SUSTAINABLE CONCEPTS FOR THE MOBILITY OF TOMORROW.

Weight and aerodynamics are currently the most influential parameters for fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, or for the range, which is so crucial for electric vehicles. Depending on the vehicle concept, this can even be increased by up to 15% in ideal cases. Air resistance plays a decisive role here. In principle, smaller wheels are more aerodynamic than larger ones, but a wheel with a larger diameter also reduces rolling resistance and the contact area of the tire. 

In addition to size, there are other ways to improve driving characteristics—and they lie in the details. One example is a completely closed aerodynamic wheel design that also ensures adequate brake cooling. BORBET has developed a new concept for this, in which small, intelligent inserts play a major role. A second concept presents solutions for using sustainable inserts made from renewable raw materials. 

The wheel experts at BORBET demonstrate how both concepts can fundamentally and sustainably change wheel development with two new concepts that they will be presenting to the world at THE TIRE COLOGNE 2022: 

New driving coolness with BORBET ACTIVE AERO WHEEL 

This wheel concept combines wheel weight, aerodynamics, and brake cooling factors and delivers completely new performance thanks to automatically closing insert flaps.

The wheel as the base carrier has been stylistically redesigned and optimized in production using weight-reducing lightweight construction technologies such as FlowForming and Undercut. The wheel weight is only 9.2 kg in the 8.0x19 inch size. Ten inserts ensure a 100% closed wheel surface and enable maximum flow optimization. To cool the brakes, five inserts are opened during driving using thermal actuators. This revolutionary technology ensures the appropriate “driving coolness.” 

More sustainability with NATURAL FIBER INSERTS 

The sustainability of BORBET alloy wheels is currently demonstrated, for example, certified by ASI and the GOLD award from ecovadis. In February 2022, BORBET became the first wheel manufacturer in the world to be certified by ASI for all its production sites. One of the decisive factors here is the sustainable use of aluminum as a raw material in the manufacture of wheels.
This commitment to greater sustainability is now being continued with aerodynamic inserts. The i-ATX concept wheel with NATURAL FIBER INSERTS meets our requirements through the use of renewable raw materials. The special AERO inserts are woven from a flax material, as is familiar from the “carbon” sector, and are therefore made from a renewable natural material. Similar to carbon components, these inserts not only have a very attractive, sporty look, but also a low product weight with maximum stability.

The i-ATX wheel weighs only 14.7 kg and meets high wheel and axle load requirements. It optimizes airflow around the wheel, making the car more aerodynamic. The NATURAL FIBER INSERTS demonstrate how sustainable, innovative, and forward-looking the use of new materials can be, without compromising on appearance.