The DLC includes new cars, tracks, and upgrades for existing vehicles

Dec 18, 2012 14:25 GMT  ·  By

The first full-fledged add-on for Forza Horizon has just been released via Xbox Live, in the form of the Rally expansion, which brings new tracks and cars to the racing game.

Forza Horizon was released back in October and impressed millions of Xbox 360 owners with top notch graphics and a great open world based on the stunning roads of Colorado.

After releasing several downloadable car packs, which boosted the roster of vehicles found in the game, developers Playground and Turn 10 have now released the first full-fledged expansion for it, in the form of the Rally one.

Like its name suggests, the add-on focuses on rallying events, bringing not just fresh courses on which to race, but also actual rally cars, including classics like the Lancia 037 Stradale, Mitsubishi Lancer, Ford Escort Cosworth, or the Subaru Impreza WRX STI.

Check out the full details about each of them below, via an official statement.

2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STi – The traditional blue and yellow Subaru is nearly synonymous with rally racing. The Subaru World Rally Team has been active since 1980 and has employed a “who’s who” list of rally-driving greats including Ari Vatanen, Colin McRae, and Petter Solberg. The 2005 WRX STi saw minor interior upgrades over the 2004 version. It is powered by the turbocharged and intercooled 2.5-liter flat-four that cranks out more than 300 horsepower. Subaru’s invincible all-wheel drive system provides grippy traction on any surface.

1982 Lancia 037 Stradale – The words “Group B” will send a chill of excitement down any rally lover’s spine. These cars were so fast they were eventually banned from rally competition. The Lancia 037 Stradale represents the last of the RWD cars to be competitive before AWD cars took over the sport. With a silhouette similar to its predecessor, the Lancia Stratos, the 037 is a mid-engine, tube frame beast with body panels made of Kevlar. The 200 road going versions built for homologation had an Abarth-developed 16-valve four-cylinder 2.0-liter engine with a Volumex supercharger. Power output of the street car is right around 200 horsepower, although the final evolution of the rally 037 had as much as 325 horsepower.

1992 Ford Escort RS Cosworth – Built with the intent of winning the World Rally Championship, the RS Cosworth was a successful stopgap model between the Sierra Cosworth and the later Focus. Although the Escort did not win the championship, it did win eight events between 1993 and 1996 and was extremely competitive as a Group A car. What makes the Escort RS truly special is the Cosworth YBT 1993cc turbocharged I4 engine. Its standard output of 224 horsepower has been tuned to as high as 1,000 horsepower in competition trim. Its full-time 34/66 front/rear split AWD system also give it excellent handling on any surface.

1992 Toyota Celica GT-Four RC ST185 – Driven by Carlos Sainz, the ST185 won the driver’s title in 1992. This was the pinnacle of Sainz’s rally career and the first time a Japanese car won trophies in an otherwise European manufacturer-dominated motorsport. The GT-Four RC is an AWD, turbocharged, 4-cylinder with a water-to-air intercooler and close-ratio transmission. A total of 232 horsepower give it plenty of juice and, when you upgrade to the rally body part components, the Celica is an obvious standout rally-racing icon.

2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR – The Lancer’s AWD performance is equal to supercars costing exponentially more. With 276 horsepower ready to be unleashed, the lightweight 3,109-pound Evo VIII MR is a formidable car on any surface. Lightning-quick turbocharged acceleration is put down to the surface through a six-speed transmission and helical limited-slip differential, making the Evo VIII a natural choice for any rally lover.

The Forza Horizon Rally expansion is now available for download via Xbox Live. Regular owners of the game can get it for 1600 MS Points while those who got the Season Pass get it for free, alongside a bonus car, in the form of the 2003 Ford SVT Focus.

Check out screenshots and a video from the new add-on below and add it to your download queue at this link.

Photo Gallery (5 Images)

Forza Horizon Rally screenshot
Forza Horizon Rally screenshotForza Horizon Rally screenshot
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