TL;DR

S1 Class covers PI 801–900 — the most popular competitive bracket in FH6.
AWD is the dominant drivetrain at S1 power levels. Tune to the 900 PI ceiling for maximum performance.
Best overall S1 car: 2023 Porsche 911 Turbo S — top speed, perfect Launch stat, strong all-rounder.
Best free S1 car: 2024 Nissan GT-R NISMO (Touge/Street Rivals Collection Journal reward) or Lamborghini Revuelto (Road Racing discipline reward).
Best budget S1 car: 2022 BMW M5 CS — Autoshow accessible, enormous AWD upgrade upside.
S1 is the most common class cap for Festival Playlist Seasonal Championships and The Trial.

S1 Class is the most competitive bracket in Forza Horizon 6. It is where modern supercars live, where the Festival Playlist throws its toughest Seasonal Championship restrictions, and where The Trial in Series 2 most commonly sends you. With over 60 S1 cars at launch and AWD conversions shaking up what is competitive, knowing which cars to build — and how to build them — makes a real difference. This guide covers the best Forza Horizon 6 S1 class cars for road racing, Touge battles, drift, speed events, and the Festival Playlist, with notes on how to unlock each one.

Forza Horizon 6 is available on Forza.net, Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation.

Table of Contents

What Is S1 Class in Forza Horizon 6?

S1 Class covers Performance Index ratings from 801 to 900. It sits above A Class and below S2, which starts at PI 901. Above S2 is the new R Class, introduced in FH6 as a dedicated bracket for factory race cars and track prototypes.

S1 is the sweet spot of competitive FH6. Power outputs regularly exceed 600 horsepower. Handling starts to matter as much as raw speed. The gap between a tuned and an untuned car is enormous. A properly built A Class car at 800 PI can beat a stock S1 car — that tells you everything about how much tuning matters at this level. Always bring a car tuned to the PI ceiling of the event restriction, not one that merely qualifies.

AWD is currently the dominant drivetrain choice at S1. Power levels in this bracket are high enough that RWD and FWD cars struggle to use all their horsepower on corner exits without significant tuning investment. Most of the top S1 picks either come with AWD stock or benefit enormously from an AWD conversion in the upgrade menu.

S1 Class in the Festival Playlist and The Trial

S1 is the most common restriction for high-end Festival Playlist events in FH6. Seasonal Championships regularly use S1 caps, and The Trial in Series 2 frequently runs S1 or S1-adjacent restrictions. Having at least one or two well-built S1 cars in your garage before Series 2 begins is essential for hitting 40 playlist points per week efficiently.

For everything you need to know about The Trial and how to use your S1 cars most effectively in it, see our complete Trial guide for Series 2. For the full Festival Playlist overview, see our Seasonal Events and Festival Playlist guide.

Best S1 Class Cars in Forza Horizon 6 – Ranked by Use Case

1. 2023 Porsche 911 Turbo S – Best Overall S1 Car

The 2023 Porsche 911 Turbo S is the strongest S1 pick at launch. Its stat spread is near-perfect for competitive road racing: 7.8 Speed, a perfect 10.0 Launch, and a top-tier Acceleration score. Stock, it already leads the S1 class in raw launch performance. Tuned properly, it becomes one of the fastest S1 cars in FH6 across every road event type.

It comes with AWD from the factory, which is the meta drivetrain at this power level. The rear can step out unexpectedly under hard acceleration if you are not careful with the tune, but once you dial in the suspension and differential settings, it is remarkably consistent on both smooth expressways and technical mountain passes.

It is not the easiest S1 car to drive at the limit — the balance point requires confidence — but for experienced players who tune properly, it is the clear number one. Available from the Autoshow.

For a full breakdown of stats, tuning tips, and upgrade paths, see our 2023 Porsche 911 Turbo S performance stats guide.

2. 2024 Nissan GT-R NISMO – Best for Street Racing and Touge

The 2024 Nissan GT-R NISMO leads S1 for AWD street racing and is one of the best Touge Battle cars in the game. It produces around 600 hp and sits at the higher end of S1 PI, with tight handling that excels on technical corners and urban layouts. Its acceleration is exceptional off the line, making it dominant on tracks with lots of corners rather than long straights where raw top speed matters.

