Test Drive Unlimited is back, and this time, things get a lot more exotic. Last time, we were in Hawaii trying to make a name for ourselves in some of the fastest cars in the world. Now, were in Ibiza for the Solar Crown Racing Tournament were the best racers compete for big prizes and lots and lots of money. Wow, I sounded like Tess Wintory back there. Anyway, TDU is back bringing some of its exclusive cars and winding roads with it, and i must say, it has gotten a lot better.
2011 Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro Coupe
Besides the lack of some manufacturers such as Wiesmann, Lamborghini, and BMW, the car list is actually legit, with up to 100 cars in game, and some DLCs coming soon. Eden Games really did a fantastic job with the cars. All the details are just right, even in the interior. The leather looks absolutely real, it's breathtaking. As for engine sounds, they worked on that as well. Most of the cars in this game sound like the real ones, especially this R8 V10 Coupe. If you just listen to the sound at 7000 RPMs, it'll be so good that you'll be having a crisis.
Ferrari 308 Challenge
As for the environment, it is astounding that they can use satellite images and pure design to make both islands, Oahu and Ibiza, so beautiful. The roads look realistic. The trees are sensational. The homes that you can own look absolutely real. This game just pushes all the right buttons. Whenever you're driving, there is a moment that you'll just stop and take everything in and see just how beautiful exotic islands are. They really did a good job visualizing this.
2010 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG
Gameplay has been improved as well. Now, there's a day and night cycle which seems pretty good and only lasts about 48 minutes for each shift. What's also impressive is the dynamic weather that happens when you least expect it. It could be in the middle of the night when you think that all has gone well. Or, it could be in the morning when you just get up. Now, if you remember the last game, you'd know that the convertibles and roadster weren't able to put their hoods up at all. This game allows you to do that in real time, no matter what convertible you're driving.
2011 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport
I was testing this game for some time and thought all would go well, but then I discovered the elephant in the corner: handling. It's still sloppy like the last game. They might've said that they've improved, but honestly, they didn't. There are some corners where you get understeer for no apparent reason. Sometimes, when you turn too much you'll find yourself spinning in the other direction. Whenever you're in the air, be careful where you land, because you might end up in a ditch, or worse in the sea. The only way to perfect driving in this game is to adopt their driving physics, which will be hard for Gran Turismo fans.
2011 Ariel Atom 500 V8
Honestly, this game would've been the perfect Multiplayer Racing game if the handling was improved and if their weren't any bugs with it. They still need to fix those things. And, if they do create a sequel to this one, hopefully it will be brilliant. But for now, TDU 2 will get 4 out of 5 stars from me. So, in conclusion, if you're looking for a realistic racer, stick with Gran Turismo 5. However, if you want something better and more beautiful than boring and dull Need For Speed World, this is your game.
New from Dodge, it's the all new Charger SRT8. Finally, Dodge's longest living muscle car returns with a better body and more power. The last SRT8 had 421 horsepower. This one has 465 horsepower out of its new 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engine. It's also been fitted with new Brembo brakes, bigger rims, and more speed; it will now do 175 MPH! So, this new Charger handles better, looks much nicer, is more powerful, and is much faster. A good step forward from the maker who invented the term "Grab Life by the Horns".
Ferrari's back for the 2011 Formula One Season, and this time they're pulling out all the stops in order to bring home a trophy. This is their new team wheels, the Ferrari F150. Now, it might not look any different from the previous F1, the Ferrari F10, but Ferrari say that they've improved the aerodynamics and stabilization of this car in order to produce keen results. They've also improved on their 2.4-liter V8 engine. It now has over 800 horsepower, new architecture, and their new KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) system. This will improve stability, efficiency, and, most importantly, speed. Ferrari still has no intention of switching to a turbo-4 engine, which is what the FIA want to do for 2013. Anyway, hopefully this new flagship race car will help Ferrari get in more wins, or else they'll be in a hole that'll be pretty impossible to come out of. See the unveiling below.
VW is pressing all the right buttons out in Qatar. They've also released this special Gold Edition of the all-new Touareg at the Qatar Motor Show. As you can see, it's been decked out with 24K Gold pretty much everywhere: the 22-inch Rims, the trim, even in the interior, there are gold-plated trim linings and a gold-plated shift knob. That's epic!
