Mercedes Lilienthal
Our fifteen52 Turbomac HD Classics hold up extremely well after several off-road trips.
Words by Mercedes Lilienthal
Since purchasing our second right-hand-drive turbo diesel Mitsubishi Pajero, the first task was to replace the stock wheels and mismatched tires. We wanted black that were strong, lightweight, but different. Although the market is flooded with fake beadlocks or wheel patterns with lots going on, we prefer ours not to have simulated bead locks and feature a simple, unique wheel pattern.
During our wheel search, we came upon a company called fifteen52. This wheel company originally started in 1996 as a division of Joe Hoppen Motorsport. Joe, who was the former director for Porsche Motorsport North America, was responsible for entering Porsche into the SCCA Can-Am Series. Since fifteen52 was formed, it has always consisted of a group of automotive enthusiasts first and foremost —and then a wheel company. Although fifteen52 has a great heritage showcasing their wares via on-road rides like Porsches, drift cars, ralliers, racers, and even street goers, they recently dove into the off-road market.
The company worked intensively on the Turbomac HD Classic design with famous rally driver Ken Block (Ken put them through their paces via his Ford Raptor). After much testing was done, the Carbon Grey or Matte Black Turbomac HD Classics were approved and ready to market.
Fifteen52’s Turbomac HD Classic cast monoblock wheel is a perfect fit for Toyotas, Jeeps, Fords, Nissans, and other trucks and SUVs such as our Mitsubishi Pajero. Even this company is new in the off-road segment; we decided to give them a try.
We chatted with fifteen52 about their wheel sizing and centre bore measurements (our Pajero is a larger center bore at 108 mm versus its stock 106 mm measurement). After a quick consult, they were happy to arrange for our center bores to be machined so they fit over the Pajero’s front hubs. We ordered up 16 x 8 +0 offset wheels with center bores machined to 108 mm.
Each Turbomac HD Classic wheel arrived carefully boxed. Inside was a secure cardboard nesting system keeping the wheel from shifting. The top of the wheel was covered with a logo’s fifteen52 elastic sock and foam exterior wheel ring (to keep the wheel edge damage). Once unpacked, these matte black beauties were ready to test fit; they fit over the hubs! After a quick paint on the wheel centre bore (to cover up the machined aluminum), they were installed.
Our fifteen52 Turbomac HD Classics have held up extremely well over several off-road trips. They push out dirt and mud easily, look stylish, and are easy to touch up if scratched while off-roading (any matte black paint will do). The Turbomac HD Classics have garnered a lot of interest from events we’ve taken our Pajero to as well. It’s refreshing to see a different kind of wheel in the off-road market. Not saying that all the rest aren’t good, but for us, being different and unique is how we like to roll. Buying a quality wheel that’s lightweight, durable, and unique was important to us.
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Mercedes Lilienthal
The Turbomac HD Classics are built with quality and tasteful style.
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Mercedes Lilienthal
They also push out dirt or mud easily and are can be touched up if scratched.
3 of 5
Mercedes Lilienthal
These matte black beauties came packaged and provided a great fit right out of the box.
4 of 5
Mercedes Lilienthal
Test fitting the Turbomac HD Classics.
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Mercedes Lilienthal
The Mitsubishi Pajero with the fifteen52 Turbomac HD Classics.