Automotive personalization or tuning is the set of changes made to a production car in order to optimize its performance, style or to make it unique. Tuning has developed in the United States, Japan and Europe. For the latter, this section presents the sober tuning typical of the German style.
German look or sober tuning criteria
The German tuning style is based on three criteria: engine, ground clearance and rims
The rim is subdivided into three criteria, which are:
Its offset, the offset coefficient must be close to 0 to enjoy a larger offset;
The width of the sail, due to the use of a wider slope.
The width can range from 7 to 10 inches, or even more depending on the model;
The height of the ground clearance should be as low as possible, it is better when the asphalt is shaved.
Optimized horsepower on the engine
Refinement and homogeneity, two keywords.
The term sober here inspires slight modifications and the search for homogeneity. The basics of tuning are German as the term German look implies. The German tuning is done in all sobriety. Fluid lines and homogeneity are both required. Plain and classic tones are preferred to conspicuous stickers or oversized fins. Cars that have undergone German tuning are not particularly visible at first glance. These cars have, at the limit, an ordinary appearance both inside and out.
In relation to the criteria set out above, the main external modifications are often: a lower ground clearance, large offset rims and an impeccably uniform bodywork.
More towards the major German brands.
Lovers of sober tuning mostly turn to the most famous German big names, among others: Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi,.... To achieve pure lines, the appearance of the car is polished and exuberant elements are removed.
The German style towards sobriety is in short, the car transformed towards simplicity. It does not need logos or acronyms that are usually removed, so all that remains is the car and its visual characteristics.
This sober tuning is the opposite of the Spanish tuning whose bases are unrecognizable since all the elements are reviewed.
The pro-touring
Pro-touring is an expensive practice in vogue in the United States and is available in France. The personalization of the car by respecting the rules of pro-touring lasts for months. Change of bodywork, parts ordered from the United States, the transformation can reach 20 000 €.
Lowriding
Lowriding consists in equipping a vehicle with a hydraulic suspension generally recovered from the landing gear of old aircraft. This accessory allows the car to get up and down. Some vehicles are even capable of spectacular jumps.