The yummiest Advan Neova EVER!!

Yokohama has annouced the new release of their super popular sports compact tyre, the Advan Neova AD08 in the second quarter of 2009. Their exhibition in SEMA 08 was a success and generated huge inquiries.

According to www.leftlanenews.com:

So why are thple answer is a lot of scienese tires so good? The simce and a lot of research. Whereas the old AD07s used pretty much a standard rubber compound, the new AD08 were design with a new micro silica compound called Hyper Density Carbon, or HDC for short. HDC allows for a much stickier compound yet keeps the old tire’s treadwear rating of 180. The only real downside – if you can call it that – to HDC is that it can’t be used in temperatures below -25celsius. Good luck Canadians and Finland rice boys!

The AD08 was also designed with an extra-wide unibloc shoulder for continuous rubber-to-road contact, which explains why it has tremendous grip, even in extreme corning. Specially placed steel side wall inserts also help the AD08 from rubbing the lettering off the side walls, and keep more of the tire planted in the corners.

In addition to improving the technical aspects of the Advan Neova tire range, Yokohama also improved some of the retail shortcomings of the AD07. While the AD07 was standard stock for some of the world’s best performance cars – including names like Audi and Lotus – its aftermarket uses were limited due to very few sizes being offered. That won’t be the case for the AD08, however, as it will be available in 32 sizes, ranging from 15 to 19 inches (those pimped out 350z's owners on 19's should be very happy).

Other reviews on the AD08 includes insidetracknews.blogspot.com which mentioned that "Fast just got faster with the new ADVAN Neova AD08!"

Eurotuner magazine reports that: the AD08 had proved to be predictable, with impeccable grip and easy maneuverability. We were impressed by the cornering speeds as we pushed harder each lap to find the threshold of the corners. Each car remained solid and stable, especially the AWD Evo and A4. In fact, we barely got the tires to squeal unless we felt like drifting the corner in the Carrera and Mercedes C63.

So there u go guys and girls, drifters and track hooligans, the 2009 performance tyre of the year= ADVAN NEOVA AD08. Worth every penny, start saving now for the October launch in Malaysia.

Timeless BBS for 2009

BBS RE-V in Shinning Silver

BBS RE-V in Hyper Black

BBS RE-R in Shining Silver

Its lineage is undeniable. Its design, timeless.

The all new series of 8000tonne hot forged BBS RE-R & RE-V just show's their mastery in mesh wheel designs. BBS, probably the most famous wheel brand in the world thanks to their association with Ferrari's F1 team and countless motorsports victory is by no means the 'originator' of mesh designs. Throughout their history of producing mesh wheels, with classics such as BBS LM 3pc, RG, RS, RX & RE it puts to theory that mesh designs are one of the optimum designs for both motorsports and commercial use. BBS does produce many spokes designs, but none as profound and successful as their mesh designs in the aftermarket business.

However, not all BBS wheels are produced in Germany where the brand originated from. Most of the forged aluminium and magnesium wheels are produced in BBS Japan, with collaborations with Washi Beam. (It seems that most of the quality forged stuffs are produced in Japan, ie Golf iron heads, wheels, engine parts...etc). Hence BBS Germany just concentrated on O.E and Europe's aftermarket, which actually led them to bankrupcy and was eventually taken over by a Belgium conglomerate. http://www.punchinternational.com/upl/1/e/doc/1145_4_6_e.pdf

Since then, BBS continues to do what they do best, producing more mesh wheels and concentrated in Motorsports, especially in F1 and LEMANs with their famous tagline : Tecknik aus dem Motorsports.

2009 Superstar Wheels

Leon Hardritt Rasen

Yes, Japan SUPERSTAR wheel manufacturer has done it again with their premium line LEON HARDRITT's 2009 range for the luxury segment. 

The RASEN (although very similar in name to Naruto's Rasengan super tornado wind element jutsu) has a very AMG like feel to it. Superstar wheels arent really forged pieces like RAYS or WORK Wheels, but their quality are really second to none. If you think Enkei, OZ or BBS are like the Versace/Gucci/Prada of the fashion icon industry, then picture SUPERSTAR wheels as LV or Hermes. Quality Bar none. And yes, if you want a 5.5inch deep lip for your E60 bimmer, Superstar are glad to obliged, just ask my best friend..."Lip so phat you can lay a ciggie box on it and cruise at 60". Yes, he has been bitten by the deep lip 3pc wheels mad bug.

Deep Lip aside, apart from the shinny finishings, one can choose real chrome, or SUPER Chrome. Super Chrome is really vacuum sputtering technology, which some calls it fake chrome but nevertheless, it's really shinny and it's DOES NOT harm the environment like real chrome does. 

And the beauty with buying SUPERSTAR wheels which I really like goes to their REAL custom program, which say, a pimp can custom orders his with black face, chrome lip, GOLD rivets and black & gold logo on the cap.

