SD and HRE
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Vivid Racing '09 C63 AMG
SD and HRE
Hey folks,
I'm down in SD for a couple of conferences if anyone would like to connect. I flew down so my car isn't with me and even worse...Hertz stuck me in a Prius!
Anyway, I'm heading over to HRE for a tour. Come join!
--D
I'm down in SD for a couple of conferences if anyone would like to connect. I flew down so my car isn't with me and even worse...Hertz stuck me in a Prius!
Anyway, I'm heading over to HRE for a tour. Come join!
--D
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Vivid Racing '09 C63 AMG
Yeah, I was on a roll upward from a Yaris, to an Altima, to a GLK. I guess being Gold Club doesn't mean squat even though I've rented maybe 6 cars in the last 2 months.
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Vivid Racing '09 C63 AMG
Quick detour to ACG...
Look who stopped by
Shop car - on race fuel, it's cranking about 800hp to the wheel, 0-60 in 2.3
Shop car again, but in the shop, they were working on 3 other GTRs. They'd just moved a month ago so it's still being fully setup
Look who stopped by
Shop car - on race fuel, it's cranking about 800hp to the wheel, 0-60 in 2.3
Shop car again, but in the shop, they were working on 3 other GTRs. They'd just moved a month ago so it's still being fully setup
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Vivid Racing '09 C63 AMG
Manufacturing Process:
All monobloc wheels start as about 100lb blanks that get machined down to the basic design which ends up being between 17 and 22lbs; the tech has to hand mount every blank for each wheel and program in the design into the machine
The blanks then come out like this - 3-piece or 1-piece
Since the raw metal is still sharp after being machined, techs must sand it down by hand; if you have a mixed polished and brushed rim, they do this process twice - before and after the wash
After the sanding stage, each wheel is washed; for brushed wheels, they are washed by hand to make sure the chemicals and process do not ruin the finish
Then comes the powder coat, which I learned is an electrically charged rim being blasted with actual powder; after each wheel is finished, one of the engineers inspects every single wheel before he approves it to be shipped
The selection palate - my finish/color is missing...must be working on it
All monobloc wheels start as about 100lb blanks that get machined down to the basic design which ends up being between 17 and 22lbs; the tech has to hand mount every blank for each wheel and program in the design into the machine
The blanks then come out like this - 3-piece or 1-piece
Since the raw metal is still sharp after being machined, techs must sand it down by hand; if you have a mixed polished and brushed rim, they do this process twice - before and after the wash
After the sanding stage, each wheel is washed; for brushed wheels, they are washed by hand to make sure the chemicals and process do not ruin the finish
Then comes the powder coat, which I learned is an electrically charged rim being blasted with actual powder; after each wheel is finished, one of the engineers inspects every single wheel before he approves it to be shipped
The selection palate - my finish/color is missing...must be working on it
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Vivid Racing '09 C63 AMG
More samples to go out to dealers
Look closely...you'll see CF in there
Showroom being rearranged
New rim style! I was told that all HREs are forged rims, not cast. When you cast a rim, the barrel is strong, but the face (spokes) isn't. To overcome, this dilemma, HRE collaborated with a Japanese company to design more affordable wheels that are still strong and top quality. These wheels are cast in a special way so that structural integrity is not compromised with affordability. I was told these new "Flowform" wheels can go for $2900/set.
Look closely...you'll see CF in there
Showroom being rearranged
New rim style! I was told that all HREs are forged rims, not cast. When you cast a rim, the barrel is strong, but the face (spokes) isn't. To overcome, this dilemma, HRE collaborated with a Japanese company to design more affordable wheels that are still strong and top quality. These wheels are cast in a special way so that structural integrity is not compromised with affordability. I was told these new "Flowform" wheels can go for $2900/set.
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Vivid Racing '09 C63 AMG
A customer's car about to be outfitted with new shoes, then a photoshoot, then back to its owner overseas
The president's car - well, his family car; I actually bumped into him (Alan) during the tour and got to shake his hand; I also finally put a face to Vince's name
The president's car - well, his family car; I actually bumped into him (Alan) during the tour and got to shake his hand; I also finally put a face to Vince's name
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2020 Audi R8 V10, 2016 AMG GTS, 2018 E63S Edition 1, 2018 Porsche GTS Cab, 2012 C63 BS
Thanks for the virtual tour!!! I have been there many many times--- just got off the phone with the National Sales Director and ordered set #15
Class Act Organization and Product.
Class Act Organization and Product.
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my wife bananas! :D
if you added up all the $$ you have put into HRE over the years... that's another pretty sweet car you can add to your collection
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2005 MB C230K Sport Sedan & 2011 MB C300
Great pictures! I plan to do this tour while visiting family in Escondido. I just dont know when.
CoolBDPhenom03, Is there a fee associated with the tour and how did you go about it? Was this a random "might as well stop by since I'm in the area" trip or was it scheduled in advance?
CoolBDPhenom03, Is there a fee associated with the tour and how did you go about it? Was this a random "might as well stop by since I'm in the area" trip or was it scheduled in advance?
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Awesome pics, thx for sharing CoolBD! It must have been a great experience to see the "behind the scene" of such a good company.
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Vivid Racing '09 C63 AMG
It really was. I always wanted to visit, but after seeing that video, I was even more impressed. However, the video pales in comparison to how painstaking every step is monitored and QC'd in real life. Very impressive - considering the quality and design, you really appreciate how good of a value HREs are.
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Man that is really cool to be able to visit their factory. If i was around i would have done it as well.
Did they say anything about the release date for the new low cost models?
Did they say anything about the release date for the new low cost models?