Styles of tuning that dominates the world

When we talk about tuning surely comes to mind an infinite amount of modified vehicles, some with very good accessories, another somewhat extravagant and others with more discreet outfits that would even pass as a direct factory modification.

Although factory tuning does exist, this is the case of brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo, among others, who have modified their own cars to obtain more of them, this time we refer to customization independently.

The term “tuning” comes from the English “to tune” which literally means to adjust something.

It is known that this activity arose in the United States after World War II, during which time many young people who for economic reasons could not buy a new car, placed attachments or modified those they already had to give them a completely different appearance.

Tuning became popular in America and Europe and gradually became a style adopted by other parts of the world such as Asia, which took the concept and customized it in their own way.

Although the term will always be the same, there is a wide variety of modifications all over the world:

Hot Rod

It was born in the 50’s, and it is a pioneer style of tuning that started with modifications of engine, paint, suspension and brakes, with cars of the time. Now this style continues, but adapting with technological details of the new era.

Racing

The sports style was born in Europe and refers mainly to the adaptation of street vehicles transformed into high performance models, something like the cars we see in rally competitions and other categories that already have even modifications in powertrain, suspension, brakes and tires.

JDM

These acronyms stand for Japan Domestic Market and as the name implies it refers to the models that were manufactured and sold in the Japanese market.

When the boom in vehicle modification in America was gaining momentum, it was just the time when the idea of starting to do the same thing, but with “home” models, emerged.

The basis of these models is the increase of performance and reduction of weight in the average of the possible ones.

Import

This adaptation arose in the United States and is characterized by modifications to the engine and body; it mainly refers to air intakes and prominent fenders.

In addition, the distinction of these models was that they could obtain up to 800 horsepower in vehicles of Japanese origin such as Honda Civic and Mitsubishi Eclipse. On the outside, they often have bright colors and even airbrushes, aluminum spoilers and loud sound systems.

Lowrider

This style emerged in the 50’s also in the United States and can be recognized very easily as they are cars that have a very low body and in turn, have a special hydraulic suspension that makes them “jump”.

They regularly use metallic colors and airbrushes with religious, ethnic or fantasy motifs.

DUB

This is a style that is even seen a lot in our country, these are the models that have larger than normal tires, chrome details throughout the body mainly in the rims, features that make them stand out in many ways, even technologically speaking, sound equipment, lights, etc.

Rat

This arises to give a different aspect to the conventional tuning and is characterized by the bodies without adornments, with copper paints and mates giving a neglected aspect or as if the car was rusty.

However, this style is only maintained on the outside, as these models are equipped with technology and luxury details on the inside.

Hi-Tech

As the name implies, these vehicles are based on technology to decorate the vehicles; screens are used inside and even outside the model, in addition to paying special attention to the sound system. Some also have computers, video game browsers and pagers inside.

Extreme

This style is the one we regularly see in exhibitions focused on extravagant tuning, mainly talking about models that are completely modified, we could say that even this style combines a little of all: neon lights, sound system, airbrush, bodywork, tires, etc.

Custom

It emerged in America and was inspired by cars made after World War II, specifically talking about very low, rounded bodies and chrome accessories.

The motifs of the decoration are usually skulls, letters or dice, while chrome wheels are very common and the interior is predominantly upholstered with animal skins.

Street

This style took a lot of strength after the Fast and Furious movies, because it refers to cars modified mainly for underground racing, which means that the biggest modification is under the hood.