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Are Carbon Fiber Wheels A Good Idea For The C8 Corvette Z06?

As GM Authority covered way back in June, the upcoming C8 Corvette Z06 may offer an optional set of carbon fiber wheels, drastically reducing unsprung weight for the go-faster track missile. The question is – are carbon wheels even a good idea?

It’s an interesting question. For starters, carbon fiber wheels look very cool – adding carbon bits to any performance vehicle instantly ups the style factor several notches, but putting on a set of carbon fiber wheels is a statement in and of itself.

Of course, there are plenty of other benefits that carbon fiber wheels could add to the C8 Corvette Z06 outside of aesthetics. Carbon fiber is known for its strength and low weight, and using the material for wheels could drastically reduce unsprung mass, or rather, mass that isn’t supported by the vehicle’s suspension. A lighter wheel can improve grip over an uneven surface by more readily rebounding off bumps, and can help improve acceleration and braking by reducing overall rotational mass.

That said, there are a few drawbacks as well. The first is cost, as carbon fiber wheels can be outrageously expensive. There’s also the question of reliability – although carbon fiber is renowned for its strength, the material is not commonly used for street vehicle wheels, and it’s still possible they could crack when used hard. One YouTuber recently experienced exactly that with their 2020 Shelby GT500, as covered recently by our sister publication, Ford Authority.

So then, the question remains – are carbon fiber wheels a good idea for the upcoming C8 Corvette Z06? Composite rollers are currently expected to be part of the optional Z07 package, but is that a smart move, or not?

Let us know your thoughts by voting in the poll below, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more mid-engine Corvette news, Corvette C8 news, Corvette news, Chevrolet news, and 24/7 GM news coverage.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. Let them roll if you have the money.

    Make them an option and provide the proper warnings.

    Look the advantage of unsprung weight here is key as these wheels and tires are heavy. This is a modification that will bring an an advantage to the performance of the car.

    I would only offer it as an option on a top line package or track package. Could even offer them as a second set of wheels.

    Engineers for years have wanted to go to composites on sports cars. GM tested plastic molded wheels for the Fiero back in 1985. They were strong but still heavy. Todays composite will be more than safe and nearly as strong as the aluminum wheels they replace.

    The key is to sell them as a true performance part no bling. Leave the bling to the aluminum wheels.

    Maybe do a Z07 option on the Z06 that adds lighter parts for track time cars.

    Reply
    1. C8.R is spot on IMO. Sell them as an optional item, sold with a warning. Of course even if they don’t carry a warning and the wheels do fail, GM can just play their “design defect” defense card and move on.

      This is another profit opportunity as I imagine many Corvette buyers would splurge for CF wheels, even if they don’t go to the track and drive their car <1,000 miles per year.

      Another good performance option is titanium exhaust, if the Z06 does not already come standard with it.

      Reply
  2. The problem with using carbon fiber wheels is that they may not be capable of handling the stress and load put on them when driven daily; there was just a recent class action lawsuit involving carbon fiber wheels developed for the C7 Corvette and one can only imagine more lawsuits for carbon fiber wheels on the C8 Corvette Z06.

    Reply
    1. A properly designed and manufactured carbon fiber wheel would withstand any stresses it was subject to all the way up until impact. Be it curb, pothole or another competitors wheel. Have you ever heard of an F1 or Indy car chassis failing without impact?

      The key is to engineer it with a margin of strength beyond what is necessary, not for the lightest possible wheel. That being said, you can spend how ever much you want on wheels made of any material, immovable objects are are going to damage them when they come together.

      Jonathan, how about a little research on wheel weights (no, not those) made from the common materials in the performance and racing industries, you know, a little extra content for the article.

      Reply
    2. You realize that aluminum has no fatigue limit, so any aluminum wheel is guaranteed to fail after some number of rotations, no matter how well it’s been designed or how lightly loaded it is? That’s why they’re making airplanes out of carbon fiber.

