http://shift.needforspeed.com/it/news/ Blog about NFS Shift http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1718211 <p><img alt="" id="_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_mainImagePreview" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=60d687d0-3039-4826-9bbd-be70dbe51224&groupId=10136&t=1268953755060" /></p><p> </p><p>Now that the <a target="_blank" href="http://shift.needforspeed.com/us/game-info/ExoticRacingSeries-20100318040641552"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Exotic Racing Series</span></a> is available on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, we thought we'd go through the cars from the pack. </p><p> </p><p>Hit any of the links below to check out the car of the day post for any of the cars from the new downloadable content pack.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a target="_blank" href="http://needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1318342?authorId=91892"><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">McLaren MP4-12C</span></strong></a><strong><br /></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a target="_blank" href="http://needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1325169?authorId=91892"><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione</span></strong></a><strong><br /></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a target="_blank" href="http://needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1333775?authorId=91892"><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">GUMPERT apollo</span></strong></a><strong><br /></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a target="_blank" href="http://needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1345127?authorId=91892"><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Maserati GranTurismo S</span></strong></a><strong><br /></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a target="_blank" href="http://needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1375078?_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_redirect=%2Fweb%2Fnfs-na%2Fblogs%2Fneed-for-speed-news%3Fp_p_id%3DBlogs_WAR_globportlets%26p_p_lifecycle%3D0%26p_p_state%3Dnormal%26p_p_mode%3Dview%26p_p_col_id%3Dcolumn-2%26p_p_col_count%3D1%26_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_struts_action%3D%252Fnfsblogs%252Fview%26_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_delta%3D10%26_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_keywords%3D%26_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_advancedSearch%3Dfalse%26_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_andOperator%3Dtrue%26cur%3D2&p_r_p_564233524_authorId=91892"><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">McLaren SLR Stirling Moss</span></strong></a><strong><br /></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a target="_blank" href="http://needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1389618?authorId=91892"><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">BMW M1 Procar</span></strong></a><strong><br /></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a target="_blank" href="http://needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1582379?authorId=91892"><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Acura NSX</span></strong></a></p> Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:01:00 GMT http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1718211 2010-03-18T23:01:00Z http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1714386 <p><img alt="" id="_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_mainImagePreview" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=0b0f54ee-c352-44e8-8576-2602b04da473&groupId=10136&t=1268945834085" /></p> <p> </p> <p>The <a target="_blank" href="http://shift.needforspeed.com/us/game-info/ExoticRacingSeries-20100318040641552"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Exotic Racing Series</span></a> for Need for Speed <a target="_blank" href="http://shift.needforspeed.com"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">SHIFT</span></a> is now available on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles!</p> <p> </p> <object height="477" width="605"><param value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VKXvuID2yT4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" name="movie" /><param value="true" name="allowFullScreen" /><param value="always" name="allowscriptaccess" /><embed height="477" width="605" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VKXvuID2yT4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></embed></object> <p> </p> <p>In the new DLC you'll be getting 7 new cars, including the <a target="_blank" href="http://needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1318342?authorId=91892"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">McLaren MP4-12C</span></a>, a new racing location, Riviera, and more than 50 new events that will net you 125 gamer points or five trophies if you complete them all. </p><p> </p><p>The Exotic Racing Series is available for $10 or 800 Microsoft Points. </p> <p> </p> Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:34:00 GMT http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1714386 2010-03-18T21:34:00Z http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1582379 <p><img height="340" width="605" alt="" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=c7447d83-11bc-48bb-8440-625532fd68c6&groupId=10136&t=1268840982660" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><div>Here we go, folks, the last car in the <a target="_blank" href="http://needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1318270?