Need For Speed World: Personality Against Brute Force

2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition (Need For Speed World)

So, the guys of NFS World were at Gamescom in Germany last week, which made it perfect for them to release three new German cars for the game. First up, there's the Porsche Cayman S Treasure Hunt which makes hunting for gems much easier for those struggling to get some money. Next is the heavy Audi RS4, of which I think is still not as good as an M3. And last, but certainly not least, Mercedes-Benz enters NFS World with the brutal SLR McLaren 722 Edition. I'll say it as of now: it isn't the fastest thing in World. But, if you're looking for a Tier 3 tank besides the Viper that can barrage throw cops with ease, this is definitely the car. I made three videos showcasing all three cars with some extras of course. All 3 feature a dude from World-Garage who has some awesome skill when it comes to driving. Check them out!

Stuttgart Rights

2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S (991) [Need For Speed: The Run]

It's really hard for me to say this quietly, so I'll come right out with it. Ready? Porsche will NOT be in Forza 4. Why? Well, let's say we have two people to blame. First, blame Porsche themselves. They are all about kids and young adults driving their cars in realistic or fictional racing games, but honestly, they don't really care. Next, blame the only company to have the rights to show Porsche virtually: EA. Porsche has been in Need For Speed since the beginning. And since then, the company has had exclusive rights to all of their cars, including the new 991 Carrera S, of which you see here in Need For Speed: The Run. Now, it is true that Porsche was in Forza 3 with the 911 GT3 RS, 911 Turbo, Cayenne Turbo, Panamera Turbo, and so on. But, EA prefer saving the best of things for themselves. Need For Speed Shift was actually the first official racing game to feature the top exotic manufacturers (Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Pagani, Aston Martin, Maserati, and Porsche) [if you had an Xbox 360 at least]. Forza 3 was the next game to feature these same manufacturers. So, if you're sad that EA have the rights to Porsche, look at it this way. Ferrari hates Need For Speed as a whole and will only have their cars featured in their games if they improve their racing physics and put in realistic damage. Gran Turismo and Forza offer all of this, which is why they trust them. EA doesn't, which is why they don't trust them. So, in the end, you should be grateful.

Italian Compromise

2012 Pagani Huayra (U.S. Spec)

Huayra fans rejoice! Horacio has decided to respect the regulations set by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and spend $5.7 Million on an advanced airbag system. What does this mean? Well, the Huayra won't be here 'til 2013. But, at least it will be making sales here, in the glorious United States of America. It seems that there are changing winds these season.

On the Bright Side...

2008 Mazda MX-5 (NFS World)

...Need For Speed will be introducing the Mazda MX-5 into the game. The car is free with the purchase of 8,000 or 17,500 speedboost. I'm not that crazy about the car, even though it looks good. Hopefully this car #1 of 2. Black Box Studios have been wowing the crowd with extra special cars from Audi, BMW, Porsche, Lamborghini, and Lotus. Hopefully we'll see another amazing machine come in tonight. That way, you guys get to see me drive both in NFS World.

Update: Rumors have been running round Facebook that Porsche's race car for the road, the 911 GT3 RS will be Car #2 of 2 in the update. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

Confirmed: Maintenance Window has been released with the Porsche 911 GT3 RS's name written in Bold!

The Wind has been Delayed

2012 Pagani Huayra (NA Spec)

It turns out that the rumors of the Huayra's airbags were true. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) is currently blocking the Huayra from making it to the market due to its lack of the advanced airbags required on all new cars sold in America, which is quite a problem for potential owners, and Horacio Pagani himself. The company did request that the car be sold in the U.S. despite the fact that they did not have any financial resources to develop the required airbag system, but the administration denied this request. Why do NHTSA need this? To protect our kids from having serious accidents. But, honestly, what kid would ride shotgun with their dad in a car like this? I don't think their dad would even let the kid come near such a car. I see all this as a load of shenanigans. Unless their dad is a rich crack head and needs mental help, no kid should ride in this car unless their ready. Why? Paganis are crazy cars that pay immense attention to detail when it comes to design, power, and, most importantly, the road. A kid won't be able to understand these things until they're my age, which is about adulthood. I think the NHTSA should stop being whiney babies, open their eyes, and see that this car should be ridden and driven by experienced drivers/riders. Anyway, back to the matter at hand. Pagani has two choices now: 1. Go back to the drawing board and spend another $5.7 Million to develop a U.S. spec advanced airbag system which could take more time and more money out of your wallet. Or 2. Skip out on this market again like the Zonda. I'd go with option #1 because we need Pagani to come our shores. Why? Just to get up in Ferrari's and Lamborghini's faces.

