North American automotive customers would be largely unfamiliar with a more compact number than the Audi A3. Based on Volkswagen’s B-segment Polo, the A1 is more than 14 inches shorter in overall length than the Audi brand’s smallest North American offering. Introduced just late in 2010 to attract members of the growing compact premium car crowd, Audi has been swift in presenting the A1 with the best features the German luxury carmaker presents in their larger cars like the A4 or even the new A7 Sportback. An extreme makeover of their small entry-level vehicle, Audi is unveiling the A1 clubsport quattro for an Austrian-based Volkswagen gathering at Wörtherseetour.

Creating the Audi A1 clubsport quattro, the German auto company shoehorned the 2.5 liter TFSI five-cylinder powerplant currently used in the Audi TT RS. Optimized for performance beyond the reaches of current production specifications, Audi has enhanced the turbocharger and intercooler to produce 503 PS (roughly 496 horsepower). Comparing to the 2011 Audi A1 line-up, the 2.5 liter TFSI engine in the clubsport quattro version sees a 314 horsepower advantage over the most powerful power plant. Infusing expertise from the Audi’s DTM series program, the A1 clubsport quattro’s exhaust flows out of well-positioned side pipes. A six-speed manual transmission, carbon-ceramic brakes and quattro all-wheel drive accompanies the Audi A1 clubsport’s awesome powertrain.

The Audi A1 clubsport quattro marries a series of exterior add-ons and modification to the traditional B-segment car. Carbon-reinforced polymer materials are used liberally by German engineers creating a blackened roof and front air outlets. A large roof spoiler complements the A1 clubsport quattro width expanded by 60 millimeters (2.36 inches).

Appointed to the zenith of sport compact and racing aesthetics, the Audi A1 clubsport quattro is given a basic ‘right-to business’ look as a performance car. Trimmed with genuine carbon fiber and fine quality leather, the racing bucket seats found in the clubsport show car are transplanted from the Audi R8 GT. The performance-oriented concept car foregoes electronic amenities but adds racing-styled rocker switches and four-point front seatbelts.

Electronically limited to 155 miles per hour, projected performance of the Audi A1 clubsport is said to feature lightning fast flashes of acceleration. In only 3.7 seconds, the modified Audi A1 can launch from 0 to 62 miles per hour. Using Audi’s estimates, it is very likely to see this subcompact outrun exotic cars such as the Lexus LFA or a Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0. Acceleration from 0 to 124 miles per hour can be accomplished in 10.9 seconds with the 496-horsepower Audi A1 clubsport quattro.

The Audi A1 clubsport quattro is yet another tease to North American auto enthusiasts unable to simply identify with the base subcompact car. Perhaps we can take some solace in the realization that the physical Audi A1 clubsport quattro will be further out of reach of the worldwide small car performance buffs. The German automaker has no plans on taking the vehicle beyond show car presentation (at least in the real world). In the virtual world, the Audi A1 clubsport quattro can be experienced by anyone with a computer and internet connection. A playable vehicle on Need for Speed World (world.needforspeed.com), the situated performance sensation would probably be responsible for the wearing-out of many keyboards and other computer peripherals.

Information and photo source: Audi via Newspress UK

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The Need for Speed team just released a new video showing some behind the scenes footage of what went on in the making of their newest simulation racer – Shift 2 Unleashed. The graphics on this game look unbelievable, and all the small details behind the playing experience are what really makes it unique.

Racing is exhausting. Racing is violent. Racing is fluid. Racing is not muted, static or uninspiring. When you take to the track SHIFT 2 Unleashed for the first time, you’ll feel a rush you’ve never felt before in another racing game.

Top racecar drivers, including Tommy Milner, Edward Sandstrom and drift champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. all spent a great deal of time with the team at Slightly Mad Studios, helping make SHIFT 2 Unleashed the most realistic racing game you’ll ever play.

If you wanted an authentic racing experience, look no further than SHIFT 2 Unleashed. The new ‘helmet cam’ view puts you inside the heads of the best racecar drivers, who are always plotting their next move on the track, and drifters, who need to avoid walls at all costs.

As you’ll see in this video, no detail was too minute, nothing was left to chance and every possible element of real racing was covered during the development of SHIFT 2 Unleashed. Take the most realistic racing game on the planet for a spin on March 29 and you’ll see what we mean. SHIFT 2 Unleashed is real racing.

Preorder NFS: Shift 2 Unleashed at Amazon.com for release on March 29th, 2011 and get a $10 credit for a future Amazon purchase.

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Atari just released the official list of cars that will be available in their upcoming racing game Test Drive Unlimited 2, friends call it “TDU2.” And it’s quite a list, too. Some of the fastest cars in the world are included…8 Aston Martins, 5 Bugattis, 13 Ferraris, 4 Pagani Zondas, 3 Lotuses, a Gumpert Apollo, Koenigsegg CCX, and a crap-load of other awesome supercars are on the roster, and they look really good.

Preorder the game on Amazon for only $50 for Xbox 360 and PS3, or $40 for the PC version, and get it once it’s released on February 8.

Check out a few photos below, then make sure to look at the huge list of cars…

AC 427- This famous 1960′s 2-seat roadster, designed by Shelby Cobra, features a 7 literliter big block Ford V8 developing over 400bhp going from 0-60 in 4.20 seconds.

Alfa Roméo 8C Competizione – This limited edition Italian sports car features 4.7-liter V8 assembled by Ferrari, 480 N•m of torque, a computerized six–speed transaxle gearbox has gear selection with official top speed is announced to be 292 km/h (181 mph). Oh yea, there are only 500 ever made.

Alfa Roméo Brera Italia Independent – Made in association with Italia Independent, this special limited edition Italian sports car features a 3.2 V6 petrol engines, six-speed transmission and Q4 all-wheel drive, electronic Q2 limited slip differential, direct injection and variable valve timing in both inlet and exhaust cams, allowing for a top speed of 250 kilometers per hour (160 mph).

Alfa Roméo MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde – The Quadrifoglio Verde (English: green four-leaf clover) has traditionally been the highest line of Alfa Romeo models. The QV version has the new 1.4 liter 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) Multiair engine and newly engineered suspension, steering and new six-speed C635 gearbox developed by Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT).

Alfa Roméo 8C Spider – Alfa Romeo unveiled the 8C Spider, a roadster version of the Competizione coupé. The Spider concept was built by Carrozzeria Marazzi. Alfa Romeo claims that the 8C Spider’s top speed is 290 kilometres per hour (180 mph), which makes it slightly slower than the coupe version. The brakes on the Spider are Brembo carbon-ceramic units.

