Front, 18", Profile 2, 5 Lugs, Anthracite- Rear, 18", Profile 2, 5 Lugs, Anthracite
Ford S197 Mustang Wheels
Lightweight forged & flow formed APEX wheels for your 2005-2014 Mustang
Construction Type
AllFinish: Anthracite
Total
$2,956.00Overview
Ford Mustang S197 V6/GT/GT500/Boss 302 Wheel Performance
S197 Mustangs (V6, GT, GT500, Boss 302) are great cars, but most models came with relatively narrow and heavy wheels which really limited their abilities on the street and track. Prone to understeer, tossing a set of lightweight chassis specific wheels and tires in wider widths will make a world of difference to extract more performance. We created forged wheels such as the Apex VS-5RS, SM-10RS, EC-7RS and flow formed wheels such as the EC-7 and SM-10 to increase performance. Find out what fitment is best for your application in our S197 Mustang Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide.
A Brief History of the 2005-2014 Ford Mustang
The S197 Mustang was a huge success for Ford’s Pony car. Beginning in the 2005 model year and running through 2014, the 5th generation Mustang saw many models including the mainstay V6 and GT, with additional special editions such as the Bullit, Boss 302, and Shelby GT500. Despite the various engine combinations, all S197s were equipped with the same fender dimensions so wheel fitment is identical throughout the years.
What Makes it a Good Track Car
Starting in 2011, the Mustang received new drivetrains for its V6 and GT models. The V6 now had 305 horsepower, a comparable figure to the GT Mustang just a year before it. The biggest news was the return of the 5.0 (you read that in Vanilla Ice’s voice didn’t you?). Nicknamed Coyote, this 32 valve/4 cam motor featured variable cam timing and all aluminum construction. Making an impressive 412 horsepower and optional 4 piston Brembo brakes, this GT was no longer just a muscle car. It was a proper sports car. Our S197 Mustang wheels are sure to provide your V6, GT, Boss 302, or GT500 with loads of confidence and grip for any scenario.
Considered by many to be the best Mustang to date, the Boss 302 showed the world what a solid axle Mustang was capable of with the right combination. The high-revving Roadrunner V8 was a massaged Coyote engine with ported heads, better-flowing intake, and a rowdy side exit exhaust your neighbors surely would hate. Adjustable dampers, a Torsen differential, and body-hugging Recaro seats were all finishing touches to the Boss, ensuring it's not just a decal package on a regular Mustang. Car and Driver called it the best Mustang ever in their initial review: Tested: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302, proving it has what it takes to compete with the best.
S197 Gallery
Ford Mustang S197
Ford Mustang S197
Ford Mustang S197
Ford Mustang S197
Ford Mustang S197
Ford Mustang S197
Ford Mustang S197
Ford Mustang S197
Ford Mustang S197
Ford Mustang S197
Ford Mustang S197
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VS-5RS Specifications
Reproductive Harm - www.p65warnings.ca.cov 
REAL DRIVERS NEED REAL PERFORMANCE.
Not all claims of performance are backed up by facts—and it's a big problem. Don't get sold fashion when you want function.
Fitment guides
Which Wheels Should I Get?
Check out our Fitment Guides, the most in-depth, authoritative guides for wheel and tire fitments, tailored for your vehicle and how you drive it.
VS-5RS features
10K Tons of Pressure
Our new forgings weigh as much as 120 pounds before machining. To form such a thick blank we require special equipment capable of 10,000 metric tons of pressure. This extreme pressure increases the strength of the aluminum by eliminating porosity and improving the grain structure.
True Motorsport Blanks
Many companies use 3rd-party blanks intended for non-motorsport wheels which can severely limit sizes, concavity, spoke design, and critical brake clearance. We designed our very own blank profiles from scratch to give us total control over the final product.
Side-Milled Spokes
To be as light as possible the VS-5RS features extra-deep, side-milled spokes. Any excess material that doesn’t add strength is machined out using a precision CNC ball cutter. Side-milling is often deemed cost-prohibitive by others, but for true performance without compromise we believe it's essential.
