The final week of the Lunar New Year celebrations in Forza Horizon 5 are now underway, with a last chance to participate in the dragon-themed action and pick up some new reward cars.
This 30th Series in FH5 is officially named for the calendar event, commonly celebrated in Asia and marking the transition from the year of the rabbit to the year of the dragon on the Chinese calendar.
That comes with some appropriate decor, as the Chinese dragon — or long — dominates the world environment changes this month. It’s the main feature at the new Lunar Drift Arena, built inside the stadium, appearing not only on the floor as decals and around the arena as props, but in the sky as a drone show too.
90% of this month’s prize cars are from Chinese and Korean car brands too, including all five of the new-to-game vehicles. As usual, you can score these by hitting 20 points in each season and 80 points across all four, and pick up an Evolving World Accolade in the process.
More new China-themed cars are also available in the new paid-DLC pack available from this month too.
Table of Contents
Series 30: Lunar New Year
The two Series reward cars this month ought to be long-distant memories by now, but if you’ve not picked them up yet here’s a reminder.
For 80 points you’ll land the Hyundai Ioniq 6 which is, for now, the flagship product of the company’s EV sub-brand.
Unlike its SUV sibling, the Ioniq 5, there isn’t a crazy version of the 6. One was planned, but with the sudden absence of an ETCR tie-in due to the collapse of the series, it never progressed beyond concept.
Instead it’s a more humble offering that majors on cruising. The top model still packs a dual-motor, all-wheel drive setup, but with 320hp to offer a sensible 300-mile range.
The NIO EP9 is up at 160 points, and while sharing the fuel source of the Ioniq 6 it’s more likely to rearrange your body and perception.
That’s because it has four individual in-wheel motors good for 250kW apiece; yes, that’s 1MW in total or, at 1,341hp, the same as a Koenigsegg One:1. Little wonder this highly limited halo machine set EV lap records around the world…
Series 30 Spring/Hot Season Rewards
There’s a pair of MGs on offer this week, from opposite ends of the range scale and starting with the MG7 at 20 points.
This was originally a badge applied to the Rover 75 after SAIC picked up the rights to Rover and MG in 2005, but this is an all-new model introduced in 2022.
It does occupy the 75’s spot (or, technically, the MG ZT’s) as range flagship, as it’s the largest vehicle the MG brand produces. The relatively svelte 7 packs a 253hp version of a General Motors-supplied four-pot, driving an unusual nine-speed gearbox (although don’t ask what’s the deal with third).
At 40 points you’ll earn the smallest car in the MG range currently, with the MG3.
This was actually the first entirely new car produced by the newly Chinese-owned MG, and was produced in the UK and China until production was moved out of its old home.
As a warm hatch, the MG3 came with a 107hp, 1.5-liter four-pot and there’s plenty of scope to upgrade the car in-game.
Spring will run until 1430UTC on Thursday February 29 and bring Series 30 to a close along with it. Summer of Series 31, European Automotive, will replace it and we’ll hear more about this soon.
Series 30 Spring Playlist: Forzathon Events
A final drift-themed challenge awaits for the month with the Nissan Silvia (S15) Spec R starring in the Forzathon Weekly. Grab an example of the humble coupe to get All-Round Drifter underway.
While you don’t need to, feel free to tune the Silvia to match the challenges, with victory in a Street Race up first. After that it’s all about the drifting.
First, rack up a total of five Ultimate Drift Skills in the Silvia, which will require you to perform a long drift — long enough to rank up from Great to Awesome to Ultimate — five times. Then go on to earn five stars at any Drift Zones.
Completing that will earn you the five Playlist points and 80 Forzathon Points.
Weekly Challenge: All-Round Drifter
- Car: Nissan Silvia Spec R ’00
- Chapter 1: Own and drive the Silvia Spec R
- Chapter 2: Win a Street Race in the Silvia Spec R
- Chapter 3: Earn five Ultimate Drift Skills in the Silvia Spec R
- Chapter 4: Earn five stars at Drift Zones in the Silvia Spec R
- Reward: 5 points, 80FP
Naturall the seven final Daily Challenges of the series flash past at the rate of one a day during the week, with seven full days to complete each one. There’s a point apiece in it for you.
