GM Has Carbon-Fiber Wheel Envy

2017 Ford GT optional gloss finish carbon fiber wheel (Credit: © Ford)

Ford is making some advanced new carbon-fiber wheels for the GT. Thanks to better weave and resin tech, the Blue Oval can use designs that before were impossible, all while shedding unsprung weight and making GM wildly jealous.

Of course, Ford didn’t make this advancement all by itself. The company used Carbon Revolution, an Australian supplier for it. GM is looking to do the same thing. Competition is great, because this could kick off a new era of strong, lightweight wheels.

According to a recent Autoblog report on the issue, the Cadillac V-series models should be first in line for the new wheels. I know it’s surprising Buick wasn’t in the top spot, but yet again Cadillac is getting coddled. This is actually great news, because the V-series has some crazy-potent cars that could really benefit from the lightweight wheels.

Basically, the carbon-fiber wheels for the Ford GT will shed about two pounds each versus the standard aluminum alloy wheels. That translates into better handling and other benefits. GM won’t just stand there are let Ford do that sort of a thing. It’s even making a super-secret mid-engine Corvette everyone knows about that should take on the Ford GT, because it can’t let Ford beat it on anything.

It’s worth noting that Koenigsegg had carbon-fiber wheels long before Ford, not that Ford or GM will acknowledge that as their marketing fight rages.