Forza Horizon 6 Brings Major Enhancements to Vehicle Customization Options

So far, much of what we’ve discovered about Forza Horizon 6 relates to the game’s depiction of Japan. However, we’ve had limited visibility into the enhancements Playground Games has made to car customization. With a lineup of 550 vehicles available on launch day, any advancements for builders must cater to a vast array of cars, from compact kei vans to rugged off-road vehicles. This undertaking has clearly required significant effort from the development team, but it appears to yield worthwhile improvements and new features that veteran players will value.

The first notable enhancement is the new “Forza aero” kit, which is likely one of the most eagerly awaited features on fans’ wishlists. If you’re not well-versed in these games, almost every car in a Forza Horizon or Motorsport title includes a standard front splitter and rear wing that can be added even without any additional custom parts. Generally, this looks uniform across all cars—which isn’t particularly appealing.

For FH6, however, Forza aero has been redesigned on most vehicles, resulting in components that conform to the unique lines and proportions of each car. Previously, one might avoid using Forza aero, but now it could actually be more desirable than licensed aftermarket options.

The new Forza aero splitter depicted on a Subaru BRZ. IGN via YouTube

Another significant addition is the capability to paint windows, a feature that has yet to be permitted in any Forza game, surprisingly, until now. You can add windshield banners or full decals over glass, introducing a new layer to livery editing that wasn’t previously feasible in this series. Additionally, there are over 100 new aftermarket wheels for players to select for their vehicles, and you’ll even have the option to equip different wheels for the front and rear axles. Redesigned tire sidewalls and tread now exhibit real-time wear, complete with painted strip markers that fade with usage, mimicking real-world tires.

Given the game’s backdrop, kei cars are obviously a large element of FH6’s automotive culture. Observant players will see that they all bear plates with the correct classifications, as kei category vehicles should in Japan. If you’re swapping engines in them, you can even install motorcycle engines, which adds a particularly exciting twist; they’ll rev to astonishing levels and produce wild sounds as they do.

Speaking of kei cars, we must highlight FH6’s outrageous new Forza Edition Nissan S-Cargo—a custom creation that embodies the eccentricity of these game-exclusive Forza Edition models. This S-Cargo reportedly originated as a joke, inspired by the van’s central seating configuration. Consequently, it features a single seat, is constructed on a spaceframe, boasts a massive rear wing, and includes a turbo instead of a front headlight, despite the engine being placed behind the driver. The frame was actually elevated to allow the piping from the turbo to the engine to be somewhat feasible, even if impractical in reality. Indeed, it’s wild, and we adore it.

Garage customization is a significant new element of FH6 that is bound to captivate some players. You’ll not only have the option to select from various types of spaces, but they’ll also be fully customizable, from adding props to arranging the precise locations of your cars. Similar to vehicles, you’ll also be able to share these setups.

Forza Horizon 6’s Customization Enhancements and Even More Outrageous Forza Edition Cars | IGN First

There’s a wealth of additional content that the video only lightly touched on. The vehicles themselves appear more polished, even those appearing in earlier Horizon titles, thanks to new materials, featuring updated refraction shaders for headlights and taillights, along with a subtle rainbow effect for polycarbonate parts. The paint selection tool—personally, my least favorite aspect of the Forza experience for years—appears to be somewhat improved, allowing players to mark custom colors in specific materials for easier access. Despite still following the vexing sequence of selecting a paint finish before manipulating RGB values, every modification, no matter how small, is a step in the right direction in a game of this scale.

Have a tip? Contact [email protected]

With a decade of experience in automotive journalism and consumer technology, Adam Ismail serves as a Senior Editor at The Drive, focusing on curating and creating the site’s daily stories.


**Forza Horizon 6 Brings Major Enhancements to Vehicle Customization Features**

The Forza Horizon series has been widely praised for its expansive open-world racing experiences, but with the launch of Forza Horizon 6, the developers have lifted vehicle customization to an entirely new level. This newest installment not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of cars but also introduces a plethora of innovative features that empower players to personalize their vehicles like never before.

**Refined Visual Customization**

One of the major improvements in Forza Horizon 6 is the refined visual customization capabilities. Players can now alter their vehicles with a broader selection of paint options, including fresh metallic and matte finishes. The debut of a dynamic color-shifting function allows players to create distinct color combinations that change based on lighting variables. Moreover, the game provides an expanded array of decals, vinyls, and wraps, enabling players to showcase their individuality through their car designs.

**Upgraded Performance Tuning**

In addition to aesthetics, Forza Horizon 6 has overhauled its performance tuning framework. The game now features a more detailed and approachable tuning interface, allowing players to modify various elements of their vehicles, such as suspension, gear ratios, and tire pressures. This degree of customization allows players to fine-tune their cars for different racing environments, whether they’re traversing off-road paths or high-speed tracks. The introduction of tuning presets also gives players the convenience of quickly transitioning between configurations, accommodating varied race types and personal preferences.

**Community-Focused Customization**

Forza Horizon 6 fosters community involvement by incorporating a robust sharing system for custom designs and tuning setups. Gamers can upload their creations to an online gallery, where others can browse, download, and rate them. This feature not only promotes creativity but also encourages collaboration among players as they can learn from each other’s styles and tuning techniques. The addition of a tagging system simplifies finding specific designs or performance configurations, enhancing the overall user interaction.

**New Customization Challenges**

To further motivate players to delve into the customization options, Forza Horizon 6 introduces an array of customization challenges. These tasks encourage players to try out different styles and performance builds, rewarding them with in-game currency and exclusive items. This gamification of the customization journey injects an exciting element into the gameplay, urging players to expand the limits of their creativity.

**Cross-Platform Customization**

Acknowledging the diverse gaming community, Forza Horizon 6 has established cross-platform customization functionality. Players across various platforms can seamlessly share their designs and setups, eliminating barriers and fostering a more inclusive atmosphere. This feature ensures that all gamers, regardless of their system, can fully experience the range of customization options available.

**Conclusion**

Forza Horizon 6 signifies a remarkable advancement in vehicle customization within the racing game genre. With enhanced visual features, upgraded performance tuning, community-driven elements, and new challenges, players are empowered to craft truly unique vehicles that mirror their personal style and racing inclinations. As the franchise continues to push boundaries, Forza Horizon 6 sets a new benchmark for vehicle customization, ensuring that players have the tools needed to realize their automotive aspirations.