Lancia Delta integrale evoluzione – The 1993 edition of the Delta HF integral featured an updated version of the 2-liter 16-valve turbo engine to produce more power, as well as a three-way catalyst and Lambda probe.

Ariel Atom 300 Supercharged – Ariel Atom is a high performance sports car made by the Ariel Motor Company based in Somerset, England. With an unusual chassis is the body, the Atom lacks a roof, windows and other features commonly found on road cars, but features a Supercharged 2.0 Liter 300hp 250 ft/lbs GM Ecotec engine both of which can reach speeds rivaling those of much more expensive automobiles.

Ariel Atom 500 V8 – Race specification components are specified throughout the Atom V8 and reflect the extraordinary levels of performance that the car offers. With over 500bhp available the Atom V8 has a power to weight ratio in excess of 900bhp per ton.

Ascari A10 – Ascari A10 is an automobile produced by the British company Ascari Cars that was conceived by Dutch millionaire Klaas Zwart. It is a road-going evolution of the KZ1-R GT race car currently contesting the Spanish GT Championship, with both cars penned by ex-Formula One designer Paul Brown.

Ascari KZ1 R Limited Edition – Ascari KZ1R Limited Edition was unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed back in 2008. With 520BHP, 0-60mph in 3.0 seconds and max speed of 200mph, Ascari KZ1R is one of the most exciting Ascari productions.

Aston Martin DB9 Coupe – The Aston Martin DB9 is a GT sports coupé launched by Aston Martin in 2004. The DB9 is the first model to be built at Aston Martin’s Gaydon facility in Warwickshire, England.

Aston Martin DBS Coupe – The Aston Martin DBS is a 6.0-liter V12 powered, race-bred, two-seater shaped by the aerodynamic demands of high performance, with an exquisite interior that marries beautifully hand-finished materials with the very latest in performance technology

Aston Martin DB9 Volante – The Aston Martin DB9 is a thoroughbred sports car with GT levels of comfort and refinement. Combining Aston Martin’s unique character with an uncompromising design philosophy, the DB9 was borne out of a synthesis of traditional craftsmanship, high-tech manufacturing, modern components and use of the finest materials.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage – At the heart of every great sports car is a great engine, and the V8 Vantage Coupe and Roadster are powered by Aston Martin’s 313 kW (420 bhp) 4.7-liter V8, developed for both flexibility and outright performance. The V8 also sounds spectacular and is capable of propelling the car to a maximum speed of 290 km/h (180 mph).

Aston Martin V12 Vantage – Based on the hugely successful V8 Vantage, the V12 Vantage features a 6.0-liter V12 engine producing 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS), and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque with a top speed of 190 mph (305 km/h) and 0-62 mph (0-100 kp/h) time of 4.2 seconds.

Aston Martin One-77 – Aston Martin’s One-77 fuses advanced technology with stunning Aston Martin design to create possibly the world’s most desirable automotive art form. Based on a sophisticated carbon fiber chassis with a handcrafted aluminum body, this 7.3 liter V12 super car will deliver exhilarating performance for a strictly limited number of discerning customers.

Audi Q7 V12 TDI quattro – The Audi Q7 V12 TDI will roll on 20-inch rims standard and will be halted thanks to a carbon ceramic brake setup featuring eight-piston calipers up front, four piston units in the rear. Exterior changes include modifications to the front bumper and grille, headlamps, exhaust outlets and stainless steel underbody plates.

Audi R8 Coupé 5.2 FSI quattro – Audi R8 Coupé 5.2 FSI quattro is a 5.2-liter V10-powered R8 with 518 horsepower and 391 lb/ft. of torque, there is no shortage of power in this mid-engine monster. With peak horsepower achieved at 8,000 RPM, the FSI V10 loves to rev.

Audi RS 6 Avant – The Audi RS 6 redefines the term high performance in the business class. With its 426 kW (580 bhp), it is the most powerful model in the current Audi range and with the exception of pure racing cars like the Le Mans-winning Audi R10 TDI, the most potent Audi of all time.

Audi S3 – The Audi S3 is a hot hatch version of the Audi A3 small family car, produced by German automaker Audi since 1999. S3 variants of both the first- and second-generation Audi A3 have been produced.

Audi S5 Coupé – The Audi S5 features Audi’s direct-injection 4.2-liter V8 engine, which is basically a de-tuned version of the one found In the RS4 and R8, and produces 354hp and 325lb-ft of torque instead of the 420 hp /317 lb-ft.

Audi TTS Coupé – The TTS is a capable all-arounder — not just a straight line missile. In full-on sport mode, the dual-clutch ‘box holds each of its six gears to high revs and shifts at the 6800-rpm max with a palatable “braap! braap!” from its quad pipes. Its 258 pound-feet of torque is available between 2500 to 5000 rpm.

Audi TT RS Roadster – Audi TT RS has a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with direct gasoline injection; it produces 250 kW (340 bhp) and 450 Nm (331.90 lb.-ft.) of torque. The blazing five-cylinder engine enables the Audi TT RS to perform extraordinary feats.

Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro – The 5.2 Liter V10 in the Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 delivers a maximum output of 525 HP at 8,000 RPM and has a rather high compression ratio of 12.5:1 in order to get the most out of the high revving naturally aspirated power plant. With a weight of only 3,792 pounds, the R8 Spider is able to sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in under 4.1 seconds; go from 0 to 125 MPH in a little over 12.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 194.49 MPH.

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport – The 16-cylinder, quad-turbocharged engine with 1,001 horsepower and 922 lb-ft of torque is programmed not to let you damage it, so put it to the test!

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 – The Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4 is a rear mid-engined grand touring car. The Super Sport version is the fastest road-legal car in the world, with a top speed of 431.07 km/h (267.85 mph).

Caterham CSR 260 – The CSR has two engine options based on the same Duratec block, though modifications and power output differ. The entry level engine produces 200 bhp (150 kW), with a 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds. The upgraded engine produces 260 bhp (190 kW), with a 0-60 mph time of 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph (249 km/h).

CITROËN 2 CV – The Citroën 2CV, literally meaning “two tax horsepower” is technologically advanced and innovative, but with uncompromisingly utilitarian unconventional looks, and deceptively simple Bauhaus inspired bodywork, that belied the sheer quality of its underlying engineering.

Dodge Charger SRT8 – Expect to see a fairly intense power boost compared to the current Dodge Charger SRT8 which pumps out 425 horsepower from its 4.1-liter HEMI V8 engine.

