Apex Wheels 18" VS-5RS in Anthracite

VW MK7 Jetta/GLI Wheels

Not your car? Find the right fit

Lightweight forged & flow formed APEX wheels for your 2015+ VW MK7 Jetta/GLI

Sprint Line

Finish: Anthracite

$1,358.00

MK7 Jetta GLI Wheel Performance

Despite being marketed as a performance sedan, the OEM MK7 Jetta GLI wheels and tires that come on the car from the factory leave quite a bit of performance on the table. The MK7 Jetta GLI has a lot of tuning potential and can be a relatively quick car both on the street and at the track. However, the stock wheels and tires reach their grip limit well before what this chassis is capable of. If you want to maximize the performance of your MK7 Jetta GLI, a chassis-specific set of lightweight wheels in a wider fitment will completely transform your driving experience. We developed our forged VS-5RS and flow formed SM-10 wheels to reduce weight and improve overall traction. Fitment-wise, the MK7 GLI is practically the same setup as the MK7 Golf/GTI, so if you want to learn more about our recommended setups for this chassis, you can check out our MK7 Golf GTI/Jetta GLI Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide.

Overview of the MK7 Jetta GLI

Prior to picking out your preferred set of MK7 Jetta GLI Wheels, let’s take a look at what makes the newest generation of VW’s beloved sport sedan such a solid performer both on the street and at the track.

The newest generation of the Jetta GLI made its initial debut at the 2018 North American International Auto Show and continues to be sold to this day. The MK7 Jetta GLI is based on VW’s MQB chassis, which shares its underpinnings across a plethora of other VW models, including the ever-popular Golf and GTI. Powered by the acclaimed E888 2.0T inline-four motor, the MK7 GLI makes 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque at the crank. Power is sent to the front wheels via a standard 6-speed manual or optional 7-speed DSG transmission, utilizing the same VAQ electronically controlled differential found in the MK7 GTI. While 18” alloy wheels are standard on the MK7 Jetta GLI, the factory tire size and compound tend to be a bit lackluster compared to the mechanical grip this chassis offers. With that said, a set of Apex MK7 Jetta GLI wheels wrapped in some wide and grippy performance tires will allow you to truly experience the handling characteristics of VW’s fun and sporty sedan.

In 2022, the MK7 Jetta GLI underwent a mid-cycle refresh with an aesthetic facelift utilizing revised front and rear bumpers. However, mechanically speaking, the facelift GLI did not forgo any changes, maintaining the same 2.0T engine, as well as the 6-speed manual and 7-speed DSG transmission options. Seeing how the MK7 Jetta GLI shares most of its components with the ever-popular MK7 GTI, the MK7 Jetta GLI has a wide range of aftermarket parts support with plenty of ways to increase overall performance. Prior to installing a set of MK7 Jetta GLI wheels and tires, you should check out Motortrend’s overview of the MK7 Jetta GLI to learn more about the quirks and features of these cars. You can find a link to Motortrend’s article: Motortrend: 2023 Volkswagen Jetta GLI first test.

VS-5RS Specifications

Front
Rear
Wheel Size
18x9" ET42
Face Profile
Profile 1
Bolt Pattern
5x112mm
Center Bore
57.1mm
Centering Ring
N/A Direct fit
Lug Seat
R13 Ball Seat
Center Cap
Gloss Black
OEM Cap
Compatible*
Load Rating
1,600 lbs
Weight
17.7 lbs
Tested By
STL
Test Reference #
STL-AX1-0012
Front Profile

* Designed to fit VW Golf center caps

MK7 Gallery

  • Grey VW Jetta/GLI - SM-10 in Anthracite
  • White VW Jetta/GLI - VS-5RS in Brushed Clear

Fitment Help

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-Pressure-Apex-wheels.jpg

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.

Learn More

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 carved 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.

Learn More

A Stronger Lightweight Wheel

Our forged Sprint™ wheels are lightweight without the strength compromises found on typical lightweight wheels. First, we carved 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

APEX Sprint™ Line
18 lbs 1600 lbs
APEX Flow Formed
21 lbs 1550 lbs
  • Wheel Weight
  • Load Rating
STL-radial-test-logo-Apex-EC-7RS

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.

Learn More

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

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

VS-5RS Warranty

A Wheel You Can Depend On

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.

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.

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