If you’re still reading speculation blogs from last week, you’re basically looking at a ghost of the Christmas past. The world shifted on January 22, 2026, when the Xbox Developer Direct confirmed what we’ve wanted for so long: Forza Horizon 6 is set in Japan, and it arrives May 19, 2026. While the overall world is the largest in the series, the highlight is Tokyo City - an action-packed playground five times the size of any city we've seen in Horizon before, complete with multiple-story and neon-soaked roads that only Japan can offer.
Design Director Torben Ellert and Cultural Consultant Kyoko Yamashita-san have built a legendary map - but it would also call for the right machinery to conquer it. To show off this new world of contrasts, Playground Games is bringing back more than the fan favorites; they’ve hand-picked a roster that combines rugged tradition and cutting-edge performance. Leading the charge are two heavyweights that have already set the gaming community on fire: the Toyota GR GT Prototype and the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser.
Here's what you can expect :
1. The 2025 Toyota GR GT Prototype : The New Hero
This is the flagship of Toyota Gazoo Racing, and it’s making its global video game debut as the face of FH6. It’s essentially a road-legal race car, and in the reveal trailer, it was shown racing a Shinkansen (Bullet Train) through the Japanese countryside.
What the developers say: Torben Ellert revealed that the team had secret access to the car’s pre-production designs. It’s built around a 4L V8 twin-turbo hybrid system, and it stands for the transition from classic JDM to the future of Japanese performance. It’s the car you pick when you want to feel like a Bond villain with a relatively cleaner soul.
2. The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser (J250) : The Off-Road Monster
Seeing a boxy SUV share the cover with a supercar tells you everything about the scope of FH6. The Toyota J250 is the rugged star of the game, built to handle the snowy peaks of Hokkaido and the muddy trails of ancient shrines.
Psst! Toyota’s Chief Project Manager, Takashi Doi-san, worked with the sound team to ensure the engine audio wasn't just regular truck noise. It has a specific, authentic 'roar' designed for how Japan sounds (for motorheads offcourse). This is the vehicle you use to find Aftermarket Cars (the new version of Barn Finds) hidden in the rural areas.
3. The 2025 Ferrari F80 : The King of Speed
Included in the Italian Passion Pack, the F80 is Ferrari’s latest masterpiece. It’s crucial for FH6 because of the map's massive verticality.
Why it matters: Ellert noted that Tokyo is a high-energy area. Driving the F80 through the multi-layered expressways of Shinjuku feels like a scene you wouldn't want to forget. It’s built for the 'organized chaos' of a city where the roads climb, dip, and spiral across multiple levels.
4. The Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 : The 'R Class' Beast
FH6 introduces a brand-new R Class specifically for track-only beasts that don't belong on a suburban street. The Essenza SCV12 is the poster child for this class.
You will now be able to unlock 'The Estate' - a massive piece of land inspired by the Japanese Akiya (abandoned properties). Here, you can build your own custom racetracks. The Essenza will be your go-to choice to test those limits. It's for players who want everyone within a five-mile radius to know if a jet took off from their backyard.
Here are the most highly-rumored models currently circulating for the Forza Horizon 6 roster, based on community leaks and insider speculation :
2024 Nissan Z Nismo
2025 Mazda RX-9 (Concept)
2024 Honda Civic Type R (FL5)
2025 Subaru WRX TR
2023 Toyota GR Corolla Morizo Edition
2025 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution XI (Vision Concept)
2024 Lamborghini Revuelto
2025 Aston Martin Valhalla
2024 Porsche 911 S/T
2024 McLaren 750S
2025 Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut
2023 Pagani Utopia
2024 BMW M3 CS
2025 Audi RS6 Avant GT
2024 Gordon Murray T.50
So...that's about the cars (for now). But there's more that you need to know :
The 'Mei' Factor : You’ll be mentored by Mei, an experienced Japanese car builder who helps you navigate the 'Daikoku' events. She’s the bridge between being a motorhead and a local racing legend.
The Platform War : Xbox and PC players get the keys on May 19. If you’re on PS5, you’re standing behind the velvet rope until 'later in 2026.' Use that time to mock your friends about how they didn't get to play 'Marvel's Spider-Man 2' - although it's hard to find people who stay together even after knowing their friend owns an Xbox.
Alright then! See you on the streets of Japan. Ikemasho!