D'Vinci Wheels captured showgoers' attention with the Forgiato Radura, a multi-piece rim featuring a two-inch thick piece of clear polycarbonate that attaches the outer rim to the hub, creating the illusion of a ``floating'' wheel.
Originally designed as a motorcycle wheel by inventor Doug McGoon, 26, who worked on the idea for three years, the Radura-it means ``clear'' in Italian-is now available in 20- and 22-inch sizes for cars, according to Norman Celik, founder and owner of South Gate, Calif.-based D'Vinci Wheels. Forgiato is a unit of D'Vinci Wheels devoted to multi-piece forged wheels.
Mr. Celik said the wheel has passed all relevant Society of Automotive Engineers tests.
While brake cooling could be a problem with a solid wheel, D'Vinci said the wheels are designed primarily for cruising-the clear window effect allows others to see the car owners' expensive brake components-and not for hard driving or racing. Nonetheless, a video shown at the company's booth at the SEMA Show showed Mr. McGoon doing a series of long burnouts and donuts.
The wheels will retail for upwards of $15,000 a set, Mr. Celik said. D'Vinci Wheels was started in 2005 to cater to the luxury car owners.