- Horizon Test Track Debut: Introduced a dedicated tuning environment for real-time performance testing, featuring 15 specific accolades and 5 unique badges.
- Donut Media Collaboration: Launched the “Upgrade Heroes” series including the HiLow Story, 350Z custom builds, and the debut of the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series.
- Critical Stability Fixes: Resolved a high-priority game client crash (Bug ID 3896802) triggered by malformed “DLC Car” player gift notifications.
The roar of a 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series tearing through the Guanajuato tunnels remains one of the most visceral experiences in the Forza franchise. On June 21, 2023, Playground Games delivered the “Upgrade Heroes” update, a pivotal moment for Forza Horizon 5 that bridged the gap between enthusiast car culture and technical simulation. Even as the community shifts its focus toward the Forza Horizon 6 Update Patch Notes in 2026, the legacy of Series 22 persists through its revolutionary testing mechanics and a car list that defines the modern “Festival” aesthetic.
This update was more than a content drop; it was a structural refinement of how players interact with their garages. The introduction of the Horizon Test Track allowed for iterative tuning without the friction of multiple loading screens—a feature that has since become a standard expectation for the racing genre.
Horizon Test Track & Structural Features
Released on June 20, 2023, the Horizon Test Track serves as a persistent sandbox for mechanical experimentation. Unlike standard free-roam tuning, the Test Track environment allows for Co-Op sessions, enabling teams to benchmark builds in real-time. This update also prioritized accessibility, introducing ASL/BSL language support for the Donut Media @Horizon story cinematics.
Expanded Cosmetic Customization
A significant portion of the “Upgrade Heroes” update focused on visual fidelity, specifically targeting wheel enthusiasts. The update added 27 new rims from Modulare, Fikse, and Rotiform, including the highly requested Rotiform AeroDisc series featuring ‘Digi Camo’ and ‘Donuts’ liveries. Additionally, the 2003 Nissan Fairlady Z received a complete engine audio overhaul to better reflect its real-world counterpart.
“Upgrade Heroes” Series Content
The Donut Media HiLow Story became a permanent fixture of the Mexican map starting June 22, 2023. This narrative-driven expansion allowed players to experience the “High Car vs. Low Car” philosophy popularized by the Donut Media team, rewarding technical precision and tuning knowledge.
| Vehicle Category | Model Name | Availability (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Festival Reward | 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series | Backstage / Auction |
| Festival Reward | 1991 GMC Syclone | Backstage |
| HiLow Reward | 2003 Nissan Donut Media ‘High Car’ | Story Progression |
| Car Pack | 2022 Pagani Huayra R | Premium DLC Purchase |
Technical Improvements & Bug Fixes
The June 21 update addressed several “Day 0” issues that had plagued the Series 21 transition. Most notably, the development team patched Bug ID 3896802, a critical crash that occurred when players received gift cars with malformed metadata labels.
General Performance Stability
- Input Optimization: Fixed Bug ID 3890381 regarding incorrect steering rotation defaults for Logitech and Thrustmaster wheels on Xbox Series X|S.
- The Eliminator: Corrected a synchronization issue where the timeout bar displayed incorrect values (Bug ID 3887455), preventing premature player elimination.
- Anti-Griefing: Improved the replication of ghosting during high-speed collisions in Open Racing to reduce “wall-riding” exploits.
Vehicle-Specific Polishing
The update also targeted visual “pop-in” issues for anti-lag systems. Fixed animations were applied to the 2010 Volkswagen Golf R (APR Performance kit) and various Nissan Silvia/Skyline variants where the exhaust backfire was misaligned with the aftermarket bumpers (Bug IDs 3892642, 3892640).
For players still operating on legacy hardware or early-gen PC builds, this 2023 patch remains the baseline for stability. According to the official Forza Support documentation, the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series introduced here has become a benchmark vehicle for testing Tier S1 aerodynamics in all subsequent competitive seasons.
“The Horizon Test Track wasn’t just a new map icon; it was the realization of a community request dating back to the original Horizon. It fundamentally changed the ‘build-test-race’ loop for the better.”
In the context of 2026, the “Upgrade Heroes” update represents the peak of Forza Horizon 5’s mid-life support cycle. While newer titles offer more expansive maps, the technical foundation laid during the June 21, 2023, patch ensures that the Mexican festival remains a viable, high-fidelity racing simulation for years to come.
