EQUIP My VIP!!

JDM Vee-Eye-Pee culture is the common name most of us Asians would generalized the big wheels, slammed or air-bagged 4 doors, blacked out nature of the Japanese luxury tuning scene. But in fact, it’s actually called VIP (or WHIP) which in Nihon-go, BIPPU is the common non-English slang. Sources says it started way back in the 90’s being labelled as the Yakuza’s daily ride with common cars being Celsior, Crowns, Laurels, Presidents to today’s Lexus, Toyota, Honda MPVs and even a mix of imports with Benzos and Beemers thrown in the mix.

Well, one of fore front VIP wheels manufacturer out there is of course WORK Wheels with their legendary line up of the EQUIP series. E10 is the newly re-launched series with sizes now ranging from 20-22 staggered widths or offsets. Available in 4 distinct colours with black face being my favourite, the EQUIP E10 is set to hit back the classics are goodies feel for a very popular series of WORK Wheels.

Fabulous Jap concept cars

JDM scene has never been livelier since the introduction of the Honda green sports hybrid CRZ. Toyota followed up with a Celica looking FT86 concept which I assume will lead the role of the 21st century AE86/ Celica fans.Take a closer look at their set of wheels and it never seems to amaze me how trick they are compared to predecessors:

Back in the days ol' skool CRX

VS

New school CRZ...love those inverted spokes or Face 3 look

AE86 Levin with classic 13 inch wheels

VS

Love those inserts on those nu' skool Toyota prototypes...

As most consumers are design and colors oriented in the aftermarket segment when choosing a particular wheel, but these prototype wheels are surely some of the tastiest I have seen in recent years (especially for a JDM). My only other encounter with some truly remarkable proto wheels are from the extinct BMW CS concept for a Euro and if I had to pick another JDM it could well be the Mitsu RA (some EVO prototype)

Legend or Myth?- ENKEI

Ever since I got my driving license, ENKEI wheels have always ring a bell in most of my friends and fellow tuners mind. I mean it's such a revered brand in the days that it didn't require much advertising, the product's quality, uniqueness, racing heritage and attractive prices made it the ideal tuner wheel back in the mid 90's, sunny Malaysia (note: back then RAYS and WORK wheels are still struggling coming terms with nice designs and so fort).


Here's some real classics:

Super nasty limited edition RP-F1 in black with red logo.

The evergreen RP-01 with tasty blue ring on black edition.

Fast forward year 2009, ENKEI ideally remains the No.1 Nihon wheels manufacturer (and by a wide margin I must add), however, the aftermarket division have bite the dust. Gone are their best designs  as they are more geared towards the OEM market and privately branded spectacular aftermarket designs to individual companies and large tire makers (think Advan, Lowenhart, Racing Hart...etc).


I mean it has been a while now Enkei have taken off in any aspects aside from OEM manufacturing prowess. One nasty example, from the Japan range of TMW (Techno Motorsports Work) series of wheels, the CE16-1 model available from 15~20inches.

I mean it's not a bad looking wheel, but comparatively it really looks at some resemblance to an old classic (and much overused style) of Carlsson's signature styling:

Monoblock 1pc version

Multi-piece version.

Of course, once would argue there's a slight diff and additional spokes here and there, but the point is, coming off from one of the the world's largest wheel manufacturers, you would have expected some uniqueness and sensible styles that could spark imaginations? I leave it to the consumers and the real tuners to have the final say. Domo arigato.

Can your wheels go 390km/h?

Well this crazy creation by EDO Competition on the legendary Ferrari ENZO can!! Just hold your breath and read these performance loudly in your mind:


Specifications   
Engine:  V12 cylinder 6.3 ltr.  
Power  est: 840 hp 
Max. torque  est:  780 Nm / 5,800per min 

Max Rev: 9,600rpm

Performance 
Top speed:    390 km/h  
0 – 100 km/h (0 – 62 mph)  est. 3.2secs 
0 – 200 km/h (0 – 124 mph)  est. 9.0secs 
0 – 300 km/h (0 – 186 mph)  est. 19.0secs


Seriously, if a customer walks in to any custom wheels manufacturer, the above data would have given the technical team some sweaty palms and armpits. Stare at the specs above and you could imagine the road legal ultimate vehicle which can do 0-200km/h by the time a Jap family saloon does 100!

And so the logical question is, what kinda wheels design would deem fit to match this beast? 


Surprisingly, multi-piece forged mesh wheels measuring 19's front and 20's rear are still the preferred choice for serious machineries. These are of course fitted with TPMS (Tire Pressure Measurement Systems) just in case you're in the mood to go 390km/h and hate to squad down lowwww at the local petrol stations air pumps. To read more check this out.