Dodge Viper SRT10 – The Dodge Viper SRT10 is Dodge’s flagship supercar model. It is a two-door, two-seat vehicle based on the Dodge Viper. The Viper SRT10 originated in 2003 as a roadster boasting an 8.3 liter V10 producing a staggering 500 HP.

Ginetta F400 – The F400 also incorporates a flat floor the full length of the car, joining the front splitter and rear diffuser, which provides exceptional downforce giving excellent handling qualities. With the large fuel tank and lightweight carbon fiber body, touring is made simple and enjoyable.

Ferrari 612 Sessanta – Ferrari 612 Sessanta is a limited version, it was released on 60th anniversary of the company, with only 60 cars ever produced. It includes 19-inch forged aluminum wheels, black chrome exhaust tips and Ferrari’s F1 gearbox, 3-position electrochromic glass roof, steering wheel with start/stop button, Bose entertainment unit.

Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole – The 4-valve per cylinder Quattrovalvole or QV model pushed output back up to 245 hp (179 kW) restoring the performance.

Ferrari California – The Ferrari California is the first Ferrari Gran Turismo with a mid-front 8-cylinder engine: a vehicle that uncompromisingly combines sportiness with versatility, guaranteeing the maximum driving pleasure characteristic of cars from Maranello.

Ferrari Dino 246 GTS – The Dino models used Ferrari racing naming designation of displacement and cylinder count with two digits for the size of the engine in deciliters and the third digit to represent the number of cylinders, i.e., 246 being a 2.4 liter 6 cylinder and 308 being a 3.0 liter 8 cylinder.

Ferrari Enzo – The Enzo Ferrari is a 12 cylinder mid-engine berlinetta named after the company’s founder, built in 2002 using Formula One technology, such as a carbon-fiber body, F1-style electrohydraulic shift transmission, and Carbon fiber-reinforced Silicon Carbide (C/SiC) ceramic composite disc brakes.

Ferrari 430 Scuderia – The Ferrari F430 is a sports car that was produced by the Italian automaker Ferrari from 2004 to 2009, as a successor to the 360. It debuted at the 2004 Paris Motor Show.

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano – The 599 GTB Fiorano (internal code F141) is an Italian gran turismo produced by Ferrari. It is the brand’s two-seat flagship, replacing the 575 M Maranello in 2006 as a 2007 model.

Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M – The Scuderia Spider 16M is a special limited series of just 499 unique cars, dedicated to the most passionate drivers. The car combines a 510 hp provided by its V8 engine and a power-to-weight ratio of 2.6 kg/hp, means that it delivers blistering 0-100 kph acceleration in just 3.7 seconds and a superb top speed of 315 kph.

Ferrari 599 GTO – Ferrari’s fastest-ever road car is a street-legal version of the 599XX. The GTO is capable of impressive times–to the tune of 0 to 62 mph in just 3.35 seconds and a Fiorano lap time of 1 minute, 24 seconds. The GTO clocks a top speed of 208 mph.

Ferrari FXX Evoluzione – The Ferrari FXX Evoluzione is a high performance race car built by automobile manufacturer Ferrari in Maranello, Italy. The FXX is based on the street-legal Enzo.

Ferrari 458 Italia – The Ferrari 458 Italia, launched at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show 2009, is an 8-cylinder two-seater berlinetta with a mid-rear mounted engine, and represents a genuine break with the past in terms of Maranello’s previous high-performance sports cars.

Ford Mustang Fastback – In 1966, the Fastback featured a redesigned grille, new instrument cluster, and new styled wheels – featuring side racing stripes which took the place of chrome rocker panels, giving the vehicle a serious performance racing look.

Ford GT – The Ford GT is a mid-engine two-seater supercar that features many new and unique technologies, including superplastic-formed aluminum body panels, roll-bonded floor panels, a friction stir welded center tunnel, a “ship-in-a-bottle” gas tank, a capless fuel filler system, one-piece door panels, and an aluminum engine cover with a one-piece carbon-fiber inner panel. The car has 690 hp (515 kW; 700 PS) at 7000 rpm and 610 ft·lbf (827 N·m) at 3800 rpm of torque. A Ricardo six-speed manual transmission is fitted featuring a helical limited-slip differential.

Ford Mustang GT – The Mustang GT used an aluminum block 4.6 L SOHC 3-valve Modular V8 with variable camshaft timing (VCT) that produces 300 hp (224 kW). The Mustang GT featured the same automatic transmission as the V6 model, but the 5-speed manual is equipped with a heavier duty Tremec TR-3650 5-speed.

Chevrolet Camaro 2SS – The Chevy Camaro is an excellent performance-car value whether it’s equipped with the base direct-injected V6-powered base Camaro can sprint to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds, thanks to 300 horsepower.

Hummer H3 – The H3 features a two-speed, electronically controlled full-time four-wheel drive system that is suitable for both on-road and off-road driving in all conditions. The H3 has maximum towing capacities of 3,000 pounds (1,400 kg) for the straight-5 with manual transmission, 4,500 pounds (2,000 kg) for the straight-5 with automatic transmission, and 6,000 pounds (2,700 kg) for the V8 with automatic transmission.

Chevrolet Camaro LT – The Chevy Camaro LT is powered by a 304-hp direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 with a six-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic transmission. The LT adds fog lights, 18-inch alloy wheels and power driver’s seat, while the SS features unique front fascia, sport suspension, Brembo brakes, limited slip differential, a rear spoiler and heated leather seats.

Corvette C1 – The Chevrolet Corvette (C1) is the first generation of the sports car by the Chevrolet division of General Motors introduced late in the 1953 model year and produced through 1962. It is commonly referred to as the “solid-axle” generation, as the independent rear suspension didn’t appear until the 1963 Sting Ray

GUMPERT apollo sport – The Gumpert Apollo is a sports car produced by German automaker Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur GmbH in Altenburg. The Apollo is a street-legal race car with a mid-engined, rear wheel drive two-seater constructed on a tubular chromoly frame, with fiberglass or optional carbon fiber body panels.

Jaguar D-type – The Jaguar D-Type, like its predecessor the C-Type, was a factory-built race car. Although it shared the basic straight-6 XK engine design with the C-Type, the majority of the car was radically different.

Jaguar E-TYPE – The Jaguar E-Type is a British automobile manufactured by Jaguar between 1961 and 1975. Its combination of good looks, high performance, and competitive pricing established the marque as an icon of 1960s motoring.

Jaguar XKR – The supercharged variant is known as the XKR. The first-generation XK series shares its platform with the Aston Martin DB7. Both cars are derived from the Jaguar XJS, though the platform has been extensively changed.