Gold Interior
This is the most elegant that I've seen the Touareg so far. And because it's been turned to gold, expect it to have a very, very big price tag. Even with a big price tag, you still should average about 31 MPG on the big V8 Turbodiesel engine and not produce as much CO2 as a regular V8. So, if you live in Qatar, and decide to buy this SUV, you won't only be in the most expensive VW ever created, you'll be in the most expensive Green VW ever. Share On Facebook
And this is it. Setting a record time of 1:15.1, thrashing the 1:16.8 set by the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, the Ariel Atom 500 is now the new king of the Top Gear Test Track. It features an Ariel-built 3.0-liter Supercharged 500 horsepower V8 engine. 0 to 60 MPH is done in 2.5 seconds. Flat out, it will do over 200 MPH. Now, you might imagine that since this car originally had no mirrors or windshields, it would tear your face off, like it did Jeremy's. But, Ariel had kindly put one in so that your face will stay in tact at 200 MPH. What's also very interesting is that Clarkson did not test this car. In fact, this superbike-fast car was tested by the slowest man on earth, and we all know who that is. Also, you may have heard that the last STIG was sacked for writing his own book. Well, it turns out that Top Gear has retrieved a new STIG. We don't know who he is, but who is isn't is Tiff Needell. Anyway, watch the new King of the Top Gear Test Track race its way round with James May & New STIG behind the wheel.
Do you know what it feels like to win the lottery or a casino jackpot? Well, lucky for you, Atari will help experience this feeling, virtually. Test Drive Unlimited 2 will be one of the first racing games out there with an online casino mode. There, you can play roulette, slots, blackjack, you name it. There are also two exclusive cars you can win on the island, and this is one of them: the 2010 Audi R8 V10 Spyder. Although it is heavier than its coupe doppleganger, which you can also drive in the game, it's much more fun to drive. Why? You'll be able to hear the angry Lamborghini V10 engine much more clearly. To win this car, you'll have to get lucky at the slot machines. It took me over 1000 tries to get this car. When I got it, I was extremely happy. Anyway, the DLC also comes with Spyker's own C8 Aileron Spyder which looks like this...
2010 Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder
It uses Audi's 4.2-liter FSI V8 engine producing 400 horsepower. 0 to 60 is done in 4.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of 187 MPH. To get this car, you'll have to be the best at a competitive round of poker. Whatever car you win, you will be able to drive them on Casino Island as well as Ibiza and Oahu. This exclusive DLC will be available after the February 8th release on the PC, PS3 & Xbox 360. However, you can have it the day of the release if you pre-order the game here from GameStop. But, as long as I was in the ßeta, I got a chance to drive one of the exclusive casino vehicles. Take a look at the video below to see how I got on.
Here it is, everyone! The sick C-Class loses its two rear doors and is now more sporty than ever. Introducing the C-Class coupe. It shares the same face, rear lights, and front interior of the regular sedan, but everything past the front seats have changed. There is now one less seat in the back. The body is more curved for aerodynamic purposes. Other than that, this is still a C-Class. The base engine is now a turbo-4 with 201 horsepower. All the engines and features will be carried over from the sedan, except for one model that will have Mercedes' new 5.5-liter Twin-Turbocharged 563 horsepower V8 engine: the C63 AMG Coupe Black Series. Europe already has a C-Class coupe, but they named it the CLC and it's much smaller and looks more like a VW Golf. This one is coming to America and looks more aggressive. Be on the lookout for this car at Geneva this March. Share On Facebook
That animal is a horse: a prancing horse yet at least. The all-new Ferrari 458 Challenge racer was seen strutting its stuff on the Fiorano race track recently, and as you will see, it is very fast. It's still powered by the same 562 horsepower 4.5-liter Ferrari V8 engine, but it's much lighter with racing tires, roll cage, and racing suspension. In the end, you have the fastest car ever go round the Fiorano track thrashing the record holder, a V12 Ferrari 599 GTO. Check out the video below and see just how fast this horse is.
It seems like the Formula One League want to make some changes to the cars in 2013. Instead of having massive V8 engines power the racing cars, they suggest having turbocharged 4-cylinder engines power the cars in order to save weight, petrol, and some green. Although it seemed like a good idea to the heads of the board, one member thought it was absolute rubbish, and you can guess from the picture where he's from. Ferrari CEO and the former president of the Formula One Team Association (FOTA), Luca di Montezemolo, was outraged by the idea of having turbo four engines power the F1 cars. You have to understand that the only engines Ferrari will make are V8 engines, V12 engines, and Twin-Turbocharged V8 engines for the future Enzo replacement. They have never created a four-cylinder engine for any of their cars, and they never plan to. You'd think Mr. Montezemolo was the only against this, but it seems Mercedes-Benz has joined the Fray as well. Mercedes-Benz motorsports chief Robert Haug notes that the change in engines would be uneconomical. The reason is that if they do change to four-cylinder engines, it will cost more money and more headache designing it and tuning it while they could just stick to the ones they have now. This has been common in F1. First in the late 60's to 80's, Formula One cars were powered by V12 engines. Then in the 90's, V10 engines were used. In the new millenium, V8's were introduced. There's been a constant dying down of cylinders since the beginning of F1, and this is not good. According to Jeremy Clarkson, when it comes to cylinders, "More is better". Let's see if Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz can have other racing teams go up against this. What do you think? Should F1 stick with V8's or is it time for a change? Post your comments on here or on Facebook. Share On Facebook
What happens when put 12 young Mercedes-Benz trainees in a room with a small B-Class Diesel? If I were you, I would've taken 20 steps back to the moment of fleeing the room because they just went crazy! What these trainees have done was exchange the 2.0-liter diesel engine for a 5.5-liter 383 horsepower V8 engine. The also managed to modify the body, lower the suspension, and add bigger, fatter tires for grip. Their end product: a compact German hot rod. They call it the B55 and it's the craziest Merc I've ever seen in my life. Imagine driving to work in Germany blowing the doors off a 4-cylinder Mini Cooper with your V8 B-Class. Unfortunately, this was just a mere prototype and Mercedes-Benz has no intentions of selling it. They did a good job with it though. Here's a video of it doing what it does best: a burnout.
