[Wiltshire, South West England] Dymag, a renowned pioneer in crafting lightweight wheels for the automotive industry, has teamed up with Hankuk Carbon, specialists in composite materials, to work alongside Hyundai on the advancement of cutting-edge carbon hybrid wheel technology for their N Performance lineup.
This joint effort between Dymag and Hankuk Carbon marks a significant milestone, solidifying Dymag's position as a leading OEM partner within the global automotive sector. Moreover, it opens up a promising relationship with Hyundai, facilitating the widespread adoption of Dymag's revolutionary innovation, which promises remarkable dynamic improvements for high-performance vehicles.
A prototype of the collaborative N Performance carbon hybrid wheel was proudly presented at Hyundai's exhibition at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, coinciding with the debut of their IONIQ 5 N hot crossover.
This tailor-made wheel, designed and developed in collaboration with Hyundai, will have its full specifications unveiled in the forthcoming months. Dymag is also in the advanced stages of discussions with various other car manufacturers, hinting at more original equipment supply agreements on the horizon.
The unique carbon hybrid wheel technology expertly blends a composite outer rim, constructed from carbon fiber, with a precisely machined forged metallic centerpiece. This fusion allows Dymag's patented expertise to achieve the best of both materials, resulting in substantial weight savings of 40% to 50% compared to traditional cast aluminum wheels. Beyond the reduced unsprung mass, the carbon hybrid wheel technology also lowers rolling inertia and offers enhanced stiffness and strength.
Dymag's CEO, Tom de Lange, expressed his delight about collaborating with Hyundai, emphasizing how this partnership solidifies their standing as a prominent OEM partner in the global automotive industry. He expressed excitement about bringing game-changing technology to a wider global audience, noting that Dymag's carbon hybrid wheels bring numerous advantages to high-performance vehicles, while also being cost-effective for car manufacturers due to their patented technology and efficient production methods.
Chairman of Hankuk Carbon, Mr. Moonsoo Cho, conveyed his enthusiasm about the burgeoning partnership with Dymag and Hyundai. He emphasized that this collaboration would not only make them proud but also extend the reach of Dymag's carbon hybrid wheel technology, which offers remarkable performance and aesthetic benefits to high-performance vehicles, appealing to a broader audience. The collaboration between Hankuk Carbon and Dymag is expected to continually evolve to meet and surpass the expectations of global automotive partners.
Dymag's history as a pioneering wheel designer dates back to 1974, and they achieved a significant milestone by commercializing carbon hybrid automotive wheels in 2004. Tailored for high-performance vehicles ranging from sports cars to SUVs and pickups, their patented carbon hybrid wheels provide multiple advantages for OEMs, the aftermarket, and customers alike.
Besides the advantages of lower unsprung mass and inertia, Dymag's carbon hybrid wheels also reduce gyroscopic forces, leading to improved steering feel and handling. These wheels boast enhanced strength and durability compared to equivalent alloy wheels or full carbon wheels, enhancing safety by having the ability to bend and spring back after encountering unusually high loads or sharp impacts—a stark contrast to one-piece aluminum wheels, which may permanently deform or shatter. Dymag's unique designs have undergone extensive testing to meet all worldwide OEM standards, and the inherent harmonic characteristics of carbon fiber also contribute to reducing Noise Vehicle Harshness (NVH).
In addition to their performance benefits, carbon hybrid wheels offer aesthetic advantages for OEMs when compared to one-piece carbon fiber wheels. With a forged aluminum or magnesium centerpiece, they offer greater design flexibility without incurring expensive re-tooling costs that might be associated with solid carbon fiber wheels. Moreover, the carbon rims require low upfront investment, and the production of new sizes can be achieved rapidly thanks to Dymag's patented design and production techniques.
Currently, Dymag offers a diverse range of 18-to-23-inch carbon hybrid wheels, with plans to introduce new 24-inch and 25-inch examples later this year. Hankuk Carbon's strategic investment and expertise are accelerating the global mass production of Dymag's wheel technology, and the company is in advanced negotiations with multiple global OEMs regarding additional lightweight wheel supply agreements.
