V8 Supercars 2005 promises ultra-realistic simulations, in both appearance and consequence.

The drip-feed of information in the the lead-up to the long-awaited release of V8 Supercars 2005 continues, with developer Codemasters releasing a few more tasty tidbits to whet the appetite of keen gamers.

Due on for launch this October for PlayStation 2, Xbox and PC, V8 Supercars 2005 is promising to be a more realistic simulation of real-world racing than its predecessors.

Unlike many racing games, where you can thrash and crash your car to buggery without fear or consequence, V8 Supercars 2005's refined engine reflects what happens if you try such tactics in the real world. Damage to the bodywork or radiator, over-revving and even picking up dirt on the road can lead to overheating, tyres can wear and blow out and engines can grenade spectacularly if they're flogged without sympathy.

In short, you might be able to get the front of the V8 Supercars pack, but staying there when your tyres are shagged and your engine is about to let go could prove a much bigger challenge. If you reckon you're a bit of a tactical whiz and gentle on equipment in the style of somebody like Steven 'The Accumulator' Richards, this game will be your chance to prove it.

The competition in V8 Supercars 2005 is also claimed to be more realistic, with A.I. rivals programmed to make more mistakes, including spins and crashes caused by overdriving, and they’re now vulnerable to the same kind of damage as their human foes. But don't get too cocky because they have also been set up to make it harder for you to make an overtaking move stick. Get past one and they'll immediately apply the pressure for a repass.

Whichever kind of racing discipline floats your boat, V8 Supercars 2005 looks set to have it covered.

As for your ears, they're also said to be in for a big treat, with Codemasters claiming the car audio is as realistic as has ever been heard in a racing game. We'll have to reserve judgement, however, until we get our hands on a copy of our own.

All up, V8 Supercars 2005 will allow you to contest up to 35 different classes, from V8 Supercars, DTM, British GT, Muscle Cars and Touring Sports Cars to Monster Trucks, Baja Motorcross, Formula Palmer Audi, Historic Grand Prix, Formula 3 and even a Williams F1 car, on more than 50 different circuits. In addition to the usual V8 Supercars and other classes, the fleet is said to include some of the most iconic racing cars from the last 80 years of motorsport.

Each of the available racing disciplines has been made as comprehensive as possible. Players will have full control of a huge selection of race options, including rules and regulations (such as flags, shoot-outs, qualifying and practice sessions and race length), car tuning, driving assists, difficulty and, where allowed, car-part upgrades from a huge list of fully licensed parts.

Players can also choose from a range of ways to play the game. Pro Career mode allows you to build a career in your chosen racing discipline and continue all the way to the top, while World Tour mode continues on with the series' plot-driven narrative, characterisation and quick-fix racing.

Last by not least is the improvement made to the ranking system that has proved so popular in earlier games. Each player will be able to attain an individual rating for every championship they contest, a rating for each of the main racing disciplines and, finally, an overall rating based on all of the above. For Xbox Live users, there will be a Hall of Fame-style leaderboard in which the top 50 players on each track, in every championship, will be able to post their ghost cars online, allowing other players to compete against them. Cool.