In previous games there was clearly a wide gap between the “sport tire” (something like a 300tw Michelin PS4S) and the full racing slick. FH5’s new “semi-slick” (something like a Toyo R888R) gave players an intermediate option when building cars. This added variety to the builds players could do and it also added realism. I’d like to see this same strategy applied to other in-game modifications.
Aero (rear)
While some cars have aftermarket wings or spoiler removal options most in-game cars only have “Forza Aero”. These aero pieces vary depending on the car with older cars having a more traditional spoiler (reminiscent of what NASCAR uses) and newer cars having a full GT style wing. I believe that both should be offered on all cars in the game regardless of their age or style.
The spoiler should be the intermediate option (like the semi-slick tires) and the full GT wing should be the race option. Both should remain adjustable but In order to balance these properly a maxed out spoiler should still offer slightly less downforce then the minimum setting on the GT wing.
This would add more variety to builds but it would also add realism. Older cars need the GT wing in order to recreate certain race cars like the wild builds you see at Pikes Peak. Newer cars need the more subtle spoiler option in order to replicate the types of cars you see at local AutoX and track day events.
Aero (front)
The above logic should also be applied to front aero options. The large front splitter (paired with dive planes and a tow hook) that modern cars receive should be the race option offered across all cars. A more subtle front splitter (without dive planes, similar to what is currently offered on classic cars) should be the intermediate option across cars of all ages and styles. As with my proposed rear aero, a maxed out small splitter should still offer slightly less downforce then the minimum setting of the full front aero package.
For an added bonus you could make 2 versions of the smaller splitter; one with the tow hook and one without. This would only be a cosmetic change but I’m sure players would appreciate the ability to choose.
Transmissions
The new gearboxes added in FH5 were also a welcome addition but there is still a need for a proper intermediate option across all cars.
For example: A classic muscle car’s stock transmission is typically a 4 speed (though some have less). The sport transmission swap to a 5 speed manual (80’s technology) and then the next step up is a full race dog box complete with gear whine sound effects (similar to what you see used in the Hoonicorn). There is a pretty sizable gap between the sport and race options and it’s not realistic to how these builds are usually done in real life.
I’d like to see the standard sport transmission retain the stock number of gears (as it does on modern cars) as well as the ability to tune the final drive ratio. In addition, I’d like to see a 6 speed sport transmission (effectively a stand-in for the tremec T56 family of manual transmissions) offered across all cars in the game (even newer cars that feature 8 speed autos like the Supra). This 6 speed should also have a tunable final drive.
The full race transmissions should still offer faster shift times (and negate the use of manual w/ clutch) but this new 6 speed option would give players the ability to modernize older cars without turning them into radical race cars like the Hoonicorn.
For an added bones I still think there would be some value in retaining the 5 speed sport option on cars that are from the 1980’s or older in case players wanted to build a “period correct” swap.
I’m sure there are other areas where this logic could be successfully applied but to me these are the most obvious examples. Thank you for your consideration.
