It's different from the previous ones, but I wouldn't call them realistic. For instance I find drifting and power sliding much easier in front wheel drive cars. You can do a handbrake 360's going at fairly low speeds, which sucks when you're getting used to the controls but is very useful/fun once you get used to the controls. Hitting pedestrians with cars is 'fairly' realistic as they respond to where and how hard you hit them. Accident physics is fairly nicely done too, in my opinion.
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/u...es/166288.html