After the absolute success of Forza Horizon 3’s Hot Wheels expansion, Playground Games has decided to revisit the idea with their first DLC expansion to Forza Horizon 5. Dubbed the Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels Expansion, this DLC expansion promises more track to race through and an increased sense of speed when navigating the familiar orange tracks.
With the introduction of a DLC expansion also comes additional cars to unlock. The Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels Expansion introduces 15 new cars to the roster, with 10 of them being exclusive to the DLC expansion.
In this article, we will be looking at how to unlock all the new cars in the Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels DLC Expansion as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the cars in question.
How to Unlock All the New Cars in the Hot Wheels DLC Expansion
There are a total of 10 new cars added to the game through this expansion, and 5 additional cars that can be earned by playing through the Hot Wheels Academy missions. We will be looking at how to unlock them in the Hot Wheels DLC Expansion.
All of these cars can be unlocked through the expansion’s progression and mission system, the only question now is how exactly are they unlocked?
Below will be the list of the new cars as well as the conditions in order to unlock them. They will also be arranged by the rank that you can unlock them in as some cars are locked out from you until you reach the appropriate ranking in the DLC expansion.
Rookie Rank
1. ’13 Hot Wheels Baja Bone Shaker
The first car you unlock in the Hot Wheels DLC Expansion, the ’13 Hot Wheels Baja Bone Shaker is the off-road variant of the ’06 Hot Wheels Bone Shaker.
Made specifically to tackle the dunes of the Baja, this car is an excellent addition to the roster as Forza Horizon 5 takes place in Mexico, home of the Baja California Desert. This car starts off in B 700 but can definitely be tuned and upgraded all the way up to the upper reaches of S1-class.
To unlock the Hot Wheels Baja Bone Shaker, simply complete the intro to the DLC expansion. Once you have arrived at the Hot Wheels outpost, Haley throws you in this car as your car to start off the campaign with.
2. ’57 Hot Wheels Nash Metropolitan Custom
A quirky car with incredibly skinny tires. The ’57 Hot Wheels Nash Metropolitan Custom was the 2019 Hot Wheels Legend Tour winner. It also made its debut in the Forza series in the final Forza Horizon 4 DLC pack which included several other Hot Wheels cars, one of which also makes its way onto this game.
A passion project, this custom Nash Metropolitan is not exactly made to be raced but it is quite the looker. The skinny tires also lend it to being a bit slippery when going through corners, making it a rather unorthodox drift car. This car’s stock PI Is at B 631 making it a good candidate for slower classes.
To unlock the Hot Wheels Nash Metropolitan Custom, you need to complete The Beginning, which is the first chapter of the Horizon Story Hot Wheels: A History of Speed which is included and accessible in the DLC expansion.
In this chapter, you will be racing a tuned-up ’69 Chevrolet Camaro Super Sport Coupe made to resemble the Custom Camaro that Hot Wheels made in their debut year in 1968.
You do not need to win the race, you need only to make it to the finish line in the allotted time in order to win the car. A 1-star result is good enough to unlock it.
The Hot Wheels Nash Metropolitan Custom can also be unlocked via Wheelspins and Super Wheelspins and is not inherently locked behind the DLC expansion either so you can get this car even if you have not purchased the DLC expansion.
3. ’00 Hot Wheels Deora II
An absolute legend in the eyes of many Hot Wheels collectors, the ’00 Hot Wheels Deora II is a custom truck made to cruise California roads and beaches. It comes with a supercharged engine and has mounts for surfboards to boot!
A star in its own right, best known for its features in the Hot Wheels movies Highway 35 World Race and Acceleracers, the Hot Wheels Deora II is also a successor to the original Deora which was a custom car made in 1967 which was also made into a Hot Wheels car and was part of the Original Sixteen cars.
Despite it being rear-engined, the Hot Wheels Deora II is actually pretty easy to drive. Rated at A 800, the stock version of this car is a great car to throw around at A-class racing but can definitely be pushed further up to S1-class.
To unlock the Hot Wheels Deora II, you need to complete the Pro Qualifier event called “Surf’s Down”. This event is a time trial that has you driving the Hot Wheels Deora II down the water flumes found in Hot Wheels Park’s Forest Falls biome.