      Might want to learn some science and engineering before spewing negativity.

      Reply
    3. There’s a surprising number of negatives for omega talon here when he’s simply stating what has happened. The mention that composite wheels are being improved in strength may be true, The development of stress cracks over time can lead to catastrophic failure on potholed roads. I guess there are CF wheels for off roading, but I personally haven’t seen any of them.

      Reply
  3. I had a set of F1 wheels at work from the era when they still has the huge wheels. I picked up the rear tire and thought it was just a mock up.

    If I recall the tire and wheel both were less than ten pounds. It was nothing like the IMSA wheels for a 962. They were pretty heavy.

    Reply
  4. Definitely offer it in a weird (ZL1-Supersport Hennessey Package) $25,000 add on!

    Reply
  5. I work as a mechanic on corvettes. The ones they are using already crack and leak let alone carbon fiber on a street car. They already have lawsuits in the US Over the cracks. GM is asking for more trouble is all.

    Reply
  6. The critical issue is that the wheels if damaged do not crack and fly apart. They need to give and deflect even if damaged.

    I had read about Carbon wheels and what they were looking for in OE applications. They want the wheels to give if you hit a curb or big hole like a Forge wheel does. This keeps the tire on the car even flat but is a built in safety factor.

    If hit hard enough even a forge wheel will fail so they have set and expected limits of give they want.

    The real deal is automakers can only make a large wheel and short sidewall combo take so much abuse. It is up to the owner and operator if the car to use good sense not to destroy the wheel.

    Much like having a low spoiler on the nose and pulling into a curbed parking spot. It is up to the driver to use good judgement not to rip the air dam off the vehicle.

    At some point the owner has to take some responsibility.

    If broken wheels are a worry get a truck with large tires and 17″ wheels.

    Reply
  7. If not carbon fiber, how about a good set of lighter weight forged wheels! If the Z06 is going to be competitive with any other track focused car, it has to get lighter and not just with unsprung weight! And most of that lightness should come from the factory, not from the aftermarket! They could start with a good competitive seat that doesn’t weigh 50#’s that doesn’t have fans, motors, and heat. You shouldn’t have to buy a 2LT (and it’s associated weight) to get PDR and HUD. Most Z06’s will be driveway jewelry loaded with 3LT and other accessories that are best suited for the Z51 which makes a great GT car. Come on Harlan, give us options that will make the Z06 a competitive track focused car off the showroom floor!

    Reply
  8. Not if they’re the same as the one cracking in the C7

    Reply
  9. Not if they’re the same as the one cracking in the C7

    Reply
  10. Would rather have 275/35r19 on 10’s and 335/30r20 on 12.5’s a 60mm tire width stagger vs 275/30r20 on 10’s and 345/25r21 on 13’s a 70mm tire width stagger(also more sidewall will have a more gradual release of traction around corners, are better at maintaining traction around corners that are less than smooth, easier on wheels, less change of tire pressure from warming up while out on the road course). But economy of scale may force the C8 Z06 get 20 and 21 inch wheels and larger brake rotors because the ZR1 has more HP and the Zora has more HP and weight. I wonder what the weight difference is between 19×10 and 20×12.5 Forgeline GS1R wheels with smaller carbon ceramic or steel rotors vs 20×10 and 21×13 carbon fiber wheels with larger same material rotors.

    Reply
  11. I am hoping to get CF wheels on my 2022 C8 ZO6/ZO7. I have them on one of my motorcycles and the difference is amazing. I also have a C5 with the factory Magnesium wheels that I have never had a problem with and a set of aftermarket CF wheels on my Camaro ZL1. I love them. As far as the problems with the C7 wheels cracking, they are not CF. The new Cadillac is coming with magnesium wheels. It’s about time people realize how important light weight wheels are. I’m hoping GM still offers them.

