Yeah, barrel rolls and side shifts work just like in wipeout, same for airbreaks. I only played HD but Xpand described the handling to be a mix of Pure and HD.
About the zone mode: Yeah, we also discussed this thing as it would be way too difficult if you have a normal track [as narrow as the standard, colors, objects remain the same] to be generated. Our Zone mode will work a bit different. It's called "Zone" but it's another challenge. On Wipeout, the Zone mode works because you know the layout of the track. The SSGX zone mode is purely based on reflexes. You won't reach Zone 100 [in our case, it's counted in "segments", so say Segment 100] so easily. Maybe the limit is lower.
But as a matter of fact: The Zone mode might be divided into levels: The easy part on low speed contains segments which are quite narrow. If you get faster, segments will be generated which are handleable for the speed. Also we either make the colors of the segments differ for each level you are in or color it to indicate corners. A red segment could contain a sharper corner than a green segment. There will be no full landscape around the track, it would actually look like a computer animation, although sometimes billboards or other small objects will be generated here and there. This way you have a much clearer view of what is coming ahead of you. Also, another idea is that she ship speed increases not too fast, and we only have a certain number or segments loaded at a time. One new segment becomes generated infront of you, the one at the other end of the track disappears. So if you are too slow [too many wall collissions] and you are on the last segment when it disappears, you will fall off the track, session over.
The Endurance can of course be a bit boring. Actually we need a racemode like this in the story at one point [unlike Wipeout, SSGX campaign will have a little bit of a story]. We make sure it's not on venom speed ;) But I have to admit I for myself also played 15 lap races online on HD and it is quite fun, because at one point the field becomes messy, with overlaping going on etc. Anyway, you won't find the Endurance too often, so it should be fine :)
I hope this clears up some question for you guys.
Now go ahead :D