Front, 18", Profile 1, 5 Lugs, Anthracite- Rear, 18", Profile 1, 5 Lugs, Anthracite
VW MK7 GTI Wheels
Lightweight forged & flow formed APEX wheels for your 2015-2021 MK7 GTI
Construction Type
AllFinish: Anthracite
Total
$1,576.00Overview
MK7 GTI Wheel Performance
Out of the box the 7th generation GTI offers refined driving dynamics at an entry-level price point, in a practical and fun to drive hot hatch configuration. However, the stock MK7 GTI wheels and tires tend to be less than ideal when enjoying a brisk run 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 MK7 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 learn everything you need to know about our recommended MK7 GTI wheel & tire fitments via our chassis specific MK7 GTI Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide.
History of the MK7 GTI
Before you finalize your selection for a set of MK7 GTI wheels, let’s first take a dive into the history of the MK7 GTI, and what has made it such a special car in the eyes of enthusiasts over the years.
The 7th generation GTI was sold through the model years of 2015-2021 in North American markets. While mainly offered in a 5-door hatchback configuration, a 3-door hatchback was sold for a brief time at the beginning of the MK7 GTI’s lifecycle. Riding on VW’s MQB platform, the MK7 GTI was offered with a 2.0T engine sending power to the front wheels via a standard open, or optional limited-slip differential. Transmission options were either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed DSG, and were both offered for the entire run of the 7th generation GTI. Commonly referred to as the “everyday enthusiasts car” the MK7 GTI offers plenty of performance in a fun, practical, and reasonably priced package. With that said, the best way to build upon that is with a set of Apex MK7 GTI wheels in a wide and flush fitment.
If you are trying to squeeze as much performance out of your MK7 GTI as possible, shedding unsprung weight and increasing your tire size will be the perfect starting point. Replacing the slim factory 18” wheels with a wide and aggressive 17” setup will provide noticeable improvements to the overall “nimbleness” of the car, as well as significantly increasing your cornering speeds. However, while MK7 GTI wheels are an integral part of building a fast VW, there are also a lot of other things to consider and appreciate on the particular generation of GTI. Jalopnik wrote up a great article recently sharing their opinions on the MK7 GTI following the release of the newest MK8 GTI. You can find that article: Jalopnik MK7 GTI Opinion Piece
MK7 Gallery
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SM-10 Specifications
Reproductive Harm - www.p65warnings.ca.cov 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.
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.
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
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.
¹ All wheels compared with equivalent 18x10” ET25 5x120mm /72.56mm fitment
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