Get a load of the expensive racing cars you'll never be able to drive in real life--but will have unfettered access to in SimBin's upcoming first console racer.
While Jeff is over there living in crash-happy fantasy land with a bunch of fake movie cars, the good folks at Atari have provided us with some automotive media of a decidedly more serious bent. Next month, the company is publishing Race Pro, an Xbox 360-exclusive racer that puts the focus on hardcore simulation, a la Gran Turismo or Forza. The Swedish developer, SimBin, has been laying it down in the PC racing-sim world since 2005 with games like GTR, but this is the first time it's moved into the arguably more competitive console racing market.
Atari's graced us with a grip of video and screens revealing Race Pro's GT class of cars. First up, this snazzy trailer.
Second, if you want to ogle a bunch of high-res cars, I urge you to pore over this gallery.
Gallery
Lastly, you hardcore gearheads can feast upon the below nuts-and-bolts information on each car in the GT class. To be clear, everything below this line was provided entirely by Atari, but to be fair, it all looks like respectable, factual information to me.
RACE Pro features three GT Classes: GT Pro, GT Sport and GT Club. GT Pro is the fastest of the three classes, followed by GT Sport and GT Club. Each GT class features all out race cars presented in full race trim. What differentiate the three classes are levels of tuning on engines, the amount of chassis improvements allowed, and tire and wheel sizes. The GT classes in RACE Pro have been designed to mimic real GT classes from around the world. RACE Pro features a mixture of rules from major GT championships to ensure the best possible balance in terms of performance amongst the cars whilst also ensuring that each car performs like its real life counterpart. Tools used in RACE Pro to balance performance are air intake restrictors and restrictions to the aerodynamic package. With the cars properly balanced, the choice of which car to race can be based on factors other than sheer performance.
GT PRO
Saleen S7R
Saleen S7RManufacturer Overview: Saleen Inc. is an American manufacturer based in Irvine, California. Saleen manufactures high performance limited-edition sports cars as well automotive equipment. Steve Saleen, a former race car driver, founded the company Saleen Autosport in 1984, the same year the company introduced the first Saleen Mustang. The Saleen S7R has had much success in GT racing all over the world. Key Stats Power: 608 bhp @ 6000 rpm Torque: 768 Nm @ 5250 rpm Weight: 1140 kg Top speed: > 300 km/h
Viper GTS-R
Viper GTS-RManufacturer Overview: Walter P. Chrysler founded the Chrysler Corporation in 1925 in Detroit. The purchase of Dodge and the creation of the DeSoto and Plymouth divisions in 1928 made Chrysler the third of Detroit’s “Big Three” automakers. Known for many years as Detroit’s engineering company, Chrysler Corporation gained fame for creating power steering, power windows, the alternator, electronic fuel injection and the Hemi engine. In the late '60s, Chrysler was heavily involved with NASCAR and producing performance-oriented cars. In 1998, German-based Daimler-Benz merged with Chrysler to form DaimlerChrysler. Key Stats Power: 655 bhp @ 6250 rpm Torque: 803 Nm @ 4500 rpm Weight: 1130 kg Top speed: > 300 km/h
GT SPORT
BMW M3 GTR
BMW M3 GTRManufacturer Overview: BMW is a German car and motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1916 with its headquarters in Munich. During the First World War, the company enjoyed rapid growth building engines for military aircraft until 1918. BMW’s logo therefore represents a rotating airplane propeller. BMW M is a division of BMW producing sports and high-performance vehicles. Since its creation in 1972, BMW M has had a rich history of motor sport success. BMW Group also owns the brands Rolls-Royce and Mini. BMW has been involved successfully in Saloon, Touring, Sports Car and Formula racing. Key Stats Power: 500 bhp @ 7750 rpm Torque: 500 Nm @ 6500 rpm Weight: 1180 kg Top speed: > 280 km/h
Corvette C6R
Corvette C6RManufacturer Overview: Chevrolet Motor Company of Michigan was created in 1911 with its headquarters in Detroit. Seven years later, General Motors bought the operating assets of Chevrolet Motor Company. Following innovations such as 'the cast iron wonder', an engine renowned for its remarkable durability, and the Powerglide transmission, the first low-price competitor to offer fully automatic shifting, the Chevrolet Corvette was introduced in 1953. The Chevrolet Corvette was the first all-American sports car built by an American car manufacturer. The Corvette name comes from a small, maneuverable fighting frigate and the original emblem incorporated an American flag into the design but was later dropped. Corvettes have a long history of combining exceptional handling and brutal engine power into an affordable package that is significantly less expensive than other prestigious brands with similar capabilities. Corvettes are recognised for their power, efficiency, and affordability. Key Stats Power: 610 bhp @ 6250 rpm Torque: 775 Nm @ 5250 rpm Weight: 1120 kg Top speed: > 300 km/h
Spyker C8
Spyker C8Manufacturer Overview: Spyker Cars N.V. is a Dutch hand-built car manufacturer headquartered in Zeewolde, the Netherlands, and founded in 2000 by Victor R. Muller. However, the Spyker name has a much older history. The brothers Spijker built the first Benz-engine motorcar in 1898, then during the First World War, Spyker built fighter aircrafts and aircraft engines. After the war, the company resumed car production until 1925 when it ceased business. Nevertheless, the Spyker name has not been forgotten since it is now used by modern Spyker cars. Key Stats Power: 471 bhp @ 7500 rpm Torque: 468 Nm @ 5500 rpm Weight: 1100 kg Top speed: > 280 km/h
GT CLUB
Aston Martin DBRS9
Aston Martin DBRS9Manufacturer Overview: Aston Martin is a British manufacturer of luxury performance cars with its headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire. The company was founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford. The name comes from Martin, who raced specials and the Aston Hill Climb. From 1994 to 2007, Aston Martin was part of the Premier Automotive group, a division of the Ford Motor Company. In 2007 Aston Martin was sold to a consortium of two international investment houses (Investment Dar and Adeem Investment) led by David Richards. Aston Martin has a long and successful history in motor sports. Key Stats Power: 550 bhp @ 6250 rpm Torque: 645 Nm @ 5750 rpm Weight: 1270 kg Top speed: > 280 km/h
BMW Z4
BMW Z4Manufacturer Overview: BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke) is a German car and motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1916 with its headquarters in Munich. During the First World War, the company enjoyed rapid growth building engines for military aircraft until 1918. BMW’s logo therefore represents a rotating airplane propeller. BMW M is a division of BMW producing sports and high-performance vehicles. Since its creation in 1972, BMW M has had a rich history of motor sport success. BMW Group also owns the brands Rolls-Royce and Mini. BMW has been involved successfully in Saloon, Touring, Sports Car and Formula racing. Key Stats Power: 455 bhp @ 8250 rpm Torque: 410 Nm @ 7000 rpm Weight: 1145 kg Top speed: > 250 km/h
