Game play for most games today such as Need for Speed needs to be as realistic as possible. And you have to wonder how they do it. Well now it can be told. Game designers try to get as close as possible to the real thing and Microsoft game developers have shown how they do it. Thanks to a loaned Tesla, the sound of squealing tires were properly recorded thanks to proper placement of mics near the wheels of the said vehicle. Game audio is essential and as far as car-based games are concerned, this practically moves them closer to the real thing.

As you can see from the large microphones placed which look like overgrown feather dusters or willows, these things actually record the actual sounds coming from the car itself. These Tesla sounds are apparently meant to prepare the audio support for their upcoming game titles, the new Forza and Project Gotham Racing. Now the question is on whether there will be an actual Tesla car in these games. Let’s just wait and see!

(Source) Crunch Gear

Tags: actual gaming, crunch, feather dusters, forza, game audio, game designers, game developers, game play, game titles, microphones, Microsoft, microsoft game, mics, Need for Speed, project gotham racing, tesla car, these games, tires, wheels, willows

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Over 60 vehicles vied for the 2009 Scottish Car of the Year award but in the end it was Tata Motors’ Land Rover Discovery 4 which stood tall. Now on sale for about £31,995, the Land Rover Discovery 4 boasts of appealing features that include 3.0 liter TDV6 powertrain and state of the art technology add-ons with the likes of a Surround Camera System, Gradient Release Control, Tow Assist and a Push Button Start system. The Land Rover Discovery 4 garnered the most votes for its go-anywhere capability and premium package.

(Source) Wheels Unplugged

Tags: camera system, capability, car of the year, gradient, Land Rover, land rover discovery, liter, package source, plum, powertrain, push button, state of the art, state of the art technology, tata motors, wheels

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The Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition racing car will finally be made available come January, a concept race car that was initially shown at the SEMA 2008 in Las Vegas. It comes equipped with the TDI Cup Edition Kit which includes a front bumper, side skirts and rear valance. The Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition will also feature a 2.0-liter clean diesel engine loaded with 140HP paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. Other notable enhancements include an 18” Charleston wheels with performance all-season tires, sports seats and a multi-function steering wheel that features paddle shifters when equipped with the DSG transmission.

(Source) Press

Tags: clean diesel, diesel engine, dsg transmission, enhancements, front bumper, Jetta, jetta tdi, manual transmission, paddle shifters, race car, racing car, rear valance, season tires, SEMA, side skirts, sports seats, steering wheel, wheels

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Watch out for a new supercharged car at the 2009 SEMA show as the 2010 Camaro is set to make its debut, a world class supercar that is the product of two of the most popular names in the auto industry. Lingerfelter Performance Engineering and Hotchkis Performance have come together to unveil a stunning new Camaro featuring a 427 CID LS7 engine, titanium connecting rods and LS7 cylinder heads with titanium intake valves and Inconel exhaust valves.

Other notable features include a Hotchkis Total Vehicle System, Brembo brakes, a custom LPE 20-inch 10-spoke wheels, a custom embroidered interior and a Mito rear view mirror with video display. With such an array of features expect this car to draw all the attention at the event and all the inquiries as well once it hits the market.

(Source) Press

Tags: array, auto industry, brakes, cylinder heads, debut, exhaust valves, hotchkis performance, inquiries, intake valves, market source, new camaro, performance engineering, Rear View Mirror, sema show, Supercar, supercharged car, titanium connecting rods, video display, wheels

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When it comes to smoother rides and better care for car tires, Audi of America knows that using the best tools will be the proper route to take. And to make sure that most of its Audi line of vehicles carry that niche, Audi of America promotes the Haweka Wheel Balancer Tooling which is now available to all U.S. and Canadia Audi dealers.

Proper care for wheels used is equally important both for safety and financial-related issues. And as far as Audi is concerned, adding that privilege via these Haweka flange plates will be useful when it comes to balancing the wheels of their various Audi vehicles. This new technology provides accurate road balancing results thanks to a better stabilizing method to safeguard the top coating of the wheels.

