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Oribi Composites (Denver, Colo., U.S.), a part of (Framingham, Mass., U.S.), and (Clearfield, Utah, U.S.), announce the launch of what the company claims is the first high-performance off-road UTV wheels made with advanced thermoplastic composite materials. The composite UTV wheels are 50% lighter than aluminum, and are able to handle extreme terrain and driving conditions with no compromise to overall strength and toughness. The wheels are available to purchase through Packard Performance. 

For more than 13 years, Oribi Composites says it has been producing high-performance, advanced composite components for a wide variety of markets and applications, including military protective gear, footwear, bike and outdoor equipment markets. Oribi combines proprietary processes with aerospace-grade composite materials to produce high-performance components for consumer applications, affordably and in high volumes. 

“Packard Performance has been an incredibly collaborative partner for Oribi, and we are excited to see these wheels finally enter the market,” says Oribi’s VP business development, Matt Christensen (see CW’s interview with him on the company). “Thermoplastic composite materials address the shortcomings of traditional thermoset epoxy materials; they are inherently tougher, can be processed into parts faster and are recyclable. Packard Performance now has the unique ability to offer a lightweight wheel, while still addressing durability and toughness for this demanding application.”

Jace Packard, CEO of Packard Performance, is equally enthusiastic about the application and opportunities for structural thermoplastic wheels in the Powersports market. “We launched our new carbon [fiber] composite wheels during one of our recent trade shows in California. The composite wheels allowed us to drop an average of 25 pounds of unsprung weight out of the cars,” Packard notes. “It’s a huge difference which improves speed, responsiveness and handling during regular driving or racing. We believe in the very near future, you will need to have composite wheels to win races in powersports.”

Packard Performance wheels are available in two sizes: 15x6 and 15x11 and are currently available for purchase. Contact Packard Performance directly to find an authorized dealer in your area for the latest information, availability and pricing.