Ford has a long-standing collaboration with Recaro, offering performance-oriented seats as a factory option or via Ford Performance Parts for models like the Mustang, Focus RS, and Fiesta ST, which are known for their enhanced body support and racing-inspired design.
Overview and History of the Ford-Recaro Partnership
The partnership between Ford and Recaro Automotive Seating, a premium brand known for performance and ergonomic design, dates back to the 1979 Mustang Indianapolis 500 Pace Car. Since then, Recaro seats have been a common feature, either standard or optional, in many of Ford's performance vehicles, including the Shelby GT350, GT500, Focus ST and RS, Fiesta ST, and F-150 Raptor. This collaboration aims to provide enhanced driver support and a racing feel for both daily driving and track use.
Key Features and Benefits
Ford Performance Recaro seats are designed to keep the driver and passenger firmly planted during spirited driving and cornering, which standard seats often fail to do.
Body Support: The seats feature enhanced shoulder, back, and thigh bolsters to stabilize the body against lateral forces, reducing body fatigue and allowing for better control of the vehicle.
Design: They are race-inspired with an integrated headrest and seat belt pass-through openings, giving them a distinct, sporty look. The Ford Performance logo is often embroidered on the seatback.
Ergonomics: Recaro seats are known for their ergonomic design that supports a correct sitting posture and reduces the burden on the spine, making them comfortable for long drives despite their firm feel.
Safety: Ford Performance Recaro seats typically maintain original equipment airbags and Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensors, ensuring safety features are not compromised.
Materials: They often feature high-quality materials such as perforated suede seating surfaces with contrasting accents (e.g., dove gray perimeter and red accents in the 2024 Mustang set) for durability and style.
Performance vs. Comfort Considerations
While these seats excel in performance, there are some trade-offs compared to standard factory seats:
Adjustability: To save weight and provide a lower, more performance-oriented seating position, the Recaro seats often lack power adjustability, heated, or ventilated functions, offering only manual adjustment.
Daily Driving: While some drivers find the firm, supportive nature of Recaros more comfortable than soft, standard seats, the general consensus in reviews is that they sacrifice some daily-driving comfort for their superior holding capability on the track.
Value: The optional Recaro seats tend to add value to the vehicle in the used car market.
Availability
Ford Performance offers specific Recaro seat sets as aftermarket upgrades, such as the 2024 Mustang Ford Performance Logo Recaro Seat Set (Part No. M-63660005-MG), which is designed to fit current generation Mustangs. These seats are sold as a pair and include all necessary sensors for direct installation.
These resources detail the availability and specifications of Ford Performance Recaro seat upgrades.
The Nissan 370Z Nismo V1 wheels (also known as the "Version 1" or "MK1" wheels, primarily found on 2009-2013/2014 models) are super-lightweight, high-performance forged alloy wheels manufactured by Rays Engineering for Nissan. They were a key component of the original 370Z Nismo's performance and aesthetic upgrades.
Design and Aesthetics
Distinctive Look: The V1 wheels are known for their aggressive, classic concave design and prominent, wide rear dish.
Finish: They typically feature a striking two-tone finish, often a gunmetal or silver inner spoke area with a contrasting machined or polished lip, and are sometimes seen with red brake calipers visible through the spokes. Later models (post-2013) had a darker finish.
Aero Integration: The design of these wheels was part of a fully integrated aerodynamic package on the Nismo model, which included a redesigned front fascia and a large rear spoiler to enhance stability and downforce at high speeds.
Engineering and Performance
Forged Construction: The wheels are made from a forged aluminum alloy process, nismo 370z wheels which uses extreme pressure and temperatures to create a dense, high-strength material structure. This results in a superior strength-to-weight ratio compared to cast wheels, reducing unsprung mass for quicker suspension reaction and improved handling.
Lightweight: They are described as "super-lightweight" and contribute to the overall competition-tuned handling of the Nismo 370Z.
Staggered Fitment: The V1 wheels feature a staggered setup, with wider wheels in the rear for added grip and a more aggressive stance.
Specifications:
Front Wheels: 19 x 9.5 inches with a +40 offset (approx. 20.9 lbs).
Rear Wheels: 19 x 10.5 inches with a +23 offset (approx. 23.3 lbs).
Bolt Pattern (PCD): 5x114.3.
Testing and Certification: According to Nissan and Nismo, the wheels are manufactured using advanced Japanese techniques and are tested under rigorous JWL/VIA regulations, certified by JAWA (Japan Light Alloy Wheel Association) for durability and impact resistance.
Legacy
The V1 wheels were a highly popular and iconic design among enthusiasts for their combination of aesthetic appeal and genuine track-proven performance. They are often sought after for fitment on other Nissan and Infiniti models like the 350Z, G37, Q50, and Q70, sometimes requiring spacers to achieve perfect fitment.
These articles provide specifications and aesthetic details on Rays forged aluminum alloy Nismo 370Z V1 wheels.
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If you're considering purchasing a set of these classic wheels, would you like help comparing new vs. used options or finding information on compatible tire sizes and aftermarket lug nuts?