HRE launches carbon-fiber/aluminum hybrid wheel line | Tire Business

2022-06-10 20:17:52 By : Ms. Gao Aria

HRE's CRBN series of wheels feature carbon-fiber barrels mated with aluminum hubs.

VISTA, Calif. — Custom wheel maker HRE Performance Wheels is rolling out a line of aftermarket two-piece carbon fiber/aluminum wheels that it claims sets "new standards" for performance and quality.

The new CBRN line uses a "toughened-resin" system and proprietary Vacuum-Assisted Resin-Transfer Molding technology to achieve high impact resistance and "class-leading" strength-to-weight ratios, HRE said.

The two-piece wheels feature the carbon-fiber rim joined to forged aluminum centers with high-strength titanium fasteners. Customers will have the option to choose a "Frozen" Satin or Gloss clear coat on the CRBN rim itself and any of HRE's custom finishes for the forged center.

Initially, the CRBN Series HX1 line will comprise four styles: the HX100 Mesh, HX101 Y-Spoke, HX104 V-Spoke and HX107 Split 5-Spoke, in 20-, 21- and 22-inch diameters, with expanded fitments to come, HRE said.

"With carbon fiber wheels becoming more readily available through several OEMs, we knew the materials and technologies were finally ready for us to achieve our goals with carbon fiber," HRE Wheels CEO Alan Peltier said.

"The exciting thing for us is that the CRBN rim is just the start of HRE's use of exotic materials and advanced manufacturing methods," he said. "Our goal is to keep pushing the envelope so that we continue to surpass the demanding expectations of our customers who own the world's most sophisticated supercars and hypercars."

Compared with aluminum, carbon fiber requires meeting a different set of engineering constraints, but just like all HRE wheels, CRBN is engineered to minimize unsprung mass and rotational inertia while maximizing strength and impact resistance. Such efforts translate to optimal acceleration, handling, and braking performance, HRE claims.

In addition, HRE said it took "extra care" in the design and construction of the CRBN rim to eliminate the seam visible in other carbon-fiber rims.

Since each wheel is built-to-order, there are nearly infinite fitment, color and finish options available for a unique wheel-buying experience. CRBN wheels are available in center-lock designs and are OE TPMS and lug hardware compatible for ease of installation.

The CRBN rim also features an RFID chip embedded inside the barrel for quality assurance traceability and improved customer support.

The new wheels start at $6,350 each.

Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected] .

Please enter a valid email address.

Please enter your email address.

Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.