Until now, carbon fiber wheels were pretty much limited to the Shelby GT350R and supercars like the Ford GT and some Koenigsegg models. Building a carbon fiber wheel is expensive and time-consuming, which is why these wheels aren’t more common. The video above shows just how labor intensive this process is, though the performance results are notable. A full set of braided carbon fiber wheels is nearly 19 pounds lighter than the standard wheels. That’s about a 20 percent difference. Porsche claims the wheels are about 20 percent stronger. Just don’t scuff one on a curb.
Porsche says it’s the first manufacturer to offer braided carbon fiber wheels. That means the wheel is broken down into two separate pieces, the center and the rim. These two parts are carefully braided together with strands of carbon fiber. Each wheel is then impregnated with resin and sealed with high pressure and high temperatures. The wheels are hardened at high temperatures and left to cool over a long period. The center lock is then inserted and the entire wheel is covered in a gloss lacquer.
The wheels use about 11 miles worth of carbon fiber. For the 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series, the wheels come in a staggered 20-inch setup. it’s unclear if the wheels will be available on other cars in the future, but Porsche has never been one to hold back when customers are willing to pay.
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