Autoblog

HRE carbon fiber wheels for all your customizing desires

George Kennedy — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 10:30:00 EST

HRE has brought some pretty excellent wheels to market in the past, such as the retro-tastic Vintage Series, bridging old and new in fantastic fashion. The wheel-maker's latest offering is the Carbon Series CF2 Concept, now on display at SEMA.

The wheels are not entirely made up of carbon fiber, as you can see. HRE's forged aluminum center is fitted with a rim made of the exotic material. Wheel sizes range from 19 to 22 inches, and widths from 9 to 12 inches. HRE claims a weight savings of 25 percent over typical aluminum wheels.

According to HRE president Alan Peltier, "Our most discerning customers have been pleading with us to go further and introduce another Carbon Series." He continued, "These customers don't care about price. They only want the coolest, most exclusive wheels they can buy and from a brand they can trust, hence the creation of the Carbon Series CF2 Concept." Exclusive and super expensive? SEMA is indeed the right place to be pushing this new rim.

HRE says this line is engineered to not only withstand use at speeds over 200 miles per hour, but can also handle extreme track use. They would also look quite fetching on a number of modern supercars. To read more on these lightweight lookers, check out the press release below.

Continue reading HRE carbon fiber wheels for all your customizing desires

HRE carbon fiber wheels for all your customizing desires originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Nov 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Chevrolet Camaro rolling on 32s is a Hot Wheels come to life

Steven J. Ewing — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Etc., Videos, Chevrolet, GM

Some would say that the Chevrolet Camaro already looks like a Hot Wheels car come to life when fitted with the factory installed 20- or 21-inch alloy wheels. But others - including the folks in this video, apparently - would say that those wheels simply aren't large enough. Twenty-fours? Still too small. Twenty-sixes? You're getting warmer.

No, the Camaro you see here is rolling on 32-inch wheels - in chrome, of course. We can't even imagine how this hinders the Camaro's drivability, but as for whether this modification is hot or not, we'll leave that for you fine readers to discuss in the comments.

Scroll down to see two videos starring not only this donked-out Camaro coupe, but a matching droptop model, as well.

Continue reading Chevrolet Camaro rolling on 32s is a Hot Wheels come to life

Chevrolet Camaro rolling on 32s is a Hot Wheels come to life originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Watch HRE make one of its Vintage Series wheels

Zach Bowman — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:15:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Videos, Design/Style

We're smitten with the Vintage Series three-piece wheels from HRE. The hardware is about as cool as it gets in our opinion, and you can bet we'd rock a set if we had a vehicle worthy of the rollers. If you've ever wondered how the company goes about putting the wheels together, you're in luck. HRE and StanceWorks have collaborated on a video documenting the ins and outs of crafting "investment grade" wheels.

The manufacturing process is set to a suitably epic soundtrack, and the high-def images of aluminum being milled from soulless blocks to three-piece glory are mesmerizing. Take a second to hit the jump and check out the clip for yourself.

Continue reading Watch HRE make one of its Vintage Series wheels

Watch HRE make one of its Vintage Series wheels originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

HRE introduces the Vintage Series, modern versions of retro supercar wheels

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Classic cars have been getting all kinds of love and money lately. Classic wheels, not so much. HRE has introduced a new line called the Vintage Series that puts old rims in a new light.

There are three in the range for now. The 454 "five-window" you'll recognize from old Lamborghini Countach posters, the 505 "thick five-spoke" reminscent of the Ferrari 288 GTO and F40, and the 501 "mesh lace" worn to terrific effect by racing Porsches from decades past.

Sized from 18- to 20-inch diameters and from seven to 14 inches wide, all are forged of aerospace-grade alloys and are hand-finished to the customer's order. They just might make it all right to work backwards on your next car project: get the wheels first, add the Countach LP5000 QV later. There's a press release with more info after the jump and, of course, a high-res image gallery.

Continue reading HRE introduces the Vintage Series, modern versions of retro supercar wheels

HRE introduces the Vintage Series, modern versions of retro supercar wheels originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Taking time to enjoy the little things

Chris Shunk — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Misc. Auto Shows

What separates an old car from a classic? In many cases, not a lot. Beautiful sheet metal, a legendary powertrain or world-class performance could make a world of difference, and so can attention to detail.

We're suckers for a well-stamped curve, an intricate chrome grille or even an elegant hood ornament. And then there are the engines. You won't find many plastic covers in these beautiful bays, but you will find plenty of interesting details and, in some cases, a boat-load of chrome.

We strolled the streets of Woodward with cameras in hand to capture some of the best and brightest details from the 2011 Dream Cruise. Click on the image gallery above to browse everything from the grille of a Rolls-Royce to the engine bay of a Mustang signed by Jack Roush.

