Upgrade Heroes

Upgrade Heroes
Type	Purchaseable player business
Chapters	10
Narrator	Alex Strachan

"The Horizon Festival's impossible upgrade service."

—Description

Upgrade Heroes is a business consisting of ten chapters introduced with Update 15. The business is unlocked upon reaching player level 80, and can be purchased for 100,000 CR.

Alex Strachan has the idea of setting up a vehicle tuning shop in a shed near the Express Railyard, and requires a business partner "who can drive"; Joel recommends that the player join Alex in this venture, but not tell him that he was the one who recommended them to join.

At the end of the event, Alex recommends the player that they both need to take a break from Upgrade Heroes for some time, for there is "too much going on at the Festival" and their wait list is too long. However, he also encourages the player to come back and visit the team, for "they are the real heroes, after all".

Earning three stars for each chapter awards the player with the client's car from that specific chapter.

Chapters

The Datsun

"A classic 1970s Datsun 510, with a wide body kit, aggressive stance and monstrous performance."

—Synopsis

• Car(s) used: Renault Clio Williams, Datsun 510

At the workshop, Alex explains to the player the premise of why he wants to set up this business: there are "loads of cars around here that have real potential", which he calls "Upgrade Heroes". He wants the player to go retrieve the car, bring it back to his workshop, where Alex's team will modify it; after modification, he wants to player to "show everyone what an "Upgrade Hero" can do". The player agrees, and Alex shows them to their "courtesy car": a Renault Clio Williams.

Hopping into the Clio Williams, the player is instructed by Alex to drive to a marked destination some distance away. On arrival, they pick up their first client's car: a Datsun 510, which they are instructed to bring back to the workshop with minimal damage. Having brought the car back to the workshop, Alex's team sets to work immediately.

After work is done, Alex boasts about the car's specifications, having fitted a twin-turbocharged inline-6 under the hood and "that nonsense we strapped to the front". He then instructs the player to drive to Edinburgh, with Alex later adding that their client requested that they be "as loud and fast and conspicuous as possible as they go through the city", with Alex assuming that the client has friends around the area. On arrival, Alex congratulates the player on a successful delivery and states that they likely won't have to wait too long for another client.

• 3 stars: 1 min 28 s
• 2 stars: 1 min 55 s
• 1 star: 2 min 25 s

The Audi

"A 1986 Audi 2 Sport Quattro. A Group B legend with almost 500 BHP and an aerodynamics overhaul."

—Synopsis

• Car(s) used: Renault Clio Williams, Audi Sport quattro

At the workshop, Alex remarks that "they've got clients lining up", and so it's time to head on out to meet the next client. He then explains that the next client has an old Audi "which they just putter around town" but want to take offroad; Alex then remarks that this is "one after his own heart" and they set off soon after in the Clio Williams.

Hopping into the Clio Williams, the player is instructed by Alex to drive to a marked destination some distance away. On arrival, they pick up the client's car: an Audi Quattro, which they are instructed to bring back to the workshop with minimal damage. Having brought the car back to the workshop, Alex's team sets to work immediately.

After work is done, Alex boasts about the car's specifications, having almost 800 horsepower, which "might not help" but would be good fun. He then instructs the player to drive on a special rally route to the foot of Glen Rannoch, with Alex later adding that he asked if their client would like to act as a co-driver for this, but were too terrified to do so. On arrival, Alex remarks that he put all of these upgrades in the autoshow for others to use and to "be their own Upgrade Hero".

• 3 stars: 2 min 15 s
• 2 stars: 2 min 35 s
• 1 star: 3 min

The Camino

"A 1970 Chevy El Camino with a monstrous 7.0 supercharged engine and breathtaking straight-line performance."

—Synopsis

• Car(s) used: Renault Clio Williams, Chevrolet El Camino Super Sport 454

At the workshop, Alex remarks that their "Upgrade Hero home kits" have been doing very well in the autoshow, and figures that the player earn some royalties off them "as it is their driving that sells them". He then remarks that their next client says they have "some serious American muscle" and want to see if they could "beef it up at all". They set off soon after in the Clio Williams.

Hopping into the Clio Williams, the player is instructed by Alex to drive to a marked destination some distance away. On arrival, they pick up the client's car: a Chevrolet El Camino Super Sport 454, which they are instructed to bring back to the workshop with minimal damage. Having brought the car back to the workshop, Alex's team sets to work immediately.

After work is done, Alex boasts about the car's specifications, having almost 1000 horsepower with a 7.0L V8 swap, and because of its power he's terrified to even stand near it. He then instructs the player to drive to an area near Tarn Hows while staying above 100 mph (161 km/h), with Alex later adding that this will show their client that they are "not afraid of a little dare". On arrival, Alex snarkily remarks that the client can have their El Camino back "if they're not too chicken".

• 3 stars: 1 min
• 2 stars: 1 min 15 s
• 1 star: 1 min 30 s

The Mazda

"A 1997 Mazda RX7 with the complete Rocket Bunny Body Kit, and a low and aggressive stance to match."

