Forza Motorsport 4 and the American Le Mans Series form partnership

Posted: 08 Aug 2011 09:30 AM PDT

Forza 4 ALMS XBOX360

Today, the premier North American sports car racing series and the highest rated racing video game franchise of this generation announced a two-year partnership that will bring the thrill of the automotive world to fans everywhere, whether in-game or at the track. Turn 10 Studios, creators of the best-rated “Forza Motorsport” video game franchise, and the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron (ALMS) will partner across a range of events and content celebrating the famed racing series as well as the launch of “Forza Motorsport 4” on Oct. 11, exclusively on Xbox 360.

As the official racing game partner of the American Le Mans Series, “Forza Motorsport 4” will provide the “Forza Motorsport” community with unrivaled access to one of the top professional racing series, including realistic in-game tracks and cars. Additionally fans of the American Le Mans Series will have the opportunity to test drive “Forza Motorsport 4” at select race events before it launches in October.

“Our partnership with ALMS signifies the joining of two great automotive forces,” said Alan Hartman, Studio Manager of Turn 10 Studios. “We’re pushing the limits in ‘Forza Motorsport 4’ and taking peoples’ love of cars to a new level. Xbox and ‘Forza Motorsport 4’ will without a doubt be the best place to enjoy the iconic American Le Mans Series if you aren’t at the track racing yourself.”

Forza4 ALMS XBOX360 LMP class

The partnership introduces more ways than ever for racing fans to get into the automotive entertainment they love, including:

Immersive community activities and events hosted by the America Le Mans Series and “Forza Motorsport 4”
The most stunningly realistic racing circuits and cars that fans know and love from the ALMS, including Sebring, Road Atlanta, Road America, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, and 26 ALMS cars
Tune in! Catch the racing action live by tuning in to all of the American Le Mans Series race broadcasts via ESPN3 on Xbox LIVE

“The American Le Mans Series is about delivering the ultimate sports car racing experience for race fans and automotive enthusiasts around the world,” American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron President and CEO Scott Atherton said. “Partnering with Turn 10 Studios and naming ‘Forza Motorsport 4’ as our official racing game partner unites our mutual passion for racing and provides our loyal fans even more ways to experience the American Le Mans Series. I don’t know of any other racing series that gives its fans the opportunity to both watch live racing and race the cars and tracks themselves on the same gaming console.”

Forza 4 BMW Limited

The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron

The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron is the world’s leading sports car championship and is recognized as the Global Leader in Green Racing. In the tradition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, multiple classes of cars – purpose-built prototypes (LMP) and production-based Grand Touring (GT) automobiles – race on the track at the same time to create compelling race action and constant passing. All cars in the Series compete using one of five approved alternative fuels or energy sources: clean sulfur-free diesel, cellulosic E85 or E10, Isobutanol and electric hybrid technologies. The Series has more automobile manufacturers involved than any other major race series in the world as the participating car companies develop relevant technologies on track that transfer directly to the production line and ultimately to the showroom floor. The ALMS competes at North America’s premier road racing tracks and selected temporary street circuits in major urban markets. For more details, check out AmericanLeMans.com or ForzaMotorsport.net.

Fans are encouraged to pre-order “Forza Motorsport 4” today to ensure they can get their hands on the Limited Collector’s Edition and to receive the “Launch Bonus” car pack as supplies will be limited. The Limited Collector’s Edition, which comes with bonus content and VIP membership, will retail for $79.99 (ERP) and the Standard Edition will retail for $59.99 (ERP).

- ALMS

Forza Motorsport 4 Limited Collector’s Edition

Forza Motorsport 4 and the American Le Mans Series form partnership

Audi R8 GT content with real bite next week

Posted: 06 Aug 2011 07:30 AM PDT

ONEIGHTURBO

More videos after the jump!

Cable television is replete with specials that concentrate viewer attention on topics as diverse as sharks and cupcakes over the course of seven days. In that spirit, Audi is declaring next week “R8 GT Week” to celebrate the arrival of a limited-edition supercar with real bite and a profile that can only be described as sweet.

Between Monday, Aug. 8 and Friday, Aug. 12, Audi will release daily video segments (R8 GT Video Gallery) that highlight the exceptional performance and the emotional styling of the newest addition to the acclaimed Audi R8 lineup. Filmed at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., the videos feature legendary Audi racer Emanuele Pirro providing his impressions of the Audi R8 GT.

Pirro offers a unique perspective on Audi performance since he won three of his five 24 Hours of Le Mans victories while driving the Audi R8 LMP1 prototype racecar.

“When I drove the R8, I thought it was impossible to produce something better,” Pirro said. “Well, Audi surprised me once again by building the limited-edition R8 GT. The result is a fantastic car both on the race track and on the road which is very difficult to achieve. It is a fantastic pleasure to drive this car.”

The video series will be featured across the rapidly growing Audi USA social media platforms. Next week’s video series will be hosted on the Audi R8 Facebook page () where previews of Audi R8 GT segments can be found today.

Additionally, each installment will be posted on the Audi USA YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/audiusa). Regular updates will be featured on the @audi Twitter profile, and downloads will be available at www.audiusanews.com.

Overall, the Audi R8 GT represents the engineering attention to detail for which Audi is known. It joins the R8 V8 and R8 V10 Coupe and Spyder models as the pinnacle of Audi performance. Production is limited to 333 units worldwide with only 90 vehicles destined for the U.S., making the Audi R8 GT an attractive performance machine for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

With pricing that starts at $196,800 (excluding $1,250 destination charge, taxes, title, options and dealer charges), the 2012 Audi R8 GT receives significant exterior modifications aimed at enhancing its already stellar handling, and it is powered by a modified 5.2-liter V10 FSI engine that produces 560 horsepower (35 hp more than the R8 Coupe 5.2 quattro and the R8 Spyder 5.2 quattro). The 2012 R8 GT employs the R tronic sequential manual transmission. This pairing produces a top track speed of 199 mph, and a 0-62 mph time of 3.6 seconds. Overall, the Audi R8 GT will provide drivers with high lateral acceleration and a low center of gravity.

The signature Audi ASF® lightweight construction of the Audi R8 GT, combined with extensive use of lightweight carbon fiber body parts reduces the weight by approximately 180 pounds when compared to the Audi R8 Coupe 5.2 quattro. Key carbon fiber components are the rear hatch, spoiler and diffuser.

The Audi R8 GT continues the heritage of mid-engine configuration with quattro® all-wheel drive that has distinguished all R8 variants. The axle load distribution of the R8 GT will be 43/57 front/rear. Integrated into the front differential is axle-load-optimized torque split with self-locking differential in the rear axle.

To convey its limited-edition nature, the Audi R8 GT will come with a variety of exclusive interior and exterior touches. Each car will have a numbered gearshift knob. The instrument cluster will be white with the R8 GT logo and the interior will feature carbon matte inlays. The seats, headliner, steering wheel and handbrake lever will be black Alcantara® with contrast stitching. Door sills will include aluminum inserts with the R8 GT logo.

The limited U.S. allotment of 90 Audi R8 GT models is sold out, adding to the ongoing momentum for the supercar lineup, which includes the original Audi R8 4.2 quattro® equipped with an eight-cylinder engine, the V10 Audi R8 5.2 quattro and Spyder versions in both engine sizes. In July 2011, Audi R8 sales overall increased 128.1%, boosting year-to-date sales by 57.7%.