Koenigsegg CCXR Edition – The Koenigsegg CCXR Edition is a limited edition of the Koenigsegg CCXR manufactured in 2008, only available by special order in a very limited run of 4 production models.

Range Rover Sport – The Range Rover Sport made its first appearance in late 2004, in concept car guise as the Range Stormer. This low-slung, short wheelbase 3-door coupe sports split-folding gullwing doors, one-piece skeletal seats and 22 inch alloys.

Lotus 2-Eleven – The Lotus 2-Eleven is a car produced by British car manufacturer Lotus. It is based on the Lotus Exige S, and thus has the same supercharged 2ZZ-GE engine. Weighing 670 kg (1,477 lb) and with 252 bhp (188 kW), the 2-Eleven can sprint from 0-60 in 3.8 seconds and has a top speed of 150 mph (241 km/h).

Lotus Esprit S3 – Introduced in April 1981, the Turbo Esprit and S3 Esprits’ body is a glassfiber-reinforced plastic body with galvanized steel backbone chassis, passenger compartment encapsulated in a ‘safety-cell structure’, a five-speed manual unit transmission, rear-wheel drive, dual braking system, split front/rear circuits, and rack-and-pinion steering.

Lotus Evora – The Lotus Evora is based on the first all-new vehicle platform from Lotus Cars since the introduction of the Lotus Elise in 1995 (the Exige, introduced in 2000, and the 2006 Europa S are both derivatives of the Elise). The Evora is the first vehicle of three vehicles to be built on the same platform; the remaining two vehicles will be on sale by 2011.

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S – Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S opens up astonishing dimensions when it comes to open-top driving. Delivering 478 kW/650 hp, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and a maximum speed of 335 km/h, this two-seater cabriolet surpasses the existing benchmark among open-top super sports cars.

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss – The SLR Stirling Moss is a limited edition (75 vehicles) of the McLaren SLR series. The supercharged V8 engine is rated 650 PS (480 kW; 640 hp). The car’s top speed is 350 km/h (220 mph) with acceleration from 0–100 km/h in less than 3.5 seconds. The car is approximately 200 kg (440 lb) lighter than the regular model.

McLaren MP4-12C – McLaren MP4-12C is a sports car set to be launched in 2011. The MP4-12C features a carbon fiber composite chassis, and will be powered by a mid-mounted McLaren M838T 3.8-liter V8 twin-turbo engine developing approximately 592 bhp (441 kW; 600 PS) and around 443 lb·ft (601 N·m) of torque. The car makes use of Formula 1-sourced technologies such as “brake steer”, where the inside rear wheel is braked during fast cornering to reduce understeer.

Mercedes 300 SL GullWing – Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing was introduced in 1954 as a two-seat, closed sports car with distinctive gull-wing doors. It has 4-speed manual rear wheel drive, standard axle ratio 3.64:1., double wishbones, coil springs, stabilizing bar, and a 6-cylinder-inline, front-mounted engine.

Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series – Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series-a super coupe expressly designed for running at the front of the pack.

Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG – The ML 63 upgrades the standard M-Class sports utility vehicles with an AMG-designed bodykit, a lowered sports suspension with active shock absorber control, AMG wheels, and numerous standard features. The AMG-calibrated Airmatic sport suspension features Mercedes’ Adaptive Damping System that allows the driver to adjust the cush-versus-sport factor of the ML 63 at the touch of a button.

Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG – The SLK 55 AMG is a high-performance variant of the successful SLK-Class roadster from Mercedes-Benz. As with all AMG models, the SLK 55 sports wider fenders, a lower stance, quad tailpipes, enlarged air intakes, and, of course, a more powerful engine.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG – The Mercedes SLS AMG is designed to be a modern 300SL Gullwing revival. The car has a long hood, the passenger compartment is close to the rear axle and the rear of the car is short. The SLS AMG will also adapt the feature of wing doors that will swing open upwards on gas struts, not in a mix of upwards and forward like the SLR. In case of a roll-over, the doors can be fully detached to allow the occupants to leave the vehicle.

Nissan 370Z – Powered by a VQ37VHR 3.7 L (230 cu in) DOHC V6 with Variable Valve and Lift Control the Nissan 370Z produces 332 bhp (248 kW; 337 PS). Power delivery to the rear wheels comes through a new 7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters or 6-speed manual transmission features the world’s first synchronized down shift rev-matching system, SynchroRev Match.

Nissan GT-R – The Nissan GT-R is all-wheel drive with a twin-turbo 6 cylinder engine with the new V6 VR38DETT engine.

Pagani Zonda Cinque – The Pagani Zonda Cinque possesses a new clutchless sequential gearchange, resulting in shifts now taking less than 100 milliseconds, dropping 0–62 mph down to 3.4 seconds, the Cinque also has a revised form of carbon fiber which uses titanium to increase strength, suspension will make use of magnesium and titanium components, and the engine’s power has been increased to 678 bhp (506 kW). The Cinque is capable of generating 1.45 G of cornering force.

Pagani Zonda F – The Roadster F is able to maintain chassis rigidity without any gain in curb weight. Pagani used racing car thinking, materials and construction techniques, strengthening the firewall structure of the chassis tub together with billet alloy braces that connect the points where the roof rails would have joined.

Pagani Zonda Roadster F – The Zonda Roadster F debuted at the 2006 Geneva show, features a removable carbon fiber roof and canvas side curtains weighing just 5 kilograms (11 lb). The Zonda Roadster F has 50 horsepower (37 kW).

Pagani Zonda C12S Roadster – The C12 S uses a 7,010 cc (428 cu in) AMG–tuned version of the engine producing 550 PS (400 kW; 540 hp). It can accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.7 secs, to 100 mph (160 km/h) in 7.5 secs and complete the quarter mile in 11.3 secs at 131 mph (211 km/h). The C12 S features an elongated nose, flaps at the rear for improved aerodynamics, and new light clusters and exhausts. Only fifteen 7.0 L C12 S cars were produced.

RUF RGT – Rebadged from Porsche 911 GT3, the RUF RGT combines light weight with a powerful engine to provide impressive performance. Acceleration of the original 3.6L version was 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds, with a top speed of 190 mph (306 km/h).

RUF Rturbo – The RUF Rturbo comes with a KKK Turbocharged Flat-6 engine, Bosch Fuel-Injection, 4WD, and RUF 5-spoke multi-piece aluminum wheeltype. The chassis and the brakes are adjusted as well, fitted with new shocks, springs, stabilizer bars, and RUF-Brembo brake discs and calipers. The RUF integrated roll cage serves as a hidden safety feature.

