Audi Motor and Transmission Mounts
034 Motorsport * MSRP: Website
Info: www.034motorsport.com
034Motorsport introduces new motor and transmission mounts for a wide range of Audis, including the B5 A4 and S4 plus VW Passat. Mounts are available in two lines: Street and Track. The street mounts are solid rubber, which are about 10% stiffer than stock. This means they maintain a smooth, quiet ride but reduce engine movement. The Track series are designed to be 90% stiffer than stock. These result in virtually zero drivetrain or motor movement - perfect for the track enthusiast who doesn't mind increased vibration.
Rumor has it
The power pros at Abt Sportsline can turn your VW Touareg into a highway hauler or a boulevard badass in no time, thanks to their latest kits for the sporty SUV. By offering everything from big brakes, wheels and body kits to suspension upgrades and power packages that can see over 500hp, these four-wheelers aren't to be taken lightly (www.abt-sportsline.de).
Getting ready to take your Euro cross-country? Check www.speedtrap.org for a list of cities across the nation with heavily ticketed speed traps. Sponsored by the National Motorists Association, it aims to keep travelers safe and happy on their excursions. Some top ranking speed trap cities include Colorado Springs, Houston, Orlando and Detroit, to name a few (www.speedtrap.org).
Billet Bottle Brackets
ZEX * MSRP: Website
Info: www.zex.com
Now you can look the part with these billet bottle brackets from ZEX. The polished beauties can be mounted in a variety of ways. They feature a split-arm design that makes it easy to install the bottles in the tightest of locations, and removal is even simpler. No tools required; the brackets use thumb wheels to secure the bottles. So in a matter of moments an empty bottle can be replaced with a full one. Who would've thought that running some squeeze could have been so easy?Caption06
Check Temp Display
in.pro. * MSRP: Website
Info: www.in.pro.de
The next generation Check Temp Display is now available from in.pro. It mounts flush in the dash of most VW cockpits; typically where the hazard button is located. The unit not only displays interior and exterior temperatures, but also has a time and date display, trip function, manual air conditioning function and can warn of ice. The display can even change its lighting between white, blue, red and green to compliment your cockpit.
Re-Q head unit Integrator
Re-Q * MSRP: Website
Info: www.reqsound.com
With most new cars featuring integrated consoles and intricate shapes, most owners are forced to retain their factory radios, only to lose sound quality when connecting quality aftermarket speakers. Well fear not, because re-Q has introduced its re-Q Integrator that allows the continued use of factory features like steering wheel controls, iPod interfaces and OnStar, etc. More than simply retaining features, the re-Q negates factory circuits that cut treble and bass to preserve their tiny factory speakers; meaning you get rich sound while looking stock. What could be better?
Power System
Power System * MSRP: Website
Info: www.powersystemusa.com
In the endless pursuit of power, Power System created a unit that's said to increase power and torque in modern automobiles. A compact plug 'n play device, it connects to the factory ECU. But instead of altering the OEM maps, the Power System intercepts the ECU signals sent to the injectors, it then optimizes the duration and pulse of the stock injectors. If that isn't enough, the unit is the size of a deck of cards. So hiding it from the competition should be a snap.
Forza Motorsport 2 for Xbox 360
Microsoft * MSRP: $59.99
Info: www.forzamotorsport.net
Possibly the most authentic racing simulation available for the Xbox 360, Forza Motorsport 2 will keep you hooked for hours. The game features photo-realistic graphics, licensed tuning options and hundreds of cars, including VW, BMW, Porsche, Ferrari and more. Players have the ability to modify their cars with forced induction, engine swaps, different suspension setups, racing slicks and more. You can even adjust camber, tire pressure and gear ratios for more realism. And you can create custom paint and graphic schemes that can be applied to any vehicle or swapped online. So if you own an Xbox 360 and are into racing, you don't want to miss this stellar simulator.
Elliott: Having played the original Forza on the Xbox, I knew the graphics on Forza 2 were going to be good, there would be plenty of cars and I'd have plenty of options to upgrade the car. I also knew if Forza 2 was like the original I'd play it for 10min, get frustrated and never play it again. But what started as me expecting to play for a short time turned into an eight-hour epic.
Forza 2 takes what's good about all current racing games and combines them into one huge excuse for me to call in sick so I can play games.
It's a truly realistic driving experience, but not to the point where you'll get frustrated. The traction control will kick in to keep you on track, but if you push too hard you'll spin.
The real fun starts when you win enough credits to modify your car. The game allows all manner of tuning, including motor swaps. To top it off, you can race online and even sell cars you've built to other gamers.
In short, this is the best racing game I've ever played. There are so many options you'll never run out of things to modify or races to win. The only negative is a lack of notable European tuners. Thanks Forza 2, I now get three hours sleep each night, and a girlfriend who thinks I've turned into a videogame geek.