360 Forged- You want high end? You got it here.

360 Forged, the 3 piece Forged Wheels company specializing in high end luxury and exotic cars based in Miami, Florida is to me an epitome of high end wheels for super modded super fast super cars (what a mouthfull). 360 Forged has introduced their Straight 5ive wheel in a new carbon fiber option - their name for this new wheel: the CF Forged Straight 5ive. Carbon fiber wheels are quickly becoming popular among car enthusiasts around the world - if the words “carbon fiber” seem to ring a bell, you may have heard of HRE Wheels and Dymag Racing’s partnership to manufacture true carbon fiber wheels (Dymag's history comes from ultra high end superbikes technology).

The company mentions the following "Quality, not quantity. At 360 Forged, we design & manufacture our wheels using the most technologically advanced manufacturing methods and materials available on the market today. Every aspect of our wheels from the 6061-T6 Aluminum, to the stainless steel fasteners are designed with the utmost scrutiny. Our wheels are not only made to be aesthetically pleasing, but functional as well. We use lightweight materials, and our designs are developed to give your vehicle the best performance possible, as well as the most comfortable ride.

Our 3 piece wheels go through a barrage of testing prior to be being released on the market. Everything from corrosion testing to destruction testing is all performed to meet the most stringent guidelines. All of our materials are capable of withstanding the most brutal elements for extended amounts of time."

In pure English, if you have an serious piece of machinery, forged wheels is definitely the way to go, but first, you just need to neglect the asking price! Like what the rich boys will say....if you wanna know the price, then probably you can't afford it.

RAYS VOLK RACING G2 New Size Updates

The superb 10k tonne press forged series of Volk Racing have finaly realised there's still a big 18inch market out there (think Civic FD2R, Silvias, Skyline R34s and CT EVO/GDBs WRX) and decided to tool up. Currently the full sizes includes 16, 18, 19 and 20inches.

One of the ultra exclusive fittings for the 18inch forged G2 would be the application for Ferrari's 360 Modena/ Challenge cars measuring 18x8.5 Face 1 for the fronts and 18x11 Face 3 on the rears. And for the those who are lucky enough to get your greasy hands on the steering of an Audi R8, check out the G2's fitment in the fender scraping 20inch staggered size.

HOT!! WORK Emotion 11R

WORK Wheels Japan has just released their epic model in the EMOTION cast wheel line up. Available in 17 and 18inches for most popular sports compact cars on the roads today and there are 5 tasty colors to would turn any rice racers street credible. One particularly car is the new Honda Insight hybrid which looks the part after being given the blingin' WMB coloured EMOTION 11R treatment above.

Since it's cast alloy (I heard its low pressure casting type), expect prices that won't blow your bank account and top quality from the WORK Japan. Beware of imitations though, as the previous Emotions were one of the most counterfeited styles ever ranging from sizes as ridiculous as 13" onwards.

MANARAY Specials

Japan Manaray are one of the wheels that you took for granted just because they are 'conceptializes in Japan and made in Asia'. With these strategy, one would understand that the huge range of sizes that could benefit the various segment of vehicles you find in Japan- K Cars, MPVs, Luxury sedans, Compact cars...etc.

Their latest offering, abeit one with dual roles of the dreaded 'big cap' and open lug nuts, is quite a mouthful: MANARAY SPORT VERTEC VR-5 EXE SUPER SPORTLINE.

From miniscule sizes of 14x4.5 to 19x9.5 it is noted that they offer two type of emblems- MS black and the equisite Super EXE red version, a format which I always prefer to break the design norm. Or maybe the MS logo just sounds like MORE SHIT to some....

Prices are extremely affordable to the Japs, I forsee this design to do very well in the Summer and Winter season.

ROZEST DUNLOP WHITE LABEL

Little is know about this brand outside Japan, but it's actually owned by DUNLOP JP. Their latest offerings includes the WHITE LABEL series in the shape of model WL-X1 with 5 very edgy yet contemporary spokes.

Sizes range from 19" 2pc and 20" 3pc, and from the range of width, I believe it will satisfy owners from ho hum Toyotas to widebodied 350Z.

3 colors are on the options list and all wheels fits TPMS sensors that are so prevalent in modern cars.

Expect to pay USD700 and up each wheel for your custom set of staggered beauties.

PRODRIVE's New Release

I think by now most of us mod mad tuners would have heard of the brand PRODRIVE which is based in UK but is very active in the distribution and retail scene in Japan. Not only their recent takeover of Aston Martin and Subaru WRC teams made PRODRIVE really famous, but their range of wheels and racing accessories brought it closer to the end consumers.

I have a been a fan of their range of accessories that were collaborated with famous manufacturers such as RAYS, Sparco..etc. Their latest wheel model, GC-05K reminds me of the evergreen Advan AVS5 and rightly so, it's lightweight (forged), great finishing details and a range of sizes that would fit a Civic to the latest M3. (17x7.5 to 20x10.5).

With Face1 and Face 2 available, it would be definately be a hit soon.... (as expected).