Could it be that DiRT 3 is sending the franchise skidding back to its rallying roots? If this first gameplay trailer is anything to go by, then the answer could well be yes, as apparently 60% of the game's stages are now set to be purely rally-based, with all manner of surfaces to spin your wheels on, including gravel, tarmac, grass, snow, ice, rocks and custard. Wait, scratch that last one.

The development team at Codemasters' esteemed racing studio also went out and got some driving time with some real rally cars to ensure the handling was just right, although DiRT 3 is shooting for a balance between out and out realism and arcade accessibility. So, something like DiRT 2 then?

Check out this brand new trailer to get a glimpse of some DiRT 3 gameplay as well as a bit of insight into the game from the Codemasters devs. DiRT 3 is out some time in 2011.