I didn't really get the pinball influence until I saw this video:
http://www.needforspeed.com/post/burnout-crash-gamescom-live-chat
Now, I can really see the pinball influences.
The music that comes in when special things happen is very pinball. Falling down holes and starting at the bottom again is very pinball. And all the triggered special features have a very pinbally feel.
I kinda think it's a shame that there is no online multi-player, but at least we can all chat while we play still which I am thinking might be missing from PS3?
I am glad that I will be able to play the whole game with Kinect tho, and not just the Kinect party mode. Not sure I will choose to play that way, but it's nice to have the option.