Hi ! Here I would like to present the project we did Florian Benedetto and I for a Challenge organized by OZ on Desall.com website.

Modeled in Solidworks by Benjamin GARSON (Brake assy base from Kris B, then modified ;)  : you can catch it here)

Co-Design : Florian Benedetto and Benjamin GARSON

Rendering : Benjamin GARSON (if not specified)

OZ is a well-known automotive sport company actively participating in italian Design’s legacy.

For the rim researches, we took inspiration in golden age of Italian renaissance, where art, architecture and engineering made absolute masterpieces and italians rose the challenges. Targeting a strong visual design as well as mechanical strength, we have tried to translate the look of the various arches, windows, dome structures used on famous italian buildings (like il Duomo di Siena). That’s why we turned the design into a multiple spokes rim with these arches making the link between the tire and the power transmission shaft.

The 15 rim spokes give the sensation of draining force through the whole rim, like veins, and give a sporty, elegant and muscular look to this rim. To be more appealing and to fit with current styling trends, the lines have been straighten to give a more dynamic and technologic look. The spoke design and general feeling has been design trying to keep OZ DNA expressing sportiveness as well as lightness.

As a finishing touch, and because people wants to have a personal touch on every product they buy, the triangular shape could be painted to pop out the rim lines and to fit with car body color for style matching. Every cavities could be painted, or just one, to animate the design while you are driving, because rim should be recognizable in static and dynamic use.

Talking about engineering, the rim as been designed to fulfill the requirement of sand casting, with 10° draft angle, making the rim easy to get out the mold. The finishing touches will be CNCed for the technical areas like the shaft path, the screw holes, the valve path and the contact surface with the car. Weight has been also considered and reaches a 7.6 kg for this 18" size.

I hope you will enjoy looking at the rim and would appreciate any comments and feedback to improve.