German PR people are my friends. This from abt:
A modern SUV must cut a good figure everywhere—and according to this motto, ABT Sportsline has successfully tuned the Audi models Q7 and Q5 as well as the VW Tiguan and Touareg. A particularly stylish element has now been added to the expressive, powerfully-dominant bodywork kits, which have been developed for the diverse quartet: the stainless steel ABT side step set. This silver design piece gives vehicles even more robust flair, without losing the overall elegant-sporty look. The integrated side steps are not just cool, and do not only perfectly fit the strong character of the Q7, Tiguan, Touareg and Q5, but they also offer maximum side protection against, for example, scratches. In addition the ABT side steps also increase the comfort when getting into the car, which makes sense for these comparatively high vehicles. On top of this the thorough cleaning of the windscreen is also made easier. And thanks to the anti-slip coating, secure footing is guaranteed.
What “scratches” is your vehicle in danger of at this level? The teeth of the raccoon you hit?
Unless the vehicle is very tall (like a F-150), they never get used. For lower vehicles, all these “stylish things” do is add weight, use up natural resources, and dirty your pant-leg because you don’t use them when entering.
Detroit-X
Agreed. Also they catch dust and mud and are hard to clean. Try getting Armorall on all those little rubber spots as they start to fade. My X5 had them by default and they caused many a muddy pant leg.
The people who buy those cars love being spoken to this way. They eat this chit up….
Anti-slip coating!? it’s only about two inches wide.
Looking at that picture, I see the following happening:
1. I put the ball of my my muddy work boot (this is an SUV, right? I’m out fording field and stream, right?) on it.
2. I shift my weight to that foot. Because the little step is so narrow my muddy boot scrapes right off.
3. I bang my shin against the step, opening a lovely gash.
4. I stumble backwards and land flat on my back in a muddy field. No, let’s make it a rock-and-glass-strewn field. My knee is twisted and my spine cracked.
5. I sue Audi.
6. Profit!
My TrailBlazer had them as part of the trim package. The first thing I did when I took the truck home from the dealer was get out the sockets and take them off. It looks far better without them, and as Detroit-X and Spike pointed out, muddy pant legs are never an issue. The bonus was that I threw up an ad on Craigslist and got $250 for ’em!
@afabbro
Audi might win the suit. Spike_in_Irvine apparently coated the rubbery surfaces in Armorall.
These are good on a 3/4 ton truck with big tires, especially when they go all the way back to the rear wheel well to provide easier access to the front of the bed. They seem pointless on an Audi or VW SUV.