—Synopsis

• Car(s) used: Renault Clio Williams, Mazda RX-7

At the workshop, Alex remarks that their next client is Robert Glenn from Drift Club who says he has a Mazda they can look at, and that he has a feeling he knows what he wants done with it. They set off soon after in the Clio Williams.

Hopping into the Clio Williams, the player is instructed by Alex to drive to a marked destination some distance away. On arrival, they pick up Rob's car (which was brought down by another Drift Clubber as Rob couldn't make it): a Mazda RX-7, which they are instructed to bring back to the workshop with minimal damage. Having brought the car back to the workshop, Alex's team sets to work immediately.

After work is done, Alex boasts about the car's specifications, with a widebody kit and states that the player and Rob would be "the envy of everyone at Drift Club". He then instructs the player to drive to Edinburgh.

On arrival at Edinburgh, Alex sets a drift route for the player around Edinburgh "to get those Drift Clubbers talking". The player then has some 2 minutes and 15 seconds to reach the Royal Botanic Gardens while accumulating a certain amount of drift points, with Alex commenting on their progress at certain milestones and occasionally giving flattering comments. On arrival, Alex snarkily remarks that he would ask Rob to call the player if he receives a "long call about the finer points of drifting".

• 3 stars: 80,000 points
• 2 stars: 40,000 points
• 1 star: 20,000 points

The Chevrolet

"A 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. Classic looks with modern underpinnings, a supercharger and more than 1000 BHP."

—Synopsis

• Car(s) used: Renault Clio Williams, Chevrolet Bel Air

At the workshop, Alex remarks that their next client wanted a bit of a drag racer but never had the time or skill to look under the hood to modify it. They set off soon after in the Clio Williams.

Hopping into the Clio Williams, the player is instructed by Alex to drive to a marked destination some distance away. On arrival, they pick up the client's car: a Chevrolet Bel Air, which they are instructed to bring back to the workshop with minimal damage. Having brought the car back to the workshop, Alex's team sets to work immediately.

After work is done, Alex boasts about the car's specifications, saying that the car will "just about destroy anything off the line and it'll look gorgeous doing it". He then instructs the player to drive to Edinburgh to trigger a speed trap, with Alex later adding that the route he set was "more or less straight". On arrival, Alex gleefully remarks that their client "can't wait to have a go in this thing", but warns the player to not rev their engine at them if they see them parked at a stoplight or in the Horizon Festival.

• 3 stars: 185 mph (298 km/h)
• 2 stars: 175 mph (282 km/h)
• 1 star: 155 mph (249 km/h)

The Land Rover

"A 1997 Land Rover Defender with a thoroughly modern upgrade, including a 6.2L V8, and 21st century offroad tires and suspension."

—Synopsis

• Car(s) used: Renault Clio Williams, Land Rover Defender 90

At the workshop, Alex asks the player if they want to know how long the wait list has got for modifying these cars, before remarking that they really don't want to find out. He then remarks that they are to pick up a Land Rover, although he is puzzled that they want one for an "offroad trip". They set off soon after in the Clio Williams.

Hopping into the Clio Williams, the player is instructed by Alex to drive to a marked destination some distance away. On arrival, they pick up the client's car: a Land Rover Defender, which they are instructed to bring back to the workshop with minimal damage. Having brought the car back to the workshop, Alex's team sets to work immediately.

After work is done, Alex boasts about the car's specifications, featuring a supercharged 6.2L V8 and a modern suspension setup. He then instructs the player to drive to the lighthouse near Bamburgh Castle. On arrival, Alex remarks that on the drive, he felt as though he'd been around the world and would inform the client.

• 3 stars: 1 min 40 s
• 2 stars: 2 min
• 1 star: 3 min

The Peugeot

"A 1984 Peugeot 205 T16 utterly transformed into a down-force-loving 500BHP-having agility machine."

—Synopsis

• Car(s) used: Renault Clio Williams, Peugeot 205 T16

At the workshop, Alex remarks to the player that he didn't know that they would be this busy; in fact, they were so busy they "have a waiting list for the waiting list". He then explains that today's delivery was of a Peugeot hot hatch, and that he'd explain more once they got there. They set off soon after in the Clio Williams.

Hopping into the Clio Williams, the player is instructed by Alex to drive to a marked destination some distance away. On arrival, they pick up the client's car (implied to be Jaimin): a Peugeot 205 Turbo 16, which they are instructed to bring back to the workshop with minimal damage. Having brought the car back to the workshop, Alex's team sets to work immediately.

After work is done, Alex boasts about the car's specifications, featuring 800 horsepower, roll bars and reduced weight; he then goes onto remark that "he could hit the dirt in this thing in the morning and Jay could smoke all corners of tar that night", if they could share said car. He then instructs the player to drive to the Express Railyard "to test the car in its natural habitat".

