CAR CUSTOMIZATION

Car customization and modification can be classified as both, an industry and a hobby or we can say it is the interest of an individual. People renovate their cars just the way they renovate their homes. This renovation process of the cars is called car customization and modification. Mostly we see this trend of modifying cars and adding extra to it to enhance its performance and looks in the young generation. The young generation is more inclined towards modifying their cars and adding more to it. Not only in Pakistan but around the whole world this is gaining more and more popularity.

There are different areas of car modification and customization. There is the engine modification, the body modification and suspension modification.

The engine modification basically involves the replacing of pistons and bearings of the car. Different turbo charges and performance chips are added to improve the performance and the speed of the car. These changes increase the acceleration and the top speed of the car. The nitrous oxide kit can also be used to add extra pump and speed to the car. Nitrous oxide cylinder is fitted with the carbonator of the engine and adds turbo speed to the car by increasing the fuel consumption of the car by almost 300%. By the usage of this cylinder the car can reach a high speed in no time. However it is mostly used in sports cars for racing purposes.

The body of the car is also modified giving it a new look and sleek style. The first and foremost act of body modification is replacing the existing or what we call stock front and rear bumpers by new extended bumpers or adding different extensions to the existing ones. The side skirts of the car also play an important part in the body modification as they can also completely change the overall look of the car. The hood and trunk are also modified to further improve the look of the car. The trunk is sometimes completely reconstructed and given a totally different look. Rims and alloys also play a very big role in the beauty of the car. The chromes and spinners are very popular and among the expensive ones.

Low profile tires are also used. 17inch and 19inch tires are the low profile tires but due to the various reasons 19inch is not mostly used in the cars because of the bumpy roads. Wider tires are sometimes also used in the cars. They can increase the road grip of the car.

There are also several options available for modifying headlights. Headlights can be further enhanced by opting for xenon or HID’s. HID’s are available in two colors: white, pink purple in Pakistan. Xenon has a wider variety. However HID’s are higher density lights and prove more effective. This is also the reason behind their higher price. Furthermore, neon lights can also be attached to the bottom of the car, which adds to the car’s appearance. These neon lights can be found in a variety of colors and sizes.

Exhaust pipes affect a car’s performance and appearance. A car’s speed and sound vary depending on the size of the exhaust. A bigger exhaust would increase the air intake and thus increase the fuel consumption of the car.

The car’s suspension can also be altered. Cars with low suspensions, which are often referred to as ‘low riders’, carry a sportier look than most other vehicles. Lower suspensions also increase the car’s grip on the road. However, one major drawback of this feature is that low suspensions make it nearly impossible to drive on bumpy roads, which is especially important on Pakistani roads.

As important as the car’s exterior is the car’s interior. First of all, as most of the younger generation would agree, the sound system is an essential component in terms of adding value. Seats can also be changed. Seats with body massagers are replaced by the original ones. LCD’s and in-dash screens can also be connected to further pick up the interior of the car.

In Pakistan, car customization is only common in some of our major cities: Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar. It is a growing trend and there is an increased inclination towards customizing and modifying older cars rather than new ones. A good example of this is with American muscle cars such Buick, Chevrolet, Mustang, and Jeeps. Amongst the newer cars that are usually modified are Vitz, Corolla and Civic. Not surprisingly, the younger generation seems to be the one which is most attracted by car customization. This is partly because modified cars have become a status symbol as well as a craze. There are several workshops across the major cities that specialize in car customization. A lot of the body kit enhancements are made from the same material which is used to make water tanks in homes and buildings. Since this is still a relatively new industry in the country, the availability of part is an issue and therefore, parts need to be imported from abroad. This, in turn, makes car customization in Pakistan a costly luxury.