Although the preception of speed in the game feels so much faster than GTR2 and even faster than Gran Turismo and Forza, the times I clocked (with various cars) at Nordschleife were quite realistic and much slower than my times in GT4. With the Audi R8- 8:10 (with TC and SC) and high 7:50s without assists. A bit faster with the R35 GTR- 7:50s (didn’t try without assist). The only other game where i had chance to drive these two cars is GT5 Prologue and I would have to say that while you can easily discern the difference in the handling between these cars in SHIFT, it’s not as apparent as Prologue. But between the AWD cars and the RWD Elise and the M3, the adjustment required to handle these cars is very much what you would expect in a good sim ie. AWD is much easier but RWD is much more exciting and involving.