05/02/2024
Embarking on the Top Gear Horizon Special in Forza Horizon 4
Forza Horizon 4, a game celebrated for its stunning rendition of Britain and its diverse automotive challenges, introduced a unique and highly anticipated addition with the Top Gear Horizon Special. This isn't just another set of races; it's a curated experience that brings the iconic British automotive show, Top Gear, directly into the game. Players get to step into the shoes of the legendary "The Stig" and tackle a series of driving challenges narrated by none other than Chris Harris. If you're wondering where to find this special content and how to excel in its various stages, you've come to the right place. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to master the Top Gear story.
Locating and Starting the Top Gear Story
Before you can immerse yourself in the world of Top Gear challenges, you first need to ensure you're in the right place. The Top Gear Horizon Special is exclusively accessible on the main map of Great Britain. If you happen to be exploring the Lego Valley expansion, you'll need to navigate back to the core game world. Once you're back on the main map, keep an eye on your in-game map. The Top Gear symbol, marking the starting point of this special story, is typically located south of Lakehurst Forest and southwest of Moorhead Wind Farm. A simple fast travel to this marked location will kickstart your Top Gear adventure.
The Seven Chapters: A Detailed Breakdown
The Top Gear Horizon Special is structured into seven distinct chapters, each offering a unique challenge and a taste of classic Top Gear segments. Achieving a certain number of stars in each chapter is key to unlocking further rewards and progressing through the special. Let's delve into each chapter:
Chapter 1: Welcome To The Festival
Description: The Horizon Festival lands in the UK, and Top Gear presenters Chris Harris and The Stig are on hand to experience it firsthand.
This initial chapter serves as your introduction. You'll be tasked with reaching the festival location while maintaining a speed of over 90 mph. The key to securing the coveted three stars, which requires a time of 1 minute and 40 seconds, often involves taking a slightly unconventional route. As soon as you spawn, look for an immediate left turn that leads across water. While it might seem counterintuitive, this path often shaves off crucial seconds, allowing you to maintain the required speed and beat the clock.
| Stars | Time Requirement |
|---|---|
| 1 Star | 4 minutes |
| 2 Stars | 3 minutes |
| 3 Stars | 1 minute 40 seconds |
Chapter 2: Faster Than 87.2
Description: The Stig gets behind the wheel of the Top Gear Track-Tor, a formidable 500 BHP racing tractor, much to the chagrin of Chris Harris who wants his car back.
This chapter begins with a bit of Top Gear humour as Chris Harris realizes The Stig has taken his BMW 1 Series M Coupe. Your first task is a simple parking challenge. However, the real test lies in utilizing the unique Top Gear Track-Tor. You'll need to hit a specific speed at a speed trap on the M68. The goal is to reach at least 124 mph to earn three stars. This is a straightforward speed challenge, so focus on getting the tractor up to its maximum velocity.
| Stars | Speed Requirement |
|---|---|
| 1 Star | 87 mph |
| 2 Stars | 120 mph |
| 3 Stars | 124 mph |
Chapter 3: The Austin F-Extreme
Description: The Stig experiments with putting a racing V12 engine into a taxi, and Chris Harris decides to change the rules mid-game.
Here, you'll be introduced to a rather unconventional vehicle: a V12-powered Austin FX4 Taxi. Initially, you'll use Isha's Taxi to reach a destination within a time limit. The main challenge, however, involves racing this souped-up taxi on sand, reminiscent of a drag strip. The twist? You'll need to race to the destination and then perform a U-turn to race back to the starting line as quickly as possible. Mastering the handling of this powerful, yet unwieldy, taxi is crucial for achieving the fastest times.
| Stars | Time Requirement |
|---|---|
| 1 Star | 2 minutes |
| 2 Stars | 1 minute 20 seconds |
| 3 Stars | 1 minute 14 seconds |
Chapter 4: All The Off-Road You Can E-At
Description: The Stig navigates challenging hilly terrain, while Chris Harris is on the lookout for badgers.
This chapter features the highly modified Mercedes-Benz E 350 D, known as the "Project E-AT." The challenge involves off-roading and reaching a series of destinations. One of the toughest aspects can be the time limit, especially when aiming for three stars (5 minutes and 10 seconds). A key strategy here is to ignore the suggested route when heading up the mountain towards the first stop. Instead, drive directly up the steepest path you can find. After reaching the initial destination, a new, much further endpoint will be revealed. Prioritizing speed and efficient off-road driving is paramount.
| Stars | Time Requirement |
|---|---|
| 1 Star | 7 minutes |
| 2 Stars | 6 minutes |
| 3 Stars | 5 minutes 10 seconds |
Chapter 5: As Grown-Up As You Feel
Description: The Stig maneuvers into the original compact and speedy run-about, while Chris Harris extols the virtues of the most British car ever, designed by a Greek.
