Product Information

Apex SM-10 VW / Audi Flow Formed Wheel 18X9 ET42 (57.1 5x112) - Anthracite

The SM-10 is part of our Flow Formed Evolution line, with features typically only found on higher-end forged wheels. For those who need a superior wheel, but don’t have the budget for forged.

Flow forming enables us to create high performance wheels without the price premium of forging. It improves the mechanical properties and grain structure of the barrel, increasing its strength and stiffness, which allows us to use less material and reduce weight. Thanks to our superior engineering, our flow formed wheels have a higher load rating than some competitors' forged wheels.

One of the most prominent features of the SM-10 is its advanced "I" beam spoke machining. Any excess material that doesn’t add strength is carved out from the sides of the spokes using a precision CNC ball cutter. This process is often deemed cost-prohibitive by others, but for performance without compromise we believe it's essential.

The inner lip is the most vulnerable part of a wheel because it has no spokes for support. Our Flow Formed Evolution line adds more material to this high-impact area as an extra layer of protection against track berms, potholes, and whatever else the road may throw at you.

We use the deepest concave face profiles we can for every application after factoring in critical clearances such as brake calipers. The SM-10 utilizes 3 unique profiles to make this possible, with the deepest concave face delivering reduced weight and a stunningly aggressive appearance.

Big brakes often require bigger, heavier, more expensive wheels, which aren’t ideal in a performance environment. The SM-10 is one of our many wheels which solve this problem. Through comprehensive laser scanning and endless rounds of test-fitting, we’ve created 18” wheels to clear huge brakes that typically require 19” wheels from other manufacturers.

Whether it’s a day at the track or months of street driving, repeated hard braking can make a tire slip along the bead seat and go out of balance, causing vibration. We’ve added knurled beads to select sizes of this design to help grip the tire and reduce unwanted slippage.

We conducted extensive Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to reinforce high stress areas and to remove material where it didn’t improve strength. The end result is a wheel with an ideal balance of strength and weight.

Track wheels need track tools. Don’t settle for wheels that require undersized tuner lugs or thin walled sockets. All APEX wheels accommodate over-sized race lugs and impact sockets to make swapping wheels lightning fast.

The SM-10 is finished using a multi-stage liquid paint over a powder coated base coat. This coating process leaves lug holes, center bores and mounting pads untouched, which ensures proper fit and torque values.

All APEX Flow Formed wheels meet or meaningfully exceed JWL load rating requirements. Some manufacturers don't meet the minimum requirements, yet still claim to be compliant. Always compare load ratings to ensure you aren’t sacrificing critical strength for a slightly lighter wheel.

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