_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_redirect=%2Fweb%2Fnfs-na%2Fblogs%2Fneed-for-speed-news%3Fp_p_id%3DBlogs_WAR_globportlets%26p_p_lifecycle%3D0%26p_p_state%3Dnormal%26p_p_mode%3Dview%26p_p_col_id%3Dcolumn-2%26p_p_col_count%3D1%26_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_struts_action%3D%252Fnfsblogs%252Fview%26_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_delta%3D10%26_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_keywords%3D%26_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_advancedSearch%3Dfalse%26_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_andOperator%3Dtrue%26cur%3D2&p_r_p_564233524_authorId=91892"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Exotic Racing Series</span></a> for Need for Speed <a target="_blank" href="http://shift.needforspeed.com"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">SHIFT</span></a>.</div><div> </div><div>Originally conceived in 1984 as a development project between Honda and Pininfarina to build a mid-engine 2-liter V6 sports car, the Acura NSX didn’t hit showroom floors until 1990 and by then, everything had changed.</div> <div> </div><div>The final production NSX featured a 3-liter V6 with 270 horsepower, which provides solid sports car performance, with Honda’s strong VTEC technology shining through. NSX was the first Honda car in North America to receive the VTEC treatment. </div> <div> </div><div>Another Honda first for NSX was the addition of electronic throttle control, which made its debut on the platform in 1995.</div> <div> </div><div>With a 0-60 acceleration of only five seconds, NSX definitely has the guts to justify its price and supercar looks. NSX has a top speed of 165 mph and runs a 13.4-second ¼ mile, and coupled with its sub-3000-pound curb weight, this car is a serious performance machine.</div> <div> </div><div>Honda engineers researched NSX’s cockpit extensively, modeling it after the 360-degree accessibility of the F-16 fighter jet.</div> <div> </div><div>NSX was the first production vehicle in history to feature an all-aluminum chassis, suspension and body, and also featured an extruded aluminum frame. </div> <div> </div><div>Its aluminum construction saved NSX nearly 500 pounds of total weight, allowing engineers to focus more on the car’s handling and power.</div> <div> </div><div>With Honda achieving considerable success in racing, NSX was used by the company as a vehicle to show off some of the racing tools that could be applied to a ‘daily driver.’</div> <div> </div><div>Among those tools are a four-channel anti-lock braking system, titanium connecting rods in the engine to help with high-RPM acceleration, and a stiffened chassis, as per the recommendation of the late Ayrton Senna, who helped test the car as it made its way from concept to reality.</div> <div> </div><div>NSX represents a fusing of race technology with everyday performance better than any Honda car to date. Take one for a spin with Need for Speed SHIFT’s Exotic Racing Series, available tomorrow. </div><div> </div> <p> </p><p><img height="340" width="605" alt="" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=192ba256-6818-4526-b270-31a7ff673841&groupId=10136&t=1268840982645" /></p><p> </p><p><img height="340" width="605" alt="" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=a49c7447-fb76-4e5e-b523-bbb5c57b4319&groupId=10136&t=1268840982631" /></p> Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:49:00 GMT http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1582379 2010-03-17T15:49:00Z http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1479085 <p><img src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=b2842d3b-bb55-4f09-93eb-5cceab31a672&groupId=10136&t=1268425169847" id="_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_thumbnailPreview" alt="" /></p> <p> </p> <p>Well, we had a two-week Hot Lap because we, as in both the NFS marketing and community teams, were down in San Francisco. Due to this we…<br /> <br /> <strong>BLOG POST HI-JACK!