Enter the Dragon first by banking a total of 100,000 Skill Score at the Lunar Drift Arena. Since you’ll be sliding about in the Silvia above, you may as well double-up with this one.
Head to the Dark Slide of the Moon next when you take a photograph of any Drift category car at night.
Get some Spring Rolls in by earning a Barrel Roll Skill — that’s a complete lateral roll, which you can achieve by running two side wheels up a ramp — in any Buggy or Unlimited Buggy.
Beat a Ghost in Rivals next, to complete Bam… Boo! We’re not sure if the Monthly Events count for this, but it would be a good way to kill two ghosts with one lap if so.
You’ll be Going for Gold next, earning six stars from any PR Stunts within two minutes. There’s little reason you can’t just sprint up the motorway in a Rimac (for this week’s Seasonal PR Stunts) to complete that.
Reach 150mph in any Chinese car to complete Fin Fang Vroom — named after a character we’re surprised Disney+ hasn’t tried to hinge a wacky TV series off.
Finally for the series, earn a Drift Tap Skill — for tapping a solid object during a drift — to prove That’ll Buff Right Out.
Daily Challenges
- February 22 – Enter the Dragon: Bank 100,000 Skill Score at the Lunar Drift Arena
- February 23 – Dark Slide of the Moon: Take a photo of any Drift car at night
- February 24 – Spring Rolls: Get a Barrel Roll Skill in any Buggy/Unlimited Buggy
- February 25 – Bam… Boo!: Beat a Ghost in Rivals
- February 26 – Going for Gold: Earn six Stars from PR Stunts within two minutes
- February 27 – Fin Fang Vroom: Reach 150mph in any Chinese car
- February 28 – That’ll Buff Right Out: Earn a Drift Tap Skill
Series 30 Spring Playlist: Season Events
The smallest set of solo challenges this Series awaits, with two each of the Seasonal Championships and EventLabs alongside the three PR Stunts.
Each EventLab is worth three points and a bonus prize, and this week we see an interesting pair of races on custom routes.
District 17 Sewer Racers is a complete custom course set on EventLab Island, and consists of a race through… well, sewers. You’ll need any A Class (701-800PI) Modern Rally or Rally Monsters car for the event, and watch out for the main straight running in both directions; a Red Car Tee is the bonus prize.
It’s back to Mexico for a more conventional race track in the shape of Coast View Circuit. The race requires S1 Class (801-900PI) Modern Supercars, and awards a Super Wheelspin.
One size fits all in this week’s PR Stunts, with three Speed Traps for S2 Class (901-998PI) Rimac vehicles. The speeds are all appropriately high — 200mph at Estadio, 230mph at Drag Strip, and 280mph at Federal Highway — but well within reach of the 1,888hp EVs even as standard. Each earns you two points and a Super Wheelspin.
Both of the Seasonal Championships require A Class (701-800PI) vehicles from specific brands, and each it the usual three-race events against “Highly Skilled” AI. You’ll need to top the points table at the end of the championship to claim five points and a bonus prize.
It’s Lotus up in Sit Up and Take Lotus, with a Road Racing series that awards a Caterham R500. Holden a Minute requires Holden or HSV cars for a Dirt Racing event that gifts a Formula Drift #530 HSV Maloo.
EventLab: Coast View Circuit
- Car: S1 Class, Modern Supercars
- Location: Bahia de Plano
- Challenge: Win the race
- Reward: 3 points, Super Wheelspin
EventLab: District 17 Sewer Racers
- Car: A Class, Modern Rally/Rally Monsters
- Location: EventLab Island
- Challenge: Win the race
- Reward: 3 points, Red Car Tee
Speed Trap: Drag Strip
- Car: S2 Class, Rimac
- Location: Horizon Festival
- Challenge: 230mph
- Reward: 2 points, Super Wheelspin
Speed Trap: Estadio
- Car: S2 Class, Rimac
- Location: Estadio Horizon
- Challenge: 200mph
- Reward: 2 points, Super Wheelspin
Speed Trap: Federal Highway
- Car: S2 Class, Rimac
- Location: Los Jardines
- Challenge: 280mph
- Reward: 2 points, Super Wheelspin
Seasonal Championship: Holden a Minute
- Car: A Class, Holden/HSV
- Location: Los Jardines
- Challenge: Win the Championship
- Reward: 5 points, Formula Drift #530 HSV Maloo
Seasonal Championship: Sit Up and Take Lotus
- Car: A Class, Lotus
- Location: Pantano de la Selva
- Challenge: Win the Championship
- Reward: 5 points, Caterham R500
There’s two more multiplayer events this week, both requiring an Xbox Core subscription in order to take part on console — although it’s free to take part on PC — and worth a massive 18 points.