The best part: you can earn it for free. The GT-R NISMO is the final reward in the Touge and Street Rivals Collection Journal category. Complete enough Touge and Street Race disciplines and it drops into your garage without spending a single credit. At 270,000 credits from the Autoshow if you want it earlier, it is also one of the better value purchases in the game given its performance.

With light tuning, the GT-R NISMO pushes into higher classes while remaining competitive in S1 events. For Touge racing specifically, the AWD traction is invaluable for managing downhill momentum into blind corners at S1 speeds. For more Touge strategy, see our best cars for Touge Battles guide.

3. Lamborghini Revuelto – Best Free S1 Hypercar

The Lamborghini Revuelto is the best free S1 hypercar in FH6 and one of the most powerful naturally-aspirated cars in the class. It produces over 800 hp from its naturally aspirated V12 combined with an electric motor system, and comes with AWD stock. The Revuelto has excellent handling balance for a car of its power output, making it forgiving enough for players who are still learning S1 dynamics.

The unlock method makes this car incredibly valuable: push your Road Racing discipline progression far enough and the Revuelto drops into your garage at no cost. That means you can have a top-tier S1 hypercar without spending any credits, as long as you put the races in. Given how strong it is tuned to the 900 PI ceiling, it is one of the best returns on progression investment in the entire game.

4. 2022 Acura NSX Type S – Best Free Mid-Game S1 Car

The 2022 Acura NSX Type S is a free S1 car tied to the Mek My Day Wristband reward. If you have reached that milestone, check your garage and Collection Journal before spending credits on an S1 build — you may already have a strong mid-range S1 supercar waiting for you.

The NSX Type S uses a twin-turbocharged V6 with a hybrid electric front axle motor system, giving it AWD traction and excellent throttle response out of corners. It is not the outright fastest S1 car, but it is very easy to drive at the limit and excellent for Technical road circuits and tight mountain sections. It is a particularly good choice for Festival Playlist events where consistency over three championship races matters more than peak lap time.

For full performance stats, see our 2022 Acura NSX Type S performance stats guide.

5. 2022 BMW M5 CS – Best Budget S1 Build

The 2022 BMW M5 CS is one of the most accessible high-performance S1 builds in FH6. It is available directly from the Autoshow, reasonably priced, and benefits enormously from an AWD upgrade conversion. Once converted and tuned to the 900 PI ceiling, the M5 CS becomes a serious competitor in road circuits and championship events.

The M5 CS platform has comfortable steering that makes it forgiving for players still developing their S1 race craft. It is not the most exciting car on this list, but it is one of the most practical for a player who needs an S1 car quickly and cheaply without relying on discipline progression rewards or Wheelspins. If you are new to S1 and want a reliable starting point, the M5 CS is the pick.

For full stats, see our 2022 BMW M5 CS performance stats guide.

6. 2005 Ford GT – Best AWD Conversion Build

The 2005 Ford GT is a unique S1 pick. Stock, it is a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive American supercar with a supercharged V8. In S1, it is good. With an AWD conversion, it becomes something else entirely — a launch monster with a massive power delivery and dominant acceleration on power-heavy tracks.

The Ford GT with AWD conversion is one of the best speed event cars in S1. Speed Traps and Speed Zones on expressways and long straights reward exactly the kind of explosive acceleration the Ford GT AWD build delivers. It is available from the Autoshow, making it one of the most accessible AWD conversion projects in the class.

For full stats and upgrade guidance, see our 2005 Ford GT performance stats guide.

7. McLaren P1 – Best for High-Speed Road Racing

The McLaren P1 is the S1 choice for players who want a car that excels on long, fast circuits where top speed and raw power matter. Its lightning-quick top speed makes it outstanding in road and street races where you can carry momentum. The trade-off is that its acceleration is comparatively slower for a supercar of its class, which makes it less effective on twisty, technical routes with lots of corners and direction changes.

It is best suited to Japan’s expressway circuits and longer mountain sweepers where the straights between corners give the P1 time to build speed. It is less ideal for Tokyo’s tight urban sections or mountain pass Touge events. If your Festival Playlist championships happen to fall on high-speed circuits, the P1 is the strongest top-end option in S1.

