Lacks Enterprises supplies 2023 Dodge Challenger with carbon fiber wheels

Lacks Enterprises Inc. (Grand Rapids, Mich., U.S.) announced on March 24 that it is supplying exclusive high-performance carbon fiber wheels for the new 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170.

“Ride and handling are important for any vehicle but are even more critical for an ultra high-performance vehicle like the Challenger SRT Demon 170,” Mike Clover, Lacks Enterprises president, notes. “We’re honored that Dodge selected Lacks Carbon Fiber wheels to be the foundation upon which the world’s quickest production vehicle is built.”

Lacks Carbon Fiber wheels — optional on the Demon 170 — are said to provide greater performance and weight reduction compared with the car’s standard-equipment cast aluminum wheels without compromising strength and durability, attributes required for the highly anticipated Challenger SRT Demon 170 that Dodge calls “the quickest, most powerful muscle car in the world.”

“When you’re looking for every thousandth of a second, rotating mass is critical for acceleration. But we also needed a wheel that could handle 18,000 pounds of tractive force and be street legal,” Tim Kuniskis, Dodge brand chief executive officer (CEO) – Stellantis, adds. “Lacks Enterprises developed a wheel specifically for the Demon 170 that exceeded all our expectations, and … looks cool as hell.”

Dodge debuted the final “Last Call” special-edition muscle car during its Dodge Last Call Powered by Roadkill Nights Vegas performance festival March 20, 2023 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Lacks’ two-piece carbon-fiber wheels were designed specifically for the Challenger SRT Demon 170 using a forged aluminum center fastened to a carbon fiber rim with titanium alloy hardware. A weave pattern that is larger than on traditional carbon fiber wheels enables the material to be seen from a greater distance while adding increased strength. Lacks’ patented resin formula is UV stable to ensure the carbon fiber material does not discolor over time.

Lacks Carbon Fiber wheels are, on average, 25% lighter than aluminum alloy wheels. According to the company, substantially reducing the mass lowers the moment of inertia (MOI) — the measure of how easily an object starts or stops spinning—and allows for quicker acceleration and braking. In addition, Lacks Carbon Fiber wheel technology lowers the unsprung mass, the mass of the suspension, wheels and other components directly connected to them, maintaining a more consistent tire load, reducing vibrations and improving handing, acceleration and braking.

Carbon fiber wheels also reduce the wheel’s unwanted gyroscopic rotational forces, enabling drivers to have a more responsive driving experience and greater control of their vehicle. In addition to being stronger than alloy, carbon fiber is better at damping noise and vibration.