Ford’s Ferrari-fighting supercar is set to sex-up with carbon fibre wheels made right here in Australia.
It was confirmed overnight by the manufacturer its much hyped ‘GT’ will offer an optional carbon fibre wheel package that will see it fitted with items made by Geelong’s own Carbon Revolution.
This isn’t the first time Ford’s knocked on Carbon Revolution’s door either. Ford’s enlists the company to make carbon fibre rollers for the current Shelby GT350R Mustang. But with the GT, Ford’s making use of its latest generation design, allowing the GT’s wheels to feature 10 spokes as opposed to the Mustang’s seven.
They’ll be made in the same size as GT’s standard aluminium items, at 20 x 8.5 inches up front and 20 11.5 behind, but by using new resin and more advanced fibres the wheels will also knock 2 pounds (0.9kg) from each standard wheel’s weight and slash inertia by 25 per cent.
Ford claims the wheels will not only reduce unsprung mass but improve the NVH of the vehicle, stating the GT’s suspension will have an easier time on the job having to control less mass. Even if such benefits are marginal, they’ll at least add a unique look.
While the GT350R’s wheels are exclusively painted black, the GT’s set will be finished in either a matte or gloss clearcoat to match the car’s extensive use of carbon-fibre, seen on its sills, fascia, and rear extractor.
No words has been made on just how much these spools of dark-weave will add to the Ford GT’s expected US$450K (AU$618,000) asking price, but we reckon it’ll be a decision made out of visual preference rather than fiscal constraints for the lucky 500 owners picked.
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