8. Porsche 911 GT3 RS – Best for Technical Circuits

The Porsche 911 GT3 RS — and its close sibling the 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 — sit among the best S1 picks for tight technical circuits where handling precision matters more than top speed. Neither car has the best Speed or Launch in the class, but their high-frequency handling and exceptional braking make them extremely effective on narrow urban tracks and high-corner-count roads.

With wide-body fitment and semi-slick tyres, the GT3 RS becomes perfectly suited to Tokyo’s technical layouts and the tighter mountain circuit sections. If the Trial or Seasonal Championship of the week runs on a technical Japan city circuit, these Porsches are among the most consistent picks available.

9. Lamborghini Huracán EVO – Best Reliable All-Rounder

The Lamborghini Huracán EVO is the reliable all-rounder of the S1 class. Its AWD drivetrain and V10 engine give it a balance of speed, handling, and traction that makes it competitive across virtually every S1 event type without requiring specialist tuning. It does not lead the class in any single stat category, but it does not fall behind in any either.

For players who want one S1 car that handles road circuits, speed events, and seasonal championship variety without switching builds, the Huracán EVO is the safest pick. It is also one of the more visually striking cars in the class, which makes it a popular choice at Car Meets and in Photo Mode challenges. For stats, see our Lamborghini Huracán STO guide as the closest performance reference available.

10. 2022 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica – Best for Touge Drift at S1

The Huracán Tecnica is Lamborghini’s rear-wheel drive Huracán variant, and in S1 it fills a specific role brilliantly: rear-drive Touge and drift-adjacent builds at the top of the class. It is lighter than the Huracán EVO and its natural oversteer tendency with throttle makes it one of the most enjoyable S1 cars to push through Japan’s mountain passes in a controlled slide.

The Tecnica rewards skilled drivers who are comfortable managing rear-wheel drive at S1 speeds. It is not forgiving on the limit the way AWD cars are, but the driving feel and Drift Zone scoring potential are exceptional. For full stats, see our 2022 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica performance stats guide.

Honourable Mentions – More Strong S1 Picks

Beyond the top ten, several other S1 cars are worth keeping in your garage for specific situations:

Lamborghini Aventador — has the best handling of the main S1 contenders. Falls short on top speed but is a dream to drive for anyone who prioritises feel over pace.
2017 Ferrari J50 — a 690 hp V8 S1 car given to pre-order players. Not obtainable separately but exceptional if you have it from the pre-order bonus window.
2016 Audi R8 V10 Plus — strong AWD build with excellent high-speed stability. Particularly good on fast highway circuits. See our Audi R8 V10 Plus stats guide.
Porsche 959 — a treasure car find in FH6 and one of the most historically significant AWD sports cars ever built. In S1 trim it remains a solid all-round option. See our Porsche 959 Treasure Car location guide.
2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series (Welcome Pack version) — PI 890 out of the box in the Welcome Pack, ready for S1 events with minimal additional tuning.

S1 Cars to Avoid – Common Traps

Not every car in the S1 bracket is worth building. A few cars occupy the PI range but do not deliver competitive performance:

Cars with naturally high PI but poor handling stats — some heavy GT cars reach S1 PI ratings but feel sluggish on Japan’s technical roads. Check handling and braking stats, not just Speed and Acceleration.
RWD cars without drift-specific tuning — at S1 power levels, rear-wheel drive cars need specialist tunes to be competitive in road racing. Without proper differential, tyre, and suspension setup, they will understeer or snap oversteer at the worst moments.
Stock S1 cars in capped events — taking any stock S1 car into an 800 PI A Class event because you think it qualifies is a common mistake. A car at PI 860 cannot enter an 800 PI restriction. Always match the PI to the event cap.

How to Tune S1 Cars in FH6 – Key Principles

Tuning is what separates competitive S1 builds from mediocre ones. Here are the key principles:

Always Tune to the PI Ceiling

The single most important rule. A car built to exactly 900 PI for an S1 event will outperform a stock 850 PI car every time in the right hands. Use the upgrade menu to push your car as close to 900 PI as possible without going over. More upgrades at the same PI cap means better components — the game rewards squeezing the most out of a restricted bracket.

