Wheel set development at AC Schnitzer A few definitions first Wheel/complete wheel = rim including tires Wheel set = 4 wheels Mixed tires = different tires on the front and rear axlesPhilosophy/Design The wheels not only physically but also visually establish the connection between a car and the road. "That's why it's very important to have the right proportions between the rims and the body," explains AC Schnitzer chief designer Michele Viandante. "Rims that are too small can quickly make a vehicle look long-legged and unstable." The AC3 Flowforming rims achieve what initially seems contradictory: reducing weight while increasing wheel diameters. 9 or 10 x 21 inches are the dimensions of the AC3 Flowforming rims. Three color variants are available: bi-color silver/anthracite or matt anthracite and black. Visually, the rims can clearly be assigned to the AC3 rim family and they complement the portfolio in terms of sizes, areas of use and manufacturing processes. The lower weight of the AC3 Flowforming rims reduces the unsprung masses on the vehicle by around 10 kg and thus also lowers the vehicle's CO2 emissions. At the same time, there is also a noticeable improvement in driving dynamics, as the gyroscopic forces on the axles are reduced by around four times - i.e. by a perceived 40 kg. The AC Schnitzer AC3 flowforming rims therefore offer real advantages: for the driver and the environment. Material Only high-quality aluminum alloys are used. The material is additionally heat-treated in the production process, which results in greater strength while reducing weight. Material samples during the manufacturing process ensure the consistent and high quality of the material. Production The flowforming process is one of the most advanced manufacturing technologies in the wheel industry. In this production process, after the actual aluminum casting, the raw product is further processed by rolling it out. This step serves to compact the metal, which guarantees greater stability and shock resistance of the rim. On the other hand, the improved stability also means that the design of the rims can be made more delicate, as the wall thickness can be significantly thinner than conventionally manufactured rims. And this is measurable: compared to the BMW forged rim "Double Spoke 706 M" for the M5, for example, which at 10.5J x 20" is even one inch smaller than the new AC3 flowforming rims, these are 2.4 kg and 2.5 kg lighter than the BMW rim. Surface Black In this process, the wheel is first primed and then completely painted. A two-layer clear coat is then applied, which consists of a polyester primer and the glossy acrylic clear coat. Testing procedures / safety After they have been designed, the first sample rims are manufactured under real production conditions. These have to undergo a large number of tests. Among other things, their strength is tested. The bending test simulates the "rim life". Every AC Schnitzer rim must survive this undamaged in order to be produced and sold. Vehicle-specific tests, including test installations with clearance measurements and driving tests on public roads and race tracks, follow. Only after these procedures do our rims receive their homologation; i.e. approval to be used on public roads. Wheels are safety-relevant components. That is why they are checked and tested with the greatest care. This begins with initial chemical material tests and ends with tough endurance tests on test machines: - §30 StVZO wheel guidelines - ECE R124 - Bending tests - Impact test 90° - Rolling tests Scope of delivery: - 4 complete wheels - 4 AC3 Flowforming Black rims - assembled and balanced - 4 RDC wheel electronics modules - Hub caps - Quality tag - Report - Optional vehicle and rim-specific assembly and fastening material - Certificate of authenticity - Care instructions Uniqueness of the wheel set with AC3 Flowforming rims - Weight optimized - Integrated AC Schnitzer lettering - Open design in bicolor silver/anthracite, matt anthracite or black, which allows a direct view of the brakes - Engineered in Germany - With standard RDC system compatible - also available as a complete wheel set - 2-year warranty - production monitored according to ISO standards - black, optionally also available in bi-color silver/anthracite or matt anthracite - spacers / assembly package for the best possible position in the wheel house (to be ordered separately) - vehicle-specific assembly package