Quick answer: The Crew Motorfest Season 11 starts on October 7, 2026 and opens a new free island, Kauai, to all players. The Tomb Raider: Secrets of Niʻihau experience is separate premium content: it unlocks the neighboring island of Niʻihau, an eight-event adventure, exploration activities and five featured vehicles. Niʻihau access is included with the Year 4 Pass and is also offered separately.
The most common source of confusion is the map itself. Kauai is the free Season 11 island; Niʻihau is the paid Tomb Raider island. You do not need the Tomb Raider DLC to explore Kauai or use the free Season 11 systems, but you do need premium access for the Secrets of Niʻihau playlist and island content.
Season 11 at a glance
| Feature | Access |
|---|---|
| Season 11 launch | October 7, 2026 |
| Kauai island | Free for The Crew Motorfest players |
| Tomb Raider: Secrets of Niʻihau | Premium DLC |
| Niʻihau island | Part of the premium Tomb Raider experience |
| Tomb Raider main events | 8 |
| Tomb Raider vehicles | 5 featured vehicles |
| Year 4 Pass | Includes the Tomb Raider DLC plus Year 4 vehicle content |
Kauai is the free new island
Ubisoft’s Year 4 showcase describes Kauai as the free centerpiece of Season 11. The island is designed to feel wilder and less urban than Motorfest’s existing locations, with a stronger focus on off-road exploration and natural terrain.
That means every Motorfest player can benefit from the map expansion without purchasing the Tomb Raider DLC. Season 11 is also the opening chapter of Year 4, so Kauai is intended to remain part of the game’s core world rather than disappear after a short event window.
What is Tomb Raider: Secrets of Niʻihau?
Secrets of Niʻihau is a premium crossover built around a separate island adventure. The story has Lara Croft guiding the player remotely while you search for her missing friend Jonah and follow the trail of a relic. Instead of turning Motorfest into a third-person Tomb Raider game, Ubisoft keeps the experience vehicle-focused and uses driving, exploration, environmental clues and puzzle-like objectives to create the crossover.
Niʻihau includes jungle areas, ruins and wildlife encounters, including dinosaurs featured in the expansion’s promotional material. The playlist is structured as a self-contained adventure rather than simply a set of branded races.
All eight Tomb Raider main events
Current official and release coverage lists eight principal events:
- The Forbidden Island
- The Lost Land
- Sacred Fire
- Swamped Puzzle
- Surrounded
- The Temple of Laʻamaomao
- The Goddess’ Wrath
- Time to Run
The Forbidden Island and The Lost Land are also used as a preview of the experience, giving players a clearer idea of the DLC’s tone before committing to the complete playlist.
What else is on Niʻihau?
The premium island is not limited to the eight main events. Ubisoft’s announced activity set includes:
- Wildlife and animal-photo objectives
- 17 treasure chests to locate
- Three dedicated photo quests
- Exploration-focused driving
- Puzzle sequences built around the island environment
One release breakdown also lists 25 animals to photograph, giving completionists an additional reason to move slowly through the island instead of treating the playlist as eight quick races.
The five Tomb Raider vehicles
| Vehicle | Role in the DLC |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-AMG G 63 6×6 (2013) | Heavy off-road exploration |
| Kimberlite HP-18-160 Armina (1968) | Adventure-themed vehicle and playlist reward |
| Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES (2021) | Adventure motorcycle |
| Suzuki QuadRacer R450Z (2008) | ATV for rough terrain |
| Proto A500 Special Edition (2016) | Special off-road vehicle |
The vehicle mix explains why the expansion leans so heavily into off-road travel. Secrets of Niʻihau is designed around terrain and exploration, not only paved circuit racing.
How the new winch mechanic fits Season 11
Season 11 introduces a winch mechanic for selected vehicles. Ubisoft has shown it being used to interact with obstacles and the environment, which supports the more adventurous tone of Kauai and the Tomb Raider playlist. The important limitation is that the winch is not necessarily available on every vehicle, so players should use eligible off-road builds when an activity expects environmental interaction.
Do you need the Year 4 Pass?
No, not for the free Kauai island. The Year 4 Pass is the broader paid Year 4 package and includes the Tomb Raider premium content together with additional vehicle drops across the year. Ubisoft has advertised the Year 4 Pass at $29.99 / €29.99 in current Year 4 materials.
If Tomb Raider is the only premium content you want, compare the standalone DLC option with the Year 4 Pass in your regional store before buying. Store pricing can vary by region and platform, and Ubisoft can run promotional discounts later.
Kauai vs. Niʻihau: what you actually get
| Kauai | Niʻihau | |
|---|---|---|
| Season 11 access | Free | Premium |
| Main purpose | New permanent Motorfest exploration island | Tomb Raider adventure island |
| Core activities | Driving, off-road exploration, seasonal content | Eight-event playlist, puzzles, treasure, wildlife, photo activities |
| Requires Tomb Raider DLC | No | Yes |
What else comes with Season 11?
Kauai and Tomb Raider are the headline additions, but Year 4 also introduces new vehicles and events, including content around the Bugatti Tourbillon. Ubisoft is expanding Motorfest’s exploration systems as well, with wildlife and additional ways to interact with the map.
That makes Season 11 a larger structural update than a typical playlist refresh. Even players who skip the paid Tomb Raider content still receive a substantial new island and the free-season changes.
Should you buy Secrets of Niʻihau?
The premium DLC makes the most sense for three groups: Tomb Raider fans who want the crossover story, Motorfest completionists who want every island and activity, and off-road players interested in the DLC’s five vehicles and exploration-heavy event design.
If your main goal is simply to have more Motorfest roads and terrain, try Kauai first. Because Kauai is free, you can experience Season 11’s broader direction before deciding whether the separate Niʻihau adventure is worth paying for.
If racing releases are your main interest, AVARIXO also has a Star Wars: Galactic Racer launch guide and a separate Gran Turismo 7 Spec IV Part 1 guide.
FAQ
Is Kauai free in The Crew Motorfest?
Yes. Ubisoft says Kauai is the free new island launching with Season 11.
Is Niʻihau free?
No. Niʻihau is part of the premium Tomb Raider: Secrets of Niʻihau experience.
When does Season 11 start?
Season 11 begins October 7, 2026 and starts Year 4 of The Crew Motorfest.
How many events are in the Tomb Raider DLC?
The premium playlist contains eight main events, plus additional treasure, photo and wildlife activities.
Does the Tomb Raider DLC include Lara Croft as a playable on-foot character?
The announced experience remains centered on Motorfest’s vehicle gameplay. Lara guides the adventure remotely; the crossover is not being presented as a conventional on-foot Tomb Raider campaign.
Can I buy the Tomb Raider DLC without the Year 4 Pass?
Ubisoft has described Secrets of Niʻihau as available through the Year 4 Pass and as separate premium content. Check your platform store for the standalone option and regional pricing.
Bottom line
The cleanest way to understand The Crew Motorfest Season 11 is to separate its two islands. Kauai is the free Year 4 expansion for everyone; Niʻihau is the paid Tomb Raider adventure. Start with free Kauai on October 7, then decide whether eight Tomb Raider events, five vehicles and the dedicated exploration island justify the premium purchase for you.
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