Arggghhh I'm blind.....!

 

Maybe they're trying to do an original 959 type thing...

 

ARRGHH.
For your safety and the safety of others around you, PLEASE don't post anymore pics of those wheels.

 

sure is! !

 

as found in another thread, they are featherlight, have REAL aero benefits, and help with brake efficiency

 

As the astute posters who posted the "where ahve I seen these wheels before" have noted - a "hubcap" wheel like this is great for Vmax.

I'll get 9ff to explain all the technicalities - then post something for you guys.

In a nutshell, an open face wheel (e.g. 5 spoke) contributes to a lot of turbulence and drag as speeds climb. However, the brakes need access to the outside to easily vent off heat. If you look at all three (XJ220, 959 and 9ff) you'll see they all share the same design features.

These wheels excel in performance for several reasons

1- lightweight (under 18lbs)
2- aerodynamic (see above)
3- mass distribution. (complex - but basically the mass centered close to the center reduces rotational resistance.)

And yes, as you can tell from my avatar (and sig) I;m a principal owner of 9ff's USA import/distribution channel.

These wheels were designed specificallyfor the upcoming GT9. 9ff is using the wheels on the cayman and 997tt.

Jan and 9ff have never been into following the leader. They're all about performance anyway. A cursory read of any random car magazine will clearly illustrate that there is NO shortage of 5 spoke, 3 piece wheels. He has no intention of entering this crowded, fickle market.

He would rather distinguish himself by making his own trail, than following the well worn path of others. As their exclsuive importer I didnt always agree with this theory - but after I saw a container full of wheels at an English dock that were sestined to sell for 50% retail...

I can see the logic of being unique. Its all about the niche. You cant be everything to everybody.

Also, the center locking technology is really cool.

 

such a beautiful car...even in 2006 IMO

what did it top out at?..197?

 

Really too bad that it was a commercial flop. $1,000,000 car to a $300k. It was originally planned to be AWD w/ a big V12. In the end it became a RWD, TTV6 land missle.

I've always wanted own one...until I saw the ford mondeo interior...yuck!

Either way, wonder what the handling was like. I guess the "R" version had a couple seasons as a LM racer. Not sure how they did. Anybody here ever drive one?

 

too bad it ruins the car's appearance. There are much lighter wheels than 18 lbs and any drag you get from 5 spoke (or more) is negligible. if it weren't all cup cars would have these.

 

Those wheels are growing on me as well. I like 'em.

ECB, the 959 Sport topped out at 197 mph. The regular 959 did 195.

 

Those wheels belong on a 64' Chevy with hydraulics and a chopped windshield with the little doggie in the back window and the Dice hung over the rear view mirror.. Not on a 997TT!!!!

 

i can attest to the influence of mass distribution, although much of my experience comes from high end racing bicycles. cyclists spends literally thousands of dollars for carbon fiber wheelset because their 250g rims accelerate much better than a 300g rim; if we saved those same 50g on the hub, for example, the difference would hardly be noticeable. weight towards the outer part of any wheels poses a significant burden to acceleration. whether or not these wheels actually save weight at the outskirts is another issue, of course.

 

The rear is a 19" 18lb wheel. Pretty light!

Cup cars werent designed to go 250mph, like the GT9 that these wheels were designed for is. Specially developed Continental Vmax tires are also specified.

Phoneix...I stand corrected!

Of course the F40 (959s main competitor at the time) still edged out the disc-wheeled 959 - with a top speed of 201mph.

I wonder what would have happened if they swapped wheels?

 

actually, i like the basic wheel design. but i've never liked chrome/shiny wheels, so i think if in gunmetal or a dark color, they'd be hot.

but that's just me, and i know i'm definitely in the minority here!

they sort of remind me not only of the XJ220 and 959, but also a bit of the front wheel ducting add-ons on the Group A Lancia Integrale WRC cars, or the early Evo rally cars' wheels.

both of course, looked that way ONLY for performance benefits.

still, style is a very personal thing... so to each his/her own

 

My first reaction to the wheels was wtf those are ugly, but after looking at them a little longer I "kinda" like them. I don't think i'm brave enough to put them on my personal 997 but they are very interesting to look at. The wheel design is also used on R/C cars. I used to have a race-spec r/c car with sold wheels which were very light and reduced turbulence and drag significantly which is where I can see those 9ff wheels making sense but it wouldn't make much sense on a street car other than a style statement.