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).

BBS Goes Hybrid Green

German meisters BBS through their Japanese partners has launched the BBS RE-L with ACQ technology solely aimed at the Hybrids, K Cars and and super compact rides from the land of the rising sun. With sizes as slim as 15x5.0 ~6.0, the super minis can play staggered sizes and those who can accommodate larger sizes, might choose the sole 17x7.0 on the catalog. Although it comes in 2 colors- silver and shiny gun metallic, I am not suprised in future there would be the legendary BBS Impreza gold or racing white they have become so famous for.

Pimp My Hiace by RAY'S Engineering

This is one interesting segment in the 2009 RAYS line up- THE GARCIA series featuring the GANGBANGER REVOLVER. Yup it's not a freaking spelling mistake, it's really the official series name. Whoever who has the thinktank and gargantuan balls to come up with the name is really pure and raw and I really respect it. It seems the Hiace fanatics are really the 'O.G' in the diverse subculture in the JDM world and they are not afraid to shout, display or Get it on! with.

It's interesting to note that Wiki even mentioned this car in it's pages "The fifth generation Hiace appeared in August 2004 as a wide long-wheelbase wagon, wide super-long-wheelbase high-roof "Grand Cabin", long-wheelbase van, long-wheelbase high-roof van and a wide super-long-wheelbase high-roof van."

It also goes on to mention "Currently on Japan's list of the most commonly stolen vehicles the Hiace currently resides at #1." This really puzzled me as who the hell wants to steal a van? Maybe they can't afford their smallish apartments anymore and cant think of a better way to OPP in a van? Who knows...I reckon only the Japs knows best.

RAYS DAYTONA line up for the Grand Hiace fraternity goes by the name of DMX, and features some really tough looking dish pattern with the mandatory black full polish feel. Only available in the popular Jap Lo-Rider size of 16", it features 6holes with 139.7pcd to really carry the load of 7-8 yakuzas and sumos on their daily 'routines'.

New RAY'S Wheels Line Up

RAY'S GRAM LIGHT series have been a seriously contender in the North American JDM Sports Compact Car market for years now and now with the emergence of Nissan's well loved and new 370z, RAYS have been busy manufacturing 57G model. Sizes range from 15-18 for the cast model and for the Nissan 370Z, a special 'RCF' model is offered measuring 18x9.5 and 18x10.5. There are two options for colors as long as it is Bronze or Gunmetal. As with majority of JDM wheels, caps and nuts/bolts are always optional items.

RAYS's Gram Lights segment have recently been pushing more styles to the K Car and Compact segment with their newly launched 57 Vintage model. Sizes comes in 16x5.5 and 16x6.5 Staggered Style for the brave otherwise just stick to the recommended set up as advised. Gold Machined Lip or Black Machined Lip are the flavors of the month and the optional bodykit above matches the theme perfectly for a truly JDM x Californian styling.

ADVAN Racing RS-D

M3 E92

GTR35

EVO X

WRX STI X

SIZZLING HOT! Thats all I can say bout the brand new Advan Racing RS-D that comes in 18/ 19/ 20inch. It's lightweight, with excellent performance from a high rigidity design piece that are known for in Advan series of wheels (BTW, Enkei manufactures them, Advan are tyre guys IMHO)

Lets start with the 10spokes, which are extra aggressive to accomodate the biggest set of brakes you can throw into your JDM ride and strong enough not to further increase weight and other protrusions from the edge.

Available in Silver with Bright Machined Lip, Black with Bright Machined Lip and Bright Chrome (for those who cant get enough of F&F movies). Size details range:

18x7.5 to 18x10.0

19x8.5 to 19x10.0

20x8.5 to 20x10.5. (GTR35 size!!)

MITO Wheels

MITO Wheels or 'Myth Wheels' are a new generation of the dynamic Euro crowd that's been on the uprising this past 5 years in the industry.

One look at their products and I would assume the generalis and commado's of the wheels industry to figure out it's definately an advangarde Euro wheel. Why so? In my experience, most 5 spokes and mesh wheels sells like a raging forest fire. It's would be considered absurb NOT to have these designs in any of their painstaking design line up. Here you have one of the most well thought out 5spokes full faced wheel you can have in today's dynamic cars such as the new A4 and GTIs. Mattblack and INOX switchable spoke blades for me pls!

VOSSEN VIP Wheels

Vossen's website describe themselves as "With over a decade of experience in the automotive industry, Vossen Wheels has finally filled the void for those who are looking for a high quality one-piece wheel. With sizes ranging from 19" to 22" and widths up to 11", Vossen Wheels has designed its models to target the luxury automotive community with their versatile fitments and styles"

For those that are in the wheels manufacturing and dealing industry, what this transcent are the fact that 3pc wheels whether be it forged or cast or spin rolled, the street level trends nowadays are definately heading towards the single pc lightweight shiny as hell phat lip phenomenon.

TSW group of alloy wheel brands and Konig have been the forefront of this arena for a long time and it's about time a new bunch of brands have caught up and showcase some real kind of competition. But seriously, I am not writing about their 'dough' wheels, what interest me are naturally their real 3pc Forged wheels which had my mouth drooling. Sizes ranges from 19 to 25" and if you drive a Lambo or Viper, 13" deep lip will do just fine. Forged from T6 60/61 aluminium, these wheels are ready for any form of test you can throw them into. To me, these are wheels done right with a small twist.

The King of Bling- ASANTI (TM) Wheels

In my long experience with 'pimped up' wheels and cars, the real differenciation one takes notice is naturally the face of the wheel...........WRONG!! The real deal is the lip.

If you’re serious about bagging trophies or just making your car stand out from the rest then move with the times and 'get some lip'. The luster of chrome or colors of a huge lip on your aftermarket wheels is a styling cue, which focus the ordinary attention and flaunts power as well as aggressiveness. Consider it muscle for your car or the boast of compliments. Being able to tuck a huge lip without body mods or a wild camber setup is something of the past as Asanti has now introduced the 2009 new line of wheels which will give you maximum lip.... yes. yummy. yummy yum yum.

If any of you benzo's and beemers kaki are reading this article, consider the tried and tested formula in the West Coast of USA: 7 Series can accommodate a 7.5-inch lip up front while the S-Class will fit a 5.5-inch lip! Thats just downright phat and furious!

More on Asanti wheels: They are the leaders and purveyors of bling wheels culture in the North American market and many Jap, Koreans, Euro tuners have followed suit. They are also one of the first guys I know out there that would invent a USD2mill wheel (which I heard, it comes with a free Bentley and security guard as part of the purchase!).

Asanti belongs to the LEXANI Group, all west coast California playeurs of the bling wheels game.

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.