LOS ANGELES — Microsoft announced in its keynote address here at the 2009 E3 Expo that it is teaming up with Audi for its new Forza Motorsport 3. The new video game will feature the new 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI as the cover car. Developer Turn 10 has worked closely with Audi in modeling the R8 to depict the look and physics of the vehicle accurately.

The driving simulator game features several new tracks and vehicles and also allows players to wreck their chosen car in the most destructive way possible. There are driving assist and training modes — and a handy "game rewind" feature that hands out a do-over after a bad crash or mistake.

"What we love about the R8 is the car stands for much of what makes Forza Motorsport 3 the ultimate racing game — powerful but refined, sophisticated yet inviting, the perfect blend of design and performance. It's that blend of design and performance that makes Audi the ideal partner for my team. It mirrors the way we approach the development of Forza," said Dan Greenawalt, Turn 10 game director.

Microsoft and Audi are hyping the game with the AXF-24 Audi-Forza Challenge, where the top nine North American Forza competitors will be invited to play Forza 3 in a 24-hour endurance race. Like the actual Le Mans races, the nine gamers will be split into three teams of three, and the winning team will win an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Audi-Forza challenge will take place June 13 and 14 at the Audi Forum in New York City.

The game is set to be released in October. While waiting, be sure to check out Microsoft's Forza Challenge Design Contest for your chance to win a wireless racing wheel for the Xbox 360.