Big wheels and bigger engines: US customisation boom is spreading

By dpa | 25 March 2019


DENVER: While car customisation is something associated more with boy racers that watched too many episodes of "Pimp my Ride" or "The Fast and the Furious" movies, it is slowly becoming a more mainstream practice.

That's the view of Pietro Gorlier, head of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' in-house accessories and tuning company Mopar, who anticipates a growing trend toward more customisation.

"No car driver wants to drive the same car as their neighbour," says Gorlier, adding that the personal touch and distinction of the driver's car from other vehicles of the same type has become increasingly important.

So much so that, 90 per cent of US customers of Jeep, Chrysler or Dodge are now changing their vehicle to their own specifications — even if it's just thicker floor mats.

The companies have responded by offering a large array of options in their accessories catalogs, ranging from chrome applications to more powerful engines.

For example, Mopar offers a 7.0-litre engine with 1,014hp that fits into all Dodge vehicles - providing chassis modifications are carried out — from 1976 onwards.

As an imminent trend, Gorlier also believes that car customisation in 2019 will be much more colourful. Bicolour or sheet metal foils as well as two-tone wheels are becoming more popular, with many manufacturers selling rims in black, red, blue or gold.

Even in terms of size the wheels are growing, with 30 inch rims on SUVs a common trend. However, not everything that is allowed in the US will be so popular — or even legal — in other parts of the world.

In Germany, extra tuning parts require valid test certificates such as a general operating permit (ABE) or a parts certificate, explains Thorsten Rechtien from German safety inspection agency Tuv.

"When installing multiple parts that can influence each other," he explains, it is necessary to assess how they may negatively interact with the rest of the car.

Obvious advice is also that, when fitting parts yourself, it is important that the assembly instructions are observed. Any deviations could be potentially hazardous.

Harald Schmidtke of the German-based Association of Automobile Tuners (VDAT) agrees with this, and the need for those looking to customize their cars to get expert approval for the parts.

"Interested parties should inform themselves prior to the purchase about whether the product is subject to registration or whether a second opinion is necessary," says Schmidtke.

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