Lamborghini Selects Alcoa to Supply Lightweight Wheels For Murciélago LP 670-4 Superveloce

AUTO CENTRAL – April 27, 2009: Alcoa Wheel Products has been selected by Automobili Lamborghini to supply lightweight wheels for its Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce (SV). The forged alloy wheels reduce unsprung weight and contribute to the SV’s 100kg mass reduction over the standard Murciélago.

“The new Murciélago SV is the product of a substantial cross-car weight reduction programme and forged wheels are vital to this,” explains David Yates, marketing manager for Alcoa Europe. "The engineering behind Alcoa’s wheels enables a 20 percent weight saving over a comparable cast aluminium wheel, benefitting handling and ride.”

The exclusive five twin-spoke design results in a superior metal structure that improves strength and durability, offering the opportunity to create very strong and lightweight wheels. The structure also allows for more material to be milled out to achieve finer detailing while retaining strength.

At the front the 18”x8.5” wheels weigh just 8.9kg each, while the 18”x13” rears each weigh 12.3kg. Lowering the unsprung mass at each corner results in more responsive steering, braking and suspension input all while optimising performance and efficiency for drivers of the SuperVeloce.

Alcoa Wheel Products has been at the forefront of developing, producing and supplying alloy wheels to the global automotive industry for 60 years, with the Murciélago SV project being the latest Lamborghini and Alcoa collaboration since the Reventón wheel.

“The SV application highlights Alcoa’s commitment to developing a lighter and better wheel for automotive OEMs,” concludes Yates.

Aluminium wheels for Automobili Lamborghini are forged at Alcoa’s Cleveland (Ohio) Works Plant.