AWD Conversion Is Usually Worth It

Many S1 cars that come RWD in stock form — like the Ford GT and some Lamborghinis — gain enormously from an AWD conversion upgrade. The drivetrain swap moves PI up, but the traction and launch advantage more than compensates. Check whether the PI increase from an AWD swap still keeps your car within the S1 bracket after other adjustments.

Prioritise Handling and Braking on Technical Circuits

Japan’s roads are technical. The expressways reward raw speed, but the mountain passes and city sections demand braking precision and corner handling. If you are building a car primarily for Touge events or tight Japan city circuits, upgrade brakes and suspension before chasing top speed. For more on this, see our car tuning and mechanical balance guide.

Use Community Tunes

If you do not tune manually, the Creative Hub has community tunes for every major S1 car. Search by car name and filter by the highest-rated tunes. Looking for tunes tagged for specific event types — road racing, drift, Touge — will get you closer to a match for your use case. A community tune from a skilled tuner will beat any stock S1 car in a Festival Playlist Championship.

For more on unlocking and building your garage efficiently, see our guide on best cars to upgrade and bodykit presets.

How to Unlock the Best S1 Cars for Free

Several of the best S1 cars in FH6 are available without spending Autoshow credits:

Lamborghini Revuelto — Road Racing discipline progression reward. Push road racing events far enough and it arrives free.
2024 Nissan GT-R NISMO — Touge and Street Rivals Collection Journal final reward. Complete enough Touge and street race disciplines.
2022 Acura NSX Type S — Mek My Day Wristband reward. Check your Collection Journal after reaching this Wristband milestone.
Porsche 959 — Treasure Car. Find the clue and smash the chest. See our Porsche 959 Treasure Car location guide.
Loyalty Reward cars — Returning Forza players with save data from FH5, Forza Motorsport, or earlier games receive free high-value cars including some in S1 territory. See our Legacy Cars and Loyalty Rewards guide.

Always check the Collection Journal before spending credits on any car. Many S1 vehicles have alternate unlock paths that are completely free.

S1 Cars in the Festival Playlist – What to Use Each Week

S1 is the most common class restriction for Seasonal Championships and The Trial in FH6. Here is a quick reference for which S1 car suits each playlist event type:

Road Championship (technical circuits): 2023 Porsche 911 Turbo S or Porsche 911 GT3 RS
Road Championship (high-speed expressway): McLaren P1 or 2023 Porsche 911 Turbo S
Touge Battle (S1 restriction): 2024 Nissan GT-R NISMO or 2023 Porsche 911 Turbo S
Speed Trap / Speed Zone: 2005 Ford GT with AWD conversion or 2023 Porsche 911 Turbo S
The Trial (S1 restriction): 2024 Nissan GT-R NISMO or Lamborghini Revuelto for reliable AWD team play
Monthly Rivals: Any car tuned to the featured event class — check the restriction each month

For the complete guide on using S1 cars across all Touge routes specifically, see our guides on the Hakone Nanamagari Touge, the Mt Haruna Touge, and the Bandai Azuma Touge.

Best S1 Cars Summary Table

Best overall: 2023 Porsche 911 Turbo S
Best free car: Lamborghini Revuelto (Road Racing discipline) or 2024 Nissan GT-R NISMO (Touge discipline)
Best budget Autoshow buy: 2022 BMW M5 CS
Best for street and Touge: 2024 Nissan GT-R NISMO
Best for high-speed tracks: McLaren P1
Best for technical circuits: Porsche 911 GT3 RS
Best AWD conversion project: 2005 Ford GT
Best all-rounder: Lamborghini Huracán EVO
Best RWD drift option: Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica
Best free wristband reward: 2022 Acura NSX Type S

For more on building a complete competitive garage across all classes, see our guides on the best R Class cars, the best drag cars, the best drift cars and tuning setups, and the best off-road and dirt cars. For tracking all the cars you still need, check our complete FH6 car list by class and use our Auction House guide to pick up any cars you still need at better prices than the Autoshow.