Sylvania Xenarc HID Conversions
Okay, so you don't want just the HID look, you want the real deal-the increased light output, better visibility at night, and the cool blue glow. Well, Sylvania has something for you, too: the Xenarc HID auxiliary low-beam kit. Designed to supplement, rather than replace, standard low-beam headlights, these auxiliary lights mount on your car like traditional driving or foglight kits. Each system includes two street-legal HID lights in 2.5x6.5-inch housings, electronic ballasts, a wiring harness, remote switches, mounting brackets, and hardware.
Info: Osram/Sylvania, 978/777-1900, www.sylvania.com.
Valeo Clutch
Ever heard of Valeo? The company manufactures original equipment clutches for all kinds of import and domestic car manufacturers, including BMW, Mini, VW, and Volvo. At the SEMA show, Valeo announced the launch of aftermarket replacement clutch kits built to the same quality standards as its OE products. In fact, these new clutches are made on the same assembly lines as the OE pieces. The kits contain all the parts necessary for complete clutch replacement, including the clutch cover, disc, release bearing, pilot bearing, alignment tool, and grease pack.
Info: Valeo, 888/718-2536, www.valeo.com.
Stop Tech Brakes
Stop Tech has developed what it calls "four-wheel balanced brake upgrade" for Audi S4s. By "balanced," the company means that the front and rear rotor sizes (332 or 355mm in front depending on wheel size, 328mm in back) and the piston diameters in the four-pot calipers have all been tuned as a system to maintain the proper front-to-rear brake bias.
Info: Stop Tech, 310/325-4799, www.stoptech.com.
Tesla Performance Meter
"Performance meter" sounds a little dry for all of the things that Tesla's G-Tech/Pro Competition gizmo can do. Three accelerometers are used to measure all the dragstrip data you'd need: reaction time, 60-foot times, 0-60mph times, eighth- and quarter-mile e.t. and speeds, and so on. But the G-Tech can also measure engine speed without hooking up any wires to the motor, so you can program it to give you shift points, the motor's torque and horsepower output, lateral gs, and reaction times.
Info: Tesla Electronics, 800/483-2477, www.gtechpro.com.
Valeo SmartBlade Ultra
The complex curves and shapes of today's automotive windshields present a challenge to windshield wiper manufacturers, who must make sure the blades can cover all that angled glass. Valeo has introduced the SmartBlade Ultra to attack that problem. The Ultra eliminates the traditional metal superstructure found in other premium blades. Instead, integrated splines conform to the curvature of the glass. By getting rid of the metal structure, the SmartBlade Ultra is cleaner aerodynamically, and it won't pack up with ice or snow.
Info: Valeo, 888/718-2536, www.valeo.com.
Supersprint Exhaust
Supersprint makes high-performance stainless steel exhaust systems for a wide variety of BMW, Audi, and VW applications. One of the newest additions to the line is this Racing Muffler after-cat system for Golf IV, with a 304 stainless steel muffler case surrounding 63.5mm (2.5-inch) tubing. Supersprint has Golf IV and New Beetle kits for both the 1.8T and 1.9 TDi engines, plus a similar racing system for the 180hp Audi TT. Supersprint makes headers, too, and has new header applications for BMW E30 and E36 models.
Info: Supersprint North America, 800/648-7278, www.supersprintna.com.
3M Paint Protection Film
3M has come up with an invisible alternative to frontend covers and bras: paint protection film. The 8- or 14-mil-thick, clear urethane film has a clearcoat layer to protect against yellowing, and it's applied with water like window tinting film. 3M says professional installation of the film is required, and it can be done by car dealers or restyling shops. A Where to Buy link on 3M's Web site can help you locate an installer in your area.
Info: 3M Automotive Division, 800/328-1684, www.3m.com/paintprotectionfilm.
Sylvania SilverStar Headlights
Want that HID headlight look without dropping the bucks for a pricey HID conversion? Sylvania has a new type of high-performance halogen headlight called the SilverStar, which provides a crisp, white light with a color temperature comparable to HID lights. In this photo, the SilverStar headlight was combined in a single (Subaru) housing with a Diadem indicator light. When it's on, the diadem glows orange. But when it's off, the bulb is blue. SilverStar halogen bulbs are available for most BMW, VW, and Audi.
Info: Osram/Sylvania, 978/777-1900, www.sylvania.com.
Tokico Shocks
Tokico is in the process of developing new Audi applications (for previous- and current- generation A4 and TT) for its Illumina series of adjustable shocks. These five-position, externally adjustable units use a calibrated bypass/shutter valve system that varies both rebound and compression damping when the adjustments are made, not just the rebound. The new Illumina Audi shocks should be available by the time you read this.
Info: Tokico Gas Shocks, 800/548-2549, www.tokicogasshocks.com.