APEX SM-8RS Forged Sprint Line | 17" x 9" ET45 | 4x100mm | 54.1mm
APEX Wheels designs and manufactures lightweight forged and flow formed wheels, along with wheel accessories, for street and track use. Founded by motorsport enthusiasts in 2007, APEX combines in-house engineering, rigorous independent testing and vehicle-specific fitment development to deliver strength, low weight and measurable performance. From daily-driven cars to dedicated race builds, their products are developed around the needs of real drivers.
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Key Details
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Model SM-8RS
Family Sprint Line
Construction Forged
Wheel Size 17x9 ET45
Quantity Sold Individually
Diameter 17"
Width 9"
Offset 45
Face Profile Profile 1
Bolt Pattern 4x100mm
Centre Bore 54.1mm
Lug Seat 60 Degree Conical
Centre Cap Gloss Black
OEM Cap Not Compatible
Load Rating 1400 lbs
Weight 16 lbs (7.26 kg)
Tested By ITS
Test Reference C4898 R8234 I3456
WHICH WHEELS SHOULD I GET?
APEX Fitment Guides provide the most detailed and authoritative resource for selecting wheels and tyres. Each guide is tailored to your specific vehicle and driving style, helping you choose the perfect fit with confidence.
Please feel free to get in touch with us if you’re unsure whether this wheel is compatible with your model.
Product Information
APEX FORGED SPRINT™ LINE SM-8RS
The APEX SM-8RS is part of the Forged Sprint™ Line of wheels, developed specifically for the Mazda ND MX-5. Based on the SM-10RS, it adapts that design’s engineering approach into an eight-spoke wheel suited to the lightweight roadster.
Fully forged construction, I-beam spokes and a reinforced Sprint™ spec inner lip combine weight reduction with strength and stiffness. Designed for both road and competition use, the SM-8RS brings the Sprint Line’s engineering features to a wheel tailored around the ND platform.
SM-8RS HIGHLIGHTS
- Fully forged 6061-T6 aluminium using a 10,000-tonne forging process
- Developed for the Mazda ND MX-5
- I-beam spokes for reduced weight
- Reinforced Sprint™ spec inner lip
- Brake clearance developed around the intended applications
- Paintless knurled beads
- Unmatched replacement program
- Lifetime structural warranty
- Independently tested
SM-8RS FEATURES
10K TONS OF PRESSURE
APEX’s new forgings weigh as much as 120 pounds before machining. To form such a thick blank, the company requires specialised equipment capable of 10,000 metric tonnes of pressure. This extreme pressure increases the strength of the aluminium by eliminating porosity and improving the grain structure.
TRUE MOTORSPORT BLANKS
Many companies use third-party blanks intended for non-motorsport wheels, which can severely limit sizes, concavity, spoke design, and critical brake clearance. APEX designed its own blank profiles from scratch to provide total control over the final product.
I-BEAM SPOKES
One of the most noticeable features of the SM-8RS is its use of side-milling on both sides of each spoke, creating an I-beam effect. 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, APEX believes it is essential.
A STRONGER LIGHTWEIGHT WHEEL
The SM-8RS balances low weight with reinforcement in critical areas. APEX specifies a 1,400 lbs load rating for the design, supporting its intended use on both competition-focused ND MX-5s and modified road cars.
The design prioritises a durable inner lip and structural strength alongside material removal, rather than pursuing the lowest possible weight alone.
WEIGHT OPTIMISED
APEX conducted extensive Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to reinforce high-stress areas and 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.
GREATER STIFFNESS
As with the SM-10RS on which it is based, APEX used Finite Element Analysis of bending loads to optimise the SM-8RS spoke geometry for greater stiffness without increasing weight.
INDEPENDENTLY TESTED
APEX does not rely solely on computer simulations or in-house testing. Independent testing supports the SM-8RS design, with test references provided for individual fitments. Refer to Key Details for the testing information applicable to the selected wheel.
TOUGHER INNER LIP
The Sprint™ spec inner lip uses a reinforced channel profile to strengthen the unsupported inner edge of the wheel. This concentrates material in an area vulnerable to damage while retaining the weight-saving benefits of forged construction.
