Ford Offers First-Ever Mass-Produced Carbon Fiber Wheels
Lotus founder, Colin Chapman said it best: “simplify and add lightness.” It is a mantra that all racing teams still struggle to learn. To win is to be light, and to be light, you need to find ways of taking material away without endangering yourself. And Ford understands this. Yes, the company that builds the F-650, also appears to be on the cutting edge by bringing game-changing lightweight materials to market.
Ford released a press release today saying they have come up with a way to make the already ridiculous GT350R that much lighter. How? By fitting the car with the first mass-market carbon wheels.
Partnering up with Carbon Revolution, Ford is going to be the first automaker to mass produce carbon wheels for a production car. In the press release, Ford stated that one of the most critical aspects in making a car fast is by reducing unsprung weight. Essentially that means reducing the amount of rotational weight carried by the wheels.
The new carbon wheels weigh only 18-pounds apiece. That cuts 15-pounds off the standard aluminum wheel. Wow.
While the new wheels are currently only being designed for the hubs of the new GT350R, Ford is focused on someday producing the carbon wheels for other vehicles as well.
If you weren’t excited for the new GT350R before, how do you feel now?
Chime in with your thoughts on the forum. >>
via [MotorAuthority]
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