RUF Rt 12 – The Ruf Rt 12 is a sports car built by Ruf Automobile of Germany and based on the 997-Generation. It contains a twin-turbocharged, 3.6 liter flat-six cylinder engine based on the previous 996 series Turbo engine provides 530 and 560 bhp options. The Rt 12 is amongst some of the fastest production cars in the world, with a 0-60 time of 3.2 seconds and 219 mph (350 km/h) top speed with standard gearing, giving it superior straight-line performance.

RUF RK Spyder – The RUF RK Spyder is an open, hand crafted sports car, which will be produced in a limited number of 49 cars. The car has a top speed of 314 km/h (190 mph), and accelerates from 0-60mph in 3.8 s. With a flat-6 3.8 L supercharged engine (the RK in Ruf Coupe/Spyder stands for Ruf Kompressor), the RK Spyder pumps out 324 kW (440 hp) at 7,000 rpm and 470 N·m (347 ft·lbf) of torque at 5,500 rpm.

SHELBY COBRA “DAYTONA” COUPE – The Shelby Daytona Coupe (also referred to as the Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe) was a coupé based loosely on the AC Cobra roadster chassis and drive-train. It was built for auto racing, specifically to take on Ferrari in the GT class.

Spyker C12 Zagato – The Spyker C12 Zagato is an all aluminum rear wheel drive sports car, based on the Spyker C12 Spyder. The C12 is powered by the 6.0 liter, 12 cylinder, 500 bhp W12 engine from Volkswagen AG and accelerates from 0-62 mph in 3.8 seconds. It has a panoramic roof that features the Double Bubble, a typical Zagato style element.

Spyker D8 Peking-to-Paris – Spyker D8 Peking-to-Paris is a luxurious 4-door high performance crossover SUV from the Dutch car manufacturer Spyker Cars. Spyker aims for a weight of 1,850 kg (4,079 lb) and an acceleration from 0-100 km/h (0-60 mph) in 5.0 seconds.

Spyker C8 Aileron – The road going Spyker C8 Aileron is powered by an Audi 4.2 Liter V8 that produces 400 HP and accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 187 MPH.

Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder – Armed with an Audi-sourced 4.2-liter V8 engine, the C8 Aileron Spyder can make 298kW (405hp) and peak torque of 480Nm at 3400rpm. Its 0 – 60mph sprint time is stated as 4.5 seconds while top speed is 300km/h (187mph).

2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Sedan – Become an expert rally racer in the Subaru WRX STI, designed for the Subaru WRC team, with more power from the Forester’s XT 2.5 liter turbos and a more balanced, gravel-grabbing, 41/59 torque split, thanks to the added mechanical differential and steering angle sensor to the center differential.

TVR Sagaris – The TVR Sagaris is a sports car designed to ignore the European Union guideline that all new cars should be fitted with ABS and at least front airbags because Peter Wheeler believed that such devices promote overconfidence and risk the life of a driver in the event of a rollover.

Volkswagen Beetle – The Beetle featured a rear-located, rear-wheel drive, air-cooled four cylinder, boxer engine in a two-door bodywork featuring a flat front windscreen, accommodating four passengers and providing luggage storage under the front bonnet and behind the rear seat — and offering a Cx or coefficient of drag of 0.41.

Volkswagen Golf GTI – The Golf VI GTi hatch keeps its 2.0-liter turbo unit but it currently generates 210hp (155kW) which is about 10hp (7kW) above the retiring version. The maximum speed is 240km/h limited and acceleration from 0-100km/h is attained at 6.9 seconds. The engine is also flexible as demonstrated by an acceleration of 80-120km/h in 7.5 seconds in the fifth gear and even in the sixth gear it takes it under 10 seconds.

Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI – The Touareg V10 TDI includes 6-speed semi-automatic transmission, 10-cylinder engine, 2-valve, 90° V10 twin turbo-diesel, combined city/highway: 12.3 liters/100km fuel consumption, 5 seater, dual front and side airbags, curtain airbags front and rear, ABS brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution, traction control with ESP, hill descent and hill hold control.

WIESMANN ROADSTER MF3 – The Wiesmann Roadster has been in production since 1993. It is a dynamic and powerful sports car, intended for enthusiasts looking for something a little different. It includes a 3.2 L, BMW M3 in-line 6 cyl Transmission, 6-speed manual, a max speed of 158 mph, 0-60 mph 4.9 seconds, 325 bhp horsepower @ 7400 rpm and weight 1180 kg, 2601 lbs.

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Subway (the sandwich shop) is giving away a bunch of copies of the game before it’s released to the general public, and you don’t even have to sell your soul to win one. Starting next Tuesday (8/31,) @SubwayFreshBuzz on Twitter will tweet “Fire Drill” link somewhere between 11AM & 3PM Eastern time. Keep on eye on that Twitter feed, click the link, and enter your email address. If you’re one of the first 75 people, you’ll win a free copy. That’s a pretty decent chance, if you happen to not have anything going on that afternoon and can tear yourself away from the Playstation for a few hours.

If you miss the first chance, keep an eye on that Twitter feed again on the next Tuesday (9/7,) and another Fire Drill link will be posted. The first 50 people will win bundles of GT5, ModNation Racers, and Little Big Planet 2.

If you happen to have a job or school and aren’t free at those times, head over to a Subway shop and order a 32 oz drink, a bag of Monterey Jack & Sundried Tomato SunChips, or a breakfast item, and you’ll get a code to enter at frenzy.subwayfreshbuzz. com where you can win a Collectors Edition of GT5, along with a crapload of other prizes. You can also find the codes to enter by following Subway, PlayStation, and SunChips on Facebook and Twitter.

The contest runs until October 17, head over to frenzy.subwayfreshbuzz. com for all the info. Looks like Twitter might be worth something after all.

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If I can toot my own horn for a minute, I’m pretty damn good at racing games. If I’m not playing one for work (don’t laugh, it is work,) I’m playing one for fun, and I can beat most people in a multiplayer match. But Blur kicked my ass. Getting deeper into the game’s Career mode, even at Normal difficulty, things get tough.

But let’s start from the beginning. Blur is a new action racing game from the folks over at Bizarre Creations – the same guys that brought you the excellent Project Gotham Racing series. It has over 50 real, licensed cars, real-world locations, and damn good graphics. The power-ups are what really make it fun – you get your choice of eight – ranging from nitro boosts to heat-seeking balls of energy, to shields (so you can take a breather.) The most fun is had when all the drivers are in the same vicinity – things get chaotic very quickly.