Taking time to enjoy the little things originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SEMA 2010: Where supercars go to get new wheels

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 19:32:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Performance

Supercars at the 2010 SEMA Show - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've showcased many of the major automakers' one-off customizations specifically for the tuner crowd here at SEMA, but the vast majority of the show is populated by companies specializing in technology, performance upgrades, and of course, wheels. After all, when it comes to beautifully designed supercars, why mess with success by adding a body kit or even more power when you can personalize your go-fast machine with a set of unique, eye-catching wheels.

That said, the SEMA show is chocked full of companies who will sell you incomprehensible amounts of custom wheels, and we've pointed out cameras at a slew of supercars riding on modified rollers. See the lot in our high-res image gallery, below.

Gallery: SEMA 2010: The Supercars

SEMA 2010: Where supercars go to get new wheels originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

You had us at "Wheels." SR Auto Group's Lamborghini Reventon

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 07:41:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Lamborghini, Canada, Luxury

SR Auto Group's custom Lamborghini Reventón wheels - Click above for high-res image gallery

This post here is only about two things: Car pr0n and wheels. Vancouver's SR Auto Group has Lamborghini Reventón number three out of 20, and they've been charged with making it even more special. The first thing they did was work with wheelmaker ADV.1 to develop the ADV05, a gunmetal five-spoker with a matte black lip. It worked. After that, they sent us high-res photos. The rest we leave up to up you...

Gallery: SR Auto Group Reventon wheels

[Source: SR Auto]

You had us at "Wheels." SR Auto Group's Lamborghini Reventon originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Apr 2010 07:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Motionlite retractable wheel puts the spotlight on your dubs. Yes, really. [w/video]

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos

Motionlite wheel illumination - Click above to watch the videos after the jump

For those of you that roll like this - and we know you're out there, so stand up - Motionlite retractable lighting provides another way for you to accessorize your alloys. Wheel illumination is exactly what it sounds like: an LED mounted on a power telescoping six-inch arm in the wheel well throws photons in seven different colors on your rims. The system is remote-controlled and universal, so it'll work anywhere, anytime. All you need is $499 to make it yours.

If you need to see it in action before you pull the trigger, check out the gallery of photos below and the videos after the jump, or you'll find them on Unique Autosports: Miami.

Gallery: Motionlite retractable wheel illumination

[Source: Motionlite]

Continue reading Motionlite retractable wheel puts the spotlight on your dubs. Yes, really. [w/video]

Motionlite retractable wheel puts the spotlight on your dubs. Yes, really. [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Woodward 2009: Devil is in the details

Chris Shunk — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Misc. Auto Shows, Design/Style

Woodward details - Click above for high-res image gallery

Woodward is always chock-full of interesting-looking vehicles, and in many cases the smallest of details will make all the difference between a good and great classic. Think about some of the classic cars of all time, and chances are that the details will be what pops up in your mind. The fuel cap on a 1970 Dodge Charger, the surfacing of a 1957 Chevy Bel-Air or the hood ornament on any Rolls Royce all come to mind. Badging, hood ornaments, decals, chrome, detailing, wheels and fuzzy dice all count, and we've got plenty for you to look at. Click on the gallery below to peruse the best details of Woodward.

Gallery: Woodward 2009: Devil is in the details

Woodward 2009: Devil is in the details originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Meadow Brook Concours 2009: Wheels and Badges

Chris Shunk — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Misc. Auto Shows, Design/Style

Meadow Brook wheels and badges - click above for high-res image gallery

Over the past decade or so, automakers and aftermarket shops have placed a lot of attention on stylish hoops. Barely a decade ago, 17-inch wheels were reserved for a high-end vehicle's top trim model, whereas now you can get factory 20's on larger vehicles, and 18s are becoming increasingly common on compacts.

Though high-end alloys have fast become a must for any new vehicle, it's hardly a brand new phenomenon, as we were reminded at the 2009 Concours d'Elegance at Meadow Brook. While wheels today use aluminum to keep weight down, early wheels were made of wood. And when you're looking at a Cadillac or Lincoln from the early Nineteens, the timber is just gorgeous. As vehicles became more modern, wood turned to steel. Note the generous size of the wheels in relation to the overall size of the vehicle. Some of our favorite wheels reside in the wheel well of Fifties and Sixties-era Ferrari and Jaguar cars, as highly polished wires helped make these two-seaters look that much better.

Click on the gallery below to peruse through some of our favorite wheels at Meadow Brook. We have also added some of our favorite brand badging from the show for your enjoyment.

