SEMA 2006 - Wheels and Tires
Different strokes...
I just returned from the 2006 SEMA show in Las Vegas. While technically not an auto show, it is to me one of the best auto shows in the world. I love it! Despite what it might sometimes seem, America has not yet lost its love for all things automotive. Of course, as one of the car-crazies at AutoPacific, I had to atend.
Lots of stories to tell, but lets focus on wheels and tires. There were countless wheel and tire exhibits. Hundreds, at a guess. No end of very highly styled, polished chrome, large diameter wheels. And by large, I don't mean 20" wheels, but 24" wheels, 28" wheels, even 30" and 30"+ wheels! Usually coupled with low aspect ratio tires - typically 30 aspect ratio tires.
As a mechanical engineer, these wheels appear over-styled, loud, and have so much moment of inertia, that they actually adversely affect acceleration, braking, fuel economy, steering response. Turning radius can be excessive. And very low aspect ratio tires often result an an unacceptably harsh ride on anything but the smoothest surface.
But I saw so many big, flashy wheels with so many low aspect ratio tires that I began to question my judgment. I think a nice set of wheels and tires can make the vehicle, but these make a HUMMER H2 look like a Wells Fargo stage coach! Maybe I am just an old fart? Completely out of touch with contemporary automotive culture? Could it be?
Then I came to the Michelin exhibit. What an exhibit! WOW! Seven of the most fabulous cars in the world, including: Bugatti Veyron, Koenigsegg CCX, Saleen S7, McLaren F1 LM, Pagani Zonda F, RUF Porsche 911, and Fisker Tramonto.
I'd guess the average MSRP was a cool $1 million! That is $1 million each, as in for just one.
And you know what? Not one of them had highly styled, over-size wheels with ultra low aspect ratio tires. Typically about 18" wheels and say 35-55 aspect ratio tires. So maybe my taste in wheels and tires isn't so out-of-line after all!
I guess that's what makes horse racing. Different strokes for different folks. And there are some different folks at SEMA!