A New Wind has Come

2012 Pagani Huayra (U.S. Spec)

Some say that due to an airbag fault, it wouldn't arrive here til 2015, and that the equipment inside it was deemed unsafe by U.S. Regulations. All we know is, it's here, it's been approved by the U.S., and they're accepting pre-orders. Pagani's newest supercar, the C9 Huayra, has officially arrived in the U.S. The car made it's official North American debut here in Pasadena, California, at the Pasadena Art Center College of Design. Why bring Pagani over here? Well, the CEO, founder & owner of the automaker, Horacio Pagani, said that it wasn't for the lack of customers over in Europe. Trust me; there have been many wealthy Americans who've always wanted to add a Pagani to their collection, but unlike most supercars, Pagani isn't in a rush to expand its market. Also, unlike most supercars, the Pagani considers the Huayra a very sophisticated car. So, customers won't only get their supercar. They'll also receive super attention, service, and pampering, all of which the staff is ready to provide. Of course, this means customers won't receive their cars for a while, even after models start selling at the end of 2012. Horacio says that customers must be attended to before orders from new markets can be handled. As of now though, the car is in huge demand in North America, and outside of the continent, so let's see if this works for Pagani. As for the car, each customer will be overjoyed when they receive their copy of this fantastic looking car. Under the hood is a 6.0-liter Twin-Turbocharged 730 horsepower AMG V12 engine. Pagani say it will do 0 to 60 in 3.0 seconds flat on its way to a top speed of 230 MPH. Sounds quick, but is it better than it's closest rival from Lamborghini: the Aventador LP700-4? We'll just have to find out.

Need For Speed World: Exige Extravaganza

2011 Lotus Exige Cup 260 (Need For Speed World)

This week's been kinda busy, only because I had to finish test driving this awesome Tier 2 monster from Lotus: the Exige Cup 260. What is it? Well, let's put it this way: it's the fastest Tier 2 car in the game. It sounds sort of extreme but it is. Yes, I know it's stats and handling rival that of the popular Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro, but that car has all-wheel drive and is slightly heavier. This car is real-wheel drive and is all the bit lighter. As a result, in the corners, the Audi will deal with some understeer, while the Exige won't deal with it as much. The car's available now for 3000 speedboost, but if you're one of the 30 people who won the "Spot the Dev" contest, you should already have your Exiges by now. Trust me when I say this: you're gonna love it. I know I did. Check out the 3-part test drive I took with this amazing car and see if it suits you!

She's Here!

2011 Lotus Exige Cup 260 (Need For Speed World)

Didn't I tell you it was coming? The new Lotus Exige Cup 260 is the latest release in the world of Need For Speed. It has a 1.8-liter VVTL-i Inline-4 engine out of a Toyota Corolla which doesn't seem all that brilliant. But, Lotus had a chance to fit the small racer with a supercharger bumping the power up from 104 or whatever to 252 horsepower. It will do 0 to 60 in 4 seconds flat and hit a top speed of 152 MPH. Why release a race-ready Elise into NFS World? To teach those goody-goody cheaters in regular Elises a lesson. This thing with it's stock performance has the Elise running for cover. And, more importantly, if you put Level 3 Pro parts into this awesome ride, you'll be rivaling Eddie's Nissan Skyline, the Audi R8, even a tuned Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro. The car is available for everyone now for 4000 speedboost while the 20 winners who Spotted the Devs last Friday will get their reward this Friday. I've already bought the car and I'm making the video as we type. It'll be on tomorrow, if not Friday!

Welcome to the Family!

