WHEELY LIGHT
Porsche claims 'world first' for braided carbon wheels
Porsche reckons it's the first car manufacturer in the world to offer lightweight road wheels made from braided carbon fibre. The distinction here involves the fact that other carbon fibre wheels have been manufactured using conventional pre-impregnated carbon-fibre fabric. The new wheels are available now as an option for the Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series.
As a set of four, the wheels weigh 8.5kg less than the standard forged alloy wheels of the Turbo. That's a 20 per cent reduction overall. The rims are also 20 per cent stronger than the standard alloy items. As ever with lighter wheels, the idea is to allow better wheel control and also sharper responses and improved feedback.
Manufactured entirely from carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP), the exotic new wheel is made of two main components. The wheel centre is built up using carbon-fibre fabric. This involves cutting and assembling over 200 individual components. The rim base, meanwhile, is composed of braided carbon fibre and created using what is currently the world’s largest carbon fibre braiding machine with a diameter of approximately nine metres. The wheel centre is then braided into the rim base.
The assembled wheel is impregnated with resin and pre-hardened at high pressure and high temperatures. The finished wheel is hardened at high temperatures followed by a long cooling process. The centre locking nut is then inserted into the finished wheel and the wheel is protected with clear lacquer.
And the price for this unique achievement in rolling stock? A mere £10,773. The new carbon wheels will be available for the 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series from November production in 9J 20-inch and 11.5J 20-inch sizes.