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All-new Ford GT will debut availability of next-gen carbon-fiber
wheels, offering new clear-coated, bare-carbon finish and extensive
benefits of lightweighting
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Latest iteration of carbon-fiber wheels on Ford GT feature new
advanced fiber and resin compounds that allow more intricately styled
wheel options
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Ford GT is the second Ford vehicle to take advantage of carbon-fiber
wheels; first standard OEM application debuted on 2015 Ford Shelby®
GT350R Mustang
Company Website:
http://corporate.ford.com/
DEARBORN, Mich. -- (Business Wire)
The carbon-fiber-bodied Ford GT will also offer an all-new carbon-fiber
wheel, further improving the drive and handling characteristics of
Ford’s all-new supercar.
This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here:
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160516006757/en/
The carbon-fiber-bodied Ford GT will also offer an all-new carbon-fiber wheel, further improving the drive and handling characteristics of Ford’s all-new supercar. (Photo: Business Wire)
Ford GT is the second Ford Performance vehicle to offer carbon fiber
wheels – following the world’s first mass-produced carbon fiber wheel
application that debuted as standard equipment on the 2015 Shelby®
GT350R Mustang.
“Ford was the innovator as the first to offer a mass-produced carbon
fiber wheels as a standard offering on Shelby GT350R Mustang,” said Dave
Pericak, Ford Performance global director. “Now, Ford GT will offer the
next generation in carbon fiber wheels, with an advanced resin and fiber
technology that gives our designers more freedom, while also showcasing
the structure of the material’s weave.”
Unlike the Shelby GT350R’s black-painted carbon fiber wheels, Ford GT
wheels will be offered in two finishes – either a matte or a glossy
clearcoat, permitting the stunning nature of the carbon fiber weave to
show through. The finishes perfectly match the two exposed carbon
finishes available on the sills, fascia and extractor of the all-new
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.
Light Is Right
Carbon fiber wheels bring a wealth of advantages over traditional
aluminum wheels, including weight savings, improved vehicle dynamics and
ride quality - making the innovative material the perfect complement for
the all-new Ford GT.
Beyond simply reducing overall vehicle weight for improved acceleration,
braking and dynamic performance, carbon fiber’s incredibly strong, light
nature means a reduction in unsprung weight and rotational inertia,
which benefits suspension action, ride quality and dynamic performance.
The Ford GT arrives standard with incredibly light, supercar-spec,
10-spoke forged aluminum wheels, sized 8.5 x 20 in./front, and 11.5 x 20
in./rear. The optional carbon fiber wheels on the Ford GT are the same
size, but are structurally stiffer, and save more than two pounds of
unsprung weight per wheel. Compared to the already featherweight
standard wheels, this weight savings 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,
improving vehicle response. Vehicle efficiency is improved as less
energy is required to get the wheel spinning.
While metal wheels can act like a bell, the dense, inert nature of
carbon fiber provides for overall improved performance in terms of
noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) and a quieter ride – leading to
greater comfort and refinement.
With optional carbon fiber wheels providing benefits in key areas –
weight savings, vehicle dynamics, NVH and ride quality – they are the
perfect, innovative complement for the all-new Ford GT.
For more information please visit www.FordGT.com.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based
in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 201,000 employees and 67 plants
worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing,
manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing a full line of Ford
cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury
vehicles.At the same time, Ford is aggressively pursuing
emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan
to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the
customer experience and data and analytics. The company provides
financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more
information regarding Ford and its products worldwide or Ford Motor
Credit Company, visit www.corporate.ford.com.
For news releases, related materials and high-resolution photos and
video, visit www.media.ford.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160516006757/en/
Contacts:
Ford Motor Company
Paul Seredynski
313.390.5192
pseredyn@ford.com
or
Matt
Leaver
313.845.4608
mleaver@ford.com
Source: Ford Motor Company
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