The new Shelby Cobra Mustang will be wearing carbon fiber wheels. Carbon Revolution from Australia helped to develop and manufacture these beauties. Each 19inch rim weighs only 18 lbs! This includes a special ceramic heat shield incorporated inside the carbon plastic to combat the heat from the Brembo carbon ceramic brakes. Anyone know how much the 458 forged diamond spoke rims weigh? (I also dream about changing the front bumper, the service under panels and side mirror housings to carbon fiber.)
I don't know about the weight of the 458 forged wheels, I remember reading they are in the low 20's. But 18 lbs. for 19" carbon wheels don't impress me a lot. The first gen Koenigsegg 10x19" weigh 13 lbs. and now they are making their second gen wheels that are even lighter. Unless Ford can present something else that makes it better that alloy, I don't see the point. The OZ Superforgiata for the 458 is 18.4 lbs. in the 19" size and I'd take a guess and say that the Forgeline GA1R Open, or the BBS FI-R is even lighter. As for stiffness, the Forgeline wheel is rated for 2100 lbs. which is massive for a light weight wheel!
No repairing the carbon fiber rim... Unless you live near perfect roads and never hit a curb I would stay away, performance gains aren't worth it for street cars.
I think the forged wheels weight 22 front and 25 rear. So they are pretty light. The Koenigsegg are made using prepreg which is laid out and then autoclaved. Carbon Revolution use a less expensive process and end up weighing more. I think the actual figure is 16-17 lbs. Carbon Revolution is trying to produce for both OEM and aftermarket. Koenigsegg is only available if you buy a Koenigsegg car. The advantages are a stiffer lighter wheel which in front improves steering and in the rear reduces wobbling movement between the tire and wheel. Of course having lighter wheels also improves braking response since the rotational inertia is less. Suspension movements are also improved by the weight reduction. Carbon Revolution is seeking to pass German Wheel Regulations which are known to be very rigorous. I guess it's still early for carbon wheels. I hope the technology improves and proves itself.
I'd step carefully. I've had several sets of forged magnesium rims. They are very, very light and obviously very stiff. But, they also 'expire'. It's recommended that they be replaced annually if you're racing them and within 5 years otherwise. Carbon also has a shelf life. I do not know the timeframe for safe life on the Carbon Revolution/ I'd check into that before buying
Had the dealer check out the cost of Carbon Revolution Wheels for the 458 : $33K but no information on durability. I had checked out similar wheels for my Ducati Superbikes and found lots of posts regarding rim cracks due to the poor road conditions here in the good ole USA
