When the Fiat 500 was launched in the fifties Borrani introduced a number of wire wheels suitable for it, ranging from wire wheels to Bimetals. The original Borrani wire Fiat 500 wheels are still available today!
After more than 50 years of making wire Fiat 500 wheels it was time for the Borrani team to explore new designs in the spirit of the company's unique heritage. The term 're-inventing the wheel' has long been associated with a useless activity, but Ruote Borrani do not agree and have been busy doing just that!
The first result of this is the unique Borrani Sray Fiat 500 wheels and Mini One wheels.
It has taken a number of years and lot of research and development to design and manufacture these unique new Fiat wheels and Mini wheels.
In the 1970s, wire wheels faded out because of the increased power and weight of the cars being produced and the increasing popularity of cast alumium wheels.
The challenge for Borrani (which many thought was impossible) was to develop a new wire wheel which could cope with the increase in modern vehicles weight and power and also to have a proper engineering solution for use with low profile tubeless tyres. Until now other companies have simply sealed the spoke ends and called the wire wheels tubeless (not entirely technical, and also prone to leaks and damage).
The Borrani solution has been to totally redesign the spoke end and dimple in the rim and use their new patented tubless system. This system cannot be damaged by the fitment of tyres and in real world testing has performed faultlessly!
Ruote Borrani is understandably very proud of this milestone in its 86 year history.
The new wire wheel is called Sray and the most striking aspect are the thin steel spokes which looks even more spectacular when the car is moving. They were developed in-line with the Xray series but adapted for smaller vehicles. Like the Xrays they are a technological breakthrough.
The wheels are and will remain very exclusive since they will be made by hand in limited volumes in Italy according to the Borrani tradition.
This fantastic special edition Fiat 500 is the work of Alfredo Stola's Studiotorino coachbuilding and design firm, it will make its first appearance at the Paris Motor Show in October. Inspired from the famous Italian comic 'Diabolik', the Fiat 500 Diabolika is the 500's evil twin. Designed and prepared by Studiotorino and Mycrom in collaboration with the publisher of Diabolik, Astorina, this particular 500 is based on the Sport edition of the Italian mini car.
The sinister looking 500 Diabolika is distinguished by the sexy matt black finish combined with Studiotorino's signature matt red tail fins, the retro-look BORRANI spoke rims wrapped in special edition Pirelli tires hand cut and built with the Diabolik eyes shape logo, the Brembo brakes and of course the Diabolik insignias. Studiotorino has also fiddled around with the 500's interior that boasts high-quality leather sport seats that have been digitally painted with images from the comic strip.
Additionally, Studiotorino has also upholstered the steering wheel, the gear and handbrake levers in matt black leather and bright red stitching while the gearbox knob is painted in a titanium color. Moreover, the Fiat 500 Diabolika features drawing from the comic strip on the sun visors, the roof and even on the portable ashtray and key fobs. Studiotorino plans on producing a total of 50 units of the 500 Diabolika each of which will feature an individually numbered limited-edition plaque.
