Explore the latest performance wheel and tire trends set to dominate the roads in 2024.
Superchargers, turbos, nitrous, and suspension components are fun and all, but they’re worth nothing without the right set of wheels and tires. In fact, one could argue that no other single mod will make a bigger difference for your car. That’s what makes the segment so hot.
According to the 2023 SEMA Market Report, performance wheels and tires are some of the largest segments in the aftermarket industry, generating $2.84 billion and $1.58 billion, respectively.
Naturally, segments of this size are sure to see constant innovations and rising trends. Even if things seem a bit quiet with industry consolidation changing the playing field, there are still a lot of new developments worth getting excited about. With both SEMA and the Keystone BIG Show in the rearview mirror, now’s the perfect time to get the scoop on what performance wheel and tire trends you need to shift your attention to for 2024.
Top Wheel Trends of 2024
Even if the wheel is said to have been around for 6,000 years, we still have yet to see every version of it. New technology and design trends are regularly introduced, making the wheel ever-evolving.
New Manufacturing Methods
According to Dan Guyer, Keystone Automotive’s resident wheel and tire expert, flow-formed wheels are a hot innovation in wheel technology right now.
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A cross between cast and forged wheels, the flow-forming process takes a thinner-than-usual, unfinished casting and spins it rapidly, while applying high heat and pressure to form it into the desire shape.
By using less material and changing the composition of the metal, the final product is both lighter and stronger than a traditional cast wheel. This presents a great compromise for performance enthusiasts seeking something lighter and more durable than a cast wheel but who don’t want or need expensive forged wheels.
Innovative production methods extend to form as well as function, with manufacturers using clever machining techniques to provide extensive design variation within the same mold. From aggressive spoke and bolt patterns to unique finishes and wild colors, the possibilities are as diverse as the drivers. Ultimately, Guyer says despite the bright new options, gray and black wheels remain the top choices.
Old-School Style
That’s not to say traditional appearances are off the table – as evidenced by the revival of smaller wheel sizes across the space and the return of beloved brands to the top of the segment.
Classic muscle car wheels, re-engineered. | LADD Photography, Center Line
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According to Guyer, “the 22-, 24-, and 26-inch SEMA Show Truck stuff is all benched, and 17- and 18-inch wheels have made a resurgence.” Smaller wheel sizes are both a practical and aesthetic choice, but if we look at the return of Center Line Wheels — a brand known for timeless classic designs — it’s easy to say that the throwback vibes are a driving factor as well.
That said, now may be the time to get ahead of the curve and stock up on chrome. Wheel color choices are a huge deal, and we’re overdue for a return to the tried-and-true appearance of chrome wheels – a trend that reoccurs just about every eight years, according to Guyer.
Who knows? With the world of cars forging ahead into the age of electrification, the retro tone of a beloved era may just give chrome the sticking power it needs.
Top Tire Trends of 2024
Speaking of electrification, these incredibly powerful new rides are driving much of the R&D happening on the performance side of the wheel and tire industry.
EV-Friendly Tires
Most EVs are well and truly performance vehicles, which means they’re outfitted with performance tires. But thanks to the weight, massive power, incredible speed, and regenerative braking they offer, the tire wear is “atrocious,” says Guyer. “Some EV owners are getting only 12,000-15,000 miles of wear before needing to replace.”
In addition to adding a financial burden to consumers, this reduced product life is also hard on the environment. So, the big homework assignment lately for manufacturers is finding ways to make tires last on an EV, but still perform as expected.
One player standing out for innovation in this area is MAXXIS. The company took home a Best New Product award at the 2022 SEMA Show for its Victra Sport EV tire.
The ultra-high performance summer tire was specially developed and engineered to lower rolling resistance, reduce noise, enhance durability, and improve traction for electric vehicles. According to MAXXIS, it offers 25% tread wear improvement over the leading competitor.
This year, more EV-friendly performance tires are landing on the scene, including Yokohama’s first ultra-high performance all-season tire, the ADVAN Sport EV/AS which is sure to make some waves.
Since wheels aren’t immune from the stresses of EVs, strides are being made in that arena as well. Defiant Wheels picked up a SEMA award at the 2023 show for its DF06, a flow-formed 20-inch wheel specifically built to accommodate the performance brakes and vehicle weights of the Tesla Model 3 and Model S.
ICE Performance
Don’t worry, the ICE performance tire space hasn’t gone cold. Plenty of updates and technology advancements are introduced to the segment every day. Though, two introductions in late 2023 tell us racing season is going to be good in 2024.
Last year, Mickey Thompson introduced its Limited Prep Traction line of drag racing tires to its ET series. The name refers to the tire’s special compound that allows it to work around the use of traction glues at the track. This is a great innovation that reduces, if not eliminates, the need to prep the tires at unprepped tracks – which is a big deal with the scarcity of glues these days.
Three options are available: 28×10.5-15 L4, 28×10.5-15 L8, and 28×10.5-15S L8. Each is intended to be used as an incremental solution to match increasing amounts of power and weight. Make no mistake, a tire like this can totally revolutionize the world of racing and raise a little Cain in no-prep classes.
Seeing as racing is all about competition, it’s only natural for more players to stake their claim in the category. Atturo officially stepped into the realm of DOT drag radials when it launched AZ850DR.
This ultra-high-performance tire has been long awaited by road-bound horsepower junkies, and now that inventory is available, they can finally take a crack at it. It’s the perfect fit for late-model performance but is sure to serve any application with both the track and the street on the itinerary well.