</strong><br /> <br /> There is no point in treating this week as a “normal” week because this week’s Hot Lap is ANYTHING but normal!! Haha! Based on last Week 19’s winner we have the Zonda R on Silverstone GP, but in the middle of the video rendering my computer CRASHED! I literally cannot boot it up again, so in eleventh-hour creativity (or idiocy – you decide), I pulled together this little stunt! This WILL count as this week’s Hot Lap and it’s up to you guys to set the best time :) Everything will continue as normal* even though the video is not the normal video we post up =P<br />  </p> <p><em>* = We will ALSO be accepting videos of you explaining a bad computer experience if you feel so inclined to share! PLEASE DO and help me feel better =P</em></p> <p> </p> <p><br /> Again, the car and track:<br /> Car: <a href="http://shift.needforspeed.com/us/cars/PAGANIZONDAR-20091002085131590" target="_blank">Zonda R</a><br /> Track: <a href="http://shift.needforspeed.com/us/tracks/SILVERSTONECIRCUIT-20091007092839954" target="_blank">Silverstone GP</a><br /> <br /> The competition will run until Monday, March, 23rd at 9am PST :)<br /> <br /> The usual:<br /> Make sure to use the same car and track, keep it to one lap per video, make sure the FULL LAP is recorded, and however you choose to record it, make sure your final time is clearly readable. Post it to your YouTube account and submit it as a response to our Week 20 video (embedded below). And, there’s no limit to the number of video responses you can post, so if you see your best time beaten by someone else, get back in and record a better one. And to make your video easier to track, please remember to tag it with NFS and put a link to needforspeed.com in the video’s description.<br /> <br /> As always, if you have any questions, please drop me a line at <a href="javascript:location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(109,105,99,104,97,101,108,64,110,101,101,100,102,111,114,115,112,101,101,100,46,99,111,109)+'?subject=NFS%20Hot%20Lap%20-%20Week%2021'">michael@needforspeed.com</a> and I can help you out.<br /> <br /> Here’s my video!</p> <object height="477" width="605"><param value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xyIL0aTFjUQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" name="movie" /><param value="true" name="allowFullScreen" /><param value="always" name="allowscriptaccess" /><embed height="477" width="605" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xyIL0aTFjUQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></embed></object> Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:25:00 GMT http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1479085 2010-03-16T23:25:00Z http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1389618 <p><img height="340" width="605" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=5154b243-7b80-40e1-a9df-83ec3bd8ff5f&groupId=10136&t=1268754236738" alt="" /></p><p> </p><p><div>Taking inspiration from the <a href="http://www.supercars.net/cars/195.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">1972 BMW Turbo concept car</span></a>, M1 – the very first car in BMW’s now-famous ‘M’ line – was first made available to the public in 1978.</div> <div> </div><div>The car was a joint-venture between Lamborghini and BMW with the common goal of building a production racecar in enough volume for homologation.</div> <div> </div><div>Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, founder of Italdesign who also devised the Lotus Esprit S1, DeLorean DMC-12 and Subaru SVX among many others, M1’s design was futuristic for the times.</div> <div> </div><div>Lamborghini was struggling financially as M1 was in development, so BMW moved assembly to Baur, the German convertible builders in Stuttgart, which assembled each M1 by hand. </div> <div> </div><div>Once M1 finished production in 1981, 456 examples of the vehicle were built, with 56 of those race-only models.</div> <div> </div><div>Under its hood sits a 3.5-liter inline-six with fuel injection that has 277 horsepower from the factory, running 0-60 in just 5.5 seconds, no doubt aided by its smooth 5-speed ZF manual. Its engine was used in later 5, 6 and 7-series BMWs and has a top speed of 163 mph.</div> <div> </div><div>Weighing in at less than 3,000 pounds, M1’s performance was greatly helped by its trim figure, owing to its fiberglass construction.</div> <div> </div><div>In motorsports, M1 was successful, winning the FIA Group B championship in 1984 and even having its own circuit, Procar, which ran heavily-modified M1s in 1979 and 1980. This is the model featured in <a href="http://shift.needforspeed.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">SHIFT</span></a>.</div> <div> </div><div>Easily recognizable from the rear due to its mid-engine set-up – the only BMW ever built to have a mid-engine configuration - and black plastic louvers over the boot, as well as its unusual 16-inch Campagnolo alloy wheels.</div> <div> </div><div>At the time of its release to the public, M1 was one of the most expensive cars on the planet, priced at $53,000. Today, you won’t be able to find any M1 for that price, as recent auctions have placed their value in the six-figure range.  </div> <div> </div><div>But the good news is you can get one for much less with the Need for Speed SHIFT's <a href="http://needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1318270" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Exotic Racing Series</span></a>, available this Thursday.</div> </p><p> </p><p><img height="340" width="605" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=676a1c5d-f8c9-41be-884a-fade01a5228d&groupId=10136&t=1268754236755" alt="" /></p><p> </p><p><img height="340" width="605" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=216551f7-36b8-40cd-b0e5-74c22fb65358&groupId=10136&t=1268754236790" alt="" /></p> Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:43:00 GMT http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1389618 2010-03-16T15:43:00Z http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1377225 <p>Well, it took a couple of weeks, but we’ve finally gotten a winner for <a href="http://needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1253508" target="_blank">Week 20</a>!