May 17 2016
The carbon-fiber-bodied Ford GT will also offer an all-new carbon-fiber wheel, further improving the drive and handling characteristics of Ford’s all-new supercar. (Photo: Business Wire)
Ford’s all-new supercar, the carbon-fiber-bodied Ford GT, will further improve the driving and handling experience by offering next-gen carbon-fiber wheels. This new car is the company’s second Ford Performance vehicle featuring carbon fiber wheels, followed by the introduction of the world’s first mass-produced carbon fiber wheel application as a standard component on the 2015 Shelby® GT350R Mustang.
Ford was the innovator as the first to offer a mass-produced carbon fiber wheels as a standard offering on Shelby GT350R Mustang. Now, Ford GT will offer the next generation in carbon fiber wheels, with an advanced resin and fiber technology that gives our designers more freedom, while also showcasing the structure of the material’s weave.
Dave Pericak, Global Director, Ford Performance
Ford GT wheels will be available in two finishes - a matte finish or a glossy clearcoat - unlike the black-painted carbon fiber wheels of the Shelby GT350R. These finishes can clearly display the striking nature of the carbon fiber weave. They are a perfect match to the two exposed carbon finishes offered on the sills, extractor, and fascia of the Ford GT.
In close cooperation with Carbon Revolution, the supplier partner of Ford, the new wheels are built with the latest generation resin and fiber technology that provides more design options, thus leading to flowing, more intricate spokes.
Carbon fiber wheels are advantageous in many ways over conventional aluminum wheels, such as weight reduction, superior ride quality, and improved vehicle dynamics. This makes the novel material the ideal option for the all-new Ford GT.
In addition to lowering the overall vehicle weight, resulting in better braking and dynamic performance and improved acceleration, carbon fibers reduce unsprung weight and rotational inertia as they are extremely strong and light in nature. This results in improved dynamic performance, suspension action, and ride quality.
The Ford GT comes with extremely light, supercar-spec, 10-spoke forged aluminum wheels as a standard, with sizes of 8.5 x 20 in./front and 11.5 x 20 in./rear. Although the size is the same for the optional carbon fiber wheels, they are structurally more rigid and save over two pounds of unsprung weight/wheel. This lowers inertia by 25%, a notable reduction in comparison with the already featherweight standard wheels.
A lighter wheel requires the suspension to do less work for controlling the hardware attached to it and optimizes constant contact with the road surface. This further improves traction and driver control. Also, a lighter wheel is capable of optimizing steering feel and dynamics as each spinning wheel serves like a gyroscope and consumes less energy for turning or accelerating the wheels. This enhances vehicle response. Furthermore, the consumption of less energy for wheel spinning, results in better vehicle efficiency.
Metal wheels can behave like a bell. Conversely, carbon fibers are dense and inert in nature, improving the overall performance of the vehicle in terms of harshness (NVH), vibration, and noise and providing a quieter ride. This results in greater comfort and refinement.
The optional carbon fiber wheels provide a number of advantages in key areas, including vehicle dynamics, weight savings, NVH and ride quality. Therefore, they are the ideal, unique complement for the Ford GT.