That’s because the eight-point Horizon Tour returns for the week, sitting alongside the similar, permanent fixture of The Trial.
Horizon Tour is a three-race team event for up to six players against six Highly Skilled AI. Your team needs to beat the AI team’s score, and this is achieved by beating the AI: each driver on each team gets 100pt for each driver they beat on the other team, but nothing for beating their team-mates.
Unusually, you’ll need to drive across the terrain from the end of one race to the start of the next, although there’s no reward or benefit to doing so. Just drop into any of the three Tour locations (main map or either of the two expansions) and pick an appropriate car from the rotating requirements listed to take part.
The Trial is similar but has two crucial differences: it’s a best of three, so you can win inside two races; and the AI is turned up to “Unbeatable”.
This week’s event, Korea Opportunities, puts the teams into B Class (601-700PI) cars from Korea on some compact Road Racing courses. It shouldn’t be too tricky to win in two races, even if you have a rabbit AI at the head of the pack, and you’ll earn ten points and a DeBerti Toyota Tacoma — good for the DLC PR Stunts this week — for doing so.
Horizon Tour: Co-op Championships
- Car: Any
- Location: Horizon Tour (any)
- Challenge: Complete a Horizon Tour
- Reward: 8 points
The Trial: Korea Opportunities
- Car: B Class, Korea
- Location: Horizon Rush
- Challenge: Win the Championship
- Reward: 10 points, DeBerti Toyota Tacoma TRD ’19
Series 30 Spring Playlist: Challenges
Two more challenges round out the Series, with the Photo Challenge joined by a Treasure Hunt.
The Treasure Hunt clue this week isn’t so much a clue as a detailed essay, reading: “Head to Cascadas de Agua Azul, place Falcon in frame in front of the pool, taking a picture is what I’d advise, doing this right will win you the prize.”
In case you need to decode that and the title — A Falcon Among Flamingos — and image tile, you should photograph any Ford Falcon (it’s the ’72 in the image but the ’73 works too) at the waterfalls at Cascadas de Agua Azul. That will earn you the hint — a map marker zone showing you the approximate location of the chest — which is centered on the village of San Sebastian.
The chest doesn’t need much finding either, sited next to the XP sign in the heart of the dinky settlement and opposite a mural. Smash it to earn three points and 300FP.
This week’s Photo Challenge, #DriftLife, isn’t a particularly tricky task either. Just photograph any Formula Drift car, anywhere, to earn two points and a “License to Skill!” Forza LINK greeting.
Photo Challenge: #DriftLife
- Cars: Formula Drift (any)
- Location: Any
- Challenge: Photograph any Formula Drift car
- Reward: 2 points, “License to Skill!” Forza LINK
Treasure Hunt: A Falcon Among Flamingos
- Cars: Ford Falcon (any)
- Location: Cascadas de Agua Azul
- Challenge: Take a photo of any Ford Falcon at the Cascadas de Agua Azul; find and smash the Treasure Chest
- Reward: 3 points, 300FP
Series 30 Spring Playlist: Monthly Events
Keen players will have rattled through them already, but for those who haven’t the four Monthly Events will still be available and offering their 16 points — due to there being four of them again.
That of course means each one is worth four points, with one point awarded from each to each season no matter when you complete them during the Series.
Unlike normal Rivals events, Monthly Events don’t require you to set a fast time. While you’ll be racing a ghost rival, all you need to do is set a clean run. That means hitting your checkpoints but not hitting anything fixed to the landscape — and no use of Rewind.
It’s an unusual set this month, which sees you take on the Baja Scramble course in the Hot Wheels Bone Shaker monster truck and drive the Lynk&Co 02 at the Estadio Circuit, while Forza EV runs the Hyundai Ioniq 6 at the Aerodromo Sprint course and the DLC pack MG Cyberster around the Tierra Prospera Circuit.
