General Motors Wants Carbon-Fiber Wheels For Its Performance Cars

General Motors is planning to develop its own carbon-fiber wheels as optional equipment for its performance-oriented cars. That’s the word from Autoblog, which found out about the company’s plans from William Rodgers, the man in charge of GM’s research and development of light polymer systems. There’s no timetable as to when the new carbon-fiber wheels will hit the market, but it shouldn’t take too long given that Ford is already offering carbon rollers for the Mustang Shelby GT350R and the upcoming GT supercar.

General Motors will reportedly work with Carbon Revolution as its supplier. The Australian company produces the world’s only one-piece carbon fiber wheel and provides carbon-fiber rollers to Ford Motor Company. Rodgers confirmed that Cadillac’ s V-Series models, including the CTS and ATS, would be candidates for the new technology, but range-topping versions of the Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette — the Z/28 and Z06, respectively, are also expected to get similar options.

According to Rodgers, GM is already testing carbon-fiber wheels for wear-and-tear and examining repair costs. The company expects the new wheels to save about 35 pounds per vehicle and enhance driving dynamics due to their stiffer structure and lower unsprung and rotational mass.

General Motors will become the second automaker to offer carbon-fiber wheels on a mass-produced car after Ford. Carbon rims were first introduced by Koenigisegg in 2005. The wheels were offered as optional equipment for the CCX supercar and have since them been available in the aftermarket from various shops.