Since Playground Games announced its plans for: Forza Horizon 5‘s first DLC expansion, a return to the Hot Wheels franchise, players have wondered how it would fit into the open world of the racing game. Forza Horizon 5 after all, takes place in Mexico, so it would be a bit odd to have Hot Wheels tracks built around Guanajuato City. Playground has now revealed the map for the Hot Wheels expansion, confirming that players will soon be leaving Mexico for a slightly more fantastic place.
For those who guessed that the new Hot Wheels extension for Forza Horizon 5 would take place in the air, that’s right. The map revealed by Playground shows a huge structure floating in the sky, with clouds seen far below. While Forza Horizon 5 was proud of its huge Mexican open world, it seems that the Hot Wheels expansion will be completely separate from the main game. If there’s a crossover between the two settings, this map reveal won’t show it.
The most striking aspect of the Hot Wheels expansion card, besides the fact that it floats in the air, is that it is composed of three different floating islands. Any of these Forza Horizon 5 map islands seems to have its own respective biome. The North Island is a lush green biome with forested areas, rivers and an overall abundance of foliage. The southwestern island is rocky, snow-covered, with lava pits and what may be an active volcano. Finally, the southeastern island is a desert biome with semi-arid shrubs and canyons.
Scattered across these three unique islands is an intricate network of the iconic Hot Wheels orange track and blue track connectors. Closer inspection reveals all kinds of features within the tracks of the Hot Wheels expansion, including flips, drops, jumps, tunnels and more. It’s safe to assume that Playground has used its creativity to make the most of the limited Hot Wheels track sections.
The mix of natural biomes and Hot Wheels track is a very exciting idea. Players will presumably be able to leave the Hot Wheels tracks and explore each island however they wish. Otherwise, having the natural biomes as background detail is also exciting in its own way. It would allow Playground to get very creative without having to worry about players driving across their terrain.
A top-down map of the coming Hot Wheels extension for Forza Horizon 5 is one thing, but forza players are probably afraid to play for themselves. Hot Wheels is officially launched for Forza Horizon 5 on July 19. It can be purchased separately for $19.99, through the Forza Horizon 5 Expansion Bundle for $34.99, or as part of the Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition, including the base game, for $79.99. Fans can expect more Forza Horizon 5 Hot Wheels news in the coming days.
Forza Horizon 5 is now available on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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