MANY fancy cars come with alloy wheels as a standard feature, although more and more entry-level vehicles are also boasting them as an optional extra. Most vehicles are sold with steel wheels with hub cabs.
Why use alloy wheels?
Alloy wheels are often more expensive but have better qualities than simple steel wheels such as having a lighter weight.
What are alloys made of?
Alloys are a mixture of metals such as aluminium or magnesium. They are generally lighter but much stronger than steel, which is usually much heavier and brittle.
Alloys of aluminium or magnesium are typically lighter for the same strength and offer better heat resistance.
The aluminium-nickel alloy is far lighter than steel and it makes for more agile performance and better acceleration.
What are the benefits?
Alloy wheels are lighter and improve handling. They reduce overall vehicle mass too which, in turn, saves petrol.
