Developer Playground Games has made official details about the fleet available at the launch of the highly anticipated next chapter in the open-world racing franchise. Scheduled for May 19, the title will arrive with an impressive catalog of 550 models, promising a deep immersion into global and local automotive culture. The confirmation includes the information that more than 100 new vehicles, never before seen in the series, will be available from day one, guaranteeing an unprecedented experience for Game Pass subscribers and buyers of the standard version.
The focus of this edition is clearly on the balance between historic preservation and modern technological innovation. The selection of machines was curated to reflect the diversity of the roads and landscapes of Japão, the setting chosen to host the festival. Desde from metropolitan expressways to winding mountain passes, players will have at their disposal a variety of chassis that seek to honor the local motorsport legacy while introducing the latest in global performance engineering.
The development team’s strategy aims to capture the essence of the evolution of transportation, allowing enthusiasts to experience the transition from the icons of the past to the marvels of contemporary engineering. The exploration of the map and the progression of the campaign will be intrinsically linked to the discovery and collection of these machines, which serve as protagonists in the environmental narrative created for this new episode of the Horizon saga.
Protagonism of Japanese automakers
As expected due to the Asian setting, local manufacturers receive unprecedented prominence in the history of the franchise. The revealed list points to a massive Toyota presence, covering everything from the legendary and rare 1969 2000GT to recent innovations from the Gazoo Racing division, such as the GR Yaris and the GR86. Essa interactive timeline allows players to trace the brand’s sporting evolution over more than five decades of history on the track and on the streets.
The Nissan is also present with a robust selection that celebrates the heritage of the Skyline and Z line. Iconic Modelos such as the Fairlady Z 432 and the classic Skyline 2000GT-R (“Hakosuka”) will be available alongside the latest versions of the GT-R Nismo and the new Z, ensuring performance is felt across all generations. The Honda and Mazda complement this domestic pillar with vehicles that range from the surgical precision of the NSX-R and Civic Type R to the legacy-defining rotational engineering of the Mazda.
In addition to high-performance sports cars, the inclusion of compact and historic models reinforces the commitment to cultural authenticity. The Honda City E II and the Honda Beat appear as representatives of the compact cars that defined Japanese urban mobility in different eras. Essa attention to detail demonstrates that the game is not just about speed, but also about celebrating the design and functionality that have shaped everyday automotive life in the host country.
European super sports cars and Italian luxury
Despite the strong Japanese accent, the list of cars maintains the series’ tradition of offering the pinnacle of European luxury and performance. The Ferrari is represented with a lineage that spans generations, from the classic elegance of the 275 GTB4 to the modern brutality of the 488 Pista. The technical highlight is the FXX-K model, a track machine that represents the pinnacle of Maranello technology, offering players the chance to drive a vehicle that few have access to in the real world.
The Lamborghini continues its long-standing partnership with the franchise, bringing models that challenge the limits of design and aerodynamics. The Huracán STO and the Terzo Millennio electric concept are among the most extreme options, alongside the Urus SUV, which offers versatility for different types of terrain. The presence of the Lamborghini SCV12, a hypercar developed exclusively for the tracks, ensures that fans of the Italian brand have access to the most exclusive in terms of power and exclusivity.
Other prestigious European manufacturers also make up the grid, ensuring that the variety of riding styles is wide. The mix between timeless classics and futuristic concepts creates an environment where the past and future of motorsport collide, allowing direct performance comparisons on the virtual roads of Japão.
Terrain adaptation and modification culture
The varied geography of Japão, which ranges from dense urban areas to challenging off-road trails, required the inclusion of specialized vehicles. Para face the mountains and forests, the game introduces rugged UTVs like the Can-Am Maverick X RS Turbo R and the Polaris RZR Pro XP Esses vehicles were specifically selected to allow players to access remote areas of the map where conventional cars would not be able to travel easily.
A unique cultural aspect of Japão, the “Kei cars”, also gains significant space. Modelos like the Suzuki Cappuccino, the Nissan Pao and the Autozam AZ-1 (with their gullwing doors) bring a different driving dynamic, focused on agility and fun at low speeds. Esses small vehicles are essential for navigating the narrow streets of certain regions of the map and offer a charismatic alternative to supercars with hundreds of horsepower.
Finally, the culture of drift and visual customization, so intrinsic to the Japanese automotive scene, was widely integrated. The modification system has been expanded to include more detailed “widebody” body kits and suspension fine-tuning options geared toward drifting. Pacotes-inspired Formula Drift and specific configurations for models like the Toyota Supra MkIV ensure that the art of controlled drifting is represented with the technical depth that fans have come to expect.