A Stronger Lightweight Wheel
Our forged Sprint™ wheels are lightweight without the strength compromises found on typical lightweight wheels. First, we machined out as much material as possible, then we purposefully added one pound back to reinforce critical areas, creating a stronger inner lip and a higher load rating.² What’s the point of a lightweight wheel if it’s fragile?
Load Ratings (lbs)
JWL Load Standard
1521
Typical Forged Wheels
1521
APEX Flow Formed
1550
APEX Forged Sprint™ Line
1600
Weight Optimized
We conducted extensive Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to reinforce high-stress areas and to remove material where it didn’t improve strength. The result is a wheel that is exceptionally light without the strength compromises found on typical lightweight wheels.²
Wheel Weight
Load Rating
APEX Sprint™ Line
18 lbs
1600 lbs
APEX Flow Formed
21 lbs
1550 lbs
Independently Tested
We don't rely solely on computer simulations or unverifiable in-house testing. We believe independent testing is critical to protect consumers in this unregulated industry. We chose STL, an independent lab in Ohio, to test our Sprint™ wheels far above JWL standards, including increases in testing duration, impact drop height, and total load.
Tougher Inner Lip
Introducing the Sprint™ spec inner lip, with a unique channel profile that makes it even stronger than our previous designs. So even though our Sprint™ wheels are pounds lighter than comparable flow formed wheels, the inner lip is stronger.
32%
More reinforcement
than our flow formed wheels3
Big Brake Clearance
From day one, APEX has been on a mission to build wheels that clear big brakes. Our new forged wheels are the product of everything we’ve developed over the past 10+ years, including an innovative high-clearance barrel design and vehicle-specific spoke profiles.
Deeper Concavity
Our new forgings were redesigned to create extra deep, concave spoke profiles. Their new shape allows us to make any profile, from flat to deep and everything in between. Each one is optimized for a specific application using 3D laser scans of factory and aftermarket brake kits.
Paintless Knurled Bead
Whether it's a day at the track or months of street driving, repeated hard braking and acceleration can make a tire slip along the bead seat and go out of balance, causing vibration. Knurled beads help, but are less effective when painted over. Our forged line features unpainted knurled beads that stay sharp and maximize grip.
Built for Impact Sockets
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.
32mm
Socket Diameter Clearance
Laser-Engraved Specs
As track enthusiasts ourselves, we know how frustrating it is to try to locate and decipher wheel specs that have been hastily hammered into the rim or become unreadable over time. With our new Sprint™ wheels, we chose to invest a little extra and laser-engrave the specs on the barrel, in plain sight, making them easy to find and read. (You’re welcome.)
Additional features
Hub Centric
All VS-5RS wheels are purpose built for select vehicle applications. Very few applications require centering rings.
Center Caps
All APEX wheels come with our gloss black cap included that is interchangeable with the OE cap. We also offer additional colors for select fitments.
Wheel Hardware
APEX wheels can be used with all OEM mounting hardware, proper aftermarket hardware and most wheel spacers. Wheel locks and stud conversion kits also work perfectly.
TPMS
All APEX wheels accept OEM and aftermarket Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors and standard fit valve stems. If you don’t have sensors, then select from our metal stems available in multiple finishes.
Accessories
A Wheel You Can Depend On
Accidental damage replacement
Curb rash or pothole damage on the street? Make an oopsie at the track? We’ve all been there. APEX is proud to offer 50% off replacement wheels, no matter the damage.
Lifetime warranty
All APEX wheels come with a lifetime structural warranty against defects in workmanship and materials, plus a 1 year finish warranty. Exchanges are fast, easy, and hassle-free.
¹ VS-5RS vs. the original EC-7R, comparing side milling of 18x9” ET46 5x130 fitment.
² Strength and weight comparisons are based on an 18” BMW 5x120 wheel.
³ Comparing the amount of material reinforcement in our standard inner lip profile vs Sprint™ spec inner lip profile on an 18” wheel.
⁴ All wheels compared with equivalent 18x10” ET25 5x120mm / 72.56mm fitment
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