excited to offer 21 Rocket Bunny kits available to drivers at the Autoshow. If you’re looking to express yourself around Mexico’s Street Scene, there’s no better way to do so. Rocket Bunny widebody kits can be fitted on these rides:

• 1997 BMW M3
  
• 2005 BMW M3
  
• 1992 Honda NSX-R
  
• 2003 Honda S2000
  
• 2015 Lexus RC F
  
• 1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  
• 1997 Mazda RX-7 (features 2 Rocket Bunny widebody kits)
  
• 1993 Nissan 240SX SE
  
• 1969 Nissan Fairlady Z 432
  
• 2003 Nissan Fairlady Z
  
• 1992 Nissan Silvia CLUB K's
  
• 1994 Nissan Silvia K's
  
• 1998 Nissan Silvia K's Aero
  
• 2000 Nissan Silvia Spec-R
  
• 1993 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec
  
• 2015 Porsche Cayman GTS
  
• 2013 Subaru BRZ
  
• 2013 Toyota 86
  
• 1992 Volkswagen Golf GTI 16v Mk2
  
• 2014 Volkswagen Golf R

Simply drive any of cars listed above to a Festival Outpost or Player House and navigate to the “Tuning & Upgrades” menu and select “Body Kits & Presets” to find the Rocket Bunny widebody kits.

[h2]Donut Media Festival Playlist[/h2]

Every week this series, Donut Media is serving up appropriately themed Seasonal Championships and Weekly Forzathon Challenges that are certain to be tasty. Look out for Pop Up Headlight races, Money Pip Miata races, HiLow Fairlady races, Up to Speed challenges and more!

James and Nolan are also in the radio booth to update you on the latest Festival Playlist events as they become available, ensuring you don’t miss out on the fun.



In addition to car rewards, Donut Media themed clothing and Forza LINK chat phrases can be unlocked, while smashable donuts can be collected alongside Mexico’s high-speed motorway.

Clothing Items

• Donut Media Leaf Cap
  
• Donut Media Grey Hoodie
  
• Donut Media Black Jumper
  
• Donut Media HRSPRS Relaxed Tee
  
• Donut Media Black Cap
  
• Donut Media Modern Race Helmet
  
• Donut Media Black Bomber Jacket
  
• Donut Media Yellow Relaxed Tee

Forza LINK

• “MO POWA BABY”
  
• “POP UP, UP & DOWN, HEADLIGHTS”

Here’s a look at the new and returning cars available to unlock in the Donut Media Festival Playlist:

2020 Lynk & Co #100 Cyan Racing 03

Earn 20 PTS during the Summer “Wet” Season on the Donut Media Festival Playlist. Available from Nov. 10 – Nov. 17.

Built for the racetrack, now primed for the open road. Developed by Geely Group Motorsport in close collaboration with Cyan Racing and its drivers, the 2020 Lynk & Co #62 Cyan Racing 03 is a three-time touring car champion that has secured the teams’ title in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Driver Yvan Muller stood on the podium with a third-place finish in the Lynk & Co 03 in 2019, while in 2020 Yann Ehrlacher would take home the drivers’ title and become the first ever driver to defend it in 2021. It’s an incredible accomplishment for both Cyan Racing and Lynk & Co 03, who would later release a street-tuned Cyan version of the car to celebrate its motorsport victories. Powered by a four-cylinder, 350-horsepower two-liter turbocharged engine with direct injection that adheres to racing regulations, as well as all the trimmings of a FIA safety approved car, the Lynk & Co 03 is ready to whirl you through the vibrant and impeccable landscapes of Mexico.

1965 Morris Mini-Traveller

Earn 20 PTS during the Autumn “Storm” Season on the Donut Media Festival Playlist. Available from Nov. 17 – Nov. 24.

One of the most beloved and fondly remembered British automobiles is undoubtedly the 1965 Morris Mini-Traveller. If the wood paneling hasn’t caught your attention yet, then the number of spare tires you could fit in the boot certainly will. Space isn’t an issue for this iconic estate vehicle, no matter if you’re driving with friends, family or colleagues, or you’re simply moving house. The Mini-Traveller is always a fun drive around Mexico’s quaint farmland roads – especially after the Horizon Festival’s local mechanic has swapped out the engine – though if you’re keeping it stock, you’re still in for a memorable time. Thirty-four brake horses under the hood and a 0.8L naturally aspirated I4 engine might not sound like much on paper, though with Horizon’s best drivers behind the wheel, we’re certain this front-wheel-drive cult classic will prove its legacy once more.

1946 Ford Super Deluxe Station Wagon

Earn 20 PTS during the Winter “Dry” Season on the Donut Media Festival Playlist. Available from Nov. 24 – Dec. 1.

There is a certain nostalgia about a wood-bodied vehicle or “woody.” The Ford Super Deluxe Station Wagon is a perfect post-World War II example of the halo vehicles of the time – a time when you didn’t wax your car, you went out and put on a new coat of varnish on it. It’s a work of art and since it’s a station wagon, this woody was a truckster that served families loyally with all of its 90 horsepower and ample storage space. Whether you find yourself travelling the highways and byways in search of the most picturesque spot to photograph this classic or just enjoying the ride along the way, you will find that this is one special wagon.

1953 Morris Minor Series II Traveler

Earn 20 PTS during the Spring “Hot” Season on the Donut Media Festival Playlist. Available from Nov. Dec. 1 – Dec. 8.

It’s not how fast you get there, it’s how much fun you are having along the way. That’s how one must look at the ride from behind the wheel of this Morris Minor Estate. Somewhat reminiscent of a chopped, channeled, narrowed, and shortened Ford Woody of the same era, the Series II Traveler featured a tiny four-banger. No doubt, you will find the Traveler to be an outstanding piece of machinery, so long as getting anywhere fast isn’t one of your needs. Tiny and efficient, made of wood, and with all of around 30 horsepower, it will quickly find a place in your heart, or maybe even a route between that thick patch of trees that nothing else could conquer.

[h2]Donut Media Accolades[/h2]

Play the Donut Media @ Horizon Story to unlock new Accolades featuring car and clothing rewards:


[h2]What’s Next[/h2]

And... cut! That’s a wrap on this first season of Donut Media @ Horizon, however next week's update is only just the beginning of our collaboration with Donut Media. Keep your eyes and ears open in 2023 for even more Donut Media goodness coming to Forza Horizon 5.



The driving festivities aren’t slowing down in Mexico anytime soon. The holidays are coming, and Forza Horizon 5 will be celebrating with the return of festive decorations, the ice rink, and new cars to unlock. Check back for more details in December.