You’ve seen it. That wedge-shaped, low-slung casting sitting on the pegs at Target or Walmart, often overlooked because it isn't a licensed Porsche or a classic Chevy. Honestly, the Hot Wheels Forward Force is one of those cars that people either love or totally ignore, but if you're actually into track performance, you’re missing out by walking past it. It’s a fantasy casting. I know, I know—some collectors only want real-world cars. But in the world of gravity racing and orange track loops, the "unreal" cars often do the heavy lifting.
The Forward Force first hit the scene in 2020 as part of the HW Race Day series. It was designed by Ryu Asada, a name that carries massive weight in the die-cast community. Ryu had this incredible knack for making cars that looked fast even when they were sitting still on a plastic shelf. This car isn't just a toy; it’s a piece of aerodynamic theory shrunk down to 1:64 scale.
Most people look for the metal-on-metal stuff, but for track speed, weight distribution matters way more than just raw heaviness. The Forward Force has this aggressive, front-heavy bias that helps it dig into the plastic on those steep drops. It’s got that "cab-forward" design—hence the name—that makes it look like a futuristic endurance racer you’d see at Le Mans in the year 2050.
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The Design Philosophy Behind the Hot Wheels Forward Force
The car looks like a literal doorstop. That’s a compliment. In the die-cast racing world, "wedge" cars are king. Look at the history of high-performance Hot Wheels like the Winning Formula or even the classic Funny Cars. They all share a low center of gravity. The Hot Wheels Forward Force takes this to an extreme with a massive front splitter and a giant rear wing that is actually part of the body casting, not a flimsy plastic add-on that's going to snap off after three crashes.
It’s built for the wind. Or, at least, the simulated wind of a living room floor.
The initial 2020 release came in a striking blue with "Ryu’s Rides" livery. It was a tribute. When you look at the lines, you see hints of modern prototypes. There’s a bit of the Aston Martin Valkyrie in the hips and a touch of generic LMP1 racer in the cockpit. But because it's an original Mattel design, the designers didn't have to worry about licensing restrictions or making the doors actually open. They just focused on making it look aggressive and making it roll straight.
Rolling straight is harder than it sounds.
If you take ten different castings and roll them down a six-foot stretch of track, half of them will probably veer into the sidewall. The Forward Force usually isn't one of them. Its wide wheelbase gives it a stability that narrower cars like the Bone Shaker sometimes lack. You want that stability when you're hitting a power booster at 4:00 AM because you can't sleep and decided to build a three-story track in your hallway.
Track Performance: Where the Rubber (Plastic) Meets the Road
Let's talk about the wheels. Most versions of this car come with the AeroDisc wheels or the 10-spoke variants. These are low-friction. They don't have the "tread" that slows down some of the more "off-road" looking castings.
If you're a "downhill" racer—the kind of person who watches those YouTube channels where people bet on die-cast races—you know that the Hot Wheels Forward Force is a sleeper. It’s not as heavy as a Way 2 Fast or a Double Vision, but it’s remarkably efficient. The plastic body over a metal chassis (or vice versa depending on the specific year's release) provides a balance that prevents "fishtailing" at the bottom of a drop.
A lot of collectors complain about fantasy cars. They call them "peg warmers."
It’s a fair point if you’re only looking for resale value. You aren't going to retire on a collection of Forward Forces. But if you're actually playing with the cars? If you're building a "King of the Hill" tournament for your kids or yourself? You need these cars. They are the workhorses. They take the hits. They survive the loops.
Variations and Collectibility
Since its 2020 debut, we’ve seen a few different flavors of this casting.
- The 2020 Blue Debut: Part of the HW Race Day series. It features the number 4 and Ryu's name.
- The 2021 White/Red Version: This one felt very "classic racing."
- The Multi-Pack Exclusives: Sometimes you’ll find it in a 9-pack or 20-pack with a simplified paint job.
Interestingly, the Hot Wheels Forward Force hasn't been over-saturated yet. Mattel hasn't put it in every single case for three years straight, which keeps it feeling somewhat fresh when it does pop up.
The colorways usually lean into the racing aesthetic. You’ll see plenty of sponsors like "Eibach" or "Bilstein" (fictionalized or real) which adds a layer of authenticity to a car that doesn't actually exist in real life. It bridges the gap between the "tooned" cars and the "real" cars.
Why Some Collectors Skip It (And Why They're Wrong)
The biggest "con" people cite is the lack of a real-world counterpart. "I want a car I can see on the street," they say. Sure. I get that. I love a good '55 Gasser as much as the next person. But the beauty of Hot Wheels is the "Hot" part. It's the custom, the wild, and the "what if?"
The Forward Force is a "what if" about the future of aero.
If you look closely at the casting, the interior detail is surprisingly decent for a basic mainline. You can see the single-seat configuration typical of a high-end track car. The rear diffuser is molded into the base, which actually helps the car clear some of the tighter gaps in certain track sets, like the Colossal Crash. Some cars with low, hanging parts get snagged on the boosters. The Forward Force is tucked in tight. It clears the mechanisms like a pro.
It's basically a tool. A racing tool.
Actionable Tips for Hot Wheels Racers
If you’ve got a Hot Wheels Forward Force and you want to make it the fastest car in your bin, there are a few things you can do without actually "modding" it and ruining the "stock" feel.
First, check the axles. Even out of the box, some axles are slightly crimped. A tiny drop of dry graphite lubricant (the stuff you use for pinewood derbies) on the axle points will make this car fly. Because the wheels are tucked so neatly into the body, the graphite stays put and doesn't mess up your track.
Second, look at the front splitter. Sometimes there’s a tiny bit of "flash"—excess plastic from the molding process—on the bottom. A quick pass with a high-grit sandpaper makes it perfectly smooth. This prevents the car from "jumping" when it hits a seam in the track.
Finally, use it as your "pace car." When you build a new track layout, send the Forward Force down first. If it can’t make the jump or clear the loop, your heavier or more awkwardly shaped licensed cars definitely won't. It’s the benchmark for a "good" car.
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Next Steps for Your Collection:
- Check your local "dump bins" for the most recent colorway of the Forward Force; it’s usually easier to find than the licensed Treasure Hunts.
- Compare its weight to a Twin Mill or Deora II. You'll find it's surprisingly competitive for its size.
- If you're into photography, the Forward Force looks incredible in low-angle "macro" shots because of its aggressive nose.
- Keep an eye out for any future "Premium" versions—though it hasn't happened yet, a Metal/Metal version with Real Riders would likely be a top-tier track performer.