The car manufacturing industry has relied on alloy wheels for the longest time because they are more compliant to offer steady traction for a smooth ride with a damped feel. However, carbon fiber wheels have gained more popularity in recent years due to their light and stiff nature. They are beneficial in reducing unsprung mass and rotational inertia, making them a perfect fit for sports cars. Carbon is one of the most expensive car upgrades that are worth every dime.
Contrary to popular belief, carbon fiber wheels were invented in the 1970s, pioneered by Michelin during their manufacturing contract with Citroën. The price tag attached on both hybrid and all-composite carbon fiber wheels has been the main deterrent for many consumers. Check out these nine crazy cars that featured carbon fiber wheels.
9 Koenigsegg Agera RS
Koenigsegg reinvented the wheel when they featured the world’s first one-piece, super-light hollow carbon fiber wheel in the 2013 Agera R. The only metal pieces in the one-piece wheel are on the tire valve stems and the center cap. These upgrades make many believe that the Koenigsegg Agera RS is the ultimate track supercar.
Weighing approximately 13-lb, the Aircore wheels are 40 percent lighter than the standard aluminum wheel without losing the structural rigidity. In the Agera RS, the 5-spoke wheel uses 650 individual carbon fiber pieces to improve overall track performance, increase fuel efficiency, enhance quicker acceleration and reduce rotational mass.
8 Koenigsegg Regera
The Regera is a luxury alternative to other traditional Koenigsegg models with a V8 twin-turbo combustion engine and second-generation superlight Aircore carbon fiber wheels. Unlike the Agera model, the Regera has an advanced hollow 3-spoke design composite wheel.
Powered by a 1479hp and 1465lb-ft of torque engine, the Regera’s carbon fiber wheels put the Regera in the list of fast cars that'll top 250 mph. Even better, the car can sustain a top speed higher than 250mph without losing its stability. The one-speed transmission allows the split-design wheels to vault the car from 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds. Typically, a set of these tires would cost between $10,000 and $15,000.
7 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
Ford contracted Australian-based Carbon Revolution, the world’s leading OEM carbon fiber wheel manufacturer, to design the wheels of the GT500. The fourth-generation carbon fiber wheels for this Ford model are upgraded to solve the issue of wheel rigidity as reported in previous GT350R models.
The wheels' inner structure comprises high-density foam and microscopic glass beads fused with 200 pieces of barely 0.1mm thick carbon fiber strands. With an impressive weight of 17lb, these lighter and stiffer wheels are efficient in limiting inertia while improving grip, acceleration, and overall steering feel.
6 Ferrari 488 Pista
The 488 Pista was built as a supercar that relies on weight and power to outperform its predecessor, the 488 GTB. The 488 Pista is 198.42lb lighter and 50hp more powerful than the 488GTB due to its lighter one-piece carbon fiber wheels.
Each wheel comprises 24,000 carbon fiber strands that are one-tenth the width of human hair. With the reduced weight in its extremities, the 488 Pista is the most powerful V8 in the Ferrari family. The car achieves harder acceleration, sharper turn-in, and the capability to take corners at high speeds.
5 BMW M4 GTS
In 2016, BMW announced the new M4 GTS options list to include M Carbon Compound wheels designed for track and road use. Despite the option of lightweight forged aluminum, the carbon wheels shed off 15.4lb of weight.
However, the wheels in the M4 GTS are not pure carbon and instead consist of a carbon wheel rim surrounded by aluminum spokes. This innovative material composition effectively reduces rotating and unsprung masses that positively affect the M4’s acceleration, deceleration, vibration level, and steering response.
4 Renault Megane RS Trophy-R
Renault upgraded their Megane RS Trophy to the more race-prepared Trophy-R version with improved aerodynamics, improved weight-shedding, and one-piece carbon fiber wheels from Carbon Revolution. Each of the new carbon fiber wheels sheds off 4.4lbs of weight, contributing to the car’s power to weight ratio of 9.6lb/hp.
The Trophy-R’s lightweight wheels produce unparalleled rigidity levels while providing superior braking, efficient fuel-saving, excellent suspension performance, and improved steering precision. As a flagship hot hatch, the Trophy-R managed to set a new record in 2019 in the front-wheel-drive category.
3 Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series
Porsche made a statement by being the first automaker to utilize braided carbon fiber that is more rigid and compact than the conventional carbon fiber wheel. The wheel center is created with more than 200 carbon-fiber fabric pieces, which are then braided into the rim base made by Porsche’s carbon fiber braiding machine.
These braided carbon fiber wheels are 20 percent stronger and weigh 20 percent lighter than regular alloy wheels. Porsche has tested the wheels over the course of 2,000,000km and more than 4,500 test laps to ensure that they hold up to withstand 607hp.
2 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Assetto Fiorano
The Stradale Assetto Fiorano is Ferrari’s most powerful hypercar so far, with robust upgrades to include a titanium exhaust system, lightweight titanium springs, and impressive carbon fiber wheels. These enhancements make the Assetto Fiorano 66 pounds lighter than the standard SF90.
This plug-in hybrid's carbon fiber wheels give it extra traction when accelerating to achieve a sprint from 0-62mph in under 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 211mph. With a weight of 19.2lb, the single-piece wheels offer the perfect balance between power and weight.
1 McLaren Senna MSO Carbon Theme
The Senna MSO was built to be the most exhilarating street-legal car that can tear up the racetrack. With its unique Carbon Theme, McLaren introduced new 7-spoke Hybrid Carbon Fiber wheels available in stealth finish or diamond cut.
The center-lock wheels use both carbon fiber and forged aluminum, making them 10 percent lighter than the standard Senna rim. The Senna MSO enjoys a 10 to 16 percent reduction in rotating inertia, improving its overall steering, braking, and acceleration responses. The car can sprint from 0-60mph in less than 2.7 seconds on its way to a top speed of 211mph.