Hungry for some racing action on your Xbox 360 while you wait for Forza Motorosport 2 to make an appearance? You may want to give Project Gotham Racing 3 a look.

Visually, the game is stunning. Compared to previous-generation console games like GT4 or Forza, the increased level of realism is so much greater, and playing in HD undoubtedly helps this. The in-car view, while not novel to PGR3, works especially well. The scenery reflects in the windscreen, gear shifts and heavy braking see you lurch forward in your seat, and a head on smash results in your hood flapping in the breeze as you drive over bumps. Having been in a real Challenge Stradale, I can report they've got the interior spot on too.

So it looks good, but how does it drive? Ars kicked the tires and took PGR3 out for a spin. Read on to find out if it's worth the drive.