The carbon-fibre-bodied GT will also offer all-new carbon fibre wheels, further improving the drive and handling characteristics of Ford’s all-new supercar.
The Ford GT is the second Ford Performance vehicle to offer carbon fibre wheels, after the world’s first mass-produced carbon fibre wheel application that debuted as standard equipment on the 2015 Shelby GT350R Mustang.
Unlike the Shelby GT350R’s black-painted carbon fibre wheels, the Ford GT’s will be offered in two finishes – either a matte or a glossy clearcoat, permitting the stunning nature of the carbon fibre weave to show through. The finishes perfectly match the two exposed carbon finishes available on the sills, fascia and extractor of the spectacular supercar.
Working with supplier partner Carbon Revolution, the new wheels are constructed with the latest generation of fiber and resin technology that permits greater design flexibility, resulting in flowing, more intricate spokes.
Carbon fibre wheels bring a wealth of advantages over traditional aluminum wheels, including weight savings, improved vehicle dynamics and ride quality. These make the innovative material the perfect complement for the Ford flagship.
Beyond simply reducing overall vehicle weight for improved acceleration, braking and dynamic performance, carbon fibre’s incredibly strong yet light nature means a reduction in unsprung weight and rotational inertia, which benefits suspension action, ride quality and dynamic performance.
The Ford GT comes as standard with incredibly light, supercar-spec, 10-spoke forged aluminum wheels, sized 8.5 x 20-inch at the front and 11.5 x 20-inch at the rear. The optional carbon fibre wheels are the same size, but they’re structurally stiffer and save almost 1kg of unsprung weight per wheel. Compared to the already featherweight standard wheels, this weight saving reduces inertia by a notable 25 percent.
A lighter wheel requires the suspension to do less work to control the hardware attached to it, and improves consistent contact with the road surface, improving traction and driver control. Each spinning wheel also acts like a gyroscope, so a lighter wheel can improve steering feel and dynamics as it requires less energy to accelerate or turn the wheels, thereby improving vehicle response. Vehicle efficiency is improved, too, as less energy is required to get the wheel spinning.
While metal wheels can act like a bell, the dense, inert nature of carbon fibre provides for overall improved performance in terms of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), plus a quieter ride, leading to greater comfort and refinement on the road.
These optional carbon fibre wheels are the perfect, innovative complement for the Ford GT. 
Related Articles