Gallery: Meadow Brook Concours 2009: Wheels and badges

Meadow Brook Concours 2009: Wheels and Badges originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Alcoa developing lighter wheels for increased efficiency

Michael Harley — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Green, Technology

Heavy steel wheels are relatively rare in showrooms these days -- it seems they are heading the way of bias-ply tires. Most new cars are delivered with cast aluminum wheels. While cast wheels weigh less than comparative steel wheels, they are still manufactured with thick castings and solid spokes (forged aluminum wheels, both lighter and stronger, are generally more expensive and as such, fitted largely to performance vehicles).

Alcoa Wheel & Transportation Products, one of the world's largest aluminum suppliers, is determined to reinvent the wheel in an effort to save fuel and lower emissions. The company is tackling this issue by designing wheels manufactured with higher strength aircraft-quality aluminum. The alloy is 20 percent stronger than the current wheel material, so wheels can be made thinner and with hollow spokes.

Alcoa recently displayed two 20-inch wheels for comparison: A Chrysler OEM aluminum wheel weighed 35.5 pounds, while the Alcoa alloy wheel weighed just 27.7 pounds. The benefits are obvious, and Alcoa is quick to point out that the weight savings are a simple bolt-on solution -- they don't require expensive engineering at the design level to seek weight-savings. Educating the public that lightweight wheels aren't just for high-performance vehicles, the aluminum manufacturer says that the reduced unsprung mass benefits hybrid and electric vehicles by extending their range and increasing their efficiency... and lest we forget, Alcoa is the OEM wheel supplier to the upcoming Chevrolet Volt.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

Alcoa developing lighter wheels for increased efficiency originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Pirelli working with Brembo and Magneti Marelli on Cyber Tire

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Technology

Pirelli's Cyber Tire will provide real-time tire performance information via a chip/transponder setup in the tire tread. Operating temperature and pressures, typology of the road's surface, and vertical load exerted on the tire will be among the data collected and monitored. The system will work in conjunction with another Pirelli invention, the Cyber Wheel, which will convey wheel information such as hub loads in the same way.

Now that the tire company has partnered with Brembo and Magnetti Marelli on the Cyber Tire, the tie-up could mean a system that quickly transfers information from the tire to the driver, car, and brakes, allowing for more informed and instantaneous performance changes based on driving conditions.

[Source: Pirelli]

Pirelli working with Brembo and Magneti Marelli on Cyber Tire originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Detroit 2009: Hot Wheels

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show

Sure, there were a few brands missing from the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, but we never got the feeling that things were bleak... until we went looking for ten cool wheels. After walking the floor twice, we were able to come up with nine. America's premiere auto show had left us walking in circles, one wheel short, debating whether an ugly wheel with internally-mounted calipers was cool enough to make the list. And it was then that the real tragedy of this show hit us: not the subtracted brand count, but the lack of concept cars. With money reduced to growing on tumbleweeds and not on trees, those big-dollar flights of fancy had been (mostly) grounded. Instead, there were some magnificent production vehicles (the humongous 2010 Ford Taurus FTW!), and hereby we present the best wheels we found among them.

Detroit 2009: Hot Wheels originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 17 Jan 2009 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Detroit 2009: Ford's Mustang Alley features accessory wheels for 2010 model

Alex Nunez — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Detroit Auto Show, Performance, Ford

Click above the see the full lineup of Mustang accessory wheels

Don't like the stock wheels on the new Mustang? No worries. Over at the Ford booth at this year's Detroit Auto Show, the 'Stang has its own little area dubbed "Mustang Alley" featuring a display of hoods employed through the years (pretty cool) and a "Mustang Garage" wall with the full lineup of accessory wheels available for the new pony. Ford Racing has offered a variety of wheels before, but this is something else entirely, as it seems Ford would like to redirect some of those aftermarket bucks right back into the coffers at Dearborn. Some of these are really good looking - the gold 20-inchers above look particularly great in person - and we've got the whole lineup posted in the gallery below. Click away.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Mustang Accessory Wheels

Detroit 2009: Ford's Mustang Alley features accessory wheels for 2010 model originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

High Roller: STRUT announces five new wheel designs

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Lifestyle

Click above for high-res gallery of new STRUT wheel designs

If you're a STRUT fan, then New Year's is starting off right. The maker of jewelry for your car has released five new wheels in the Icon line: the MS, 11, M, V, and X join others like the Icon D and the Icon 10. The forged aluminum wheels are available in 2- or 3-piece designs, and have five available finishes: chrome, brushed satin, pinstripe, two-tone and carbon fiber. You can even get deep lip versions. But don't even pick up the phone if you can't go at least 20 inches -- the wheels start there, and end at 26. Oh, and they also start at $6,000. It costs money to STRUT, don'tcha know... Strut through the gallery of high-res images to see for yourself.

