21 February 2011, Australia & New Zealand – For centuries, the wind has been viewed as nature’s paradox with its ability to be both gentle and powerful. The newly-unveiled Pagani Huayra, named after the Andean God of Wind, reflects this dichotomy and will be available exclusively in SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED™ and Need for Speed™ in 2011, the latest entry to the critically acclaimed Need for Speed simulation series.

The team at Slightly Mad Studios has perfectly recreated the form and function of this year’s most notable new supercar. From its elegant body shape to its commanding 700 HP engine, SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED is the first videogame where players will feel the white knuckle intensity of racing the Pagani Huayra at speeds of over 230 mph. SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED is this year’s most authentic racing game which races onto retail shelves in Australia on March 31 and New Zealand on April 1.

“For the past seven years, the designing of the Huayra has been a labor of love and I’m ecstatic to be working with the entire Need for Speed team to help share our creation with the world,” said Horacio Pagani, founder of Pagani Automobili S.p.A. “I’m amazed by how accurately they have been able to capture the look and, most importantly, the feel of the Huayra. SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED will give enthusiasts all over the world the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the Huayra.”

SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED takes the innovative rivalry-generating Autolog technology pioneered by Need for Speed Hot Pursuit and connects friends, and competitors, together in head-to-head races and player statistic match-ups to add new layers of depth and detail to the intricate customisation and tuning of the simulation series. Players can take the revolutionary true driver’s experience to the next gear with an all-new rendering engine and graphics overhaul, innovative helmet camera, night racing, and authentic degradation of cars and environments.

Developed by the award-winning Slightly Mad Studios, SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED will be available on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC.

Included is a photo and in-game shot of the Pagani Huayra. For more SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED and Pagani Huayra assets, http://www.needforspeed.com/shift2unleashed.