As with previous unlock parameters, you do not need to get 3 stars, a 1-star performance is good enough to unlock the car.
Pro Rank
1. ’49 Hot Wheels Ford F-5 Dually Custom Hot Rod
A rat rod built from the innards of a ’99 Ford F-350 Super Duty and the body of a ’49 Ford F-5, the ’49 Hot Wheels Ford F-5 Dually Custom Hot Rod is an incredibly unique car that is made to cruise the blacktop, and in this case, the orangetop.
A finalist in the 2018 Hot Wheels Legend Tour competition, this car is the other car to debut in Forza Horizon 4 together with the ’57 Hot Wheels Nash Metropolitan Custom.
Although on the weighty side of things, the Hot Wheels Ford F-5 Dually Custom Hot Rod packs quite a lot of horses under the hood giving it some serious moving power. Its stock PI rating is at B 630, but give it better tires and watch this thing blast by the competition.
To unlock the Hot Wheels Ford F-5 Dually Custom Hot Rod, you must complete the second chapter of the Hot Wheels: A History of Speed Horizon Story “The Iconic Orange Track” which tells the story of why the iconic Hot Wheels tracks are indeed colored orange.
In this chapter, you will drive the ’69 Hot Wheels Twin Mill, another iconic Hot Wheels legend. It is a two-part chapter with the first part having you race a variety of Hot Wheels cars and the second half having you take a jump off of a Danger Sign.
The jump determines how many stars you will be getting, but like previous missions, you only need to get 1 star out of this mission in order to unlock the car.
The Hot Wheels Ford F-5 Dually Custom Hot Rod can also be unlocked via Wheelspins and Super Wheelspins and is not inherently locked behind the DLC expansion either so you can get this car even if you have not purchased the DLC expansion.
2. ’12 Hot Wheels Rip Rod
Another off-road specialist, the ’12 Hot Wheels Rip Rod is a lightweight buggy that is ready for any terrain. Debuting in the last Hot Wheels expansion way back in Forza Horizon 3, it returns in Forza Horizon 5.
With Forza Horizon 5’s setting being in Mexico, this makes the Hot Wheels Rip Rod feel right at home on the dunes and beaches of Mexico. It is also a pretty nimble car that could easily be converted into a pretty competent track ripper.
With the Hot Wheels Rip Rod starting with a PI rating of A 715, it has plenty of room for improvement, especially with its lightweight and agile handling.
To unlock the Hot Wheels Rip Rod, you must complete the third chapter of the Hot Wheels: A History of Speed Horizon Story “The Snake & The Mongoose” which tells the story of an iconic drag racing rivalry.
In this chapter, you will be racing a yellow ’71 Plymouth Cuda 426 Hemi, reminiscent of The Snake’s yellow ’70 Plymouth Barracuda Funny Car. Oddly though, the other car you will be racing is colored blue instead of The Mongoose’s usual red.
Like the previous chapter, this is a two-part chapter with the first half being a race to the starting line of the second half which is described as a drag race, but it really is not as the second half takes more than a minute to finish and is filled with curves (and a loop to boot!).
And, like previous unlocks, you will only need to finish in the allotted time (1-star results are acceptable) in order to unlock the Hot Wheels Rip Rod. You do not even need to win the drag race!
The Hot Wheels Rip Rod can also be unlocked via Wheelspins and Super Wheelspins and is not inherently locked behind the DLC expansion either so you can get this car even if you have not purchased the DLC expansion.
3. ’93 Schuppan 962CR
A rather curious addition to the Forza roster as a whole, the ’93 Schuppan 962CR is a super rare car that reportedly only 6 were ever made. Created to commemorate Vern Schuppan’s 1983 24 Hours of Le Mans victory and 1983 All Japan Sports Prototype Championship title, its styling is reminiscent of the cars he drove during that era.
With the front looking like a Porsche 962 and the rear borrowing heavily from the Porsche 959, the Schuppan 962CR is a very jarring car to behold but the way it drives is just incredible. Basically, a race car for the road, the Schuppan 962CR is quick in a straight line and stable in the corners.