Check out this hilarious trailer for the game:

So the Bizarre guys might get offended at me comparing Blur to Mario Kart, but it’s a good way to get an idea of how the game works. It’s just way more intense and fast-paced.

Start off in single player mode and you begin a Career – moving from one track to the next, completing challenges, and winning new cars. The entire reward system is based on “Fans” – basically a point system. Fans don’t really mean anything other than the number – you get them by placing in the top 3, using powerups, and getting bonuses. Anyone familiar with PGR can relate them to Kudos. Get more fans, unlock more events, unlock more cars, advance through the stages. Each series requires you to complete a certain level of requirements before facing the final one-on-one race, and this is where it gets tough about half way into career mode. For example – one challenge is that I complete a Fan Run (racing through a series of gates within the track.) To get that, I have to also place within the top 3 in the same race. Doesn’t sound hard, but the AI in this game is fast.

Different game modes add to the excitement of both single and multiplayer modes. Combat racing, time trials, destruction mode, hardcore, and more. I tend to stick with the regular combat racing; it’s the most exciting. The menus are easy to navigate, and the “Previously on Blur” feature is cool. Another interesting feature is social netwroking, allowing you to share your progress on Facebook and Twitter. Not sure how useful that is, but it’s there if that’s your thing.

Once you get used to it and move through career mode, you’ll be spending most of your time playing multiplayer. Once of the nicer things about Blur is that it allows for local splitscreen – something way too many racing games nowadays are missing. Up to four people can play at the same time on the same console. It’s not perfect – the details on the screen during splitscreen are sometimes lost, which can be devastating to your car’s well-being, and you’ll find yourself squinting to see what sort of power-up that is up ahead. But being able to play local multiplayer is worth the sacrifice. Online play is where it’s at if you’re on the couch solo. Multiple game modes and extra abilities add to the chaos, add you progress through online play (unlocking more cars and abilities) just like single player career mode. Different “rooms” pit you up against other racers that are around the same skill level as you, so at least you don’t get destroyed too badly.

So what sucks about Blur? Well, it’s putting me in my place, first of all – I think I’m going to have to knock it down to Easy mode shortly, and I really don’t want to do that. Otherwise, one thing that really bothers me is that you can’t see the track until AFTER you choose your car. You see the track name, but you don’t see the layout right away. Unless you’ve memorized the tracks, it would be helpful to see that first, that way you can choose the right car. Car classification is also weird – a Renault Megane in the same class as a Koenigsegg? A Hummer H2 keeping up with a Camaro SS? I realize it’s not a simulation racer, so make sure you pick your car based on the in-game stats rather than what would actually win. The game can also get very frustrating – sometimes it seems like the whole pack is picking on you – one direct hit after another. More than a few times I’ve been in first place for a while then I get barraged. Suddenly I’m trailing in last place and can’t even come close to catching up. Finally, the “Hardcore” multiplayer game mode is misleading – it’s just racing without powerups. Turns out it’s incredibly boring in this game.

What’s especially good about Blur? The graphics are top-notch – the Bizarre guys are really good at doing realistic effects. Gameplay is fast-paced and often chaotic. It’s a great game to pick up when a few friends are over thanks to the splitscreen mode, and there isn’t much of a learning curve beyond getting used to the weapon system. I love that they have real, licensed cars playable and not some cars the developers designed based on real cars. Especially as a car lover, it helps to bring an extra sense of realism to the game. The tracks are also very good, each serving its own purpose and giving a different level of difficulty. Each track needs a different type of car – you can’t run the same car on each one expecting it to perform the same. There are also plenty of modes and challenges and achieves to earn – completing everything will take some time, so there is a good amount of replay value despite the gameplay itself being relatively unchanged.

Overall, Blur is a helluva lot of fun – a fast-paced arcade-style racer with an excellent multiplayer mode. Hardcore racing game fanatics might not be all that impressed though, as there isn’t much depth involved with the gameplay. Regardless, it’s a fun game to pick up and play at any time, and a blast when someone else is there to play with you. If you’re itching for a new racing game, definitely check out Blur for Xbox 360, PS3, or PC. Head over to Amazon.com to pick up for $50 (consoles) or $30 (PC.)

Check out all the screenshots below:

disclaimer: I was sent a copy of this game by Activision for purposes of review on Xbox 360.

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Anxiously awaited for almost 2 years, the plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Volt is viewed the most technologically-extreme vehicle an American automaker have crafted. A four-door compact sedan, the Volt displays an unique powertrain allowing an electric motor to drive the car for the first 40 miles before a gasoline engine takes over. Producing the equivalent of 230 miles per gallon city through EPA tests, only major problem with the Chevrolet Volt is how the revolutionary plug-in hybrid is taking its sweet time in becoming available to the public.

As pre-production examples of the sedan has been rolling across North America, the individuals behind the wheel were limited largely to press members and company dignitaries. With production of the Chevrolet Volt planned for the end of 2010, the general automotive driving public is left electrified by the fuel-saving capabilities since the concept was shown in 2007. Making for what is possibly one of the longest publicity teases for a new American car, some Volt seekers are becoming antsy about the continuing wait. With one unofficial website (gm-volt.com) recording 50,000 people expressing interest in the Chevrolet Volt, automotive crowds could be in danger of losing charge for the new car.

Realizing that many media outlets were advertising the Chevrolet Volt as the car that would save General Motors, the auto company heavily leveraged the Chevrolet Volt heavily in their attempt to restructure starting in 2008. It’s advanced powertrain and concern for fuel efficiency made General Motors look meaningful to the future of motoring. In fact, after the public relations nightmare the Detroit 3 automakers created when they each took private jets in soliciting the U.S. federal government for financial aid, GM then-president Rick Wagoner used the Volt to spin the company’s overall publicity driving it into Washington D.C. for the following meeting.

Still promoting the Volt through testing across the United States, including intense driving through an Arizona proving grounds, one thing that appears apparent is that General Motors vehicle preparation for late this year is quite extensive. Considering the stakes and GM’s past track record in pioneering technology (cylinder deactivation in the 1980s and night-vision in the 2000s being among the examples), we will have to forgive the seemingly long wait. With production tooling at the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant installed, project engineers are currently hardening the Volt’s assembly and reliability. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt’s dependence on electronics has led special attention be paid to software and technology aspects of the plug-in hybrid sedan.

