News Kirk Pedersen http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1718385 2010-03-18T23:38:33Z 2010-03-18T23:36:00Z

<p><img src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=f49c0931-7798-45e4-8da3-2168a3e5b3af&groupId=10136&t=1268955329152" id="_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_mainImagePreview" alt="" /></p><p> </p><p>With the Need for Speed Podcast going live tomorrow morning, we thought we'd give you a little taste of what to expect, so here's the trailer.  </p> <p> </p> <object height="477" width="605"><param value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oGQoEbhQJqI&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/oGQoEbhQJqI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></embed></object> <p> </p>

Kirk Pedersen 2010-03-18T23:36:00Z Kirk Pedersen http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1718211 2010-03-18T23:23:46Z 2010-03-18T23:01:00Z

<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>

Kirk Pedersen 2010-03-18T23:01:00Z Kirk Pedersen http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1714386 2010-03-18T21:44:14Z 2010-03-18T21:34:00Z

<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>

Kirk Pedersen 2010-03-18T21:34:00Z Kirk Pedersen http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1704512 2010-03-18T22:30:51Z 2010-03-18T18:29:00Z

<p><img alt="" id="_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_mainImagePreview" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=f09c3a6a-2726-4e41-9910-2245aca01b30&groupId=10136&t=1268937020350" /></p> <p> </p> <p>A very cool freehand drawing of a Porsche 911 Turbo was sent to us by 1GnoTon, a fan of Need for Speed World, check it out.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <object height="477" width="605"><param value="http://www.youtube.com/v/s7Wp2m1zlIs&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/s7Wp2m1zlIs&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></embed></object>

Kirk Pedersen 2010-03-18T18:29:00Z Kirk Pedersen http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1603153 2010-03-17T18:41:34Z 2010-03-17T18:36:00Z

<p><img height="340" width="605" alt="" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=e7f04c6d-c437-4669-9a00-7aebe6ea4a60&groupId=10136&t=1257375655933" /></p><p> </p><p>From everyone here at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.needforspeed.com"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Need for Speed</span></a>, including <a href="javascript:location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(100,114,101,119,64,110,101,101,100,102,111,114,115,112,101,101,100,46,99,111,109)+'?subject=Minty%20Fresh!'"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">NFSDrew's</span></a> favorite car, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/developer-blog/-/nfsblogs/551330"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Minty Fresh</span></a>, Happy St. Patrick's Day! We hope to see more green cars on the track today!</p><p> </p><p><img height="340" width="605" alt="" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=7fb86614-294e-43f6-9ed5-d377c9555ac1&groupId=10136&t=1257375655934" /></p><p> </p>

Kirk Pedersen 2010-03-17T18:36:00Z Drew Hahn http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1602142 2010-03-17T18:38:03Z 2010-03-17T18:20:00Z

