Silverstone Performance SP12 wheel
Independent TVR specialist Silverstone Performance has released a new motorsport wheel with fitments for all TVR models from Griffith onward.
The SP12 wheel has been developed as a direct replacement for the TVR 18-inch spider alloy, and is claimed to offer a number of important improvements:
- Light weight – the 18-inch SP12 wheel is 25% lighter than the equivalent ‘spider’ wheel, reducing unsprung weight by typically 3kg per wheel and shaving around 12kg from the weight of the car
- High strength – SP12s are heat treated to increase impact resistance and handle the heavy loadings of track use with sticky track tyres
- Handling – while the reduction in unsprung weight delivers a tangible improvement in ‘feel’ at the helm, it is the elimination of a TVR front geometry compromise that leads to improved straight line and turn-in characteristics
- Wider tyre options – the SP12 wheel is compatible with the standard TVR 18-inch tyre sizes used on spider wheels but can allow for a wider rear tyre (up to 275/35) on some TVR models.
- Style – the 12-spoke design is a classic motorsport style. The standard finish is “Racing Silver”. SP12s are supplied with new black zinc-coated wheel nuts and a choice of centre-caps with SP or TVR logos. Custom paint finishes are available at extra cost.
SP’s Matt Lee said: “We set out to make a good looking wheel that is technically superior and which provides tangible performance benefits. The SP12 has been under development for some time with the idea being to offer much more than a different look. The TVR spider is relatively heavy and prone to buckling. Because most TVRs were not originally designed for the 18-inch spider wheel at the sizes TVR uses, handling is compromised and, particularly on Cerberas, tyre shoulder wear rates are excessive. The SP12 solves all these problems and also allows wider-than-standard tyres to be fitted to the rear of the car if desired.”
- TVR Tamora/T350 – Front 8-inch x 18-inch; Rear 9-inch x 18-inch. Standard tyre sizes: Front 225/35; Rear 235/40
- TVR Tuscan – Front 8-inch x 18-inch; Rear 9-inch x 18-inch. Standard tyre sizes: Front 235/40; Rear 245/40
- TVR Cerbera – Front 8-inch x 18-inch; Rear 9-inch x 18-inch. Standard tyre sizes: Front 225/35; Rear 255/35
- TVR Sagaris/Tuscan S – TBA; Dynamic testing in progress
- TVR Chimaera/Griffith – 4 stud (5 stud special order only, £POA)
- Front 7-inch x17-inch; Rear 8-inch x 18-inch. Tyre sizes: Front 215/40 17; Rear 225/40 18 or 245/35 18
The 9-inch x 18-inch rear wheel can be fitted with up to 255/35 18; 265/35 18 and 275/35 18 tyres as potential upgrade options. These upgrades may require minor modifications to the inner wheel arches on certain models/examples due to TVR body manufacturing tolerances. Silverstone Performance will provide advice on request. Checking and adjustment of suspension geometry after fitment is also recommended to maximise handling improvements from the wheels.
Price: £846 for a set of four 18-inch SP12 wheels. Includes fitting supplied tyres (on existing rims or supplied new), precision balancing with nitrogen inflation and fitting to the car. For customers quoting “I saw it on Pistonheads”, there is a reduced price of £799 for all wheel orders placed before 31 July 2006. Prices exclude VAT.
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