<br /> <br /> My apologies for the long week – the entire team was down in San Francisco for all of last week. But that didn’t mean that we didn’t have yet another close week of competition! The last two weeks’ winners were actually tied at one point, and then it was <a href="http://www.youtube.com/EAO2slow" target="_blank">EAO2slow</a> that won this week by a SLIM margin. How slim? Well, 0.13 seconds, that’s how slim! Congratulations on a great win :)<br /> <br /> Our random draw winner is a very familiar face. One that we haven’t seen in a while, but we’re certainly glad to see him back! And that’s <a href="http://www.youtube.com/joewillburnsa" target="_blank">joewillburnsa</a>! Joe has been a busy guy, but it’s great to see him come back and join in the fun again :) Welcome back and congratulations, Joe!<br /> <br /> Okay, on to this week’s challenge:<br /> <br /> Car: <a href="http://shift.needforspeed.com/us/cars/PAGANIZONDAR-20091002085131590" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Pagani </span>Zonda R</a><br /> Track: <a href="http://shift.needforspeed.com/us/tracks/SILVERSTONECIRCUIT-20091007092839954" target="_blank">Silverstone GP</a><br /> <br /> A fast car on a familiar track – should be a fun time! See you guys tomorrow!</p> <p> </p> <p>Here's the winners' videos!</p> <p>EAO2slow:</p> <p> </p> <object height="477" width="605"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GwuqA9-c8MA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed height="477" width="605" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GwuqA9-c8MA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object> <p> </p> <p>joewillburnsa:</p> <p> </p> <object height="477" width="605"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7mc4HfwlIkc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed height="477" width="605" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7mc4HfwlIkc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object> Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:03:00 GMT http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1377225 2010-03-15T22:03:00Z http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1345127 <p><img src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=acee932a-43d5-41b8-9b8d-0e9bbb1d049c&groupId=10136&t=1268375552561" id="_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_mainImagePreview" alt="" /></p><p> </p><p><div>A coupe on the same platform as the Quattroporte sedan, the Maserati GranTurismo S is the Italian automaker’s most recent range-topping grand tourer.</div> <div> </div><div>Unveiled at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show, GranTurismo S also shares a platform with Ferrari’s newest halo car, the 599 GTB Fioriano, and when you examine their lines closely, you can see how one car takes after the other.</div> <div> </div><div>GranTurismo S is also closely tied to another car featured in the Exotic downloadable content Pack for Need for Speed SHIFT, the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, which uses a modified Maserati platform and powertrain.</div> <div> </div><div>Designed by former Pininfarina car guru Jason Castriota, GranTurismo S maintains the modern styling that has dominated the past several Maserati models while still giving a nod to the automaker’s past.  </div> <div> </div><div>Sporting Maserati’s classic ‘trident’ badge, GranTurismo S, which was first offered in 2008, marks a significant upgrade on the basic GranTurismo platform.</div> <div> </div><div>Under its long, shapely hood is a 4.7-liter V8 - a larger mill than the 4.2-liter powerplant featured in the standard GranTurismo – which pumps out an impressive 434 horsepower, 35 more than the ‘base’ variant.</div> <div> </div><div>When equipped with a manual transmission, GranTurismo S tears up the tarmac, running 0-60 in less than five seconds with a top speed of 183 mph, more than enough to get your blood rushing.</div> <div> </div><div>Speaking of the transmission, GranTurismo S features a six-speed ‘robotic’ manual transmission which shifts smoother than a warm knife through soft butter, with a lightning-quick response time. </div> <div> </div><div>Its suspension system is aided by fixed-setting steel dampers, with the Skyhook adaptive suspension a factory option for drivers who want a bit more strength.</div> <div> </div><div>You owe it to yourself to take the GranTurismo S out for a burn in Need for Speed <a href="http://shift.needforspeed.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">SHIFT's</span></a> <a href="http://needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1318270?_blogs_war_globportlets_redirect=%2fweb%2fnfs-na%2fblogs%2fneed-for-speed-news&p_r_p_564233524_authorid=91892#_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_messageScroll1333814" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Exotic Racing Series</span></a> because this car was built for the tracks in this game, especially Riviera. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img height="340" width="605" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=8dedd8c5-45f2-4847-9d42-ac5d114f0734&groupId=10136&t=1268375552528" alt="" /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img height="340" width="605" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=38f82088-1a3f-4793-b086-85d70b0acc72&groupId=10136&t=1268375552558" alt="" /></div><div> </div> </p> Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:31:00 GMT http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1345127 2010-03-12T06:31:00Z http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1333775 <p><img height="340" width="605" alt="" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=1e2c7ea8-6645-4425-b40e-f2a67aca4dc2&groupId=10136&t=1268289450079" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><div>The brainchild of Roland Gumpert, a longtime Volkswagen/Audi business development guru, and Roland Mayer, former chief of Audi Sport, the Gumpert Apollo is as close to a street-legal racecar you can get, and it’s available with the downloadable <a target="_blank" href="http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1318270?_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_redirect=%2Fweb%2Fnfs-na%2Fblogs%2Fneed-for-speed-news&p_r_p_564233524_authorId=91892#_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_messageScroll1333761"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Exotic Racing Series</span></a> for Need for Speed <a target="_blank" href="http://shift.needforspeed.com"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">SHIFT</span></a>.</div> <div> </div><div>Taking a look at the Apollo from the outside, it’s reminiscent of the cars we used to doodle in our notebooks as growing boys while feigning attention in math, English or history class so many years ago.</div> <div> </div><div>With its swooping, yet angular lines, the Apollo makes use of fiberglass technology to shed the extra pounds that come with steel construction, with carbon fiber pieces optional.</div> <div> </div><div>Apollo is constructed entirely upon a tubular chromoly frame and depending on options, weighs anywhere from 2,400-2,600 pounds.</div> <div> </div><div>But that’s not what anyone who owns or obsesses over the Apollo cares about.</div> <div> </div><div>The 4.2-liter, 40-valve, mid-mounted, 90-degree bi-turbo V8 engine is the star of the Apollo show. Gumpert has three different ‘levels’ of their vaunted mill: the ‘base’ engine has 641 horsepower, the ‘sport’ level boasts 691 ponies, and the ‘race’ Apollo has 789 pavement-eating German thoroughbreds.</div> <div> </div><div>On the track, Apollo burns from 0-to-60 in only 3.2 seconds, equaling the time set by the legendary McLaren F1.</div> <div> </div><div>Apollo is an outstanding blend of technology and raw engineering, with its drive-by-wire acceleration system, dry sump lubrication and on-board diagnostic system supplementing its prodigious power.</div> <div> </div><div>Gumpert claims the Apollo is so perfectly engineered that it can drive upside-down in a tunnel at around 190 mph.</div> <div> </div><div>Nobody has been able to test this theory, though British motoring show Top Gear has said they are ready to attempt the experiment but need a willing driver.</div> <div> </div><div>You may not be driving upside-down through tunnels with SHIFT’s  Exotic Racing Series, but it’s a tempting proposition every time we look at the Apollo.</div><div> </div> <p> </p><p><img height="340" width="605" alt="" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=91e14b53-ef7f-4efa-9a46-52e8e8786411&groupId=10136&t=1268289450091" /></p> Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:35:00 GMT http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1333775 2010-03-11T06:35:00Z http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1325169 <p><img src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=be90f4f9-108c-45b0-bfc5-e1de6a7be089&groupId=10136&t=1268206691856" id="_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_mainImagePreview" alt="" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><div>Long overlooked as an Italian performance brand due to its large selection of commuter cars, Alfa Romeo makes its return to the Need for Speed universe in the <a href="http://needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1318270?authorId=91892" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Exotic Racing Series</span></a> for <a href="http://shift.needforspeed.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">SHIFT</span></a>.</div> <div> </div><div>First announced at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show as a concept car, the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione finally made it to full-scale production in 2007.</div> <div> </div><div>Its styling evokes memories of Alfa’s illustrious past, with the lines engineered to remind us of the iconic Alfas of the 1930s and 1940s, and it borrows the ‘Competizione’ name from the 1948 6C 2500 Competizione, which placed third in the 1949 and 1950 Mille Miglia races.</div> <div> </div><div>Departing from its retro looks, Competizione is a car with tanto – Italian for ‘a lot’ - of modern technology.