In a resumption of a dormant series, here’s the return of the ‘Something For The Weekend’ feature – the first for 2012. This car is the ‘ultimate Corvette’ – the ZR1.

In time honoured tradition, the ZR1 is a reasonably light supercar with a big block (supercharged) V8 engine producing 638 horsepower! Top speed listed at 205 miles per hour and a 0-60 sprint is reached in a staggering 3.4 seconds. Naturally it has huge tyres for grip and brakes to provide the stopping power.

The ZR1 has joined other Chevy cars and become a bit of a racing star in it’s own right – this will no doubt reassure owners of the performance ability of the car. Thankfully the interior is also an improvement over many previous iterations.

Rear wheel drive and huge amounts of power should equal huge fun and the ZR1 will not disappoint. This is why it is this month’s highlight car!

Format: Xbox 360
Price: Around £40
Review score: 9/10

I’ve long been a fan of the racing series Forza Motorsport on the Xbox and then Xbox 360. The latest variant, Forza Motorsport 4, demonstrates that it is more than deserving of the name. In order to establish a difficulty setting, the game throws you in at the deep end and you are plunged behind the wheel of a Ferrari 458 Italia in order to test your skills. Then the game opens up showing you the real depth that’s on offer.

Track and other racing
Forza Motorsport 4 has incredibly strong roots in track racing and it’s really evident in the way that cars handle. Each seems to behave differently and even better, the difficulty level is easy to change depending on your experience or lack thereof. Over 80 manufacturers are in the virtual roster along with 500 cars. The choice is yours, as is the location of the race.

The ‘Top Gear’ connection
As with Gran Turismo 4, Forza Motorsport 4 has identified the popularity of Top Gear and integrated some rather special features such as the Autovista mode, where you can look in huge detail at a number of cars whilst Jeremy Clarkson narrates. Furthermore, the Top Gear Test Track being present means you can be your own ‘Star in a Reasonably Priced Car’.

A host of features
Perhaps the greatest compliment I can pay to Forza Motorsport 4 after the brief look at it I’ve had is that it is seemingly packed full of features. The sheer range of options on offer is staggering. For example, tuning, painting, drifting, time trialling, track racing, photography, video making and much more is included. If you’re a fan of motor racing then there’ll be something in the Forza Motorsport 4 experience for you.

Any negatives?
Perhaps the only thing I can say is that the ‘World Tour’ is immediately recognisable to any players of Forza Motorsport 3. The old saying though “if it’s not broke don’t fix it” comes to mind, as the game is improved in almost every area I cared to look at after a few hours of play time.

Final verdict
If you have an Xbox 360 and enjoy cars, you NEED this game. It is a must purchase. Oh and if you like to add a bit more depth, you could try out the Microsoft Speed Wheel. It is very tactile and responsive.

The Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder

Lamborghini keeps producing special editions of the Gallardo and with very good reason. However, the Spyder is probably the best ‘standard’ production version. What would you rather have – this or the Audi R8 Spyder?

The Lamborghini Gallardo represents a supercar that has it all – minus a roof that makes it just that more exciting. Are the numbers important when the car itself looks this damn good? Not to me. For my money, the Gallardo Spyder is one of the most exciting cars on the road.

The Ferrari California

With Valentine’s Day coming up, you’ll want to impress a loved one. There is probably little better way to do it than the superb Ferrari California. With a front-mid engine setup, enough room for the golf clubs and even space for a child in this 2+2, Ferrari is clearly on to a winner here.

This is a ‘true’ GT car, not least down to the V8 450bhp engine that rockets you to 62 in under 4 seconds but is quite capable of cruising from Scotland to France and beyond (though you’ll not get there on one tank of fuel!). Whether you’re male or female, the power will thrill and passengers will love the folding hardtop.

Go with the classic ‘Rosso Red’ with the black roof. You’ll be the envy of everyone – regardless of where you spin the wheels. This is a truly special car and few others would be more suitable for the February edition of this feature.

This is a guest blog post on behalf of Carfinance247

Jaguar E-Type

Image credit: exfordy

Perceived by many as the most beautiful car ever made, the Jaguar E-Type has aged and matured like cheese – by which we mean it has gone better with time. Sensational curves, the typical sports car layout, wire wheels and, if finished in British Racing Green, the perfect car for howling down B-roads. The E-Type is probably the best looking car Britain has ever produced – and you would be brave to bet against it being the world’s best looking car. We just love it.

Aston Martin DB5

Image credit: jns001

The 1960s was a good time to be designing cars. The decade of a freedom allowed our young, creative British designers to express themselves as best they can – and we ended up with the Aston Martin DB5. Immortalised by James Bond, but it wasn’t just the film co-sign that helped the DB5 achieve worldwide success – the Aston was just achingly gorgeous from front to back. That iconic grill coupled with the side vents, traffic signal rear lights and chrome fixtures all blended perfectly to create a masterpiece in car design.

Ford GT

Image credit: Dave Hamster

Again, a car spawned during the ‘60s, the Ford GT was a car that was designed primarily to destroy Ferrari at Le Mans – and it worked, it won three times on the trot, and Enzo Ferrari wasn’t too happy about it at all. Happily, despite Ford’s desire to concentrate on winning, they did manage to remember to design it, and boy, did they do a good job. So good in fact, the company decided to release a modern day version a few years ago – and it looked basically the same as the original.

