Watch Forza Horizon 5's spectacular opening right here, right now

Mercedes AMG One racing through the streets of Mexico
(Image credit: Playground Games)

Forza fans, start your engines – as expected, Forza Horizon 5 formed a big part of the Xbox stream at Gamescom 2021, where the game’s cover cars and opening moments were revealed.

Both the Mercedes-AMG One and 2021 Ford Bronco Badlands will adorn the cover of Forza Horizon 5, sticking with the supercar-plus-SUV theme of the franchise (its predecessor saw the McLaren Senna joined by a Land Rover Defender).

Footage of both cars in action was shown, too, and while we already had an idea of how the game would look on Xbox Series X thanks to an initial announcement trailer, Playground Games’ Mexico setting looks certain to be the series’ most vibrant, detailed and expansive environment yet.

Check it out in action in the new trailer below:

At the showcase, Mike Brown, creative director for Forza Horizon 5, shared footage of the game’s initial drive, which the developer says “sets the stage for everything to come.”

And boy, does that stage look like fun. The game will feature several completely different environment types, giving players the chance to burn rubber around cargo planes, active volcanoes, music festivals and even a dense jungle canopy.

We also get a glimpse of the game's dynamic weather, including dust storms and how different seasons will change the world around you. For example, in winter, expect to find snow when driving around the Gran Caldera volcano.

Forza Horizon 5 is set to release on November 9, 2021 on Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PC. It'll be available on Xbox Game Pass on day one, too. 

TOPICS
Axel Metz
Phones Editor

Axel is TechRadar's UK-based Phones Editor, reporting on everything from the latest Apple developments to newest AI breakthroughs as part of the site's Mobile Computing vertical. Having previously written for publications including Esquire and FourFourTwo, Axel is well-versed in the applications of technology beyond the desktop, and his coverage extends from general reporting and analysis to in-depth interviews and opinion.  Axel studied for a degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick before joining TechRadar in 2020, where he then earned an NCTJ qualification as part of the company’s inaugural digital training scheme.

Read more
Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 is heading to PS5 this year with full cross play support, and I couldn’t be happier
Forza Horizon 5 featuring sports cars and a plane
Best racing games 2025: edge of your seat driving experiences
The Fable 4 protagonist sitting next to a knight, both holding the hilt of a sword
Fable 4 - everything we know about the new Fable game so far
The two protagonists hold up a store
New Xbox Series X games 2025 - the most anticipated Xbox release dates
Best Xbox racing wheels
Best Xbox racing wheels in 2025: our top picks for Xbox consoles
Four Spartans face down waves of Covenant aliens in Firefight mode
Best Xbox Series X games 2025: smash hits for Microsoft's top console
Latest in Consoles & PC
Image of Naoe in AC Shadows
Assassin's Creed Shadows is hands-down one of the most beautiful PC ports I've ever seen
Image of AC Shadows cover art & Steam Deck
It's not perfect, but Assassin's Creed Shadows' performance is impressive - it runs smoothly on the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally
Steam Deck OLED in limited edition white color
With a single update SteamOS could turbocharge handheld PCs – here's how
Samus Aran leaping through space
Metroid Prime 4 tipped to be at the heart of April's Nintendo Switch 2 deep-dive
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 expected to have AI upscaling and I can't wait to finally play Tears of the Kingdom with upgraded graphics
Asus ROG Ally using Steam
I think Asus could be the perfect partner for an Xbox handheld – but I have questions
Latest in News
Girl wearing Meta Quest 3 headset interacting with a jungle playset
Latest Meta Quest 3 software beta teases a major design overhaul and VR screen sharing – and I need these updates now
Microsoft
"Another pair of eyes" - Microsoft launches all-new Security Copilot Agents to give security teams the upper hand
Hatch Restore 3 in Putty
You can finally start your day with The Office theme song, and I couldn't be more excited
Cassian Andor looking nervously over his shoulder in Andor season 2
New Andor season 2 trailer has got Star Wars fans asking the same question – and it includes an ominous call back to Rogue One's official teaser
Ncuti Gatwa as The Fifteenth Doctor in Doctor Who
Disney+ drops new trailer for Doctor Who season 2 that promises an epic adventure across time and space
23andMe
23andMe is bankrupt and about to sell your DNA, here's how to stop that from happening