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 5-door Dynamic

So, today I stopped by Ray Catena Land Rover where they were throwing a big welcoming party for the newest member of the Range Rover family: the Evoque. When I first heard of it, I thought, "Well this car can't be an addition to the Range Rover line. It's small and there's no 5.0-liter V8 under the bonnet." After receiving a tour of the car from one of the people who helped design the Rover Evoque who came all the way from Northern England, I've finally realized why it doesn't need a V8. It has enough power as it is. All Evoques, Coupe or 5-door, are powered by a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbo-4 engine producing 240 horsepower, about as much as the Acura RDX. Don't think for minute that this is a terribly slow car. It will do 0 to 60 in 7.1 seconds. That's 0.1 second faster than the standard HSE Range Rover/Range Rover Sport. It's also more fuel efficient than the big Rovers with an EPA estimated 28 MPG. It's also the cheapest of the big Rovers with prices starting at a reasonable $43,000. With that, you get Satellite Navigation, Bluetooth, iPod/USB docking, comfortable leather seats, a 380 to 825 watt Meridian 11 speaker sound system with subwoofer (get ready DJs!), and a full panoramic roof. The Evoque comes in 3 flavors: Pure if you want something basic, Prestige if you're looking for a little more umph in your physical presence, and Dynamic if you're just seeking to wow the crowd. I'd go with Dynamic since it's the best looking. Another brilliant option that's been on the big Rovers for some time: surround camera system. I got my first glimpse of it while sitting in the Dynamic Evoque Coupe. Basically, there are 5 cameras all around the car: 2 on the front bumper, one on each side mirror, and the traditional reversing camera. So, in the main menu of your center console, you can pull these cameras up to see the world around you. It's like directing a film without the overly expensive equipment. Simply fantastic! So, there we are; the newest addition to the Range Rover family looks and is equipped brilliantly. The remaining question: does it drive like a Range Rover? I'll find that out later. Stay tuned!

Tonight on Top Gear...

2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

The STIG tames a raging bull...

Jeremy in the Nissan Leaf

...Jeremy gets pushed by some college students...

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...and, Who's that man in that Racing Suit? All next on Top Gear. Check out the episode below.

Top Gear Season 17 Episode 6

Get a Head Start

Camaro ZL1 vs. Aventador LP700-4 (Need For Speed: The Run)

It looks like the car list for Need For Speed: The Run is actually quite good for Black Box Studios game. None of the old originals like the Camaro Concept or the Mustang GT are there. Most of these cars are completely new cars or cars that we just haven't seen before, like the BMW M3 E30 Sport Evolution, Ford Mustang Boss 302, BMW M3 E92 GTS, and dozens more. Well, three additional cars have just been introduced into the game, and they're all from 2012. First up, there's the newest Bull in the Italian Penn: The Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4. This is actually its official gaming debut. With it's new 6.5-liter hand-built V12 engine churning out 691 horsepower, it will 0 to 60 in 2.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 217 MPH. It's actually faster around the Top Gear test track than the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport. Next up, another gaming debut from chevrolet: the Camaro ZL1. With it's 6.2-liter LSA Supercharged V8 producing 550 horsepower, it will do 0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds and hit a possible top speed of 200 MPH. And last, but not least, an NFS exclusive: the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S. This is the new 991 set for it's official debut this fall at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It seems that EA's already got their first look at it without the coverings. The car will supposedly have up to 400 horsepower on a new 3.5-liter Flat-6 engine. Among the three exclusive cars, there are 5 extra challenges in the career mode. Three of them were made especially for NFS Most Wanted fans. You'll be behind the wheel of the BMW M3 GTS Most Wanted Edition and Razor Callahan's Mustang Boss 302 as you speed down the highway evading the police as much as you can. I'm really excited for this game. It might be a hit! Check out the exciting trailer below.

Update: Just in case you were wondering the difference between the regular box and the limited edition box, here's the regular:

Regular Box

and here's the limited edition box:

Limited Edition Box

As you can see not only is there a somewhat different angle to the helicopter shooting down on Jack, but this time, he's driving a $387,000 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 instead of an 800 horsepower GT500 Super Snake.

The Civic Loses it's Charm

2012 Honda Civic EX Sedan

I wouldn't have one of these in a million years, and apparently, neither would Consumer Reports. For the last couple of years, the Civic has always been a must buy for readers of the Consumer Reports, but this year, it seems that the editor wants their readers to buy a Kia Forte, a Ford Focus, a Chevy Cruze, a Fiat 500, a Nissan GT-R; pretty much any car other than this. How bad has this car become? Well, the last one which looked decent received a score of 78. This new one with it's weird curves and crooked lines took its score down 17 notches to a disappointing 61, casting it out of the Consumer Reports recommended cars list along with the Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, and Mazda 3. Unfortunately, they're not gonna get any luck with me. It's by far the ugliest Civic I've ever seen. Honestly, they should've left the design alone. It looked better before this horrid redo. So, if you've bought a new Civic, shame on you! You could've done much better with an older one. Or better yet, if you want a good looking, fuel efficient, cheap compact car, I'd get either a Ford Focus, Ford Fiesta, or a Fiat 500. Those 3 are the best looking small cars in this day and age. Honda's really going down a steep hill with their failures. First it was the CR-V, now, it's this. If only the S2000 came back.