Virtual Mercedes-AMG Project ONE in Forza Horizon 5 Video Game

A new generation of gaming consoles means a new generation of racing games is right behind it, and this year is no different. The Xbox Series S/X gaming systems arrived last year, and this November, we’ll get a new Forza Horizon video game, too.

The open-world racing franchise is heading to Mexico for the fifth installment, and it’ll bring with it a packed catalog of cars, including the Mercedes-AMG Project One “Forza Horizon Edition” hypercar.

A new eight-minute trailer highlighted a number of vehicles that’ll be available, but the hero car in the trailer is the AMG Project One, which is used to drive the final leg to the festival – a pivotal part of the Forza Horizon franchise.

Mercedes and Microsoft worked closely to get the hypercar into the game, which will have a limited production run of just 275 units. Microsoft gave the car an exclusive livery, too.

The hypercar has suffered a series of setbacks since Mercedes announced the car in 2017, which has delayed the model. The F1-derived 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 proved a bit more of a handful to develop than initially imagined. The engine works with four electric motors to produce over 1,000 horsepower (745 kilowatts). Microsoft included the car’s active aerodynamics into the game, too, along with a digital top speed of over 217 miles (350 kilometers) per hour. For many, this will be their only opportunity to drive the hypercar.

“The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE is strictly limited to 275 units in the real world. We’re delighted that there’s now a perfect digital variant exclusively in Forza Horizon 5. Thanks to our close cooperation with Microsoft, we can now virtually offer the unique driving experience of our hypercar to a large group of enthusiasts in the best and most impressive way currently available on the gaming scene,” said Philipp Schiemer, Chairman of the Board of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

“We are honoured to continue our long-term relationship with Mercedes-AMG to feature the highly sought-after Mercedes-AMG Project ONE in Forza Horizon 5,” said Alan Hartman, VP of Forza Racing Franchise, Xbox Game Studios. “We have featured Mercedes-AMG vehicles in every Forza game, however, this is the first time we’ve partnered to feature a Mercedes-AMG vehicle on the cover of a Forza game. I cannot imagine a more exciting car to start with than the amazing Mercedes-AMG Project ONE.”

Forza Horizon 5, the follow-up to 2018’s breakout hit, the open-world Forza Horizon 4 driving, takes the Horizon Festival to the very realistic and vibrant presented Mexico.

Featuring the largest, most diverse open world ever in a Forza Horizon game, Forza Horizon 5 is set against a vibrant, ever-evolving landscape with nearly limitless driving action across living deserts, lush jungles, historic cities, hidden ruins, pristine beaches, vast canyons and a towering snow-capped volcano – the highest point ever in a Horizon game. The game will be available globally on November 9 for the current consoles of the Xbox family including Windows PC.

The close ties between Mercedes-AMG and Microsoft’s Forza team will result in further activities in the upcoming weeks and months until game release, with the next appearance scheduled for the IAA MOBILITY this September in Munich, Germany.

Forza Horizon 5 hits the Xbox family of consoles, including the last-gen Xbox One and Microsoft Windows, on November 9. It’ll also be available on Xbox GamePass, the monthly gaming subscription service, on launch day.

August 25, 2021