Chrysler 300 sports display-equipped wheels at SEMA

One may wonder how on Earth a wheel manufacturer can top the sheer gaudiness displayed on the world's biggest spinners, but apparently, somebody's already all over it. Shown at SEMA 2007, the pictured Chrysler 300 was sporting a set of LED-equipped wheels (PimpStar, anyone?), each of which contained its own (effectively worthless) color display. Unfortunately, all we have to go by is a short video (posted after the jump, if you dare) which incorrectly calls the car a Bentley, so as you may expect, we've no idea how much coin these will demand. But then again, your money would probably be better spent on in-car electronics -- or pretty much anything else, to be frank.

[Paulmichael @ Oct 31st 2007 5:23AM]

I'm hoping those are encased in bullet-proof glass or something, because shiny or moving or colorful or...expensive stuff like this sure does attract all sorts of attention, thieves and "haters" inclusive.

[what-about-the-artists @ Oct 31st 2007 5:31AM]

I think this would be a useful marketing tool for a DJ, beer company, etc. Put these on a tricked out exotic ride in a public space. The ride attracts the right crowd from a distance. Once they come to get closer look they see the marketing message in video on the wheels. Creative, effective and mobile.

[Mac Dub @ Oct 31st 2007 9:53AM]

Yeah, you could totally use these guys to draw the suckers in... they come a little closer to get a look and then BAM!! You got em before they even saw it comin. It's all about that stealth marketing baby, yeeah.

[strider_mt2k @ Oct 31st 2007 6:26AM]

I guess that's something to shoot for.

-or at.

[Ivan Stalin @ Oct 31st 2007 6:45AM]

What a crap... I wonder if it wouldn't be armored

[Bryan @ Oct 31st 2007 6:46AM]

This is old tech:
http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/28/pimpstar-rims-for-the-opinionated-driver/

[DickHardknocks @ Oct 31st 2007 7:31AM]

My wife has a silver 300 Limited.
This car doesn't need ANYMORE attention to it. Already looks like a half Bentley/ 1950 gangster car

[TKWarrior @ Oct 31st 2007 6:22PM]

Nah, it just looks like the million other 300s on the road.

[Russ @ Oct 31st 2007 8:09AM]

a new way to REALLY waste money..

[DickHardknocks @ Oct 31st 2007 8:14AM]

...and the 300 in no way resembles a Bentley. I've seen plenty of Continental GT's and Arnages around here. The 300 looks more like a Phantom due to its headlights and grill.

If the Chrysler Imperial is produced, then the RR Phantom argument will stick moreso.

[blade417 @ Oct 31st 2007 8:18AM]

I agree, the 300 does look like a phantom.... until a phantom pulls up

[Major Malfunction @ Oct 31st 2007 8:25AM]

Zero to Stolen in 60 Seconds!

[Andir3.0 @ Oct 31st 2007 8:48AM]

Yeah, but the kicker is... your still a zero even after they are stolen.

[blade417 @ Oct 31st 2007 9:03AM]

Here's the scenario:

Your parallel parking your car

Part of the curb is sticking out.

Your led display gets busted and catches fire.

Unfortunately it just so happens to be the wheel closest to the gas tank.

Can you see where I'm going with this.

I'm sorry, sometimes the negativity in me just takes over.

[DickHardknocks @ Oct 31st 2007 10:23AM]

gas tanks are under the car's body, typicaly between the driver and the rear passenger, not in the back of the car where the bumper is.

[johnzilla @ Oct 31st 2007 12:06PM]

@DickHardKnocks: not sure what kind of car you drive, but gas tanks are not "between the driver and passenger". Gas tanks are in fact in the back of a car, located behind the passenger cabin, between the frame rails, usually under the trunk and in front of the spare tire. In short, pretty much directly in line with the gas tank fill hose and as far away from the passenger compartment as possible without also being a problem in a rear-end collision.

[Andir3.0 @ Oct 31st 2007 2:29PM]

There's a good quantity of cars that the rear passengers are sitting right above the fuel tank. The only car I've ever known that placed the fuel between the driver and passenger was the Pontiac Fiero.

[Ian @ Nov 2nd 2007 3:21AM]

andthe oldschool jeep cj which the gas tank was RIGHT under the driver seat... not the bestplace in my mind

[Rick @ Nov 1st 2007 1:18PM]

Ghetto Geek Bling!

[christomapher @ Oct 31st 2007 10:42AM]

@blade417- KATT WILLIAMS!! hahaha.

[blade417 @ Oct 31st 2007 11:55AM]

LOL, i knew someone would catch on

[bethel03 @ Oct 31st 2007 10:58AM]

Damn I am tired of seeing these cars around. Everyone that drives them thinks they got the best, fastest car on the street. 'Save' money by buying the V6 version, then spend an extra 4 grand on ugly-ass wheels...c'mon people, spend the same amount of money and get a V8!!!

[b_a_boone @ Oct 31st 2007 11:57AM]

Spend more and get the SRT-8 no upgrades needed!!!

[Dropit @ Oct 31st 2007 12:05PM]

Seriously doubt those are LEDs

[b_a_boone @ Oct 31st 2007 12:14PM]

They would withstand the elements better then other displays. Have you seen the led displays in most stadiums lately, they can display ok quality images and these are smaller LED's closer together.

[johnzilla @ Oct 31st 2007 11:53AM]

Cute, but illegal in most states if not all of them. My state has specific laws about what lights can be visible on a vehicle. Passenger vehicles get white, amber, and red, and only for signals (headlights, taillights, marker lights, turn signals, etc). Signage is prohibited, as are things like underbody neon (even if it is white, amber, or red) and cutesy license plate frames with blinking lights.

Put these things on your car, and you might as well paint "please give me a ticket" on the side of your vehicle.

[b_a_boone @ Oct 31st 2007 12:11PM]

You can't drive with them lit but if your "Parkin lot pimpin" or if it's a commercial vehicle you could use the wheels. Many states have adjusted the law on under body lights, if you are standing next to the car you can't look down and see the light.

It would be nice if they used this more on the inside of the car for the dash touch screen OLED display that mimics all the gauges. Think inside the box guys!

[Andir3.0 @ Oct 31st 2007 2:35PM]

I'm pretty sure in Ohio, the law states that you can have under-body lights as long as the bulbs are not visible at all. You can emanate light, but if your driving around the car and you see the light source itself, it's illegal. That's what I heard years ago when they were "popular." Otherwise, your restricted to amber all around, red can only be in back and white can only be in front (unless your backing).

[Jose @ Oct 31st 2007 1:20PM]

There is more SEMA coverage over at http://teamstealthonline.com/blog/sema-show-2007
They just got there yesterday but expect more updates at the end of each day

[WillyG @ Oct 31st 2007 6:22PM]

That video isn't very good, do they stay 'stationary' when the wheels are spinning or do you have to play something on them that'll still look fine while it spins? PimpStar is better tech.

Ps. rappers make all this money and give it straight back to the white man, its just like chris rock said it is.