Next To Reality

2012 Pagani Huayra (Shift 2: Unleashed)

Since racing games were born, we've always wanted one that was an inch close to reality. Gran Turismo has attempted this for years, and it has done well. But, it seems that there's a new racing game that beats the living reality out of it. Yep, it's Need For Speed. Now, you might've remembered the old Need For Speed: Shift, their attempt of making their own Gran Turismo. They did manage to pull it off, but the handling wasn't as good and the physics weren't that realistic. Well, I am glad to say that that's all about to change. Next month, Need For Speed will be releasing their newest installment: Shift 2: Unleashed, and might I say that this game will probably be the most realistic racing sim ever created. Yes, it has now become a simulation, this game. Slightly Mad Studios has gotten help from the best of the racing field, including FIA Team Need For Speed. The handling has been massively improved, and you'll be able to feel it. It is slightly drifty like in the last one, but it's much grippier, and that's good. Damage has been improved as well. No longer will your car be smashed up into a rectangular box. Now, realistic damage models on each car, removable bumpers, doors, and windows just make damage look so cool. The new helmet cam just makes racing even more realistic with real movements and coordination. The cars look 10x better and the tracks are just beautiful. NFS didn't want to make this game a Gran Turismo killer. They wanted to make a game that puts you in the action in their own terms, and I think they've done it. I can't wait to test this game out next month. Take a look at the video below to see what they've done so far.

Jeremy's 2010 Car of the Year

2010 Pagani Zonda R Nürburgring Edition (Shift 2: Unleashed)

It's still the king of the Nürburgring with a time of 6:47. It's one of the lightest race cars ever weighing less than a Ford Fiesta. It's one of the fastest race cars to go round the Top Gear test track with a time of 1:08.5, two seconds faster than the Ferrari FXX. It's Jeremy Clarkson's 2010 Car of the Year. It's the Zonda R. Shift 2: Unleashed is bringing this car back for more madness around the Green Ring and other tracks in the game. 750 horsepower is packed under the hood of this car fueled by it's 6-liter AMG V12 engine. 0 to 60 is done in just 3.0 seconds on its way to a top speed of about 220 MPH. It was one of the most exclusive Zondas ever created, with a factory price of about $1.2 Million. I'm saying too many facts here, but let's get one thing straight: this was one of the greatest supercars ever created. It is a shame that the Zonda had to go, even though it left us with one last model. It turns out that the Zonda R wasn't actually the last of the breed of the Zonda. There was the Zonda PS, the Zonda Uno, the Zonda HH, the Zonda GJ, the Zonda RAK, the Zonda 750, the Zonda Absolute...

2011 Pagani Zonda Tricolore

...and this: the Zonda Tricolore. In honor of the Italian Air Force, this commemorative supercar is just a Zonda R for the road. Throughout its life, the Zonda has strived to be one of the best. And know that it's at the end of its life, we can all agree that it has. The Huayra has big shoes to fill. The Zonda will be missed.

Exclusivity Runs with the Wind

2012 Pagani Huayra (Shift 2: Unleashed)

Remember how the Porsche 918 Spyder Concept made its video game debut in Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit? It looks like Pagani have embraced the idea and brought their newest creation, the Huayra, along to be part of NFS's newest game Shift 2: Unleashed. Named after the Andean God of the Wind, the Huayra is Pagani's answer to whatever Ferrari has in store next. The all new 6.0-liter AMG Twin-Turbo V12 engine produces about 730 horsepower. It will do 0 to 60 in about 3.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 230 MPH. Also, it has a very interestingly designed interior, luxurious leather, and an engine sound that will either scare you or blow you away. Take a listen in the video below and pre-order Shift 2: Unleashed now, if you think you can take it.

Team Need For Speed

2011 BMW Z4 GT3 Team NFS

If you are a racing fan, it might be a surprise to you to know that one of the most popular racing game series have created a legal FIA GT racing team with real drivers. It might also be surprising to hear that they took first place at the Dubai 24H race. Their wheels was this 483 horsepower BMW Z4 GT3 race car, which is astonishing because the cars that this car outran were a Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 and the brilliantly strong Ferrari F430-GT2. It is quite surprising that a team of four drivers including Tommy Milner, Augusto Farfus, Claudio Hurtgen, and Edward Sandstrom can come from little to winning quite a big race. Well done, Team Need For Speed. Ohh, I forgot to mention that their car will be drivable in the new NFS game Shift 2: Unleashed coming this March.

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