The company claims to be the first major automaker to offer mass-produced carbon-fiber wheels for a production vehicle, though the technology has been available for years on Koenigsegg supercars and from aftermarket suppliers.
The Blue Oval teamed with Australian supplier Carbon Revolution to built the lightweight GT350R rims. The latter company specializes in composite wheels, claiming to produce the only one-piece carbon-fiber wheel with continuous fiber construction.
Using carbon rather than traditional aluminum helps reduce the car’s overall heft and improves handling dynamics, thanks to a significant reduction in unsprung weight. The new wheels weigh just 18 pounds each, compared to 33 pounds for an equivalent aluminum design.
“The carbon fiber wheels reduce vehicle weight by 60 pounds compared to aluminum, yet are stiffer for better steering response,” said Ford Performance chassis supervisor Adam Wirth. “We believe this is a game changer for the industry, a great example of improved performance through innovation.”
Engineers found that the GT350R’s brakes were creating rotor temperatures in excess of 1650 degrees Fahrenheit during track testing. Carbon Revolution looked to the Space Shuttle for inspiration, creating a ceramic thermal barrier coating around the inner wheel barrel and on the back of the spokes via plasma arc application.
The companies worked to create a special gloss-black finish that is aesthetically flawless and capable of handling years of exposure to salt, UV radiation and road chemicals.
The GT350 and GT350R also introduces a new 5.2-liter V8 engine for Ford, featuring a flat-plane crankshaft that helps keep weight down while allowing it to reach an 8,250-rpm redline. It is the company’s most power-dense mill, boasting 526 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque.
The GT350R will be available in showrooms later this year.
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