    Reply
  12. CF wheels are just not practical for everyday use on public roads. The wheels are too fragile, and most public roads are NOT maintained, especially in areas where there is snowfall and the roads are treated with salt which results in much surface cracking and potholes. If you intend to track your ZO6, then you could order them as a second wheel option for the track…

    Keep in mind that the wheel size on the 2022/23 ZO6 will be 305/315x 21 on the front, and 345/25×22 Pilot SC 2R’s on the rear….This is the largest wheel/ tire combo ever used on a high end SC.

    Corvette is very serious about taking on the big boys with the ZO6. This is NOT a car for the average Corvette owner, or the old farts…This car will be a monster, topped on by the Zora for raw power. Corvette is targeting the Porsche 911 GT2RS at $293,300 for this ZO6…The CF package on the ZO6 will run around $23,000 excluding the CF wheels, which will be a stand alone option at $25,000…

    A ZO6, fully optioned, will run you about $140,000/$150,000. A true bargain when you consider the Porsche, Ferrari, Lambo, and McLaren…..

    Reply
    1. I agree that any CF wheel should be for a second, track only set.

      Of course as things often go within the Corvette world, there will be plenty of “old farts” and others who will buy their Z06s with every option (including CF wheels) just so it’s “loaded”, even it the car ends up being a street-use only, garage queen.

      Hopefully too for that select group of owners, GM will offer an optional chrome finish on the CF wheels.

      Reply
      1. Yes, and I will be one of those old farts. Fortunately , for me, I have owned, and trashed, Corvettes for over 50 years. I currently own 3, a 1960, 2011 ZR1, and 2016 ZO6. I wrote off 2 ZO6’s learning how to drive at speed. I have had 54 surgeries which have included……a Re-attachment of my left hand…..mechanical implant in my right hand….both shoulders completely rebuilt……full left knee replacement……..over 100 broken bones…….ankle surgery on both ankles…..right foot completely rebuilt…….right hip surgery…..broken jaw….implants………etc.

        Yes, these Corvettes, and the 2022 ZO6 that I anxiously await the arrival of, will kill you if you don’t take them seriously. You better have the reflexes and skills to drive them….

        On that note, at the age of 76, I run 8 miles EVERY morning, and spend 2 hours EVERY day at the gym. I also bike. I don’t drink or smoke. No red meat, no bread, I try to keep very fit and my body fat around 5%…..You MUST make the commitment to be fit, healthy, and able to command these cars or they will kill you……………..

        Reply
        1. Good for you on being a lifelong Corvette owner and for taking care of yourself. All the better to keep enjoying a high performance sports car.

          C7 z06 owner here are well. Drivers definitely need to respect the cars abilities and understand their own limitations.

          Reply
      2. Sorry…………NO Chrome!

        Reply
        1. Yes sir, no chrome wheels on my sports cars.

          Reply
  13. For about two yrs now I have been looking forward to getting a C8 ZO6/ZO7 with CF wheels. The more I think about it I think an E Ray, if they offer the ZO7 package and CF wheels might be the way to go. I’m not completely sold on the 5.5 motor being brand new for GM. The LS is such a great motor. I think an E Ray with a twin turbo LS might be the car to have. The only problem is ur buying a new car and throwing away the warranty.

    Reply
    1. The usual advice applies here – don’t be an early adopter of a new model or drivetrain configuration.

      As with many manufacturers, GM has a history of correcting issues and offering design improvements as the platform ages. The best Corvette within a given generation and model is usually from the last one or two years of production.

      Reply
  14. Your right Jon, but a yr later it is out dated. We all like the latest and greatest. Was just thinking that a twin turbo E Ray would be a nice car even if you had to send it to Lingenfelter or someone else to do the turbo. After waiting to his long it would be pretty disappointing to have it laid up because of the new motor. Right now I have a deposit on my dealers first ZO6 and there first ZR1. Might get the E
    Ray instead of one of them

    Reply
  15. If you’re going to track your car frequently, CF wheels are a good option, but a track option is all they should be. A good set of forged aluminium wheels are light enough for everyday driving

    Reply

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