Gallery: New STRUT Icon Wheel Collection

[Source: STRUT]

Continue reading High Roller: STRUT announces five new wheel designs

High Roller: STRUT announces five new wheel designs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

MAM debuts ZR1 wheels for earlier Corvettes

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 11:02:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Supercars, Chevrolet

Mid-America has put C4, C5, and C6 Corvette owners twenty spokes closer to owning a ZR1. Anyone with a '97-'09 Vette can order the wheels in paired sizes in Chrome, Hyper Silver, Painted Black, and Black Chrome. They're $500 per pair and will ship in the New Year. Could be worth the wait for the Vette owner who (thinks he or she) has everything. You can read all about them in the press release after the jump and start your order with "Dear Santa..."

[Source: Mid America Motorworks]

Continue reading MAM debuts ZR1 wheels for earlier Corvettes

MAM debuts ZR1 wheels for earlier Corvettes originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Dec 2008 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Weds creates a 6.1-pound full carbon fiber wheel

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Technology, Tokyo Auto Salon

Weds Sports, a Japanese wheel-maker, has created a full carbon fiber wheel -- rims, spokes, hub, everything -- that weighs 2.76 kg. Coming out to about 6.1 pounds, that's about half the weight of the Dymag carbon fiber wheel with a magnesium rim that you'll find on a Callaway Corvette, and just over a pound more than Dymag's all-carbon race-specific front wheel for a motorcycle.

According to a rough translation of Weds' literature, they use a dry carbon fiber process that makes the wheels strong enough for... well, we're not really sure. While the rims look absolutely ace, we can't find any other company that makes an entire wheel out of carbon fiber, and Weds apparently hasn't yet put them in production, which leads us to think that these babies were meant only for the scales at the Tokyo Auto Salon. But if you have $12,000 for a set of four, and you live in an area with no potholes and no curbs, these could be the rims for you.

[Source: Carbon Fiber Gear]

Weds creates a 6.1-pound full carbon fiber wheel originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Titan Tire ships world's first 63-inch tire

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology, Work

Remember in the first Crocodile Dundee movie when he gets mugged in New York City and Sue says "He's got a knife," and Dundee says, "That's not a knife, this is a knife," and then he pulls out a beast-killing monstrosity of a blade? Well, that's what the folks at Titan Tire are saying right now about every other -- smaller -- tire in the world.

Titan has made a 63-inch rubber behemoth for use on trucks in Canada's oil sands. The stats on these rubber donuts is impressive: the 59/80R63 is the biggest production tire in the world, standing over fourteen feet tall and weighing 12,500 pounds with a load rating of 101 metric tons. It makes Titan a very appropriate name for the company, as we learned from another movie, Remember the Titans, that in Greek mythology the Titans were greater even than the gods. Now we can only hope this development will make the price of oil drop another ten dollars...

[Source: Titan via Gizmag]

Titan Tire ships world's first 63-inch tire originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Arden Jaguar XF AJ 21 one custom kitty

Michael Harley — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Sedan, Jaguar

Arden, the German tuning firm that's been tweaking Jaguars for decades, is teasing us with this concept shot of its new Jaguar XF AJ 21. We just drove the 2009 Jaguar XF and felt the sheetmetal was lacking some excitement. In a good manner, it appears that Adren has addressed some of our concerns with its aerodynamic sport package including new front and rear bumpers, new side skirts, and a more aggressive wheel package. Look closely and you'll notice the cat is back on the hood (maybe too much redundancy, considering the badge is just below it as well?). Expect more photographs, specifications and pricing in the near future.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Jaguar XF

[Source: CoolBrit]

Arden Jaguar XF AJ 21 one custom kitty originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SEMA Wheels: If 30 is the new 20, then 40 is the new 30

Frank Filipponio — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 14:46:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Trends

Where 20-inch rims seemed gigantic just a couple of years ago, the massive surge in 22s, 24s, 26s and the like mean 30s are becoming commonplace. No self-respecting donk would be caught rollin' on anything less than 30s these days, and last week at SEMA we even saw 32s, 34s and a pair of 42s (!) floating around the show floor, as well. We also spotted a few creative solutions to dealing with these new monster rims, like cutting out a car's fenderwells completely and a whole new tire mounting apparatus to handle these behemoths. You've already seen a couple of these megarims in some of our previous SEMA posts, but below is a gallery of some of the most egregious examples we could find. And lest you think size is all that matters, we've also included some colorful and fanciful offerings, as well as random shots of collections, sport rims, retro rollers and even a couple of monster truck tires we spotted that might portend the zenith of the tall tire trend. Enjoy.

Gallery: SEMA Wheels 2007

SEMA Wheels: If 30 is the new 20, then 40 is the new 30 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 Nov 2007 14:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments