Vol.1 Quality & Performance | BBS OFFICIAL WEBSITE ENGLISH (2024)

To maximize driving performance,
BBS was the essential choice

Yamamoto　Using BBS wheels changes the way an automobiledrives. What first showed me this was a Subaru vehicle.Journalists had the opportunity to test-drive the 3rd-generationWRX STI GRB with both regular wheels and BBS wheelsand compare. The BBS wheels clearly provided a better drivingexperience. When I shared this impression with a Subaruengineer, I was surprised to learn that, apart from the wheels,the cars had the exact same specification. Subaru was one ofthe first Japanese automakers to use BBS wheels as standardequipment. I understand that you tried a wide variety of wheelsand that BBS was the standout.

Shibuya　Wheels are critical to safety, and they need to bestrong enough not to deform excessively or leak air. If they fulfillwithout compromise this fundamental requirement, then lightnessis next as an extremely important performance characteristic.Many factors contribute to steering stability and ride feel,such as the tires, wheels, suspension, body, and aerodynamics.But my personal perspective is that it’s crucial to considerfirst the parts closest to the road surface and work upward fromthere. Tires have evolved greatly over the past 10 to 20 years,but the wheels support the tires, and we need to look at themvery carefully to maximize driving performance.

Yamamoto　What impression did you get from your testing of BBS wheels?

Shibuya　My impression is that BBS wheels bring out superiorperformance from the tires. They help us achieve at a very highlevel the driving performance characteristics we pursue, suchas smooth movement the instant the driver changes the steeringangle, continuous and natural steering feel, excellent gripduring cornering, and a linear road feel. Since transferring to STI,my thinking has remained the same. For our STI Complete CarSeries S, we have striven to deliver performance and elegancethat works anywhere, from city streets to the Nürburgring itself.In order to do so, BBS wheels have been an indispensible item.

Yamamoto　As soon as you get behind the wheel you sensethat the Complete Car S Series offers more than just absoluteperformance. It also has a very sensual quality that the numberscan’t express. It feels like a sports car and a premiumvehicle in one. You don’t have to be running full-throttle on thecircuit to experience this, either. Simply make a turn at an ordinaryintersection, and it’s clear. Even a single turn reveals somethingcool. What differences have you observed between BBSwheels and other brands?

Shibuya　BBS delivers the right balance between rigidity and lightness, as well as a strong grip on the road. All wheels deform to some extent during driving, but there’s a big difference between sudden and smooth deformation, and this greatly affects driving feel. Further, not all forged wheels are the same. There are differences in the aluminum used and manufacturing methods such as heat treatment and the way force is applied and temperature is managed. BBS has important proprietary know-how. Even with the same machines and the same materials as BBS, no one could obtain the same performance levels.

Race cars and production vehicles demand the same level of functionality

Yamamoto　At BBS, the same artisans use the same technologyin the same factory to develop and produce wheels for bothrace cars and production vehicles. I’ve really been impressedby the level of vision at BBS and the outstanding skill of thecompany’s artisans.

Shibuya　One basic test we have of steering stability is the basicsuspension characteristics test. We fix the car in place, putforce on the tire tread, and measure rigidity. In the case of BBSwheels, we’ve found that rigidity varies not much at all whetherthe spokes are pointing directly downward or not. I think thisquality contributes to smooth, responsive, and linear motion.

Yamamoto　Perhaps that’s the secret to the exceptional balanceof BBS wheels, which makes them so perfectly mergewith the car as a whole. When BBS wheels are put on a vehicle,they instantly give the impression of being standard equipment.And in terms of design, even as the times change, they retaintheir timeless beauty. The unique shape of the spokes is morethan a good look. They are born of the science of mechanics,the enhancement of rigidity balance and ensuring that thereare no weak points or overly strong points. I think you couldcall it functional beauty in pursuit of top performance. Do BBSwheels have any demerits?

Shibuya　In my experience, in terms of functionality, they donot. If I had to point out something, some past BBS wheelmodels had extremely fine spokes, and they were quite a painto get clean when washing the car [laughs].

Yamamoto　Currently, STI is participating in SUPER GT andthe 24 Hours Nürburgring with a works team, and you’re usingBBS wheels exclusively. What would you say is the difference inperformance required of wheels for race cars and for productionvehicles?

Shibuya　Actually, there’s no difference. It’s all a matter of maximizingperformance for both kinds of vehicle. We work withBBS to develop our racing wheels. We’ve improved our timeson the track, of course, but I’m also hearing from drivers thatwheel enhancements are helping them more easily ride up onthe curb during cornering. Wheels have also become moregentle, thanks to the toughness that the forging process imparts.Further, in both, we’ve had no trouble from the wheelswhatsoever. This level of trust is a big deal to us.

Yamamoto　BBS engineers tell me that STI has very clear anddetailed requirements when it comes to wheels.

Shibuya　That’s because we’ve realized that wheels changethe way a car drives [laughs]. To bring out the best performancefrom the driver, what should we do about the car? What shouldwe do about the wheels? I’m constantly asking myself thesequestions. In coming up with the answers, I’ve found BBS tobe a partner we simply can’t do without.