Codemsters sends word that Colin McRae: DIRT will be powered by its proprietary Neon engine. The engine, developed solely for (now) current-generation platforms, will provide “sensational” realism and car handling, as well as incredibly detailed vehicles and living environments. Here’s a bit on Neon:

Neon is a multi-platform continuous technical development that’s already been in production for over 18 months with over 30 tech experts on the team. Neon is being used to build Colin McRae: DIRT from the ground up with technology developed exclusively for next-generation formats; there’s no adaptation of previous McRae tech in DIRT.

Neon will ensure that DIRT’s exhilarating mix of off-road race events will be compounded into one adrenaline rush of a video game with playability that’s true to the Colin McRae series.

The detail Neon provides enables the team to model locations and environments as accurately as possible, providing each with a unique look and feel, right down to the effects of the wind.

Using real-time physics to model air movements, everything will be affected by the wind: exhaust smoke, trees, foliage, trackside flags, rainfall and the vehicles themselves. A car will create an air rush wake that will have an effect on everything it passes and also generate a real-time slipstream.

Impact from damage will see metal crumple, glass smash and everything that you collide with in the environment will be destroyed in a realistic way. Small trees snap and bend, grass can be flattened, wood will splinter and stone will be smashed, it’ll even wrap a car around a tree if the crash is serious enough.

Colin McRae: DIRT will feature 40 officially licensed cars from 12 car class categories, including prototypes. The game is scheduled for release sometime next year for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. Below are some screenshots: