A couple of hours in and I'm really liking this game. From a pure going-fast / sensation-of-speed aspect it nails it. I definitely recommend bonnet/hood-cam for maximum enjoyment.

As for the driving experience: there's a learning curve - it requires building skill to get good. I'm also finding car tuning, and, most of all, driving the way the devs intended the cars to be driven, to be really important. There is a lot of emphasis on drifting. Slowing down doesn't help much with tight corners, but if you get the right drift line there's no problem going full speed around a hairpin turn.

It's not huge AAA scope, but its focused, stylish as hell, and a lot of fun.