Jay heads to Willow Springs in a 2008 Porsche GTRS to test Carbon Revolution’s all-carbon fiber wheels with one of their inventors. HRE also created their own two piece carbon fiber wheels. However, they only apply the carbon fiber on the barrel.
Keep in mind, these Carbon Fiber wheels (15 pounds each) from Carbon Revolution goes around $15,000 range. With savings around 5 pounds per wheel might sound little to you but based on his explanation, the savings on the rotational mass (inertia) is huge about 40 pounds if I heard correctly. Plus the wheels are stiffer and virtually no flex which provides better road feel. Since metal such as aluminum and other alloys can be affected by heat, they can flex a little. However with carbon fiber wheels, it is more resistant to heat and warping. All this together means faster acceleration, better track performance, and faster steering which equals huge gains.
HRE Wheels by Jay Leno last year June 2013. Forged 3-Piece goes in a range of $10,000 as well. But it looks so good. So good. BTW, you can design your own but it can go upwards of $15,000+. Their carbon fiber and aluminum blend retails for $20,000. Again, looks so good.