BIG BRAKE CLEARANCE
The SM-8RS was developed around the ND MX-5 platform. APEX specifically identifies the 9-inch and 10-inch-wide fitments as designed to accommodate the ND’s factory Brembo brakes and aftermarket big brake kits.
Brake clearance should be checked for the particular wheel size and brake package rather than assumed across the entire range.
PAINTLESS KNURLED BEADS
Whether it's a day at the track or months of street driving, repeated hard braking and acceleration can make a tyre slip along the bead seat and go out of balance, causing vibration. Knurled beads help, but are less effective when painted over. The APEX Forged Sprint™ wheels feature unpainted knurled beads that stay sharp and maximise 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.
32mm socket diameter clearance.
LASER ENGRAVED SPECS
As track enthusiasts, APEX 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 the new Forged Sprint™ wheels, APEX 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 SM-8RS wheels are purpose built for select vehicle applications. Very few applications require locating rings.
CENTRE CAPS
All SM-8RS wheels come with a gloss black APEX centre cap. This design does not support OE centre caps.
WHEEL HARDWARE
Suitable original-equipment and aftermarket mounting hardware can be used where compatible with the wheel and vehicle. Wheel locks, stud conversion kits and spacers must be selected to suit the application.
TPMS
All APEX wheels are compatible with both OEM and aftermarket Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS), as well as standard-fit valve stems.
COMPARE FOR YOURSELF
The SM-8RS belongs to the Forged Sprint™ Line. Compare its construction, reference weight, load rating and inner-lip design with the other APEX wheel ranges below.
FLOW FORMED CLASSIC LINE
- Construction Flow Formed
- Reference Weight 19.9–22.4 lbs (9.03–10.16 kg)
- Reference Load Rating 1,550 lbs
- Inner Lip Standard
- Brake Clearance Category High
FLOW FORMED EVOLUTION LINE
- Construction Flow Formed
- Reference Weight 20.8–21.0 lbs (9.43–9.53 kg)
- Reference Load Rating 1,550–1,600 lbs
- Inner Lip Reinforced
- Brake Clearance Category Maximum
FORGED TOURING LINE
- Construction Forged
- Reference Weight 20.1–21.0 lbs (9.12–9.53 kg)
- Reference Load Rating 1,600 lbs
- Inner Lip Sprint Spec
- Brake Clearance Category High
FORGED SPRINT LINE — SM-8RS
- Construction Forged
- Reference Weight 18.5–19.4 lbs (8.39–8.80 kg)
- Reference Load Rating 1,600 lbs
- Inner Lip Sprint Spec
- Brake Clearance Category Maximum
FORGED ENDURO LINE
- Construction Forged
- Reference Weight 21.1–21.7 lbs (9.57–9.84 kg)
- Reference Load Rating 2,100 lbs
- Inner Lip Enduro Spec
- Brake Clearance Category Maximum
The reference figures are based on equivalent 18x10 ET25 wheels with a 5x120mm bolt pattern and 72.56mm centre bore. Weight and load rating vary by wheel design and size. Refer to Key Details for the specifications of the wheel you are purchasing.
'High' and 'Maximum' are APEX’s comparative brake-clearance categories, rather than guarantees of compatibility.
REAL DRIVERS NEED REAL PERFORMANCE
Not all claims of performance are backed up by facts — and it's a big problem. APEX defines real performance through wheels that are precisely engineered, rigorously tested, and objectively measured. Unlike under-engineered “fashion” wheels that overpromise and underdeliver, APEX wheels are designed for genuine performance, backed by independent testing and verifiable results.
A WHEEL YOU CAN DEPEND ON
LIFETIME WARRANTY
All APEX wheels come with a lifetime structural warranty against defects in workmanship and materials, plus a 12 month finish warranty. Exchanges are fast, easy, and hassle-free. Contact us for full terms and conditions for details.
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. Contact us for full terms and conditions or for more details.
SO, WHY CHOOSE THE SM-8RS?
The SM-8RS brings APEX’s Sprint Line engineering to the Mazda ND MX-5 through a purpose-built eight-spoke design. Combining forged construction, I-beam spokes, a reinforced inner lip and unpainted knurled beads, it balances weight savings with the strength and stiffness needed for road and track use.
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