<p><img src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=9eac48c2-ef90-460e-9e91-c63ca0badc3b&groupId=10136&t=1268850278184" id="_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_mainImagePreview" alt="" /></p><p> </p><p><strong>We are extremely excited to announce the second, of many, closed beta for <a href="http://world.needforspeed.com" target="_blank">Need for Speed World</a>. The second beta will begin on Friday, March 19th @ 4pm (GMT) and will end Monday, March 22nd @ 7am (GMT). The second closed beta will feature almost twice the number of racers as the first had so there will be plenty of competition this time around!</strong><br /><br />We are also very happy to announce that if you were selected to participate in the first closed beta ("CB1"), you will be invited to participate in the second closed beta ("CB2").  Be sure to watch your email for the beta invitation. After CB1, we received a lot of great feedback from all the CB1 participants and have made some changes for CB2…<br /><br />Before we get into the changes, we want to set some expectations for CB2; similar to CB1, these initial rounds are intentionally constrained in terms of features, level progression and content.  We are testing and so we need to keep the variables under control to ensure quality data.  As the beta program progresses you’ll see more content, ways to play and places to see. Please note that between betas we do clear all the data on the server (including profiles & game play data) therefore you will have to create a new driver and start the game at level one like you did in CB1. <br /><br />Here is a summary of the changes this week:  We’ve made some changes to the leveling pace, Lucky Draw tables (much fewer One More Laps!) and event unlocking.  We’d like to see more 8 player races, so we’ve tweaked matchmaking and the number of events that unlock at each level.  We’ve also fixed some crash and time out bugs and provided a way for you to send us crash logs if you run into anything new.  For more details on the changes, see the <a href="http://forum.ea.com/eaforum/categories/show/187.page" target="_blank"><strong>Need for Speed World forum</strong></a>.  Please give it all a try and keep letting us know what you think and logging those bugs!<br /><br />We're looking to all the beta participants to give us their feedback and help us make this game great!  There are many different ways of giving us your feedback including:<br /><br />[1] Submitting a bug through<a href="http://world.needforspeed.com" target="_blank"> World.NeedforSpeed.com</a> by selecting the '<em>Report a Bug</em>' button and completing the form. Please note that you need to be logged into to the site in order to report a bug. Also note that you will be able to include crash logs when reporting bugs.  We encourage everyone to do this because the more information you can provide us, the quicker we'll be able to fix these bugs.<br /><br />[2] Submitting feedback through <a href="http://world.needforspeed.com" target="_blank">World.NeedforSpeed.com</a> by selecting the '<em>Submit Feedbac</em>k' button and completing the form. Please note that you need to be logged into to the site in order to submit feedback.<br /><br />Also be sure to check out the <a href="http://forum.ea.com/eaforum/categories/show/187.page" target="_blank"><strong>Need for Speed World Forums</strong></a> to see if the bug you're reporting is already known to the World team.  You can also find help there if you're experiencing a bug that's preventing you from being able to play.<br /><br />Please take some time to give us your feedback either during or after the beta. This is your chance to make this game great!<br /><br /><br />As you guys know, John Doyle and the rest of the Need for Speed World team like to celebrate and this is an occasion worth celebrating.  Therefore, we've got eight new screen shots to share with you all.  Check them out:</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://ll.needforspeed.com/u/f/eagames/NFS/needforspeed.com/images/news/WORLD/Beta_Announce/NFS_World_Announce_001.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="605" height="378" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=2c02967c-892b-44da-9bd4-e203c928d29c&groupId=10136&t=1268850240595" alt="" /></a></p><p> </p><p><a href="http://ll.needforspeed.com/u/f/eagames/NFS/needforspeed.com/images/news/WORLD/Beta_Announce/NFS_World_Announce_002.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="605" height="378" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=2bfc1474-d003-4b35-910c-2162eb230b05&groupId=10136&t=1268850240599" alt="" /></a></p><p> </p><p><a href="http://ll.needforspeed.com/u/f/eagames/NFS/needforspeed.com/images/news/WORLD/Beta_Announce/NFS_World_Announce_003.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="605" height="378" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=e637f07f-fa26-4b14-beab-409e573d35ef&groupId=10136&t=1268850240604" alt="" /></a></p><p> </p><p><a href="http://ll.needforspeed.com/u/f/eagames/NFS/needforspeed.com/images/news/WORLD/Beta_Announce/NFS_World_Announce_004.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="605" height="378" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=953b8c9b-069a-49ab-b5f7-60551d9d9191&groupId=10136&t=1268850240609" alt="" /></a></p><p> </p><p><a href="http://ll.needforspeed.com/u/f/eagames/NFS/needforspeed.com/images/news/WORLD/Beta_Announce/NFS_World_Announce_005.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="605" height="378" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=bef7bd1d-41ad-473e-9284-179302ec0a77&groupId=10136&t=1268850240614" alt="" /></a></p><p> </p><p><a href="http://ll.needforspeed.com/u/f/eagames/NFS/needforspeed.com/images/news/WORLD/Beta_Announce/NFS_World_Announce_006.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="605" height="378" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=79b88beb-d88b-4e5a-a439-37737a3e74ec&groupId=10136&t=1268850240619" alt="" /></a></p><p> </p><p><a href="http://ll.needforspeed.com/u/f/eagames/NFS/needforspeed.com/images/news/WORLD/Beta_Announce/NFS_World_Announce_007.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="605" height="378" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=2a1cfbb3-418a-408d-9834-9fb69e78f449&groupId=10136&t=1268850240623" alt="" /></a></p><p> </p><p><a href="http://ll.needforspeed.com/u/f/eagames/NFS/needforspeed.com/images/news/WORLD/Beta_Announce/NFS_World_Announce_008.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="605" height="378" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=fbc12cae-2b81-4e64-881a-61e0140a7f77&groupId=10136&t=1268850240590" alt="" /></a></p><p> </p><p>Hope to see you guys (in our rearview) in the second closed beta this weekend and we really look forwards to getting all your feedback after the beta.<br /><br />Cheers!<br /><br /><strong>- NFSDrew</strong></p>

