Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series gets carbon fiber wheels

Porsche is doing its damnedest to make its 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series as exclusive as it can be. In addition to a bump in power and unique paint and interiors trims, a set of braided carbon fiber wheels will be available as an option. This simple seven-spoke design may not have the classic look of the fuch wheel that graced Porsches for decades, but we're sure some 911 enthusiasts will pine for them in the same way. The company doesn't list the price of these wheels, but if you have to ask, you probably can't afford it.

Until now, carbon fiber wheels were pretty much limited to the Shelby GT350R and supercars like the Ford GT and some Koenigsegg models. Building a carbon fiber wheel is expensive and time-consuming, which is why these wheels aren't more common. The video above shows just how labor intensive this process is, though the performance results are notable. A full set of braided carbon fiber wheels is nearly 19 pounds lighter than the standard wheels. That's about a 20 percent difference. Porsche claims the wheels are about 20 percent stronger. Just don't scuff one on a curb.

Porsche says it's the first manufacturer to offer braided carbon fiber wheels. That means the wheel is broken down into two separate pieces, the center and the rim. These two parts are carefully braided together with strands of carbon fiber. Each wheel is then impregnated with resin and sealed with high pressure and high temperatures. The wheels are hardened at high temperatures and left to cool over a long period. The center lock is then inserted and the entire wheel is covered in a gloss lacquer.

The wheels use about 11 miles worth of carbon fiber. For the 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series, the wheels come in a staggered 20-inch setup. it's unclear if the wheels will be available on other cars in the future, but Porsche has never been one to hold back when customers are willing to pay.

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