If the wait for some this vehicle is beginning to weigh too heavily for anxious drivers, there might be a way to indulge in a virtual test drive of a Chevrolet Volt this fall. The Xbox 360 and General Motors has just announced partnering a driving simulation with the new controller-free Kinect device. Within the Kinect Joy Ride, the Kinect device will interpret body motion to grant the feeling of driving the super-efficient vehicle. Even though the Kinect device will not be available until shortly before the release of the real Chevy Volt, the virtual version of the hot electric/gasoline car might still provide the first real opportunity for us to drive the Volt.

Information and Image source: General Motors

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There are three major obsessions for the males of my generation: women, cars, and video games. Combining these elements often produces disastrous results. Put me near a sexy woman that’s into cars and I’ll melt into a puddle of poorly concealed erections and shattered speech patterns. Release a new Gran Turismo game and I’ll shirk all responsibilities for days to slowly fill a digital garage with cars I’ll never be able to afford and spend countless hours beating the digital hell out of them on circuits I’ll never visit. It happened five-and-a-half years ago with GT4 and it’s going to happen again on November 2, 2010.

Rejoice my comrades; Sony announced an official release date for Gran Turismo 5 today at annual video game expo E3. GT5 will be released in the United States on November 2, 2010. If you don’t have a PS3 yet, start saving now. The game features all the Gran Turismo standard features we know and love as well as vehicle damage (finally!), three Nürburgring circuits, and a playable 3D mode. Righteous.

Source: IGN

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That’s one of the great things about the new generation of video games; you can continue to add on content even after you’ve finished the game to keep it fresh. But here’s the thing: while we appreciate all the new content, it gets expensive fast. And with the new cars – NFS Shift should have included more cars in the first place, so charging $10 a pop for DLC seems a bit…arrogant. The NFS Ferrari pack, I get it, but I can’t be spending $10 every time a few new cars or tracks are released.

Regardless, the new Exotic Racing Series pack looks pretty damn cool, with 7 new cars (the McLaren MP4-12C, Gumpert Apollo, Alfa Romeo 8C, Mercedes SLR Stirling Moss, Maserati GranTurismo S, Acura NSX, and BMW M1,) a new track (Riviera,) and 50 new events created just for these cars.

Of course I’ll buy it, because I can’t resist the call of the new cars (especially the Gumpert and McLaren,) and the new track sounds great too.

Pick up the new Exotic Racing Series pack for $10 (or 800 MS points) on March 18th and let use know what you think. Check out the teaser pics along with a video below:

more details at the NFS:Shift blog

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As much as I love the Need for Speed racing game series, my biggest complaint was that they were missing Ferrari in their lineup. Not sure why, probably something to do with licensing costs though. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2, one of my favorite NFS games and made eight years ago, was the last game in the series to have Ferraris, until now.

Need for Speed: Shift just announced that they will be adding ten Ferraris to the lineup in the Xbox 360 version of the game in an upcoming downloadable pack. The upgrade will be available on February 18 for 800 MS points, or $10. Check out the pictures below for some of the cars included.

Ferrari FXX

Ferrari F430 GTC

Ferrari F50 GT

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

Ferrari F430 Spider

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This time, the NFS team treads into new territory with an all-new simulation racer – Need for Speed: Shift.

The new game features 72 cars, each mapped in pain-staking detail inside and out by the NFS team. This provides the most realistic experience possible, and it works great. There are 15 real-world locations to race including Willow Springs and Laguna Seca Raceway, which add to the realism of feeling like you’re in the race. NFS: Shift’s signature is in the incredible in-car cockpit view. While most racing games have this option available, the view obstructs sight too much to make it a good view to race from. Shift’s cockpit view is much better, allowing a good view of the track and peripheral vision, and more added realism.

After receiving my copy of the game, I completed my usual ritual staying up until 5 AM playing it until I couldn’t see straight anymore. The driver profile feature is unique in that the first time you play the game, it puts you through a test lap to gauge your driving skill and style to tailor settings and career mode to best suit you. This proves very beneficial starting the game, turning on and off traction and stability control, steering and braking assist, and racing line features. I wish it would continue to adjust these throughout the game, as I found myself turning off some of these features later on in the game, but it’s not a big deal.

The signature cockpit view is one of the coolest features in a racing game I’ve seen. Adding to the realism, the interior of the car is just as detailed and thorough as the exterior, showing each interior detail identical to the actual production car. Some of the most impressive features in this view are the 3D HUD that moves with the driver’s head, inertia, and G-forces, and the altered depth of field based on speed. When you get going at faster speeds, you get a sort of tunnel vision as your peripheral vision blurs, similar to real driving. A dynamic crash feature disorients the screen when you hit a wall or another car. Depending on the impact speed, this could be a slight blur up to a near-blackout. These seemingly small details are what makes the game so exciting.

One of the problems I’ve always had with simulation-style racing games is the lack of the sense of speed that arcade-style racers have down pat. NFS: Shift jumps that hurdle through the use of details and techniques missing from many other sim racers. The sense of speed you get while going fast is incredible, and as cheesy as it sounds, I’ve actually noticed my heart rate rising as I go faster in the game. It helps that Shift isn’t 100% simulation – it still has an arcade feel to keep it fast paced and fun while staying as realistic as possible.

Starting out, you get the choice of only a few cars – I chose the BMW 135i. As you progress, you win money, unlock more cars, invitationals, and moving up a class gets you a higher tier, and so forth. Eventually, you’ll get into the final tier that allows you to buy cars like the Pagani Zonda R (and F,) Lamborghini Reventon, Bugatti Veyron, and Koenigsegg CCX. These cars are incredibly difficult to drive well, so don’t feel bad if you get an invitational with one of them and don’t win your first few tries. Each car comes with a huge selection of modification options, ranging from suspension, nitrous, weight reduction, interior modifications, and body kits, along with a wide range of paint, vinyl, and wheel selections. Some parts (like aero and suspension mods) allow further customization, letting you adjust downforce, steering input, and other advanced settings.

Some complaints I would like to see fixed with future updates:

• Minor bugs like the infamous bouncing glitch and the flag girl at the beginning of almost every race which ends up standing in the car. I can’t believe this wasn’t worked out during testing.
• A wider selection of cars. No Ferraris are included at all, and many potentially great cars are missing. I’d love to see cars like the Nissan 300ZX TT, Lamborghini Diablo and Countach, Acura NSX, Alfa Romeo 8C, Audi R8 V10 (the V8 is included,) Audi S5, and many others. NFS: Shift’s main competitor, Forza Motorsport 3, has over 400 cars, whereas Shift has 72. Free future updates should definitely include more cars. UPDATE: The NFS team is releasing a new downloadable pack soon with four muscle cars and a Toyota Supra MKIV.
• No local multiplayer. Have a couple friends over? Too bad, you can only play multiplayer online.
• Every time you turn on the game it makes you select a language. It should save the language setting for each profile automatically.