Drew Hahn 2010-03-17T18:20:00Z Kirk Pedersen http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1582379 2010-03-17T15:56:42Z 2010-03-17T15:49:00Z

<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>

Kirk Pedersen 2010-03-17T15:49:00Z NFS Mike http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1479085 2010-03-17T00:04:29Z 2010-03-16T23:25:00Z

<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>

NFS Mike 2010-03-16T23:25:00Z Drew Hahn http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1405178 2010-03-16T17:10:23Z 2010-03-16T17:03:00Z

<p><img src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=09ac7757-2dfe-4cbf-be51-c99cf3619e36&groupId=10136&t=1268759024889" id="_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_mainImagePreview" alt="" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>We are very happy to announce the beta program for <a target="_blank" href="http://world.needforspeed.com">Need for Speed World</a>. To participate in the beta, simply visit the <a href="http://world.needforspeed.com">World.NeedforSpeed.com</a> and select the "<em>Apply for Beta</em>" button on the home page.</strong><br /> <br /> Over the coming months, there will be multiple closed beta sessions with most of the sessions occurring every second week. Players who are selected to participate in the beta will be the first in the world to get an insider’s look at this hotly anticipated racing MMO, and their constructive feedback will go straight back to the development team to help add polish, finesse and tuning to the final product.<br /> <br /> For more information about Need for Speed World visit the website, <a href="http://world.needforspeed.com"><strong>World.NeedforSpeed.com</strong></a>. However, to get a quick taste on what the game is all about, check out this video:</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <object width="640" height="385"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_UtvgGr5id0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed width="605" height="477" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_UtvgGr5id0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object> <p> </p> <p>Hope to see you guys (in our rearview) in the beta and we really look forwards to getting all your feedback after the beta!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>- NFSDrew</strong></p>

Drew Hahn 2010-03-16T17:03:00Z Kirk Pedersen http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1393936 2010-03-16T16:24:10Z 2010-03-16T16:13:00Z

<p><img alt="" id="_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_mainImagePreview" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=19cb47ba-8d71-4d14-8e74-7c7a1a909911&groupId=10136&t=1268756004888" /></p> <p> </p> <p>Need for Speed <a target="_blank" href="http://world.needforspeed.com"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">World</span></a> producer Marc De Vellis returns with <a href="javascript:location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(100,114,101,119,64,110,101,101,100,102,111,114,115,112,101,101,100,46,99,111,109)+'?subject=Ask%20Marc'"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">NFSDrew</span></a> this week for the fourth installment of the popular 'Ask Marc' series, exclusively on <a target="_blank" href="http://www.needforspeed.com"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">needforspeed.com</span></a>.</p> <p> </p> <p>This week, Marc takes questions from the community about Need for Speed World.</p> <p> </p> <object height="477" width="605"><param value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KugONistwOQ&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/KugONistwOQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></embed></object> <p> </p> <p>If you want to get your question or comment read on 'Ask Marc', you can leave it below, as a comment on our <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KugONistwOQ" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">YouTube posting</span></a>, or email it to <a href="javascript:location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(107,105,114,107,64,110,101,101,100,102,111,114,115,112,101,101,100,46,99,111,109)+'?subject=Ask%20Marc'"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">kirk@needforspeed.com</span></a>.</p>

Kirk Pedersen 2010-03-16T16:13:00Z Kirk Pedersen http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1389618 2010-03-16T15:49:47Z 2010-03-16T15:43:00Z

