HRE Performance Wheels: Carbon Series
Due to its lightweight yet rigid structural properties, carbon fiber currently dominates the luxury-auto performance market. Supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX, Ferrari Enzo, and Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren are built almost entirely from the woven composite material, and its latest adopter is HRE Performance Wheels. The California-based company has been in the wheel business for more than 30 years, and is now—in conjunction with Dymag—breaking the standard forged-aluminum wheel mold with the new Carbon Series. "When we tested the wheels in Germany, the carbon-fiber models were actually much lighter and stronger than our aluminum wheels," says John Wallace, HRE’s vice president of sales. "A lot of our owners will take their cars to the track, so we plan on releasing an 18-inch model for the hard-core performance guys." HRE is taking preorders for the Carbon Series wheel set, which is currently available in 19- and 20-inch rim sizes ($10,500 and $11,000, respectively), with 18- and 22-inch models to come.
HRE Performance Wheels, 760.598.1960, www.hrewheels.com
Aicona Wheels: AES 80
The Aicona Exotic Series (AES) is the newest model line from Aicona Wheels, and is the California-based firm’s first offering of a completely customized product. "Each wheel is handmade and built 100 percent to the specification of the customer," says Aicona Wheels’ marketing director, Michael J. Macare. "We can literally do whatever the customer asks." The AES 80 is available in 19-, 20-, and 22-inch sizes, priced from $1,400 to $1,800. Among the customizable options are classic chrome or matte-black finishes (shown) to complement luxury exotic cars. But Macare claims that the AES 80 is not limited to exotic supercars like Ferrari or Lamborghini: "We’re getting a lot of orders for [Dodge] Challengers, and I’m sure the Camaro will be the same. Car owners are always wanting to do something different, and now we leave it entirely up to them."
Aicona Wheels, 877.624.2662, www.aiconawheels.com
Genuine Boyds: Legend Series J5R
Boyd Coddington is a legend in the world of custom vintage automobiles. Although he passed away in February 2008, his inspiration lives on in the designs of the Missouri-based Genuine Boyds. One of the company’s most recent offerings is the Legend Series J5R forged-aluminum wheel, which forms 6061 T-6 alloy—considered the best in the industry for rim applications—into a five-spoke model. Available in any custom color, with diameters from 17 to 24 inches and widths from 7 to 14 inches, the J5R is perfect for classic cars like this 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air. Prices start at $795, depending on finish and sizing.
Genuine Boyds, 866.952.2693, www.billetwheel.com
Capital Forged Wheels: Berlin
Capital Forged Wheels started production of its American model line just over one year ago in Los Angeles, but the company already has global ambitions. All 12 of its initial designs are named after capital cities around the world, and each one is forged—not cast—from aluminum, ensuring a stronger final product. "Good wheels are the most expensive accessory on a car," says owner Kevin Kim, "so it is important that they are done right." A complete wheel set starts at around $5,500; the Berlin model (shown on a Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640 Roadster), with a white center and black accents, costs $6,500. The wheels are available in sizes from 19 to 26 inches, and each is hand-built and painted in-house by the firm’s 18 experienced employees. "The whole team has worked for wheel companies in the past—I personally have 12 years under my belt," says Kim. "So we all know what makes a good wheel."
Capital Forged Wheels, 562.695.1165, www.capitalforged.com
CEC Wheels: Style c880
Claus Ettensberger has been a pioneer in the aftermarket industry since launching his namesake corporation in 1990. Now with showrooms in West Los Angeles, Irvine, and Miami, CEC provides customers with the very best in luxury automotive accessories. AC Schnitzer for BMW, Brabus for Mercedes-Benz, Novitec for Ferrari, and Techart for Porsche are all under CEC’s management, but Ettensberger also incorporates his own personal style into the mix with his Signature Edition line of wheels. Each style offers tire-pressure-sensor capability and clearance for high-performance brake upgrades, and comes with a two-year limited warranty. Style c880 (shown on a Mansory-tuned Bentley Continental GTC) features a stainless-steel lip and machined black accents, but is also finished in chrome and silver. Available in 21-inch diameters at either 9 or 10.5 inches wide, Style c880 ($999 for each rear and $899 for each front) fits models from Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lexus, Bentley, and more.
CEC Wheels, 310.767.1111, www.cecwheels.com