This should be a great benefit as well for consumers as tire used can be consumed better not to mention smoother rides which would translate to better fuel consumption for all Audi vehicles concerned.

(Source) Press

Tags: audi dealers, audi of america, audi vehicles, benefit, best tools, canadia, car tires, consumers, flange plates, new technology, niche, privilege, wheel, wheel balancer, wheels

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Get the chance to own this Pink Range Rover which was donated by VH1’s “Charm School Dean” and former MTV VJ LaLa Vazquez. This was made possible through the partnership of Vazquez and Auction Cause which will benefit the US Doctors for Africa.

Among the features of the modified SUV include DUB edition wheels, a STRUT grill and many more. The Pink Range Rover is a prominent figure in car shows and was also featured in Celebrity Car Magazine.

“I spent so much time on customizing this car and making it perfect, I want to give someone else the chance to get in and receive all the attention I get from driving in this car. Together Melo (Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets) and I bought and customized it together… I know there’s someone out there who wants a hot pink Range Rover,” says Vazquez.

The auction is up until June 21 at eBay.

(Source) Press

Tags: auction cause, car magazine, car shows, carmelo anthony, charm school, denver nuggets, doctors, former mtv vj, june 21, mtv, mtv vj lala, mtv vj lala vazquez, Range Rover, school dean, wheels

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If you have been searching for custom BMW wheels, you’ve now got the option of test fitting Beyern wheels onto your BMWs online first. The Beyern Configurator, on the Beyern BMW Wheels website, has been constructed to serve this purpose. “The configurator enables a true visual representation of Beyern wheels on BMW motor cars,” says Terence Scheckter, President of Beyern Wheels, “The configurator has a great look and an easy to use interface for test fitting Beyern Wheels on your BMW online”.

Beyern Wheels are designed solely for BMW cars and SUV’s so they are designed to fit perfectly. “When it comes to BMW wheels, Beyern has the perfect fit,” says Terence Scheckter, president of Beyern Wheels, “Our wheels are hub centric and built to ensure a smooth, vibration free ride.” Beyern offers a wide range of staggered BMW wheel applications, from 17 inch through 22 inch wheels with up to a 4 inch lip. Prices of Beyern wheels vary anywhere from $230 – $1200.

Tags: Beyern, BMW, The Beyern Configurator, website, wheels

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Here is an easy way to get your hands on a Mini Cooper. Krispy Kreme, a famous maker of doughnuts today, is giving doughnut fans an even bigger reason to celebrate with the launch of a new sweepstakes that offers customers the opportunity to drive away in a set of MINI Cooper wheels.

The minis sweepstakes will give one lucky person a chance to ride in style in a brand-new 2009 MINI Cooper. Beginning April 27 through May 31, customers can enter to win by receiving an entry code with any mini doughnut purchase at participating Krispy Kreme stores. Krispy Kreme fans can also go online at www.KrispyKreme.com to enter the sweepstakes with no purchase necessary. The grand prize winner will be selected on or about June 15, 2009.

Krispy Kreme’s new tasty mini treats, which add to the company’s legendary doughnut lineup, are about half the size of traditional doughnuts and are available in three delicious varieties: Signature Original Glazed, Chocolate Iced rings and Chocolate Iced rings with sprinkles. Minis make just the right addition to any party or gathering with family or friends. Pick up a few to enjoy solo or share them with colleagues at the office–it’s an ideal way to stretch anyone’s doughnut dollar.

(Source) Press

Tags: doughnut, krispy kreme, mini cooper, sweepstakes, wheels

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The automobile industry is not all about sales and showing off the classy new cars we see today. Apparently, Hyundai Motors has gone beyond that and it includes giving back in a charitable way. The 2009 Hyundai Hope on Wheels Tour will visit 30 children’s hospitals across the country to donate $1.3 million to support pediatric cancer research.