<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>

Kirk Pedersen 2010-03-16T15:43:00Z NFS Mike http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1377225 2010-03-15T22:23:23Z 2010-03-15T22:03:00Z

<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>

NFS Mike 2010-03-15T22:03:00Z Kirk Pedersen http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1375140 2010-03-15T17:44:11Z 2010-03-15T17:32:00Z

<p><img src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=2cd040d5-99e5-4830-84d8-fdbe926118da&groupId=10136&t=1268671829073" id="_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_mainImagePreview" alt="" /></p><p> </p><p>At long last, we have a final four in the Need for Speed <a href="http://shift.needforspeed.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">SHIFT</span></a> tournament hosted by <a href="http://www.ggl.com/index.php?controller=Channel&method=view&channel=10734" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">GGL Global Gaming</span></a>, and it's looking like a full-on border battle, with two Canadians taking on two Americans for the ultimate title.</p><p> </p><p>The stars and stripes - <strong>xsmd</strong> and <strong>URC whiplash</strong> - represent the Xbox 360 side, with those representing the maple leaf - <strong>Kopaszgeci</strong> and <strong>PRTM-twinturboQc</strong> - on the PlayStation 3. It was very cool how this played out. </p><p> </p><p>And there's also the small matter of $30,000 available from <a href="http://www.autotrader.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">AutoTrader.com</span></a> going to the winner, but let's be honest, the real draw here is getting to come to Vancouver to fight it out in front of the esteemed <a href="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=834a0732-1230-4d09-8b5b-4be61d223a29&groupId=10136&t=1267057096329" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">NFSDrew</span></a>.</p><p> </p><p>Stay tuned to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.needforspeed.com"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">needforspeed.com</span></a> for the final results.</p>

Kirk Pedersen 2010-03-15T17:32:00Z Kirk Pedersen http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1375078 2010-03-15T17:22:49Z 2010-03-15T17:11:00Z

<p><img height="340" width="605" alt="" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=111b403b-fb19-4372-9ef2-10ca14c20731&groupId=10136&t=1268673246113" /></p><div> </div><div>With striking looks and a sticker price of more than one million dollars, the McLaren SLR Stirling Moss is a fitting way for the partnership between Mercedes-Benz and McLaren to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1023223_mercedes-mclaren-slr-stirling-moss-revealed"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">end</span></a>.  </div> <div> </div><div>Only 75 of the roofless, windshield-less supercars will be built, but Mercedes won’t have any difficulties finding willing buyers for the car named after one of auto racing’s greatest drivers.</div> <div> </div><div>Fortunately, you don’t need to start wrapping quarters to pay for your own, because the SLR is available as 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>Powered by a 5.5-liter supercharged V8 sourced from the <a target="_blank" href="http://shift.needforspeed.com/us/cars/MCLARENMERCEDESBENZ722EDITION-20091002081803901"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">McLaren 722</span></a> – also found in SHIFT – the SLR punches out 650 horsepower and blows the doors off almost any car on the road, speeding from 0-60 in only 3.5 seconds.</div> <div> </div><div>Moss himself still holds the record at Mille Miglia (ten hours, seven minutes and 48 seconds), where he piloted the 300 SLR in the 1950s, a car which looks strikingly similar to the new version bearing his name, but updated with modern styling cues.</div> <div> </div><div>The car features a type of door exclusive to this vehicle, a setup known as the ‘swing wing’, in which the doors open vertically and remain suspended in the air until the driver closes it.</div> <div> </div><div>With a top speed of more than 200 mph and no windshield or windows to protect you from bugs, wind and other debris, we suggest a solid racing helmet, much like Stirling Moss would wear if you plan to pilot the SLR. </div><div> </div><div>After all, safety is important, even if you can’t wipe the smile off your face.</div> <div> </div><div>Take one for a spin with the Exotic Racing Series for SHIFT, but remember to keep a gentle foot on the accelerator because you’re not Stirling Moss, even if you’re driving his car.</div><div> </div> <p> </p><p><img height="340" width="605" alt="" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?img_id=1313223&t=1268673351851" /></p><p> </p><p><img height="340" width="605" alt="" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?img_id=1313227&t=1268673351951" /></p><p> </p><p><img height="340" width="605" alt="" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?img_id=1313194&t=1268673400785" /></p>