Forza EV: Aerodromo Sprint
- Cars: Hyundai Ioniq 6 (provided)
- Location: Aerodromo en la Selva
- Challenge: Post a Clean Lap
- Reward: 4 points (1 added to each season)
Forza EV: Tierra Prospera Circuit
- Cars: MG Cyberster (provided)
- Location: Tierra Prospera
- Challenge: Post a Clean Time
- Reward: 4 points (1 added to each season)
Monthly Rivals: Estadio Circuit
- Cars: Lynk&Co 02 (provided)
- Location: Estadio Horizon
- Challenge: Post a Clean Lap
- Reward: 4 points (1 added to each season)
Monthly Rivals: Horizon Baja Scramble
- Cars: Hot Wheels Bone Shaker (provided)
- Location: Baja Circuit
- Challenge: Post a Clean Time
- Reward: 4 points (1 added to each season)
Series 30 Spring Bonus DLC Events
Those with the DLC expansion packs have access to a further 14 bonus points, with seven available in each location, consisting of a two-point PR Stunt and a five-point Seasonal Championship. These aren’t necessary for 100% completion, but give you a little help towards the targets.
DeBerti is the star brand in the PR Stunts this week, with a Drift Zone for S1 Class (801-900PI) vehicles from the marque in each location — and a useful example is available in The Trial above. You’ll need to score 110,000pt at Devil’s Pass in Rally Adventure and 140,000pt at Water’s Edge in Hot Wheels — a relative breeze in both cases — with a Super Wheelspin bonus each time.
The Seasonal Championships remain similar to those on the main map, as three-race events against “Highly Skilled” AI, requiring you to top the points table at the end to earn the points and a bonus.
Honda Road Again in Rally Adventure requires a C Class (501-600PI) Honda Civic, awarding an Epitaph White Logo Relaxed Tee, while Waiting for the Drop in Hot Wheels uses A Class (701-800PI) Unlimited Offroad cars and gifts a 2002 Chevrolet Corvette.
Hot Wheels Drift Zone: Water’s Edge
- Car: S1 Class, DeBerti
- Location: Hot Wheels Forest Falls
- Challenge: 140,000pt
- Reward: 2 points, Super Wheelspin
Hot Wheels Seasonal Championship: Waiting for the Drop
- Car: A Class, Unlimited Offroad
- Location: Hot Wheels Giant’s Canyon
- Challenge: Win the Race
- Reward: 5 points, Chevrolet Corvette ’02
Rally Adventure Speed Zone: Devil’s Pass
- Car: S1 Class, DeBerti
- Location: Sierra Nueva Cave Paintings
- Challenge: 110,000pt
- Reward: 2 points, Super Wheelspin
Rally Adventure Seasonal Championship: Honda Road Again
- Car: C Class, Honda Civic
- Location: Sierra Nueva Joya Marron
- Challenge: Win the Championship
- Reward: 5 points, Epitaph White Logo Relaxed Tee
Series 30 Spring Forzathon Shop
The final Forzathon Shop of the Series rounds things off with even more power than before, starting off with a car that’s almost as potent as last week’s two combined.
That is of course the Rimac Nevera, the production version of the Rimac Concept Two, which develops almost 1900hp courtesy of electrical wizardry and four individual in-wheel motors.
It’s a rear-biased system, with the two in the back producing more than twice the power of the two at the front — 480kW apiece compared to 220 — making it a pretty slidey beast at up to 280mph.
More slides come from the second vehicle in the store, with the Formula Drift #64 Nissan 370Z. It’s about the only time that 1,000hp seems underwhelming, but this twin-turbo, V6 drift car has plenty going on under the hood.
Considering the Autoshow price for the Formula Drift car is just 300,000cr, the 300FP price here is on the steep side. However the Rimac is worth considering, given the 3m credit buy-in against 800FP this week.
The other store items this week are the Black Drift Zone Tee and Pinball Machine Horn at 75FP each. The Wheelspin and Super Wheelspin are also available at their usual 60FP and 150FP respectively.
Series 30 Spring Forzathon Shop
- Rimac Nevera 2021 – 800FP
- Formula Drift #64 Nissan 370Z – 300FP
- Black Drift Zone Tee – 75FP
- Pinball Machine Horn – 75FP
- Wheelspin – 60FP
- Super Wheelspin – 150FP
See more articles on Forza Horizon 5 Season Change.