And with a starting PI rating of S1 869, it can definitely be a monster in S1-class racing and a great contender in S2-class racing with the right set of upgrades and tuning.
To unlock the Schuppan 962CR, you will need to complete the Expert Qualifier race called “Now This Isn’t Pod Racing” where you will be driving the Schuppan 962CR itself, racing against Rami in a ’69 Hot Wheels Twin Mill.
Simply beat the time requirement (1-star is all you need) and you get to keep the Schuppan 962CR!
Expert Rank
1. ’18 Chevrolet Hot Wheels COPO Camaro
A drag car from made straight from the factory, the ’18 Chevrolet Hot Wheels COPO Camaro is a special edition ’18 Chevrolet COPO Camaro sporting a 50th Anniversary Hot Wheels livery.
Equipped with fat, sticky drag tires in the rear and skinny tires in the front, the Chevrolet Hot Wheels COPO Camaro was made to do one thing: go as fast as possible in a straight line. It even has a wheelie bar and a parachute, completing the whole drag racing package.
With that said, it is not a surprise then that its starting PI is at S1 867. If you plan on using this car in anything other than drag racing, then you had better increase its front tire width to make steering a lot more bearable.
To unlock the Chevrolet Hot Wheels COPO Camaro, you must complete the “Outside, Inside” mission found in the Expert Rank section of the Hot Wheels Academy menu.
In this mission, you will need to get at least 1 star on both the Forest Edge and Horizon Nexus Speed Traps within 1 minute and 30 seconds using an S1-class car. It is recommended to use a car that is tuned to S1 900 in order to make this mission a lot easier.
Make sure as well that the car you are using is tuned to go over the speed trap requirement of 210 MPH (338 KM/H) in order to clear this mission.
The easiest way to do this is to start from the south of the Forest Edge Speed Trap which is found on the top-left of the map in between the Forest Falls and Ice Cauldron biomes. This way, you will get to use the Air Tracks right before the speed trap to propel your car way over 210 MPH (338 KM/H).
Once you have passed the Forest Edge Speed Trap, you can then bring the map up again and pin the Horizon Nexus Speed Trap, which can be found near the center of the map. By taking this route, you will also get to use the Air Tracks leading to the Horizon Nexus Speed Trap which will easily get your car past the 200 MPH (322 KM/H) limit.
Remember that you will need to do all of this within 1 minute and 30 seconds, so take the momentum from the Forest Edge Speed Trap and just drive as smoothly and as quickly as possible toward the middle part of the map so you can set yourself up for the long straight leading up to the Horizon Nexus Speed Trap.
2. ’18 Subaru WRX STI ARX Supercar
Another car that is unfamiliar with off-road terrain, the ’18 Subaru WRX STI ARX Supercar is a purpose-built rallycross car from the team from Vermont SportsCar that just attacks mixed surfaces like they were nothing.
With its heritage firmly in rally, the Subaru WRX STI ARX Supercar is an evolution of the Impreza line of cars. Made to be an absolute monster in rallycross, this car handles like a dream on- and off-road making it an incredible machine to drive across the jungles of Mexico while still being stable enough to roar through its streets.
Its initial PI situating it in S1 849, it is a great middle-of-the-road S1 rally fighter, but it can definitely be improved upon with better tires and more power.
To unlock the Subaru WRX STI ARX Supercar, you will have to complete the mission “Green Thrill Zone” which has you starting in the Hot Wheels Outpost and completing the Treetops Speed Zone within 1 minute and 30 seconds in an S1-class car.
Like the previous timed mission, it is always recommended to tackle this in an S1 900 car but this time, instead of outright speed, you may want to tune how your car handles as speed zones calculate the average speed you are driving throughout the stretch of road.
The Hot Wheels Outpost is located right in the center of the map. You can start further south from the Hot Wheels Outpost to get a good run-up towards the long straight leading up to the Treetops Speed Zone which is found at the top-right of the map, right in the Forest Falls biome.
