VW MK6 GTI Wheels

Lightweight forged & flow formed APEX wheels for your 2010-2014 VW MK6 GTI

Construction Type

All

Forged Sprint line

Forged Touring line

Flow Formed Evolution line

Finish: Anthracite

In Stock
In Stock

Total

$1,376.00

Overview

MK6 GTI Wheel Performance

The 6th generation GTI offers refined driving dynamics at an entry-level price point, however, the stock MK6 GTI wheels and tires tend to be less than ideal when enjoying a spirited drive on a twisty backroad. This is mainly due to the smaller OEM wheels and tire sizes used, as they quickly reach their limit of grip at a much lower speed than what the chassis is capable of. The best first step when tuning for performance either on the street or at the track is installing a set of Apex MK6 GTI wheels in a flush and aggressive fitment. We developed our forged VS-5RS and flow formed SM-10 wheels to reduce weight and improve overall traction. You can browse all of our MK6 GTI wheel and tire setups via our chassis specific MK6 GTI Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide.

History of the MK6 GTI

If you’re searching for MK6 GTI wheels, you’ve come to the right place! However, before you lock in your final fitment, design, and finish selections let's first take a quick look at the history of the MK6 chassis.

The MK6 GTI was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008 and was produced during the model years of 2010-2014. The GTI was offered with a 2.0 TSI with an output of 204 hp and 204 lb-ft of torque at the crank. Power was sent to the front wheels via a standard 6-speed manual, or optional 6-speed DSG transmission. With a reasonable 0-60 sprint of 6.9 seconds, the MK6 GTI wasn’t the fastest car in a straight line, but it had a punchy enough power band to really appreciate the handling dynamics on a twisty back road. Over the years, these cars have been well-loved by the enthusiast community for their aftermarket tunability, as the MK6 GTI is a great starting platform for a fast and fun track build.

Considering the age of the MK6 GTI, these cars can be found at a relatively low and reasonable price point. With a classic under-the-radar exterior design and a well-thought-out interior that holds up well over time, the MK6 GTI is a great choice for a “do-it-all” fun car for an enthusiast on a budget. While a set of MK6 GTI wheels are a great first mod if you already own one of these cars, for those on the lookout for their own MK6 GTI, I would highly recommend checking out Pistonheads’ used buyer's guide and review article: Pistonheads’ MK6 GTI Used Buyer’s Guide and Review.

SM-10 Specifications

 
Front
Rear
SKU
SM1017...
SM1017...
Wheel Size
17x8.5" ET43
17x8.5" ET43
Face Profile
Profile 1
Profile 1
Bolt Pattern
5x112mm
5x112mm
Center Bore
57.1mm
57.1mm
Centering Ring
N/A Direct fit
N/A Direct fit
Lug Seat
R13 Ball Seat
R13 Ball Seat
Center Cap
Gloss Black
Gloss Black
OEM Cap
Compatible*
Compatible*
Load Rating
1,543 lbs
1,543 lbs
Weight
~19.6 lbs
~19.6 lbs
Tested By
VIA
VIA
Test Reference #
VIA-26-1443
VIA-26-1443
Front Profile
Rear Profile
Product image
Product image
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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.

SM-10 features

The Flow Form Advantage

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.

"I" Beam Spokes

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.

Bigger, Tougher Inner Lip

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.

Maximizing Concavity

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 Brake Clearance

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.

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

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

Finishing Touches

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.

JWL and Beyond

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.

Learn More

True VIA

The VIA is an independent wheel testing and auditing agency similar to TÜV. Many companies falsely claim their wheels have been certified, and even use the VIA stamp without permission. Our Flow Formed wheels have been certified, and we provide the registration numbers for every wheel. Protect yourself. Demand registration numbers from manufacturers.

Learn More

Additional features

Hub Centric

All SM-10 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.

See terms and conditions.

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.

See terms and conditions.

¹ All wheels compared with equivalent 18x10” ET25 5x120mm /72.56mm fitment

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