Carbon fiber is to automobiles what gold is to the jewelry industry. It\'s a luxury material chosen for both its functionality and beauty. Unlike gold, carbon fiber can be manufactured, but the process is excessively expensive and labor-intensive, which explains its high price.
Carbon fiber has numerous advantages, starting with its strength comparable to steel while being as lightweight as aluminum. Carbon fiber elements have been found on exotic cars for several decades. However, only recently have automakers begun to explore other avenues, including manufacturing carbon fiber rims. Initially, this feature was limited to high-end brand cars, but some mainstream manufacturers have decided to offer this product. As you read in the title, Hyundai will be the next automaker to move in this direction.
For the N versions
The weight of a car can significantly impact its performance, especially when it comes to wheels. Rotational mass notably affects a car\'s handling. That\'s why carbon fiber rims are highly sought after today.
The 2024 Ioniq 5 N will be the first model in Hyundai\'s sporty series to offer carbon fiber rims. This feature alone should allow the Korean manufacturer\'s compact SUV to gain speed while improving its range, as less energy is needed to propel a lighter rotating mass.
These new rims have been specially designed for the Korean SUV by the companies Dymag and Hankuk Carbon. In this case, the rims are not entirely made of carbon fiber. The prestigious material has been used in the barrel\'s construction, while the wheel face is made of forged aluminum. In any case, the weight benefits remain very significant. This could also considerably reduce the price of the rims, making them more accessible.
Dymag and Hankuk Carbon have announced that this new hybrid rim will soon be available for all N-series models. However, no date has been confirmed yet. Additionally, the price range for this new carbon fiber hybrid rim is still unknown.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
