With the Hot Wheels pack coming July 19th, Extreme E will also feature in tomorrow’s Forza Horizon 5 update.
Image credit: Playground Games
The Forza Monthly livestream is happening tonight and the first preview of new content from the upcoming Hot Wheels pack is expected. But there’s also been a pretty big reveal in the promotional imagery.
Included in there is a car that would be familiar to viewers of Extreme E: the Spark Odyssey 21 that the competitors of the all-electric off-road championship drive.
What is Extreme E?
Set up by Formula E founder Alejandro Agag, the series travels to very remote parts of the world that are damaged by pollution. Its aim is to bring more awareness to these issues as well as achieving a net-zero carbon footprint. It transports the cars to each location via a converted ship rather than a cargo plane.
In its inaugural season in 2021, many big names took part. Such names as two-time DTM champion Mattias Ekström, four-time World Rallycross champion Johan Kristoffersson and nine-time World Rally champion Sébastien Loeb. But something unique about the series is that it mandates every team run one male driver and one female driver.
So other names from the series included W Series champion Jamie Chadwick, 2001 Dakar Rally winner Jutta Kleinschmidt and also rally driver Catie Munnings, who British-based mothers and fathers will remember from CBeebies show ‘Catie’s Amazing Machines’.
As far as teams go, there are plenty that will be familiar to many a motor racing fan. Reigning champions Rosberg X Racing are owned by 2016 F1 champion Nico Rosberg. JBXE is the team of 2009 F1 champion Jenson Button (who raced in the first round of 2021). There’s also X44, which is the team of the most successful F1 driver of all time Lewis Hamilton.
For esports enthusiasts, Veloce run a team in the series fronted by founder and two-time Formula E champion Jean-Éric Vergne as well as Red Bull F1 chief technical officer Adrian Newey. F1 team McLaren entered the series this year, and IndyCar outfits Ganassi and Andretti also operate teams in the series.
The Car’s Performance
The Odyssey 21 was developed by Spark Racing Technology who also developed the chassis for Formula E. Williams Advanced Engineering produce the battery, which churns out 400 kilowatts (or roughly 550 horsepower). Despite weighing nearly 1,800kg and being over two metres wide, it can still go from 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds even on loose surface like dirt.
Even on such surfaces, the car’s immense torque can pull it up 53 degrees of banking. Perfect for the rugged terrain and varied environments that Extreme E compete in. As the car is battery powered, its range isn’t amazing, and the races only last just over ten miles. But thankfully, Forza Horizon 5 players won’t need to worry about range.
Forza Horizon 5 Series 10 will most be the debut of the Extreme E series into the virtual world. They will arrive tomorrow 19 July alongside the Hot Wheels pack.
Are you excited for Extreme E to come to Forza Horizon 5? Tell us on Twitter at @OverTake_gg or in the comments down below!