Alfa Romeo Brera

Image credit: 246-You

This one might be a bit controversial, but the Brera is easily one of the best looking cars of the 21st Century – and when you consider it costs less than £25,000, you can’t really argue, can you? Those six individual light clusters at the front makes the Brera look pointy and aggressive – which is a good thing! The Brera looks best in black and coupled with tan leather – mmmmm… you’re salivating, aren’t you?

Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupe

Image credit: exfordy

Another oldie but this one is defiantly a goodie. The original ‘Gullwing’ Mercedes is now one of the most collectable cars in the world and it’s not hard to see why. It’s strange how some cars get better with age, and the 300SL is case in point – if lucky owners sold their SL now, they would be laughing all the way to the bank. It’s easy to see what makes the 300SL work; a combination of German engineering, gullwing doors, a curvy bonnet and that low-slung grill makes the Merc a design classic – no question about it.

Bugatti Veyron

Image credit: exfordy

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but while the Veyron might not be to everybody’s taste, it is still one of the most desirable and iconic cars of our time. If 254mph doesn’t excite you, nothing will. The Veyron, though, is actually a very well proportioned car. The front and rear seem to work in harmony, and of course, the massive 8-litre, W16 engine is as beautiful as anything you can compare it to. Perhaps the beauty of the Veyron comes from its abilities and functionality – whatever it is, we want one.

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

Image credit: Supermac1961

How to sum the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione up in one word? Well, that’s easy – stunning. In truth, the 8C is rubbish. It rides poorly, drives poorly, performs poorly, corners poorly – but do you care? Just look at it. Car design may have peaked in the 1960s, but the 8C shows we are still spewing out designers with real talent. The 8C is as close to art as a car can get, and who cares if technically it is biblically poor? Buy one and just look at it for hours if you don’t want to drive it.

Would your list differ from the one above? Let us know

With winter fast approaching, I thought it was time for a new ‘something for the weekend’ motor that would bring a smile on your faces. This being a special feature as it always is, it was never going to be a 1.2 Ford Fiesta now was it? However, bearing in mind the snow is coming, the next few editions will bear the poor weather in mind. This is why You’re looking at a picture of the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S.

What?! Yes, it’s a hugely powerful, rear engined car. When ice is about to appear all over the roads. However, the Carrera 4S has four wheel drive. So you’re safe, warm, cosy and sat in an extremely powerful sports car that will demolish the 0-62 run in 4.7 seconds, or 4.5 if you’re using the posh semi auto gearbox.

Outstanding driving dynamics and traction are what the allwheel drive variants of the 911 have to offer above all else. This is a true car for petrolheads and represents and iconic marque. Buy it in black. Drive it whatever the weather. Take it to the track. It’ll do everything and put a smile on your face as well as giving grip in bucketloads. Yes, I’ll take one thanks.

Chevrolet Camaro

Here’s something for the weekend! The UK lineup of vehicles from Chevy was certainly in dire need of a sports model and their superb Camaro more than fits the bill. In fact, I’m positively desperate to get behind the wheel of this thing!

Building on Chevrolet’s iconic US Heritage, the retro-styled Camaro has been on sale in the USA since 2009, and has already seen sales in excess of 200,000 as American retailers cleared their waiting lists. Very soon, those waiting to get their hands on an official Camaro in the UK will have reason to celebrate – the car will go on sale as an official Chevrolet, complete with full manufacturer warranty, during the first half of 2011.

The Camaro is a four seater car with a massive, monster engine that’s a 6.2-litre 426bhp powerplant. Prices? Not announced yet, but it’s unlikely to be that cheap. However, I am sure it’ll be more than worth the wait. I’d better start saving my pennies for this amazing muscle car. Look out for more updates on the Camaro here at Car Articles.

Aston Martin DBS Volante

This is a special edition of the ‘Something For The Weekend’ series that I run – in that I’ve found the above picture of the Aston Martin DBS Volante (the convertible version of the classy DBS) and I thought I’d share it with you all. The DBS is a great looking car but make it a convertible and it’s even better. I thought you’d all admire this hand built beauty as much as I would. Knowing I was going to drive that would certainly put a smile on my face. It is a very special car.

Aston Martin Rapide

This is not just any car – this is the Aston Martin Rapide.

Could you think of anything more wonderful to be blasting along the countryside in? Granted, it may not be made in England (it’s actually built in Austria), but the history, lineage, performance and beauty is all there. Or perhaps the ‘Power, Beauty, Soul’ that Aston Martin is so fond of talking about.

Why would this be a good choice for the weekend? Well, it’s got the correct number of doors and seats should you require to travel with your children or business partners and still has the ability to impress your golfing ‘buddies’. It has a 6.0 litre V12 with 48 valves that is good for 470 horse power. Oh, it’s also more attractive than any other similar offering out there. The traditional refinement of Aston Martin is present and you’ll bask in the lap of luxury whenever you decide to step inside. A journey becomes an experience.

Want one? Oh yes, only would you mind if I kept it for the week too?

Mazda MX-5 Superlight

This is the Mazda MX-5 Superlight, which is going to premier at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show. Classic speedster looks really compliment the car and show off some wonderful lines, whilst harking back to the classic age of motoring. This car represents the pinnacle of modern design, with extraordinarily light weight materials being used and talk of the engine from a Mazda 3 MPS being fitted (yum!).