If there’s one game destined to piddle in Gran Turismo 5’s chips it’s Forza Motorsport 3. Major League supercars, real-world tracks, photo-realistic good-looks, an almost fanatical attention to detail and more on/offline features than you could shake a tailpipe at – Forza 3’s got ‘em all. As you’re just about to find out...

Yup, Forza 3, in all its shiny Xbox 360 exclusiveness, is not due to hit the shelves until the back end of October, but Microsoft has just announced a big-style playable demo kicking off next week.

Actually, make that a week on Thursday (24th) when you’ll be able to lay hands on five of the game’s myriad motors – the 2007 Porsche #80 Flying Lizard 911 GT3-RSR, 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro, 2009 Ferrari California, 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR, 2009 Mini John Cooper Works – and take ‘em all for a spin around the Camino Viejo track that’s inspired by Barcelona’s mountainous Montserrat region.

Aside from all the above, the demo also shows off some of Forza 3’s signature features. Namely the damage mechanics, rollover crashes, full cockpit view and a useful rewind feature that, we’re guessing, performs as described. And then there’s an additional Xbox LIVE component that lets players record their best lap-times on an official Leadberboard.

It all sounds very cool indeed, and Microsoft is adamant that Forza 3’s gameplay is open to all – not just the harder-than-hardcore petrolheads. Meanwhile the game itself has just gone ‘gold’, meaning that it’s well on course to make its October 23rd release date. Can’t wait!