Dymag and Hankuk Carbon Join Forces to Re-invent the Wheel

Dymag, a global leader in lightweight wheels for the automotive industry, and strategic partner Hankuk Carbon, a composites material specialist, are working with Korean automotive OEM Hyundai on the development of advanced carbon-hybrid wheel technology for the car maker’s N Performance products.

A prototype of a new jointly developed N Performance carbon-hybrid wheel was unveiled by Hyundai at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed, where the company also debuted its Ioniq 5 N crossover.

Blending a composite outer rim made from carbon fiber with a precision-machined forged metallic centerpiece, Dymag’s proprietary carbon-hybrid wheel realizes the best of both materials, with 40 to 50% weight savings over a traditional cast aluminum wheel. In addition to significantly reduced unsprung mass, carbon-hybrid wheel technology also reduces rolling inertia and offers improved stiffness and strength. Gyroscopic force is also reduced, improving steering feel and handling.

Strength and durability are reportedly improved over equivalent alloy or full carbon wheels. A carbon-hybrid wheel enhances safety by offering the ability to bend and spring back in the event of an unusually high load or sharp impact. By contrast, one-piece aluminum wheels can permanently deform or shatter. Furthermore, carbon fiber’s inherent harmonic characteristics also reduce noise vehicle harshness (NVH).

Carbon-hybrid wheels also bring aesthetic advantages for OEMs compared with one-piece carbon-fiber wheels; a forged aluminum or magnesium centerpiece offers greater design flexibility than a solid carbon-fiber wheel, which can be changed without incurring expensive re-tooling costs. The carbon rims themselves also require low upfront investment and new sizes can be produced very quickly thanks to Dymag’s patented design and production techniques.

Tom de Lange, CEO of Dymag said: “We are delighted we are working with Hyundai on the development of advanced, lightweight carbon-hybrid wheels for its N Performance products. The first result of the collaboration between Dymag and Hankuk Carbon, the new wheel technology further cements Dymag’s position as a leading OEM partner for the global automotive industry.”

Hankuk Carbon Chairman Moonsoo Cho said: “We are very excited by this great starting point of our relationship with Dymag. Working with Hyundai makes us all very proud and will bring Dymag’s carbon-hybrid wheel technology, which offers significant performance – and aesthetic – benefits to high-performance vehicles, to a wider audience. Our collaboration with Dymag will continuously grow to meet and exceed the requirements of our global automotive partners.”

Bespoke designed and developed with Hyundai, full specifications of the new wheel will be revealed in the coming months. Dymag is also in advanced stages with multiple car makers, with further original equipment supply agreements set to be announced soon.

Dymag offers a full range of 18- to 23-inch carbon hybrid wheels, to which it will add new 24- and 25-inch sizes later this year.

Key investment into Dymag comes from strategic partner Hankuk Carbon. Its investment and expertise is accelerating the global mass production of Dymag’s wheel technology, and the company is in advanced stages with multiple global OEMs regarding further lightweight wheel supply agreements.