Enkei brings back 1990s ‘steelie’ vibes with a modern twist

Who doesn't love a good steel wheel, or ‘steelie’ as they are fondly called?

Their no fuss designs are a throwback to another era of motoring, a time when 20-inch alloys were considered absurd and not the norm, a time when 16-inch rims were considered big.

Like anything from yesteryear, ‘steelies’ in a modern context lend a car an undeniable cool factor. Who hasn’t marvelled at the recent Land Rover Defender which in both 90 (pictured below) and 110 trim can be optioned with retro cool steel wheels? Similarly, in the US, the Ford Bronco can be shod in ‘steelies’, in keeping with overall retro style of the SUV.

In fact, take just about any modern car and whack some ‘steel’ rims on it and you have instant kerbside appeal.

Everything old is cool again, it seems, and now Enkei in Japan is cashing in on that vibe with its soon-to-be-released Al’Vita wheels, a modern take on the brand’s classic 16-hole Al’Life design from 1990.

But thanks to Enkei making these modern ‘steelies’ out of cast aluminium, the weight (not to mention handling) penalties usually associated with steel wheels are eliminated. Enkei claims each wheels weighs just 7.25kg.

Enkei is keeping things nice and simple with the Al’Vita with just a single size (16-inch) and layout (4-lug) available when they go on sale in Japan in October.

There is a choice of two colours – Sparkle Silver or the slightly darker Hyper Silver. The price in Japan is ¥44,550 ($AU475) per wheel, or around $AU1900 a set of four. There is no word yet on whether Enkei’s modern ‘steelies’ will make their way to Australia.

Enkei opted to use a modern MX-5 to showcase its latest design and it’s fair to say, they lend Mazda’s modern roadster a timeless cool factor.