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Distinctive lightweight forged aluminium wheels reduce unsprung weight to enhance steering, braking and suspension behaviour
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Cleveland, OH (March 16, 2010) - Alcoa Auto Wheels is providing advanced lightweight wheels for the V12 Vantage - billed by Aston Martin as its most exhilarating sports car.
"The forging technology behind these wheels enables significant weight savings directly benefiting handling performance, ride quality, acceleration and braking," explains David Yates, marketing manager for Alcoa Europe. "Our forging process results in a superior metal structure that also improves strength and durability, allowing finer wheel detailing and lighter weight."
The exclusive diamond-turned, ten-spoke design is one of the key visual features chosen by Aston Martin to differentiate the V12 Vantage. Wider than the V8 Vantage wheels, at 19"x9" front and 19"x11" rear, they accommodate wider tyres which enable higher cornering forces than any previous Aston Martin - up to 1.3g. Lowering the unsprung mass at each corner results in more responsive steering, braking and suspension behaviour while improving straight line acceleration and fuel efficiency.
Alcoa has been at the forefront of developing, producing and supplying forged aluminium wheels to the global automotive industry for over 60 years, with the V12 Vantage being one of their latest applications. Alcoa also supplies Aston Martin with other high technology aluminium components.
For more information, visit www.strongwheels.com.
About Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products
Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, serves the commercial vehicle, automotive, and defence markets with products used in a range of applications including cast and forged aluminium wheels, aluminium space frames, specialized vacuum die cast products, niche products such as Dura-Bright® and Dura-Flange® wheels and M-Series™ medium truck wheels. AWTP is composed of three divisions: Transportation Products, Commercial Vehicle Wheels, and Automotive Wheels. It employs 2,800 people at 30 locations worldwide.
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world leader in the production and management of primary aluminium, fabricated aluminium and alumina combined through its active and growing participation in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminium products and components including flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, Alcoa also markets Alcoa® wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, structures and building systems. The Company has 97,000 employees in 34 countries and has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com
Further Information
Press Contact
Market Engineering
43-44 North Bar
Banbury, OX16 0TH, UK
Martyn Roberts
Tel: +44 (0)1295 277 050
martyn.roberts@m-eng.com
Sales and Marketing
Alcoa Wheel Products
Hall Place Enterprise Centre
Church Hill, Harbledown
Canterbury, Kent, CT2 9AG
David Yates
Tel: +44 (0)1227 452413
david.yates2@alcoa.com
High-resolution images are available on www.autopresspoint.com. Alternatively, please contact martyn.roberts@m-eng.com or call +44 (0) 1295 277050
Contact Information
Market Engineering
North Bar House
Banbury
Oxon
OX16 0TH
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