With the shift to a new mid-engine layout, the C8 Corvette marks a fundamental transformation in how America’s sports car delivers performance. However, beyond where the engine sits relative to the cabin, there’s another area where the Vette might evolve, namely the wheel hardware. So we want to know – should the Corvette move away from traditional lug nuts and adopt centerlock wheels instead?
Corvette ZR1 wheel
Porsche centerlock wheel
For those who may be unaware, centerlock wheels incorporate a single, large central nut to secure the wheel in place, as opposed to the more common five-lug setup seen on the C8 Corvette. While centerlock technology is derived from motorsport, the tech used on production vehicles (including popular sports cars like the Porsche 911 GT3, 718 Cayman GT4 RS, and 718 Spyder RS) is distinct from the fast-swap race variants. Breaking it down, consumer-grade centerlocks are more about aesthetics and exclusivity than pit-lane speed.
Pros of Centerlock Wheels
There are certainly a few pros to consider, starting with visual appeal. Centerlocks can give a car a clean, motorsport-inspired look, contributing to a more aggressive stance (something that Porschephiles are sure to point out). Centerlocks also offer a degree of theft deterrence, requiring specialized tools to remove.
Porsche 911 Speedster
Cons of Centerlock Wheels
Naturally, there are some cons to consider as well. For starters, the consumer-grade centerlocks don’t really provide the quick-swap advantage you might expect given their racing-inspired origins. There’s also a high torque requirement – Porsche’s system, for example, demands 443 pound-feet of twist for proper tightening, well beyond your typical DIY job.
What’s more, centerlocks typically require an immaculately clean hub surface, as well as specialized lubricants to prevent galling. Improper installation also can cause permanent damage or even outright failure at speed.
Final Thoughts
While centerlocks do offer a sleek, track-ready style, the reality is that they come with significant usability and maintenance trade-offs. Given the current state of the technology, centerlocks may be best reserved for high-end, track-focused variants.
But we want to know – what’s your take? Vote in the poll below and tell us if Corvette should move away from traditional lug nuts and adopt centerlock wheels instead.
Comments
They look cool, but those are some very impractical cons.
I have a 2018 Mercedes AMG GT with what looks like a center-lock wheel nut system. However it’s a beautifully integrated, easily removeable, hard-plastic, center-cap cover, that when spun off easily with a special, included hand-held tool, it reveals five standard lug nuts. The beautiful appearance of a center-lock system with no drawbacks. I can’t quite figure out how to attach a picture here, so e-mail me and I’ll send one directly to you if you want to see it
No, I don’t have one but I would want to be able to service the wheels myself.
NO. NO. NO.
Windshield wipers, batteries and wheels/tires are something that anybody should be able to change on any car with basic tools at any skill level. Centerlock wheels on anything street legal is r*tarded and dangerous.
WA not to be able to still work on it myself prefer lugnuts
Center lock wheels would be a good option, but should not be the standard wheel on Corvettes.
440 ft. lbs. of torque on the center locks!! C’mon! Need a five-foot torque wrench, or a shorter torque wrench and a breaker bar. Good luck changing a tire away from your favorite tire repair shop. Porsche-bois calling the flatbed…
Honestly I cannot visualize any typical Corvette owner changing a tire themselves. Think about it. They don’t have spare tires. If a tire needs to be replaced it’s going to be done at a tire shop. So unless you own a tire mounting and balancing machine who cares if you need a special tool to replace a wheel. I don’t even think Corvette’s come with a lug nut wrench for regular style wheels.
443 lb.-ft of torque is the writer’s setting when he torques his Porsche’s centerlock wheels.
Right here is the kicker. The torque is beyond any tool most Corvette owners would have and it would be expensive to supply the wrench like the McLaren F1 did.
Spend the money on lighter body panels or other weight reduction items.
While interesting, it brings an unnecessary complexity.
Seems strange that years ago you could order knock off wheels that only required a wooden or rubber hammer. I remember seeing a corvette on TV’s Route 66 with the option. Corvettes have become too heavy for center lock wheels. I think everybody knows that.
A lead hammer
ZED06….You are right about that lead hammer. A 65′ was sold locally with KOs….Yes there was a lead hammer furnished. I was still in High school, but my older brother knew the owner and he said they told him it wouldn’t the hurt the chrome.
just because the Porsche center locks have a lot of negatives doesnt mean GM couldn’t engineer a better center lock – one that doesnt require a ridiculous amount of torque – its really not rocket science
Corvette racing uses uses center locks and have no problems with them during the race and makes for faster tire changes.If kept in clean lubed proper condition should not be a problem and they look great. I would like those on my 25 Z06!!!
NO! Not a smart move for a street car. It requires special equipment to remove and change a tire that most shops will not have so it would be a trip to the dealer and much more expensive. Porsche people don’t mind the cost when a simple oil change at a dealer is over $250. I know because I owned two of them and returned to Corvette in 1993.
$250?! Most dealers want $750 and up, which is why I go to an Indy shop.
It appears that I “accidentally” voted for the center locks. But I’m actually against it. I’ve owned 6 Corvettes and used them as daily drivers. I also own an auto repair and performance shop. I want it to be practical if not easy. The mid engine and unified transaxle has made it considerably more difficult already, but at least that’s worth it because of the overall balance, stability and performance increase.
Could you please get more trivial on the next poll?
If you want a Porsche with those unnecessary wheel Locks Go buy one if you want a True performance car the Corvette is the way to go
No way no how. I have original KO’s on my 65 and they are a pain in the ass to get off on a good day. Thank god I have never gotten a flat on the road. I can’t imagine being able to torque that wheel with standard tools.
If the rich guys want them, make them an option on the higher end models.
I seem to recall that any sort of single-point attachment system for automotive wheels and tires has been illegal for sale in these United States since the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act was passed in 1966. This Act established the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). Which is why factory “knock off” wheels disappeared from the Corvette option list starting in 1966, the “Feds” made them illegal for street use in the Good Ole USA! So no Centerlock wheels for American cars sold in North America, Case Closed! They could be sold through the parts counter, but the would be sold with the labelling: “For Off Road Use Only!”.
If there is a market for them the aftermarket will supply them……..if not the demand is not sufficient.
I think center-lock wheels could be a nice option for Corvette, but should not be standard equipment.
I seem to recall WAAAAAY back when Chevrolet offered single knock offs on Corvette. In fact I think it was for one model year. It was dropped due to government (not sure NHTSA existed then) labeled them as not safe.
I know many Porsche owners who have swapped the centerlocks for 5 bolt on their tracked GT3’s as easier to swap and rotate. While they look cool I think too fussy for street cars. On Race cars they work well but cannot use the simple race car version on street cars. My winter wheels have a fake cover over the lug nuts that is held by large nut so looks like center lock but is not. This makes more sense for street cars.
Porsche owners spend a lot on maintenance and Porsche cars do not last. All my friends with Porsche spend so much money just to be snooty and say they have a Porsche. They are made very poorly. I would not be doing things Porsche does as it will cost.
Both my ’65 TR4-A and ’70 TR6 had wire wheels with knock-off center nuts. A special hammer was provided and with the TR6 also a dedicated wrench. I never had issues with removing or fastening the wheels.