AutoLuxury Style-Sport Tuning Evolution
Over the past decade trends have come and gone, and only those with purpose, style and overall good taste seem to withstand time. Let's look back at a few examples: Supra-style wings on cars other than a Supra...bad. Altezza taillights on everything...shudder. Undercar neon...no comment. JDM...still tasty and very good. I think you get my point.
So what's my prediction of a new trend with staying power? AutoLuxury. Simply put, AutoLuxury Style is the love child of two seemingly unrelated segments, VIP and sport tuning-throw on some slow jams and before you know it, magic happens. How better to describe non-traditional VIP platforms sporting fender-flush deep-dished rims with full faces, aggressive and calculated tire fitments, plush suede interiors, cleanly exaggerated OE-enhancing aero and understated graphic-less paint? Need some examples? Falken Tire displayed four, prime black-on-black AutoLuxury rides at the 2006 SEMA: a B-Spec Air Runner-equipped Honda Fit, a KS Auto Burnout-outfitted Mazda RX-7, a VQ motor-powered S13 convertible and an ultra-exotic Fabulous-kitted Ferrari 360 Modena.
So, is AutoLuxury new?
In some applications, yes. However, AutoLuxury styling has actually been taking place in the US for a number of years under the guise of VIP Style within the Scion and ultra-niche vanning crowd. Newly recognized platforms include non-VIP Nissan/Infinity sedans and sport coupes, select Toyotas, high-end Euro exotics, and yes, even the Honda family. And that's what AutoLuxury is all about, blending sport tuning with elements of VIP in a practical streetable package, sedan or not.
Whether a trend is hated or loved, evolution and refinement is key to sustaining both excitement and interest in any niche culture. After all, isn't the goal to make your vehicle uniquely yours? Non-traditional VIP-themed rides deserve their own identity rather than being labeled "VIP Style." So if AutoLuxury is for you, keep it clean, sophisticated and visit www.autoluxurystyle.com.Nick Fousekis
Tetsu's Tales
New trend is coming from Japan. It is VIP Style. Do not read VIP Style because Japanese call it "Bippu Style." VIP Style is for Acura, Infiniti and Lexus sedan or coupe. VIP Style tuning is not showy because VIP Style has two words, "elegance" and "modesty." VIP Style's favorite colors are black, silver and white.
You will know what VIP Style is after you read the story of VIP Style cars later in this issue. But you read Tetsu's Tales now which means you don't read the VIP story yet. The image of VIP Style is mix of AMG Mercedes and JDM tuning style. I guess VIP Style tuning is very convenience tuning style because owner or tuner's sense can change any other style from VIP tuning style.
Example:
VIP Style car + The owner has good sense of clothes = JDM VIP Style.
VIP Style car + Hip Hop = Hip Hop car (Japanese call this style is LA Style)
VIP Style car + Lamborghini door + primary color paint = SpoCom Style.
VIP Style car + 2JZ motor + stick shift + rollcages = drifting car.
NOB Taniguchi has Aristo (Lexus GS) drifting car. NOB's Aristo color is red but if NOB painted black color and put polished rims it can be VIP Style car. If NOB wear large size T-shirts, jeans and cap and play hip-hop CD inside his Aristo with black body color it is LA Style.
I think some people think base cars of VIP are expensive. Some Japanese have fun with VIP Style and build VIP Style with Mini-Van, micro cars or K-car. If you didn't like Acura, Infiniti or Lexus, you can build VIP Style with Toyota Previa, Honda Odyssey or Honda Fit. I guess VIP Style tuning correspond with American tuning sense because VIP Style tuning for interior is from American tuning scene.
Please remember that VIP Style car rides well is one of important things for VIP Style. That's why choosing good quality parts is a tuning skill.Tetsuya Ogushi
GREDDY Garage SALE
This past February, GReddy opened up their Irvine facility doors for a public garage sale. The sale included discontinued, overstocked, test and display items, and since they haven't done this in over ten years, smoking-hot deals were definitely there to be found. The goal of the event was to make room for a whole slew of '07 GReddy products. Like a hot new Hollywood club, the event had lines down the street two hours before the event, and it ran two hours later than scheduled. For those who were not in the So Cal area, don't worry, GReddy just opened up an online outlet on eBay. www.greddy.com
By Terence Patrick
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