Top 10 Aftermarket Car Wheels You Can Buy Right Now
A car with a stylish design is best complemented only when fitted with remarkable car wheels. Therefore, if you want to draw public attention, you have to find the best wheels screeching the roads.
Out of innumerable choices available in the market, we have handpicked top 10 aftermarket car wheels. Selection of right wheel is critical for car safety. The criterion involves price, durability, the endurance of brakes, corrosion resistance, and the endurance during tough driving conditions. Wheels instill confidence in the driver by offering true wheeling experience. Otherwise, what we think as a sport runs into a nightmare.
The wheel brands are researched and collated from the technical angle and as per price. Most of the wheels today are made of a single block forging process and some using an advanced manufacturing process which is discussed in detail below. Readers have the choice to pick wheels suiting their pocket from a price range of $250 to $15000 depending on the type of construction.
1. OZ Racing Ultraleggera
The ultra light weight wheel is developed specifically for racing. The aluminum cast wheels offer greater performance and accuracy along with light weight. The car wheels come in 3 variants HyperGT HLT, Ultraleggera HLT and Ultraleggera HLT CL, the first one being the toughest and designed exclusively for GT3 racing.
The 10-spoke concave wheels come in varying sizes ranging from 17-inch to 20-inch. Apart from their sturdy looks, concave wheels are most preferred for racing due to high strength and being inexpensive to repair, though their initial cost is high.
The Italian company, OZ Racing has a rich experience of over 30 years in the design and development of car wheels to sustain the heavy dynamic loads encountered during racing, offering good traction for racing.
2. American Racing Torq Thrust
A 5-spoke alloy wheel, American Racing Torq thrust is made of aluminum to reduce weight and thereby improving wheel performance during the drag race. Originally designed for drag race back in 1950’s, the wheels are vintage, classic and a favorite pick for most race enthusiasts.
The tapered parabolic contour on the wheels increases brake cooling and decreases wheel mass. The wheel sizes vary from 14-inch to 20-inch. The wheel became popular during drag and the jet racing when its inventor Romeo Palamides used them first in 1950’s. In 1956, Torq Thrust wheels made their first debut in the November issue of Hot Rod Magazine, in vogue during those times.
3. ENKEI RP03
Enkei, the Japanese Corporation established in 1950, uses advanced manufacturing process to cast aluminum alloy wheels to endure stress and pressures during racing. RP03 wheel variant is manufactured by blending MAT (Most Advanced Production) and flow-forming forging technology to ensure sophisticated racing in Formula One, Super GT Series, and others. The 5-spoke wheels with synthetic coating offer a lifetime structural warranty under all weather conditions.
4. BBS SUPER RS
The multi-spoke wheel is a symbol of technology marvel combined with legendary RS design. The manufacturing of this wheel has taken place using high-tech processes without cutting the aluminum stock. Rather, the aluminum is forged to retain the high grain density matrix to give high strength and durability while racing. The design process uses FEM to simulate the stress and behavior patterns during real operation.
Established in Germany, BBS has grown steadily from manufacturing 3-piece auto parts to alloy wheels for Formula One racing. Commemorating 25 years in 1995, the company celebrated Michael Schumacher Formula One championship when he won using BBS wheels. Since 1995, BBS is consistently voted as “Best Brand” by “Sports Auto” of Germany.
5. SSR GTV01
SSR GTV 01 is a Japan light alloy wheel made to endure impact strength and deliver high endurance strength. The wheel is produced from a single aluminum block to forge into a 5-spoke alloy wheel. Wheels available in two colors, Glare Silver and Flat Black, costing over $1000, fits the bill for Merc as well as the Miata.
SSR wheels are passed through stringent JWL quality procedures and hence maintain highest quality standards. SSR manufactures wheels for both commercial and racing purposes. However, for racing more precision manufacturing techniques are followed.
6. Konig Hypergram
Licensed from Enkei, Konig also adopts the MAT (Most Advanced Production) for manufacturing its wheels. The 12-spoke light alloy wheel construction is designed to perfection, retaining its aesthetic looks. The wheel is available in Candy Red, Matte Grey and Race Bronze with 15-inch, 17-inch, and 18-inch sizes.
7. Forgiato
The most expensive and exquisitely designed car wheels to find a place in the top 10. It’s unique mono forging process drives the alloy wheels to revolutionary performance. The wheels also adopt flow-forging technology with unique concave profiles. Designed in 5-spoke and multi-spoke profiles and priced over $1100 and peaked to $7000, the wheels are available in 18-inch and up to 34-inch sizes in 3 different colors.
8. Volk Racing TE 37
Volk Racing wheels will make you speechless with stunning quality and quintessential designs. The classic 6-spoke forged mono block wheel developed for Super GT series, Formula One Racing and etc., is one of the premium car wheels in the market. Available in multi-colors in various sizes from 13-inch and up to 19-inch. The light-weight alloy wheel will surely spruce up the racing track with great agility.
9. Forgeline Motorsport DE3C
Forgeline developed customizable 3 piece wheels fabricated from forged aluminum. The wheel retains the concave shape and merges with flat at the outer rim. The wheel delivers beasty performance while retaining its beauty. The 8-spoke wheel design has I-Beam cross-section for spokes and rim are heat-treated to endure tough conditions during the racing. The pricing starts above $1450.
10. Carbon Revolution CR9
The world’s most advanced wheels have arrived through Carbon Revolution CR9, also touted as the future of wheel technology. The single piece carbon wheels are made of Carbon fiber, which gives ultra light weight and concurrently retains structural integrity and toughness to achieve optimal performance. Truly a game changer in racing technology, the wheel comes with a high price tag. As one expects, the wheels to be shopped at a premium price of above $15800.
Top 10 Aftermarket Car Wheels You Can Buy Right Now Appeared first on http://interestingengineering.com
