I just checked out the game and so far I'm liking it. The only complaint I have is that the vehicles weights are in metric when everything else is in SAE, makes no sence. There are some new things, one being you can add a wing to the back of any vehicle for 1200 cr (I'd rather spend the credits on better stuff.
Looks like the game is showing a little love to the AC VeeDubs this time around. They have a '49 beetle and a old ghia, also on the Nerdingberg(?) track there some graffitti spray painted on the track in the shape of a VW symbol. I'm hoping that there is a Super Beetle to unlock

.