The Champion Edition employs quality of life fixes and the removal of licensed cars, vinyls and rims.
Initially, the game was planned to focus on Volkswagen vehicles, with the W12 Concept Car gracing the European cover.
[1][2] More details later emerged: it was revealed that World Racing 2 would also feature cars from Volkswagen subsidiaries Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Škoda and Seat.
The news article on TeamXbox website, dated 6 October 2004, aside from gameplay footage, mentioned that World Racing 2 would use an upgraded game engine from the prequel, with better shadows and lighting, as well as new mud and dust effects; and mentioned that the cars would be more elaborate, with more customisation options (i.e. the player changing the car's appearance).
It would also include a well-developed car damage system and feature the beauty contest winner Isabell from FHM magazine.
At the end of February 2005, information about the game's racing locations appeared, where Egypt, Hawaii, Italy and Miami are mentioned.
GameSpot's reviewer Aaron Thomas said, "World Racing 2 makes a couple of key improvements on its predecessor, but it's still a substandard effort."
Thomas praised the game for the impressive car damage, tracks and race models, and many improvements.
IGN's reviewer Douglass C. Perry said "Synetic has a basic grounding in good car physics and better-than-average artificial intelligence, which gives World Racing 2 an underlying level of quality.
Thomas praised the game for the impressive car damage, tracks and race models, and many improvements.