Forza Horizon 6’s stunning Japanese setting has already grabbed attention for its massive map and vertical cityscapes—but there’s a twist that has hypercar fans talking. Bugatti, the iconic French hypercar brand, might be missing entirely at launch. Here’s what you need to know as an experienced gamer.
The Core Issue: Licensing Chaos
Bugatti’s absence comes down to corporate restructuring and licensing:
- Ownership Shift: Bugatti has moved away from the Volkswagen Group and is now part of Rimac, the Croatian electric hypercar manufacturer.
- Expired Agreements: Previous licensing deals that allowed Playground Games to include Bugatti in past Forza titles no longer apply. This means no automatic rights for Forza Horizon 6.
- Potential Impact: Players might not see classic models like the Veyron, Chiron, or Divo at launch.
Community Split: Opinions Are Divided
The racing community is reacting in two main ways:
- JDM Purists (Indifferent)
Some players shrug off Bugatti’s absence. They’ve seen repeated “reskins” of the same platforms over the years and would rather see licensing budgets go toward Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) cars, deep customization, and street racing culture in Japan. - Speed Enthusiasts (Disappointed)
Hardcore hypercar fans argue that Bugatti defines the Horizon experience. Straight-line top-speed runs over 250 mph (400 km/h) are legendary, and missing models like the Bolide or Mistral take a major thrill out of open-world racing.
What Players Should Expect
Even if Bugatti is absent at launch, the story isn’t over:
- Post-Launch Return Likely: Playground Games has a history of adding fan-favorite manufacturers through live-service updates, Festival Playlist seasonal rewards, or paid DLC. Bugatti could be back months after launch.
- Launch Car Focus: Because the game’s map centers on Japan, initial lineups will emphasize touge-style mountain pass racing, drift culture, and high-performance Japanese sports cars rather than European hypercars.
Thoughts
Bugatti’s absence is frustrating for some, but Forza Horizon 6 still offers an unparalleled Japanese racing playground. Whether you’re a JDM fan or a hypercar aficionado, the game’s launch content has plenty to explore.