You will only need to get 1 star in the Treetops Speed Zone which is at 100 MPH (161 KM/H) in order to pass this mission. It is quite easy as the Treetops Speed Zone speed targets were made for A-class cars.
The route going there is not too complicated either as you only need to go through the long straight leading to Forest Falls and turn right to start the Treetops Speed Zone. This mission can be done in less than a minute if you are fast enough.
Once you cross the last camera for the speed zone, you then unlock the Subaru WRX STI ARX Supercar.
3. ’18 Hot Wheels 2JetZ
The winner of the 2018 Hot Wheels Legends Tour, the ’18 Hot Wheels 2JetZ, as its name implies, is a custom-built car that is made to look like a fighter jet. Its engine: a 2JZ from the legendary A80 Toyota Supra mounted in the middle of the car.
With an engine that is ripe for modification, the Hot Wheels 2JetZ is not just here to look stunning, it is also poised to perform incredibly well around street circuits due to its chassis being derived from another legendary car: the Nissan 300ZX.
It is also one of the cars returning from Forza Horizon 4’s final car DLC pack albeit with a bit of a decrease in its PI rating. With an initial PI of S1 854, a lot more modifications can be made to it to bring it to the top of S1-class racing than its Forza Horizon 4 counterpart.
To unlock the Hot Wheels 2JetZ, you will need to complete the fourth chapter of the Hot Wheels: A History of Speed Horizon Story “Treasure Hunting” which tells how Hot Wheels gained its popularity in the collecting world through the introduction of the Treasure Hunts series.
Like the previous chapters, this chapter is also a two-parter with the first half having you drive a modified ’97 Lamborghini Diablo SV. Oddly enough, this particular car has never been a Treasure Hunt and the model itself has been discontinued from production.
In this part, you will need to drive the Lamborghini Diablo SV towards the destination while keeping its speed above 100 MPH. It might sound complicated, but it is relatively easy as the Lamborghini Diablo SV keeps its speed really well and accelerates rather quickly as well.
Once you have reached the destination, you will then be transported outside of the orange track and into the icy valley of the Ice Cauldron biome where you will then be using the ’12 Hot Wheels Rip Rod.
In the second half of this chapter, you will be tasked to ram several treasure chests in a span of time. In this case, you are given 2 minutes and 30 seconds to destroy as many treasure chests scattered in the valley as you can.
As with previous unlock requirements, you will only need to get 1 star in this story chapter in order to unlock the Hot Wheels 2JetZ.
The Hot Wheels 2JetZ can also be unlocked via Wheelspins and Super Wheelspins and is not inherently locked behind the DLC expansion either so you can get this car even if you have not purchased the DLC expansion.
4. ’05 Hot Wheels Ford Mustang
Created for the 2014 SEMA Show, the ’05 Hot Wheels Ford Mustang was built to pay homage to the 50th anniversary of the Mustang brand. Built from the ground up, this ’05 Ford Mustang was heavily modified to deliver this mean-looking street machine.
Debuting in the original Hot Wheels DLC expansion way back in Forza Horizon 3, this car, along with the ’12 Hot Wheels Rip Rod, the ’69 Hot Wheels Twin Mill, and the ’06 Hot Wheels Bone Shaker reunite once again.
With a significant decrease in weight due to its carbon fiber body panels and a striking body kit, the Hot Wheels Ford Mustang was inspired by Japanese race cars, infused with the pony car mantra of going incredibly fast and burning rubber.
With a starting PI rating of S1 819, the Hot Wheels Ford Mustang is ready to dominate the top of S1 class as its PI is low enough to have a significant number of upgrades to get it to S1 900.
To unlock the Hot Wheels Ford Mustang, you will need to complete the fifth and final chapter of the Hot Wheels: A History of Speed Horizon Story “Hot Wheels Today” which chronicles what Hot Wheels has been up to from the year 2000 up until the present day.
With this being the final chapter, this is a three-part chapter instead of the usual two-part from the previous chapter. In the first part of this chapter, you will be driving the ’06 Hot Wheels Bone Shaker through the majestic cliffs and waterfalls of the Forest Edge biome.