James Bond definitely had some inspiration when it comes to this boat. On the face of it, it looks like a sleek and stylish speed boat. That's because you haven't seen what it's hiding. When this boat does come out, you will be able to integrate with your iPad with it. With one simple press...
Hidden Yacht
Voilà! It's a Yacht. So, as you can see, it's a very stealthy boat. Hidden inside this machine are 5 state suites, each comes with its own 52-inch flat panel HDTV with iPad controls. There's also a jacuzzi on the deck for relaxing and feeling good. Now, you're seeing all of this and wondering, "What does this boat, although pretty awesome, have to do with cars?" I'll tell you.
Hidden Supercar
Voilà, again! Once you buy the boat, it comes with its own 620 horsepower V8 powered supercar. Stand Craft say that this car will do 189 MPH on a straight. Let's see if they're true. No word on when this boat will become a reality, but I sure wish it could.
Remember how I said Gemballa builds the best custom Porsches? This is proof. Take a look at this awesome custom Cayenne that they've just unveiled. The original one looked a little daft. This one actually looks superb. Not only that. It's crazy! It's still a work in progress, but Gemballa has told me that this SUV will produce as much as 670 horsepower from it's customized Twin-Turbocharged V8 engine. We don't know how fast it goes though, but with that much horsepower, expect it to go very fast. Save up, because Gemballa's only making 30 of these to celebrate the company's 30th Anniversary.
GMC is known for making the world's toughest trucks, SUVs, and Crossovers. They are known at being "Professional Grade" at whatever they do. When I saw this pic, I knew for sure that they were widening the gap in American Toughness. This is the 2012 GMC Sierra All Terrain HD Concept. From the face of it, you really can't tell that it's a Sierra. But, from the rear,
Rear View
you may spot the common Sierra tail lamps. This truck looks absolutely rugged. Look at those tires! I bet this truck could handle just about anything. In fact, the Sierra's twin brother, the Chevy Silverado HD just won the Motor Trend Truck of the year for it's levels of toughness. But anyway, under the hood of this tough beast is a 6.6-liter Duramax Diesel V8 engine producing 397 horsepower with a catastrophic 756 lb.-ft. of torque! This truck could bump start a Boeing 747! This engine is connected to a 6-speed automatic transmission sending power to all 4 rugged wheels. The wheels themselves are 20-inches. The tires are heavy-duty 35-inch BFGoodrich KM2 Mud Terrain Tires. This truck could even compete with the popular SVT Raptor thanks to it's Fox Racing off-road shocks. This truck remains a concept model, but may lead to a redesigned GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado. Look for this truck to make it's debut next month in Detroit at the North American Auto Show.
No, the Pontiac G6 isn't making it's comeback. Pontiac is dead, and there's no way GM is bringing it back. But, the BMW 6 Series isn't dead. In fact, they just re-did it, and that's the picture you see above you. This is the all new 2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible. If you thought the old one looked nice, check out this one. From the front, it looks almost like the gorgeous 7 series that's been coupe-ified.
Rear View
The rear has also gone through a makeover as well. Most of the stylings of this car was based off the old BMW CS Concept Coupe. When it came out, a lot of people loved it, and now BMW have added some features onto their premier luxury Coupe.
Interior View
The interior has changed as well. The car now uses the all new BMW steering wheel, the iDrive System has been updated, and the car is longer so people in the back now have more room. There's more stuff in this car, but I can't tell you what it is because I'd be doing something illegal. But, what I can tell you is that this car now uses BMW's 4.4-liter Twin-Turbocharged 400 horsepower V8 engine. That engine will be connected by either the traditional 6-speed manual shifter, or BMW's new 8-speed Automatic Transmission. Get ready to save some money because the all new 6 comes out next year and will make it's official debut in Detroit at the North American Auto Show. The first batch of 6's will be convertibles. The exhilarating coupe will follow afterwards.
