Drifting Finally Returns To Forza Motorsport

Forza Motorsport’s Update 13 finally brings drifting back into the spotlight with a huge drift-focused update, and it’s about time, too!

Old-school FM fans will remember that once upon a time, Forza Motorsport 4 was the go-to game for virtual tire shredders. Since then, Turn 10 seemingly got less interested in drifting with each new installment, with sideways action completely neglected in the latest title – until now.

Coinciding with (the still weirdly-named and unnumbered) Forza Motorsport’s first anniversary, this substantial update finally introduces long-awaited features that drifting fans have been screaming out for since the game’s launch, along with a roster of brand-new (and also some previously seen) Formula DRIFT cars.

Forza Motorsport’s New Drift Mode

The new Drift Mode is now available in Free Play and Private Multiplayer modes. It offers various scoring options, including the best single-lap score, outright total score, and single continuous drift score (spanning multiple laps).

As in real-world drifting competitions, the scoring is based on speed, angle, and duration, and you’ll need to “bank” your scores for them to count. Crossing the finish line automatically banks the lap score and restarts scoring, allowing for continuous drifting action.

The drift scoring HUD returns and can be enabled in the Gameplay & HUD Settings menu. When enabled, the Drift Camera setting applies to both in-car and follow-cameras, providing a more immersive feel.

Drift Rivals Makes A Comeback

A “Drift Zone” tab has been added to Rivals mode, where you can compete for the highest Drift lap scores on leaderboards. These events feature specific car and track pairings, allowing for upgrades and tuning while restricting vehicles to rear-wheel drive only.

This is one of our favorites and perfect for those who don’t mind drifting offline. It allows you to learn how to perfect your drifting skills as you try to achieve the ultimate score on the leaderboards.

Formula DRIFT Cars (Finally) Return To The Roster

Seven Formula DRIFT cars have also been added to the game to celebrate the new Drift Mode. Some of which are brand-new, alongside some previous favorites:

• 1997 Formula DRIFT #777 Nissan 240SX (Matt Field)
• 2006 Formula DRIFT #43 Dodge Viper SRT10 (Dean Kearney)
• 2020 Formula DRIFT #151 Toyota GR Supra (Fredric Aasbo)
• 2015 Formula DRIFT #13 Ford Mustang (Justin Pawlak)
• 2024 Ford #25 Mustang RTR (Vaughn Gittin Jr.) – NEW
• 2024 Ford #88 Mustang RTR (Chelsea DeNofa) – NEW
• 2024 Ford #130 Mustang RTR (James Deane) – NEW

Alongside the FD cars, there are also more new additions to the car lineup:

On Thursday, October 17, at midnight UTC, the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse will be gifted as a bonus car for players who own the Forza Motorsport Car Pass, Deluxe Edition, Premium Edition, or Premium Add-Ons Bundle.

That’s not all. Two more Mustangs are joining the stable as “Tour Reward” cars:

• 1970 Ford #15 Mustang Boss 302 Trans Am
• 2018 Saleen S302 Black Label

As you can see, Update 13’s “Mustang Month” focus has prioritized the Pony cars as the new additions, but we’re hoping to see plenty more pre-tuned pro-spec drift machines joining the roster shortly.

A Classic Track Is Also Revealed

The awesome news keeps on coming! Not only are we treated to the Drift Mode and new cars, but long-time fans of the series will be delighted to see the return of Sunset Peninsula, last seen in Forza Motorsport 4.

If you haven’t experienced it yet, make sure you head there right away! It’s a perfect track for drifting.

This track offers five layouts:

• Full Circuit
• Full Circuit Reverse
• Club Circuit
• Club Circuit Reverse
• Oval Circuit (Speedway)

Turn 10 also confirmed that Bathurst will be the next track to join the lineup, expected to arrive with Update 15 in December. This will be the final track addition for the year, with more expected to come in 2025.

Is It Worth Getting Forza Motorsport For Drifting?

The long-overdue return of drifting to the Forza Motorsport series is a huge step in the right direction. If you’ve hesitated to jump in, this latest offers the perfect excuse for drifting fans to reconsider.

While the game, like most, had its share of rough spots at launch (Solar Crown, we’re looking at you!), it has steadily improved. The gameplay and physics are now well-refined, and a proper drifting mode was the main thing lacking for us – until now.

Whether you’re a long-time fan of the FM series or a newcomer, now’s an excellent time to give the latest game a shot. If things continue in this direction, it will be the best Forza drifting title since Forza Motorsport 4, Horizon aside.

There will likely still be a long wait until Forza Horizon 6 arrives, so it’s the perfect opportunity to try something new. While Forza Motorsport might be a little more “serious” and track-focused than Horizon, it’s a fantastic game for learning how to drift with more of a realistic simulator approach rather than the arcade-y vibes of the Horizon series.

If you’re looking for the ultimate virtual drifting experience, Assetto Corsa remains the top pick. The fact that there’s such an incredible mod community for the game makes the possibilities endless, and there’s a reason real-world pro drifters use AC for training. With Assetto Corsa EVO arriving soon, there are plenty of opportunities to bag yourself a bargain if you can be patient.

On the other hand, if patience isn’t your thing, we’ve got the perfect drifting game for you to play completely free in your browser right now – the Drifted-exclusive Drift Hunters MAX!

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