</div> <div> </div><div>Its 4.7-liter V8 is a Ferrari-Maserati joint-venture, with Ferrari assembling the 90-degree, cross-plane, dry sump lubricated monster that kicks out 444 horsepower, running 0-60 in slightly more than four seconds. With an engine redline of 7,500 RPM and rev limiter kicking in at 7,600, this car doesn’t mess around.</div> <div> </div><div>The company line from Alfa Romeo is the Competizione has a top speed of about 181 mph, but independent tests have shown it can achieve higher than 190. One anonymous Alfa engineer said the company’s estimations were conservative.</div> <div> </div><div>Its lateral acceleration numbers are impressive as well, with the car drawing 1.02g of force, stronger than the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Porsche 911 Turbo and Audi R8.</div> <div> </div><div>Competizione comes with 20” tires specifically engineered for use on its chassis, with the rims being perforated in fluid molded aluminum.</div> <div> </div><div>As with any Alfa, you need to sit in the cockpit of the Competizione and actually feel the car around you to truly understand why people love these vehicles so much.</div> <div> </div><div>With only 500 ever built and sold for a cost of $175,000 each, chances are pretty slim you’re going to get your hands on one in real life, but Competizione is available in the Exotic Racing Series for SHIFT. Take it for a spin starting March 18.</div><div> </div> <p> </p><p><img height="340" width="605" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=fa78f285-8597-427e-b8ce-c9e7f35715ba&groupId=10136&t=1268206691879" alt="" /></p><p> </p><p><img height="340" width="605" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=0f39466c-f7b5-4ecf-877b-33856d06b3c3&groupId=10136&t=1268206691892" alt="" /></p> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:36:00 GMT http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1325169 2010-03-10T07:36:00Z http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1318342 <p><img alt="" id="_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_mainImagePreview" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=b2d4ca7f-5ebe-488e-a630-a0f524caf1ee&groupId=10136&t=1268157197540" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><div>When your first efforts to produce a roadworthy car yielded the aesthetically beautiful and technically amazing <a target="_blank" href="http://shift.needforspeed.com/us/cars/McLarenF1-20091002081727802"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">McLaren F1</span></a>, is it possible to build a better vehicle?</div><div> </div> <div>McLaren thinks so, and their second street-legal car, the MP4-12C, is set to hit showroom floors in 2011 and is part of the <a target="_blank" href="http://needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1318270?authorId=91892"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Exotic Racing Series</span></a> for Need for Speed <a target="_blank" href="http://shift.needforspeed.com"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">SHIFT</span></a>. </div> <div> </div><div>MP4-12C is a complete structural change from the F1, with every inch of the car re-engineered for a more pleasurable driving experience on road or track.</div> <div> </div><div>Under the hood, MP4-12C is powered by a much smaller engine than F1, with its 3.8-liter, twin-turbo V8 being dwarfed by the F1’s 6.1-liter BMW V12.</div> <div> </div><div>But there’s little difference in power, with MP4-12C kicking out approximately 600 ponies from its engine, comparable to F1’s 627.</div> <div> </div><div>Where the new car has an advantage is in distribution of torque, with 80 per cent of MP4-12C’s grunt available at only 2,000 RPM.</div> <div> </div><div>MP4-12C has smoother lines than the F1, looking more like a polished performance car than a speed demon vacationing from the track on public roads.</div> <div> </div><div>One major change in MP4-12C’s interior is the removal of the F1’s awkward ‘1+2’ seating arrangement, as both driver and passenger will be seated next to one another in the cockpit.</div> <div> </div><div>McLaren has positioned the MP4-12C to compete with top-of-the-line sports cars from Italy, with the company setting its sights on the Lamborghini Gallardo and Ferrari 458 Italia.</div> <div> </div><div>With prices approaching $300,000, owning an MP4-12C may be out of your reach, but if you download the Exotic Racing Series for SHIFT, you can save your pennies and drive one today.</div><div> </div> <p> </p><p><img height="340" width="605" alt="" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=9f67c3a6-2e5d-4ee6-96b9-bdefc0d4a1df&groupId=10136&t=1268156813462" /></p><p> </p><p><img height="340" width="605" alt="" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=e0b93155-9597-4bc9-9150-4533e0508e9d&groupId=10136&t=1268156813474" /></p><p> </p><p><img height="340" width="605" alt="" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=d400e25d-df9c-4b1f-8f67-4515906d7686&groupId=10136&t=1268156813443" /></p> Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:46:00 GMT http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1318342 2010-03-09T17:46:00Z