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Ford GT to debut new carbon-fibre wheels with advanced resin and fibre technology

Ford GT is the second Ford Performance vehicle to offer carbon fibre wheels, following the 2015 Shelby GT350R Mustang.

19th May 2016

Innovation in Textiles
 |  Dearborn, MI

Transport/​Aerospace

All-new Ford GT will debut availability of the next-generation carbon fibre wheels, offering new clear-coated, bare-carbon finish and extensive benefits of lightweighting, further improving the drive and handling characteristics of Ford’s all-new supercar.

Ford GT is the second Ford Performance vehicle to offer carbon fibre wheels, following the first mass-produced carbon fibre wheel application that debuted as standard equipment on the 2015 Shelby GT350R Mustang.

“Ford was the innovator as the first to offer a mass-produced carbon fibre wheels as a standard offering on Shelby GT350R Mustang,” said Dave Pericak, Ford Performance global director. “Now, Ford GT will offer the next generation in carbon fibre wheels, with an advanced resin and fibre technology that gives our designers more freedom, while also showcasing the structure of the material’s weave.”

Ford GT wheels

Unlike the Shelby GT350R’s black-painted carbon fibre wheels, Ford GT wheels will be offered in two finishes – either a matte or a glossy clearcoat, permitting the stunning nature of the carbon fibre weave to show through. The finishes perfectly match the two exposed carbon finishes available on the sills, fascia and extractor of the all-new supercar, the company reports.

Working with supplier partner Carbon Revolution, the new wheels are constructed with the latest generation of fibre and resin technology that permits greater design flexibility, which is said to result in flowing, more intricate spokes.

Lightweight and strong

Carbon fibre wheels aim to bring a wealth of advantages over traditional aluminium wheels, including weight savings, improved vehicle dynamics and ride quality, making the innovative material the perfect complement for the all-new Ford GT, according to the manufacturer.

Beyond simply reducing overall vehicle weight for improved acceleration, braking and dynamic performance, carbon fibre’s incredibly strong, light nature also means a reduction in unsprung weight and rotational inertia, which is said to benefit suspension action, ride quality and dynamic performance.

The Ford GT arrives standard with incredibly light, supercar-spec, 10-spoke forged aluminium wheels, sized 8.5 x 20 in./front, and 11.5 x 20 in./rear. The optional carbon fibre wheels on the Ford GT are the same size, but are structurally stiffer, and save more than two pounds of unsprung weight per wheel. Compared to the already featherweight standard wheels, this weight savings reduces inertia by a notable 25%, the company reports.

Steering feel and dynamics

According to the manufacturer, a lighter wheel requires the suspension to do less work to control the hardware attached to it, and improves consistent contact with the road surface, improving traction and driver control. Each spinning wheel also acts like a gyroscope, so a lighter wheel can improve steering feel and dynamics as it requires less energy to accelerate or turn the wheels, improving vehicle response.

While metal wheels can act like a bell, the dense, inert nature of carbon fibre is said to provide for overall improved performance in terms of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) and a quieter ride – leading to greater comfort and refinement.

www.fordgt.com

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