Of course, when making any improvements, safety is of paramount importance.
So how to achieve these potentially conflicting targets? The answer, says BBS is the patented "BBS Air Inside Technology", which can be described as "more air, less weight."
The secret is to incorporate circumferential hollow chambers and hollow spokes into the wheel, which not only reduces weight but provides considerably better stability, claims BBS, thus improving safety and driving comfort.
Basically, the inner and outer shoulders are shaped into hollow chambers by flow forming and are laser welded afterwards. Resistance to deformation of the rim shoulder is increased by 60 per cent, says BBS, which is a positive safety factor. The hollow chambers and spokes increase the air volume of the wheel while reducing the wheel’s weight by an impressive 5.3 kg. This counteracts the disadvantages of the reduction of air volume in low profile tyres, improves cushioning characteristics, reduces noise and provides lower tyre flange temperatures.
Hollow chamber constructions are used when the static requirements are high, and BBS took inspiration from technology and nature – from aircraft to bone structure, a higher load capacity is gained by systematic hollowing out.
The BBS AIR I AI wheel takes advantage of this technology and increases the stability of the wheel by up to 60 per cent, plus a weight reduction of nearly 22 kg per wheel set.
The new AIR I AI wheel is also equipped with an integrated valve, not using the standard valve. The result is that the valve is not only more accessible but it is also better protected against pollution, especially in off-road use.
A second wheel featuring the Air Inside Technology is the two-piece AIR II CK with a centre connected to the rim by titanium bolts. Special features include a rim section manufactured with hollow inner flange and a polished stainless steel rim protector that covers the balance weights on the outer flange. The rim protector can be replaced if damaged. The wheel also features a new BBS “titanium-silver” painted centre and titanium assembly bolts.
