In the upper echelon of the automotive aftermarket, the price of body styling alone can equal the MSRP of a new small car. Case in point: When shopping for a body package with a complementing set of tires and wheels for a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, you can expect to pay around $20,000. That is, unless you consider the new, sophisticated yet affordable line from Auto Couture.
Designed to enhance exterior symmetry, the four-piece urethane body package, available for a number of models, including Bentley, Jaguar, Lexus and Mercedes, consists of a front spoiler, side skirts and rear bumper lip valance (with and without exhaust cutouts).
Unlike some overly designed kits, the Auto Couture package, as seen on this 2002 S500, is tasteful and well suits the S's sleek lines.
For ease of installation, the pliable kit comes pre-painted in factory colors and installs via factory bumper cover bolt locations. According to Diko Sulahian, president of WTW Inc., the authorized exclusive importer and distributor for Auto Couture, the kit does not require any additional body modifications, greatly minimizing what could be an expensive and cumbersome installation.
In addition to offering a line of tires from various manufacturers, including Dunlop, Toyo and Falken, Auto Couture features its own signature line of luxury wheels. Available in a variety of styles and sizes, Auto Couture's top of the line wheel is the Supreme, sized 10x20 in., which features three-piece construction using a lightweight cast-aluminum center with forged inner and outer lips. The wheels are offered in either silver or chrome-plated finishes.
Housing all the aforementioned styling kit/tire-and-wheel packages under one roof allows Auto Couture the luxury of offering remarkable discounts: A complete package can sell for roughly half (est. $9,900 complete) of what you would be expected to pay for similar modifications elsewhere.
As well as the authorized importer and distributor of the line, WTW/Giovanna Wheels plays a major role in various design and production aspects, keeping a close eye on quality and customer satisfaction. Contact Auto Couture, or one of its authorized service centers within North America, for product warranty and specific model fitment.