Another thing I noticed while playing is that it would be much easier to control with something like the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel instead of the regular controller. Steering and throttle inputs need to be more precise than the standard controller can handle, so it really takes some getting used to before you can steer correctly.

Other than those few gripes, which will hopefully be corrected in the next update, Need for Speed: Shift has quickly become one of my favorite racing games. Running through and beating the game as quickly as possible shouldn’t take very long, but if you’re like me and need to get everything – all the awards, achievements, and beat every level – the game will last much longer, and you’ll have a lot of fun doing it.

Check out the teaser video:

Need for Speed: Shift is currently available for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PSP, and PC and is available for a discounted price at Amazon.com.

Photo Gallery:

Many more photos…

Disclosure: Writer was provided a copy of the game by EA for purposes of review

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Today only, Amazon.com is offering Need for Speed: Shift for only $40 for either PS3 or Xbox 360.

If you’ve seen our Need for Shift Shift Preview, you’ll see how good this game is. I’m playing it right now so look for a review very soon.

Get Need for Speed: Shift for only $40 for Xbox 360 or PS3.

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To celebrate the milestone of 100 million copies of Need for Speed sold over the last 16 years, the team is giving anyone a 25% coupon code for any Need for Speed title, including the new and excellent NFS: Shift and NFS Nitro.

Head over to the official Need for Speed fan page on Facebook, click “Become a Fan,” then leave a comment in the comments box. You’ll be able to use the code at the EA Store, which takes the 25% off and snags you a cheap copy of the game.

Check out some of the available Need for Speed games below:

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To launch the all-new 2010 GTI, VW teamed up with Firemint, the creators of the excellent iPhone racing game Real Racing to produce a free game based off of Real Racing, but with the 2010 GTI the only drivable car. The game is available worldwide in the iTunes App Store.

Play the game regularly and you could win a customized GTI MkVI. VW will be giving away six of these cars, one per week, to players of the game. The customized version of the 2010 GTI includes a performance tuned suspension, all-new 18-inch wheels, and special interior touches including carbon fiber-look trim, a numbered dash plaque, and unique stitching in the front headrests.

The 2010 VW GTI sports a 2.0T 200hp four-cylinder engine with a six-speed auto or manual gearbox and a completely redesigned exterior with plenty of interior changes. I personally like the looks of the 2009 GTI better, but the other improvements for 2010 make up for it.

This is a great way to get the word out about this car, since iPhone owners and racing game lovers are the perfect market for the $23,000 compact hatchback. Tim Ellis, Vice President of Marketing, Volkswagen of America, Inc, said “The GTI customer is a tech-savvy consumer who enjoys social networking, playing games and spending time on mobile devices – most often an iPhone. Launching the all-new 2010 GTI via the Real Racing GTI App allows us to connect with this savvy GTI consumer within his or her everyday life in a way that no 30-second spot ever could.” I couldn’t agree more.

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With the iPhone’s accelerometer controls at their disposal, developers have been making all sorts of racing games for the platform. The ability to simply tilt your iPhone right and left to steer is an incredibly useful feature, and game makers are crowding the category in the iTunes App Store with countless racing games, from bikes to slot cars, boats to supercars.

As you may know, I’m a racing game fanatic. I prefer the road-racing, realistic games with an arcade feel that use real street cars (none of that NASCAR BS.) Project Gotham Racing 4 is my current favorite, and I’m very much looking forward to Need for Speed: Shift. But when I’m away from my Xbox 360, of course I need an iPhone racing game to keep me entertained. I’ve played quite a few iPhone racing games, and while most of them are at least somewhat good, Real Racing by Firemint promises to overtake them all, and provide the most console-like racing game for the iPhone to date. That’s a big statement to make…did they pull it off?

Upon starting up, Real Racing gives you options very similar to that of console-based games. You can run a Quick Race, start Career Mode, Time Trials, edit your player’s profile, and race multi-player over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Once you start a race, you’ll be amazed at how detailed the graphics are for a game on the iPhone. There is no jittering or freezing when other cars are on the screen, and you can switch views from outside the car to a cockpit view. Sound is also very good with realistic engine and tire sounds, and the game includes 10 songs by indy artists, or you can listen to music from your iPhone.

Many of the other racing games I play on the iPhone suffer from poor controls using the accelerometer. Either they’re too sensitive or too numb, and it makes controlling the car frustrating. Real Racing somehow got past that limitation and provides excellent control of the car. If you still don’t like using the accelerometer, you can choose to use on-screen controls instead. By default, acceleration and braking is automatic, but you can switch them off and use on-screen throttle and brakes as well, if you want.

The gameplay itself is great, with a full-featured Career Mode with 57 events letting you unlock 48 different cars and 12 tracks, and a multi-player option to race your friends over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Some of the coolest things about the game are the features you won’t find on other games, such as the ability to upload your video replays to Youtube, local multiplayer, and online leaderboards.

Overall, Real Racing is without question the best iPhone racing game I’ve ever played. Firemint is releasing regular free updates to the game as well, providing more cars and more features. With their recent price drop to only $6.99, it’s a must-buy for any fan of racing games.

Buy Real Racing at iTunes (opens iTunes.)

Official Real Racing website

Also check out the trailer video below:

Disclosure: Writer was provided a copy of the game for purposes of review

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The folks at EA just sent us some more info on Need for Speed Shift, including a few pictures of the Nissan GT-R SpecV and a new high-res video of Laguna Seca, one of the featured tracks in the new game.

First of all, the long-awaited Nissan GT-R SpecV, as you know, is the mega version of the already insane GT-R supercar. Nissan will be removing the rear seats, lightening up the whole car with carbon fiber, giving it a special paint job, and changing the wheels out for lightweight Nismo racers. Any power increase will be minimal, which makes me wonder where the $100K price difference comes in. Regardless, the Spec-V will be a beast, and it will be fun to drive it in the game.

Mazda’s popular Laguna Seca is one of the featured race tracks on Need for Speed Shift, and will be familiar to fans of racing games. Most familiar I’m sure is the course’s famous downhill corkscrew, which has thrown more than a few cars into the guardrail. The video goes over the track briefly and covers a few tips and tricks to driving the course.

View the video and more pictures of the Nissan GT-R Spec-V below:

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