From here, you will then make your way to the dunes of the Giant’s Canyon biome where you will be trading in the Hot Wheels Bone Shaker for the ’13 Hot Wheels Baja Bone Shaker, taking its off-road prowess to the test.
Finally, the part of the story that will determine your star rating: once you reach the destination with the Hot Wheels Baja Bone Shaker, you will once again take the wheel of the ’18 Hot Wheels Bone Shaker Monster Truck making for a trifecta of Bone Shaker variants for you to drive.
If you have completed the Buggy and the Beast showcase in the main game, you will be familiar with how this truck drives. Be careful with bumps as the car is a bit prone to flipping.
As with previous unlock requirements, you will only need to get 1 star in this story chapter in order to unlock the Hot Wheels Ford Mustang.
The Hot Wheels Ford Mustang can also be unlocked via Wheelspins and Super Wheelspins and is not inherently locked behind the DLC expansion either so you can get this car even if you have not purchased the DLC expansion.
5. ’12 Hot Wheels Bad to the Blade
The ultimate Hot Wheels car when it comes to Forza Horizon 5, the ’12 Hot Wheels Bad to the Blade is Hot Wheels’ idea of a futuristic Formula 1 car. Made to withstand colossal g-forces, this car is a certified track monster ready to out-accelerate and out-grip any car on the grid.
Equipped with incredibly sticky slick tires and incredible downforce, the Hot Wheels Bad to the Blade is sure to make mincemeat out of tight corners. The downside to this though is that its top speed is pretty low. Topping out at only 200 MPH, it is one of, if not the slowest S2 car in the game in terms of straight-up speed.
With an initial PI rating of S2 998, there is not much you can do in terms of upgrades to this car, a downgrade in tires can afford you more top speed but it will hurt your ability to take corners more smoothly.
To unlock the Hot Wheels Bad to the Blade, you will need to complete the Elite Qualifier race called “Bad to the Blade Runner”. In this qualifier, you will be racing against the clock driving the Hot Wheels Bad to the Blade itself. In addition to this, you will have to keep your speed above 110 MPH at all times. Sounds tricky, but the car is definitely up to the task.
Simply beat the time requirement (1-star is all you need), and keep your speed above 110 MPH and you get to unlock the Hot Wheels Bad to the Blade for your use!
Elite Rank
1. ’19 Brabham BT62
Made by veterans of motorsports, the ’19 Brabham BT62 is a mid-engine track star designed to dominate any circuit it races on. A car literally in a class of its own, the Brabham BT62 had to be detuned and reworked as the Brabham BT63 to compete in GT2 class races.
Coming from Australian legend Jack Brabham’s namesake, the Brabham BT62 is equipped with slicks all around and huge wings to help with aerodynamics, making this a very grippy car. It is also very lightweight, made primarily for racing, and with a wholly unrestricted engine, it is also very quick both when accelerating and keeping its speed.
With its starting PI being at S2 974, it will only take a bit more upgrades to take it to the top of S2 class where it shines. It can also be fitted with worse tires like the rally tires so that it reigns havoc in S1 class road racing.
To unlock the Brabham BT62, you need to do the “Double Triple” mission found in the Elite Rank menu. In this mission, you will have to complete the Supersonic Spiral and the Frozen Rush Speed Zones within 2 minutes in an S2 car. It is always recommended to do this mission with an S2 998-rated car for it to be a lot easier.
The Supersonic Spiral Speed Zone can be found at the top-left of the Hot Wheels Outpost while the Frozen Rush Speed Zone can be found at the bottom-left of the map, in the Ice Cauldron biome.
You can start from either of the speed zones. The target speeds are not too bad either as both speed zones were made for S1 cars and you will be using an S2 car. For the Supersonic Spiral Speed Zone, you need to have an average speed of at least 110 MPH (177 KMH) while in the Frozen Rush Speed Zone, you will need to average at least 120 MPH (193 KMH).
A good tip here is to find a speed zone’s starting zone and from there, pin the opposite speed zone so that that game can map out a route for you from one speed zone to the other.
Once you cross the finish line one speed zone, the 2-minute timer will start. Simply make your way to the other speed zone, making sure you get at least 1 star in both speed zones and the Brabham BT62 will be yours!
