The Bentley Bentayga will now sport new carbon fiber wheels thanks to the British carmaker’s personal commissioning department and Bucci Composites, an Italian composite materials specialist.
According to Bentley, the new wheels will be made specifically for the luxury SUV and will be the world’s largest carbon wheel in production. In addition, the new carbon fiber wheel is the first ever to pass all the exceptionally rigorous TÜV (Technischer Überwachungsverei — Technical Inspection Association) tests.
TÜV tests non-metallic wheels for biaxial stress, radial and lateral impact for simulating potholes and cobblestones, tire overpressure, and excessive torque exceeding the permitted limits.
For its final testing, Bentley will take the carbon fiber wheel to the infamous north loop at Nürburgring.
The new carbon fiber will be expected to make the Bentayga safer compared to an aluminum rim. Steering agility is also expected to increase; other expected benefits are improved and more responsive braking as well as reduced tire wear.
Bentley reveals that one of the latest innovations in Bentayga’s new wheel is the use of high-pressure RTM (Resin Transfer Moulding). This involves the cutting of carbon fiber cloth into specific shapes then stacking, heating, and draping the weave segments into a mold which results in a three-dimensional preform.
The preforms are then collected and arranged into a larger mold where resin and hardener are introduced.
Finally, the material is cured and machined to the correct finish.
The new carbon fiber wheel will be made available later this year, said Bentley.
Photos from Bentley
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