Front, 17", Profile C2, 5 Lugs, Anthracite- Rear, 17", Profile C2, 5 Lugs, Anthracite
Subaru ZD8 BRZ Wheels
Lightweight forged & flow formed wheels for your 2022+ BRZ
5/5 Designs
Forged Sprint line
Forged Touring line
Flow Formed Evolution line
Flow Formed Classic line
Finish: Anthracite
Overview
Subaru Gen 2 BRZ Wheel Performance
While the Gen 2 BRZ offers a very familiar, but natural evolution over its predecessor, the factory wheel setup has room for improvement. The heavy and narrow wheels on the Gen 2 BRZ make for a playful rear end, but aren’t the best for setting fast laps. For those looking to extract more from their Gen 2 BRZ wheel performance, we created our Flow Formed ARC-8, our Forged VS-5RS, and forged SM-10RS to help maximize performance. Check out our Gen 2 BRZ Fitment Guide to find the perfect setup for your ZD8 BRZ.
History of the Gen 2 BRZ
When the Subaru BRZ made its original debut for the 2012 model year, the car received near-universal praise in all categories except for one–horsepower. Enter the Gen 2 BRZ. More evolution than revolution, the new BRZ carried over the dynamic lightweight chassis of the old car with a fresh aesthetic and a pumped up 2.4L engine. With dyno tests showing a stock ZD8 BRZ making nearly 40 more horsepower at the wheels than the outgoing car, enthusiasts' prayers for more horsepower had been answered. Add in a 6-speed manual transmission and sub-$30,000 price tag to round out the package, the Gen 2 BRZ might just be one of the best enthusiast cars currently on the market.
With the Gen 2 BRZ still being such a new car, it may be a while before we start to see major revisions. So far though, Subaru has recently announced the BRZ tS for the Gen 2. Rather than being a limited special edition like the original BRZ tS, the new version appears to be slotting into the space previously occupied by the old Performance Pack–offering Brembo brakes and Hitachi dampers tuned specifically by Subaru’s STI division. The distinctive large wing and aero changes of the original BRZ tS have taken their leave as well in favor of more subtle exterior and interior features. The new BRZ tS features unique exterior ‘tS’ badging, black mirror caps and shark fin antenna, and dark gray wheels. Inside the tS features blue stitching throughout as well as a unique STI push-start button and gauge cluster. If this is what we’re seeing just two model years in for the ZD8 BRZ, we have an exciting future ahead of us with this car.
If you’re interested in learning more about what made this generation BRZ one of the best modern sports cars on the market, checkout this article: 2023 Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86: Car and Driver 10Best
Why We Like This Car
Front engine, rear wheel drive, manual transmission, lightweight, LSD as standard, and affordable. We really could leave it at that. With the new 2.4L engine making a meaningful amount of horsepower more than the outgoing car, the ZD8 BRZ has positioned itself as a machine that truly punches above its price point.
All the car needs is a switch to a higher viscosity oil, high temperature brake fluid, a set of wheels and tires–that can conveniently all fit in the back with the rear seats down–and it’s ready to go.
Whether you’re looking for an OEM+ option or looking to get into a Hardcore Track fitment, our wide selection of ZD8 BRZ Wheels has got you covered.
VS-5RS Specifications
Reproductive Harm - www.p65warnings.ca.cov 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
The majority of VS-5RS wheels come with a gloss black Apex cap which is interchangeable with most OE center caps*.
* Centerlock wheels do not include Apex center caps. Certain unique fitments support an Apex center cap that is not interchangeable with the OE cap. See your vehicle-specific product page for additional details.
Wheel Hardware
Wherever possible, Apex wheels are designed to be used with OEM mounting hardware* as well as high-quality wheel spacers, stud conversion kits, wheel locks, and more. See our Accessories pages.
*A small number of applications are not compatible with the vehicle's OEM hardware. Visit individual product pages to confirm hardware type/compatibility.
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
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.
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.
Footnotes
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. Price displayed based on MSRP as of 5/16/2025.
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