2. ’06 Mosler MT900 GT3
Another circuit racer included in the DLC expansion, the ’06 Mosler MT900 GT3 is the GT3 variant of the Mosler MT900. Although a few years older than the ’10 Mosler MT900S which is already found in the main game, the Mosler MT900 features quite a bit more aerodynamic bits like canards and a more purposeful wing in order to be more effective when taking corners.
These aerodynamic enhancements have a bit of a toll on its top speed though as they create more drag, but with this being a racing version, it is a lot lighter than the road-going version making it handle a lot better as well.
The Mosler MT900 GT3 has its PI rating starting at S2 910, a few points lower than the Mosler MT900S which sits at S2 919, this is only because the Mosler MT900S has a higher top speed than the Mosler MT900 GT3 but potential in upgrading, the Mosler MT900 GT3 surpasses it in spades due to its better aerodynamics.
To unlock the Mosler MT900 GT3, you must complete the “Zoomies” mission found in the Elite Rank mission menu. In this mission, you must maintain a speed of 250 MPH (403 KMH) for 5 seconds while driving an S2 car.
This can easily be done in the long straight from the Hot Wheels Outpost going to the Forest Falls biome since this stretch of road has Air Tracks to help you maintain speeds of up to 300 MPH. Just make sure that the S2 car that you are using has a top speed of over 250 MPH to make this an easier mission to do.
Once you have completed the mission the Mosler MT900 GT3 will be delivered to your garage as a prize.
3. ’20 Sierra Cars #23 Yokohama Alpha
Built to break records, this hillclimbing machine called the ’20 Sierra Cars #23 Yokohama Alpha is a lightweight and zippy little car that has the legendary Suzuki Hayabusa’s engine powering its wheels.
Weighing basically like nothing in terms of cars, the Sierra Cars Alpha is an incredibly twitchy little car that has done a sub-10-minute time going up the infamous Pikes Peak Hillclimb. Sporting slick tires and tons of downforce thanks to the humongous wings it has, it is no surprise.
With a starting PI rating of S2 986, the Sierra Cars Alpha is an absolute beast stock, with only a couple of upgrades needed to take it to the top of S2 class.
To unlock the Sierra Cars #23 Yokohama Alpha, you must complete the final race of the DLC expansion: the Hot Wheels Goliath. As with previous entries, the Goliath is the longest circuit race available in the game. It is no exception here, taking you through all 3 biomes in a high-speed race.
You do not need to win the race, you only really need to complete the race in order to unlock the Sierra Cars #23 Yokohama Alpha. Once you have crossed the finish line of the race, you will be rewarded with the car.
Legend Rank
1. ’21 Hennessey Venom F5
The final car to unlock in the DLC expansion, and the only car to unlock once you reach Legend Rank, the ’21 Hennessey Venom F5 is the ultimate car when it comes to top speed, capable of reaching speeds beyond 300 MPH with relative ease.
Named after the strongest category of a hurricane, the Hennessey Venom F5 embodies speed in a straight line. It is without a doubt the fastest car in Forza Horizon 5 but cornering will be a bit of a handful because of its lack of complex aerodynamics.
With a starting PI of S2 964, you will want to focus on increasing grip and aerodynamics in order to make this car driveable through tracks with a lot of curves.
To unlock the Hennessey Venom F5, you will need to complete the mission “Fresh Orange Routes” found in the Legend Rank section of the Hot Wheels Academy menu. In this mission, you will have to discover all possible roads in Hot Wheels Park.
That means every piece of orange track is subject to this. In order to find out which roads you have not driven in yet, simply head over to the map and check which roads are still colored gray. Once you take note of them, just fast-travel to the closest road that you have uncovered (colored white) and drive on to the gray roads.
There are a total of 175 roads to discover in Hot Wheels Park and most of them will be uncovered simply by doing the various races found in the DLC expansion. Once you have discovered the last road, you will then unlock the Hennessey Venom F5 for you to drive as you please.
While we’re on the topic of unlocking stuff, check out our guide on how to unlock the PR Stunt Festival as well.