On Tuesday, April 7th, representatives from Hyundai and Hope on Wheels gathered at Hyundai’s U.S. manufacturing plant in Montgomery, Alabama to greet the 2009 Hyundai Hope on Wheels Santa Fe vehicle as it rolled off the assembly line.

In addition to speeches and a ceremonial check presentation of the $1.3 million donation to pediatric cancer research, 11-year-old Samantha Heim, the Hyundai Hope on Wheels national youth ambassador, led children from the local chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in a special Handprint Ceremony.

During the Handprint Ceremony, which Hope on Wheels conducts at each hospital it visits, children place their handprints in colorful paint on the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe, the official vehicle of the Hope on Wheels Tour, to commemorate their brave battles with pediatric cancer.

(Source) Press

Tags: automobile industry, handprints, hospitals, Hyundai, hyundai motors, hyundai santa fe, leukemia, leukemia lymphoma society, lymphoma, manufacturing plant, new cars, pediatric cancer research, speeches, wheels

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TSW Alloy Wheels, a leader in outstanding aftermarket alloy wheels, has introduced  a face-forward multi-spoke wheel. It is the Asan (is named after the Asan race track in Japan) and it is a custom high performance, hub centric alloy wheel. The red stripe painted behind the spoke adds an added visual dimension to gives the wheel that extra sporty look.

The wheels come in gun metal with a superb machined cut face and are available in a range of sizes; 15×6.5, 16×7, 17×7, 17×8, and 18×8. The wheels are made for both four and five lug passenger cars and small SUV’s. Prices of these wheels range from $170 – $220. Visit them on the web at www.tsw.com

Tags: Alloy, TSW, wheels

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You can call it the living room in wheels as the BMW Snug is considered a social space with wheels. On the inside, staggered seating gives the car’s interior a more open feel, much like you’d enjoy in a living room. On the outside, too, the Snug features recessed areas on the side and rear that act as seating.

The Snug’s also designed to have changeable graphics along the side of the vehicle to customize it, and take advantage of greener technologies, such as hydrogen fuel cells.

(Source) BMW Snug

Tags: BMW, changeable graphics, hydrogen fuel cells, living room, snug, social space, wheels

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Here is a great car safety solution for people who are not fond of using chains on icy roads. Normally, placing chains on wheels help to avoid skidding on icy places but with the Snobootz, put all those chains away and simply drive on as you please.

Working kind of like a jacket that you wrap around the tire, the Snobootz have metal cleats that can really dig into ice, and the maker claims they are much easier than chains to install or remove. Popular Science found that they worked great, although the pressure from the car running over the Velcro straps make them tough to unleash.

Snobootz are available now for about $200-250 a pair depending on the size.

(Source) Snobootz

Tags: Cars, chains, metal cleats, velcro straps, wheels

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Christened as the car not suitable for the faint of heart, the Caparo T1 Supercar was officially introduced at London’s exclusive Hurlingham Club. Alongside the Caparo T1’s distinctive profile, information was also available on its five new levels of specifications, starting with the most cost effective race track option.

At the top end, the Race Extreme version of the T1 boasts the most powerful engine, an upgraded electronics package, fully carbon brakes and the latest light weight magnesium wheels.

(Source) New Car

Tags: caparo t1, carbon brakes, electronics package, new car, wheels

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Feast your eyes on the future of motoring. Taking its name after the popular media gadget, the iPod, the iMo is a concept car that has been conceptualized by Anthony Jannarelly. This bubble car is a vision of the French designer which could hit the streets by 2024.

The fully electric vehicle, which can be charged wirelessly via electric induction or with a more conventional plug, seats three in a 2+1 configuration. But there’s no dashboard or driving controls – the iMo is fully autonomous. Its creator refers to it not as a car but as a robot, because of its ability to think for itself.

In short, feast your eyes of an iPod on wheels!

(Source) Auto Express

Tags: bubble car, concept car, Dashboard, electric induction, electric vehicle, french designer, gadget, iPod, robot, wheels

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