Porsche is making the 911 Turbo S Exclusive more, err, exclusive and desirable with the unveiling of a new set of wheels. The new rims are special in that they aren’t your typical alloys. In fact, they aren’t made of aluminum alloy at all.
Porsche is the first automotive manufacturer to produce wheels made entirely of braided carbon fiber reinforced polymer. Using over 200 individual components, the materials are then braided using the world’s largest carbon fiber braiding machine with a diameter of around 9 meters. The assembled wheel is then reinforced with resin and pre-hardened at high temperature and pressure. The finished product is than cooled over a long period and coated with lacquer.
So why braid carbon fiber and not simply put it together the usual way, you ask? claims such a process makes the structure stronger and more rigid, as well as it being denser and more compact. Plus, there is less wastage involved.
While the manufacturing process may seem complex (and it truly is), Porsche assures that all this has its benefits. The braided carbon fiber wheels are 20% lighter and 20% stronger than conventional alloys. When fitted on the 911 Turbo S Exclusive, they can save up to 8.5kg over the standard wheels and are “perfectly optimized for absorbing longitudinal and lateral forces”.
What this simply means is that the braided carbon fiber wheels provide more driving pleasure by offering more responsive acceleration and braking feel. And yes, you must admit they look extremely handsome.
The Porsche Braided Carbon Fiber wheels will be available as optional equipment on the Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive. They are sized 9J x 20 for the front and 11.5J x 20 at the rear.