On arriving at the railyard, he tells the player that this is the best place to test the car out. On flagging the player off, the player has some 2 minutes to accumulate a certain number of skill points, with Alex commenting on their progress at certain milestones. On completion, Alex says he needs to give Jaimin a call to thank him.

• 3 stars: 180,000 points
• 2 stars: 80,000 points
• 1 star: 20,000 points

The Ford

"A 1932 Ford Coupe, with custom fenders, massive rear tires, a chopped roof and a hopped-up engine."

—Synopsis

• Car(s) used: Renault Clio Williams, Ford De Luxe Coupe

At the workshop, Alex remarks to the player that an Upgrade Heroes fan page was set up on some social media platform, where people are sharing cars and performance specifications and talking about Alex and the player. He then explains that their next client wants to modify their Ford, which they love but is "getting a bit sluggish in its old age". They set off soon after in the Clio Williams.

Hopping into the Clio Williams, the player is instructed by Alex to drive to a marked destination some distance away. On arrival, they pick up the client's car: a Ford De Luxe Coupe, which they are instructed to bring back to the workshop with minimal damage. Having brought the car back to the workshop, Alex's team sets to work immediately.

After work is done, Alex boasts about the car's specifications, featuring a 7.0L supercharged V8 as the client wanted "drag race speed and street race handling". He then instructs the player to drive to the outskirts of Edinburgh, with Alex later adding that the car sounded better than it did before. On arrival, Alex remarks that it felt good "helping a car and its owner recapture their youth".

• 3 stars: 2 min 10 s
• 2 stars: 2 min 50 s
• 1 star: 3 min 10 s

The Bentley

"A 2013 Bentley Continental GT worthy of the sophisticated racer, featuring weight reduction, rear-wheel drive and advanced aerodynamic bodywork."

—Synopsis

• Car(s) used: Renault Clio Williams, Bentley Continental GT Speed

At the workshop, Alex remarks to the player that they are getting "some serious high-rollers" in the wait list, and says it isn't wrong to work on "a really nice car every once in a while". He then instructs the player to "bring him back a Bentley", and they set off soon after in the Clio Williams.

Hopping into the Clio Williams, the player is instructed by Alex to drive to a marked destination some distance away. On arrival, they pick up the client's car: a Bentley Continental GT, which they are instructed to bring back to the workshop with minimal damage. Having brought the car back to the workshop, Alex's team sets to work immediately.

After work is done, Alex boasts about the car's specifications, featuring improved aerodynamics, weight reduction and a drivetrain conversion, remarking that it can put down more power while still remaining luxurious. He then instructs the player to drive to Ambleside, with Alex adding that their client has a bet to fulfill in a race there and the player could test it on their way to Ambleside; Alex later has the thought that whomever this client might be racing is another client of their shop, with Alex angrily proclaiming that "Upgrade Heroes does not take sides". On arrival, Alex remarks that he would "stick around and talk to the client about this bet of theirs".

• 3 stars: 2 min 20 s
• 2 stars: 2 min 30 s
• 1 star: 2 min 55 s

The Koenigsegg

"A 2011 Koenigsegg Agera with a Thule roof box and over 1400 BHP. The perfect road-trip hypercar."

—Synopsis

• Car(s) used: Renault Clio Williams, Koenigsegg Agera

At the workshop, Alex excitedly remarks that "this is the big one that would put Upgrade Heroes on the map", even though they already had substantial amounts of street crediblity prior; he then says "he'll explain on the way" and tells the player that their pickup for the day is a Koenigsegg. They set off soon after in the Clio Williams.

Hopping into the Clio Williams, the player is instructed by Alex to drive to a marked destination some distance away. On arrival, they pick up the client's car: a Koenigsegg Agera, which Alex gushes over, and they are instructed to bring back to the workshop with minimal damage. Having brought the car back to the workshop, Alex's team sets to work immediately.

After work is done, Alex boasts about the car's specifications while cackling like a madman, boasting about the car's Thule roof rack. He then instructs the player to drive to the Grange near Broadway without damaging the car, with Alex adding that their client "would be so happy", while quizzically wondering what could fit inside the roof rack, before thanking the player for their help. On arrival, Alex remarks that it might be time for both of them to take a break from Upgrade Heroes for a while, as the wait list was getting too long and that there is too much going on at the Festival. He also suggests to the player that he drop by once in a while to visit the team, as "they are the real Upgrade Heroes, after all".

• 3 stars: 3 min 20 s
• 2 stars: 3 min 35 s
• 1 star: 4 min

Post-completion

Post-completion, Joel contacts the player, saying that thanks to their help, Upgrade Heroes has some "two dozen drivers" on their wait list, and he would let them know if they needed help again. He then continues by saying that he had received many calls from "ecstatic" Upgrade Heroes customers, and remarks by saying that "if this goes on much longer, he's just going to give them their number".

Trivia

• All cars featured in this story (bar the Audi and the "courtesy car") can be found in the "Upgrade Heroes" section of the autoshow.