Front, 20", Profile 1, 5 Lugs, Anthracite
Rear, 20", Profile 2, 5 Lugs, Anthracite
Porsche 981 Spyder Wheels
Lightweight forged & flow formed APEX wheels for your 2016 981 Boxster Spyder
Construction Type
AllFinish: Anthracite
Total
$3,876.00$3,294.60Overview
Porsche 981 Boxster Spyder Wheel Performance
Despite the OEM 981 Boxster Spyder wheels being the widest ever fitted to a Boxster, the OEM tires sizes were identical to those found on lower trim models. The 265 rear tire was already narrow for the 315hp S trim let alone the 375hp Spyder. Additional wheel width as well as tire size helps to improve traction into and out of corners for the Spyder. Available in our Flow Formed SM-10 and Forged EC-7RS, VS-5RS, and SM-10RS, we have a number of solutions to maximize the performance of your 3.8L powered mid-engined sports car. Take a look at our Porsche 981 Boxster Spyder Wheel and Tire Fitment Guide to see all of the available configurations.
A Brief History of the 981 Boxster Spyder
While you’re here shopping for 981 Boxster Spyder wheels, let's dive into the history and find out what makes the second generation Spyder so special. Originally unveiled at the New York Auto Show in 2015, this design and new power plant for the Boxster was an immediate success. While the first generation Spyder had the typical 3.4L found in the Boxster/Cayman platforms, this had the 3.8L from the Carrera S rated at 375hp. To handle the power increase, the Spyder was equipped with the larger brakes from the Carrera S. The Spyder retained the twin hump rear decklid look from the 987 generation as well as the removal of the electric top. Converting to a mostly manual soft top helped to shave 24 lbs. This along with other weight saving measures totaled a decrease in weight of 66 lbs over the standard Boxster. Like its Cayman sibling the GT4, the Spyder was only available with a 6-Speed manual transmission with a limited slip differential and Porsche torque vectoring. The 981 Spyder and Cayman GT4 were the first Cayman/Boxster models available with the new 918 Style carbon bucket seats. This is the seat design they are still using today in the 992 GT3RS. With just 2,486 worldwide and 829 making their way to the USA, the Spyder has continued to be highly sought after in the Porsche world.
Why We Think It's a Good Track Car
Some say this was the first time Porsche gave the mid-engined cars the power they deserved. The healthy Carrera S 3.8L was one of the biggest selling points of this car along with the finely tuned suspension specific to the Spyder. Some press at the time preferred the handling and feel of the Spyder over the GT4, despite the GT4 putting down superior lap times. One of the big pieces that contributed to this was likely the updated faster steering rack. This was the only 981 that received this unit from the Turbo S for better steering feel and response. When you are ready to increase performance or save the factory wheels for street use, we have numerous fitment options available for this chassis. All of which can be checked out on our 981 Boxster Spyder Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide. In terms of our 981 Boxster Spyder wheels, our most popular fitment for the steel brake equipped cars is the 19x9” ET 50 and 19x10.5” ET44 in something like our Flow Formed SM-10 or Forged Sprint line VS-5RS. This can be paired with either 245/35-19 and 275/35-19 or 255/35-19 and 285/35-19. The latter is primarily for the Bridgestone RE-71RS and the Yokohama AD09 with more options being available for the 245/275 option.
Learn more about this fantastic mid engined convertible in the article linked by Evo Magazine: Evo Magazines review of the Spyder
981 Spyder Gallery
Porsche Boxster 981 Spyder
Porsche Boxster 981 Spyder
VS-5RS Specifications
Reproductive Harm - www.p65warnings.ca.cov 
REAL DRIVERS NEED REAL PERFORMANCE.
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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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