Kirk Pedersen 2010-03-15T17:11:00Z Kirk Pedersen http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1345127 2010-03-12T06:41:56Z 2010-03-12T06:31:00Z

<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>

Kirk Pedersen 2010-03-12T06:31:00Z Kirk Pedersen http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1333775 2010-03-11T06:53:54Z 2010-03-11T06:35:00Z

<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>

Kirk Pedersen 2010-03-11T06:35:00Z Kirk Pedersen http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1325169 2010-03-11T06:53:29Z 2010-03-10T07:36:00Z

<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>

Kirk Pedersen 2010-03-10T07:36:00Z Kirk Pedersen http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1318342 2010-03-09T18:06:15Z 2010-03-09T17:46:00Z

<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>

Kirk Pedersen 2010-03-09T17:46:00Z Kirk Pedersen http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1318270 2010-03-09T17:27:22Z 2010-03-09T17:12:00Z

<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=1268154750978" /></p><p> </p><p>The all-new Exotic Racing Series for Need for Speed <a target="_blank" href="http://shift.needforspeed.com"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">SHIFT</span></a>, available March 18 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, introduces seven phenomenal new cars and an amazing new track.</p><p> </p><p>Highlighting this exclusive pack of cars are the McLaren MP4-12C, Gumpert Apollo and the legendary BMW M1. <br /> <br />You won’t find more brilliance, innovation, or drama than in these magnificent machines, with each a potent mix of track-tested speed demon and capable daily driver. Beauty, agility, speed, and exclusivity are bred into each one of these models. Here’s your chance to take them out on the track. <br /> <br />Over 50 exciting new events have also been created just for these cars, so you’ll have plenty of time to revel in their beauty and - because this is Need for Speed SHIFT - power. <br /> <br />The challenging and spectacular new Riviera track boasts four unique layouts, each with daring corners, multiple blazing straight-aways, and a couple of hairpins and chicanes, pushing your cars to their limits.</p><p> </p><p>Available March 18, the Exotic Racing Series for Need for Speed SHIFT is $10 or 800 Microsoft Points and is available on both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles.</p>

Kirk Pedersen 2010-03-09T17:12:00Z Kirk Pedersen http://www.needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1311815 2010-03-08T20:03:55Z 2010-03-08T19:46:00Z

<p><img src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=5da20ccd-832d-4cad-b3f0-6cc9a12928b4&groupId=10136&t=1268077896087" id="_Blogs_WAR_globportlets_mainImagePreview" alt="" /></p><p> </p><p>With last weekend's first Need for Speed <a href="http://world.needforspeed.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">World</span></a> closed beta wrapping up Sunday evening, the lucky few who got a chance to play went wild customizing their cars. </p><p> </p><p>Here's a look at some of our favorites, and remember, for all the NFS World information and custom cars you can handle, check out the World forums by clicking <a href="http://forum.ea.com/eaforum/categories/show/187.page" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">here</span></a>. </p><p> </p><p><img height="322" width="605" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=dd7a5a64-d431-4284-a795-dcb251a6f1bc&groupId=10136&t=1268078175574" alt="" /></p><p> </p><p><img height="308" width="605" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=cd007b65-cb6b-46f5-998d-0a5405d1ffcd&groupId=10136&t=1268078300516" alt="" /></p><p> </p><p><img height="403" width="605" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=3925fff2-88c0-41b3-82b0-7631931d05e8&groupId=10136&t=1268078391990" alt="" /></p><p> </p><p><img height="388" width="605" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=c2cc4d91-7556-466e-a531-528bdaf12bce&groupId=10136&t=1268078455324" alt="" /></p><p> </p><p><img height="325" width="605" src="http://cdn.needforspeed.com/image/image_gallery?uuid=38a52ba0-b447-4437-b2e1-92f749f725cb&groupId=10136&t=1268078549785" alt="" /></p>

Kirk Pedersen 2010-03-08T19:46:00Z