In this chapter, you'll be behind the wheel of a highly modified Mini Cooper. While reaching the destination within 9 minutes is the initial goal, the real challenge is to accumulate skill points. You'll be placed in a skill park, and the objective is to perform stunts, drifts, and maintain combos to rack up points. Aim for at least 50,000 points for one star, but pushing towards 220,000 points for three stars will require skillful execution and sustained chaining of maneuvers.
| Stars | Skill Points Requirement |
|---|---|
| 1 Star | 50,000 points |
| 2 Stars | 175,000 points |
| 3 Stars | 220,000 points |
Chapter 6: Edinburgh Afternoon Drive
Description: The Stig attempts to outmanoeuvre the city's clock towers, while Chris Harris tries to avoid parking enforcement.
This chapter takes you through the historic streets of Edinburgh in a Porsche 911 GT2 RS. The challenge involves navigating to multiple clock tower locations within a tight time limit, with the ultimate goal of returning to Edinburgh Castle. Efficient driving through the city's narrow streets is essential. Don't worry too much about coming to a complete standstill when parking at each stop; simply slowing down as you approach is often sufficient. The key is to maintain momentum and avoid unnecessary delays to meet the 3-star time of 3 minutes and 25 seconds.
| Stars | Time Requirement |
|---|---|
| 1 Star | 4 minutes |
| 2 Stars | 3 minutes 40 seconds |
| 3 Stars | 3 minutes 25 seconds |
Chapter 7: One More Thing
Description: The Stig takes on trucking duties, and Chris Harris reveals a highly anticipated fan favourite vehicle.
The final chapter begins with you driving a flatbed truck, tasked with transporting a mystery vehicle. The true excitement unfolds when the tarp is removed, revealing the mighty Mercedes-Benz G 63 AMG 6x6. This chapter culminates in an off-road race showcasing the G 63's incredible capabilities. You'll navigate a challenging course with checkpoints, aiming for the windmill area. Don't feel obligated to strictly follow the on-screen route; finding the most direct path to each checkpoint is the fastest way to achieve the 3-star time of 2 minutes and 15 seconds.
| Stars | Time Requirement |
|---|---|
| 1 Star | 3 minutes 20 seconds |
| 2 Stars | 3 minutes 10 seconds |
| 3 Stars | 2 minutes 15 seconds |
Rewards for Your Top Gear Prowess
Completing the Top Gear Horizon Special and earning stars comes with its own set of exciting rewards. Progressing through the tiers, with each full tier typically awarded for achieving three stars in a chapter, unlocks valuable in-game items:
- Tier 1: Thread (likely a clothing item)
- Tier 2: Dialog (unlocks new voice lines or commentary)
- Tier 3: "I Am The Stig" T-shirt
- Tier 4: Mercedes-Benz E 350 D 4MATIC Terrain "Project E-AT"
- Tier 5: Top Gear Track-Tor
- Tier 6: The Stig Race Suit
- Tier 7: Mercedes-Benz G 63 AMG 6x6
Earning all 21 stars across the seven chapters is the ultimate goal, granting you the impressive Mercedes-Benz G 63 AMG 6x6. This powerful off-road beast is a fitting reward for mastering all the challenges presented by Chris Harris and The Stig.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How do I start the Top Gear story in Forza Horizon 4?
Ensure you are on the main Great Britain map. Look for the Top Gear symbol south of Lakehurst Forest and southwest of Moorhead Wind Farm. Fast travel there to begin.
Q2: What are the main rewards for completing the Top Gear special?
Rewards include exclusive clothing items, the "I Am The Stig" T-shirt, the Project E-AT, the Top Gear Track-Tor, The Stig Race Suit, and the coveted Mercedes-Benz G 63 AMG 6x6 for achieving all 21 stars.
Q3: Is the Top Gear story available in the Lego Valley expansion?
No, the Top Gear Horizon Special is only accessible on the main Great Britain map.
Q4: Which chapter is considered the most difficult?
Many players find Chapter 4, "All The Off-Road You Can E-At," to be one of the tougher challenges due to the demanding time limit and the extended off-road sections.
Q5: Can I use any car for these challenges?
No, each chapter of the Top Gear Horizon Special assigns specific vehicles for you to drive. These are integral to the challenge's design.
By following this guide, you should be well-equipped to tackle the Top Gear Horizon Special in Forza Horizon 4. Happy driving, and may The Stig be with you!
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