Now thats what I call pimp my wheel, bruuther!

Racing Hart Wheels

Racing Hart ZERO 1

If there were any complains that Racing Hart wheels are heavy and was privately manufactured by Enkei Corp JP, then stare and feel the quality of their wheels. Racing Hart has always been in the forefront of performance and luxury wheels (Lowenhart range) of the USA's West Coast market since the compact car culture started and for 2009, the trend dont end. 

Zero 1 just look's fantastic and superb in the black polished mode and those billet center caps are just to die for. I can foresee this wheel being copied from China to Indonesia to fit all types of passenger cars, but you will never get the real brilliance of the original Racing Hart quality. 

WEDS 2009 Wheels

WED's Japan KRANZE CHRISNA Matt Black Polished

WED's Japan KRANZE CHRISNA Hyper Chrome

WED's Japan X Maverick 110s in Polished Silver

WED's Japan X Maverick 110s in Polished Black

WEDS Japan's- Bvillens TS8 in Sputtering Chrome.

WEDS Japan's- Bvillens TS8 in Polished Black.

WEDS Japan's- Bvillens TS5.

In very yummy black.

Throughout my years in the industry, once noticable factor I encountered was that the Japs was not only very good and clever in terms of wheel designs and manufacturing tech, but also their ingenuity in accessories design ie: Caps, air valve covers, carton box, names and of course Marketing in general.

To tell u guys an industry secret, none of WEDS wheels are made by them, they're just like NIKE, they outsource their production and concentrate on distribution, export and marketing. (Yes, wheels was that lucrative back then when you can easily earn 30-50% per wheel just whealing and dealing. Comparitively, tyres distribution profits are far much lesser although volumes are much higher. But the point is, since the attack of the great industrialize nation of China on the aftermarket wheels industry, the rest of the world have no other choice but either to join in the price war or go the high tech celebrity type wheels kind of marketing and branding.

WEDS have of course over the years benefited with their close ties to Toyota and it's GT300 racing outfit, WEDS Sports. Being close to such network obviously has many benefits, dealers and suppliers worldwide that could source its products and services.

Latest RAYS Wheels!

RAYS Japan 2009 Line Up

RAYS VERSUS Concept Natura

Available in Full Polished Black and 3D Chrome, Concept Natura's main target is the K Cars and Small Compact Cars thats ever so present in the streets of Japan and Malaysia. The wheels spectacular dynamic lines and form highlights the 21st century designs apparent in today's JDM rides such as the Honda Jazz/Fit. Sizes range from 15 to 18's.

This is probably the star line from RAY's Japan- Volk Racing G10 $ FORGED $

(sounds awfully immatative of PING's G10 golf set range, anyways, this wheel is probably lighter pound for pound!!!).

*notice the $ signs...thats not for fun...its really expensive OK?

RAY's Black Fleet F1 B. Check out the specs- Gunmetal lip and 2 pc construction. Work of art.

RAY's G-Games NTL in Shinning Silver. I can already picture this wheel's mould are already being copied in some factory for the knock off's market. 5 split spokes designs don't come any more innovative and avantgarde than the above. Hats off to RAY's again.

RAY's Gram Lights T57RZ- casted wheels for the masses and urm.., ah bengs.

RAY's Sebring Superior EX in Shinning Silver. Mesh is my opinion is dead..oh pls.

RAY's Sebring Superior ES in Shining Silver. Yummm..very shinning indeed.

RAYS's bling series- Versus Genoma 20 Venti (Japs love Italian names just like how Malaysian speaks Manglish)

RAY's Volk Racing G2 Forged.

The new forged wheel from RAYS Japan, Volk Racing G7

The legendary and reaching cult status, Volk Racing RE30...now comes in 2 new colors for 2009 timeattack season.

Best things in life are erm...Round?

Ever since my early 'retirement' from 8 long years in the aluminium wheels/ sport rims/ dubs/ roda industry, my heart would always have a vacant soft spot for these things of beauty.

The truth is, ever since the alloy wheels industry like really peaked during the early 2000-2005 years, it has never been the same, the emergence of China as the world's superpower of wheels manufacturing to those custom one off designed forged multipiece wheels of USA, life working with a mid range industrial group manufacturing wheels with 2-3decade old technologies will never gonna work unless you have a very deep pocket financial backer. The other end of the spectrum as the consumer, you get spoiled for choices- from 2nd hand OEM wheels repainted in hyper colors, all the way to custom fitted and in some cases 'bejewelled' wheels like the state's Asantis and the lot.

My experience as this blog takes it journey will be my past experience jet setting round the world, as an ex- Export Sales and  Global marketing guy.

I let some pics do the talkin. Email me if you think I am provocative at all: evo4gsr@gmail.com

ROUND OUT.