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ROH LITEFORGED: Where Strength Meets Weight Savings
ROH LITEFORGED: Where Strength Meets Weight Savings
Ever wondered how you can get the strength of a seriously tough wheel without the weight penalty that usually comes with it? ROH's answer comes in the form of their LITEFORGED range - a collection that's making some pretty big claims about delivering the perfect balance of strength and reduced weight for modern off-road performance.
We've had the opportunity to get our hands on these wheels for our test vehicles, and they've been quietly impressing us with their blend of technology and real-world capability. Let's dive into what makes the LITEFORGED range special and whether it lives up to the hype.
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ROH Apollo
What Makes LITEFORGED Different?
LITEFORGED is ROH Wheels exclusive 4x4 flow formed technology, delivering the perfect balance of strength and reduced weight, purpose-built for modern off-road performance. But what does "flow-formed" actually mean in practical terms? The flow formed process begins with casting the wheel into its basic shape, including the face and outer lip. The barrel is then heated to allow for shaping and hydraulic rollers apply pressure as the wheel spins, forcing the aluminium to flow into the tooling shape, increasing tensile strength. Once the desired width and shape are achieved, the rear lip is added completing the process and resulting in a wheel with increased tensile strength.
Think of it as taking the best bits of casting and forging, then combining them into one process. You get the design flexibility of a cast wheel with strength characteristics that punch well above their weight class.
The Technology Behind the Performance
The flow-forming process is where the magic happens. Flow forging is the most advanced manufacturing process in use today for the production of cast aluminium alloy road wheels. The process involves the casting of unique preforms which are subsequently reheated prior to being placed onto flow forging moulds. Lateral pressure is then applied to each casting via roll formers to extrude and compress the rim section to form the full-size wheel.
What this means for you as a driver is pretty significant. The advantages over conventional cast wheels are stronger and significantly lighter rims that are directly comparable to more expensive press forged aluminium road wheels.
In simple terms, you're getting performance that's typically reserved for much more expensive forged wheels, but at a price point that won't have you explaining the purchase to your other half for the next six months.
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Lotus on BYD Shark
Meet the LITEFORGED Family
Currently, the LITEFORGED range features three distinct designs, each with their own character and strengths.
The Lotus: Refined Mesh Performance
ROH's newest wheel design the Lotus brings a refined mesh-style design to the LITEFORGED Series. Manufactured using advanced flow-formed technology, the Lotus delivers reduced weight and high-strength performance without compromising durability.
The Lotus is the more detailed of the two designs.
The Lotus design combines classic mesh styling with practical strength, offering a structure that supports off-road use without adding unnecessary weight. Its multi-spoke layout provides a more detailed look compared to the cleaner designs in the range, making it a solid choice for those after both style and capability.
Available in 17x9 and 18x9 sizes, the Lotus is perfect for those who want a wheel that looks as good in the CBD as it does on a fire trail. The Lotus wheel is available exclusively in 6×139.7 fitments, making it ideal for popular utes like the Hilux, Ranger, D-Max, and Triton.
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ROH Lotus on BYD Shark
The Apollo: Clean and Capable
Introducing the brand new LITEFORGED Apollo wheel, a clean and minimalistic spoke pattern and apart of the exclusive LITEFORGED Series. Utilising advanced flow-formed technology, the Apollo delivers reduced weight for improved performance without compromising strength.
Apollo features a clean, bolt-free lip and sleek, minimal styling.
Its refined design combines lightweight construction with a modern performance aesthetic, making it ideal for both on-road presence and off-road capability. The open spoke layout also makes the wheel easy to clean, helping it maintain its sharp look with less effort.
If you're after understated elegance with serious capability, the Apollo represents the minimalist approach within the LITEFORGED range. It's the wheel for those who prefer clean lines over intricate detailing, without sacrificing any performance
ROH Apollo on Ford Ranger
The Arc: Street-Inspired Aggression
The Arc joins the exclusive LITEFORGED Series from ROH Wheels, combining a street-inspired design with the strength and performance required for serious off-road use. This is where things get interesting for those who want their 4x4 to have a bit more attitude.
Arc features a distinctive directional spoke design that brings a more aggressive, contemporary look to 4×4 builds. While the styling draws from street performance aesthetics, the construction is made for real off-road use. It's like having a wheel that's borrowed styling cues from the performance car world but is built tough enough for anything the Australian outback can throw at it.
The directional design isn't just for looks either - it gives the Arc a dynamic appearance that changes as you view it from different angles, making it a real head-turner whether you're parked at the local shopping centre or lined up at a trail head.
All three wheels share the same core technology and impressive 1500kg load rating, so your choice really comes down to personal preference and the look you're after - refined mesh, clean minimalism, or street-inspired aggression.
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ROH Arc On Toyota Hilux
Real-World Performance Benefits : So what does all this technology actually mean when you're behind the wheel? The benefits are more tangible than you might think.
Improved Handling: Reduced unsprung weight means your suspension can do its job more effectively. ROH off-road alloy wheel features GVM+ load carrying capacity and lower unsprung mass, resulting in improved vehicle handling on-road and superior 4×4 capabilities off-road.
Better Fuel Economy: Less weight to turn means your engine doesn't have to work as hard, particularly noticeable during city driving and highway cruising.
Enhanced Off-Road Capability: The reduced weight doesn't just help on-road. When you're navigating challenging terrain, every kilogram counts, and lighter wheels can improve traction and reduce the load on your drivetrain.
Built to Last: Strength isn't just about immediate performance - it's about long-term reliability too. Produced using ROH's flow-formed process, ROH Liteforged achieve a 1500kg load rating while maintaining a lightweight, performance-focused design.
They are a series built for strength and backed by a lifetime structural warranty and a 3-year finish guarantee for long-lasting confidence.
That 1500kg load rating isn't just impressive on paper - it means these wheels are genuinely ready for serious work. Whether you're loading up for a long touring trip or putting your ute through its paces at work, the LITEFORGED range has the strength to handle it.
The lifetime structural warranty also shows ROH's confidence in their product. It's one thing to claim strength; it's another to back it up with a warranty that covers the wheel for life.
Finish and Durability
ROH hasn't forgotten about the practical side of wheel ownership either. All ROH 4WD alloy wheels feature the ROH Easycleans® Baked Enamel paint finish for superior salt spray performance and anti-weathering durability, making ROH 4×4 wheels ideally suited for all recreational and commercial applications – in style.
For Australian conditions, this kind of protection matters. Whether you're dealing with beach sand, red dirt, or just the daily grind of city driving, the LITEFORGED wheels are built to maintain their appearance over the long haul.
Who Are These Wheels For?
The LITEFORGED range seems perfectly pitched at drivers who want the best of both worlds. If you drive a popular 4x4 ute and you're after wheels that can handle weekend adventures without compromising your weekday commute, these could be right up your alley.
They're particularly well-suited to:
• Daily drivers who occasionally venture off-road
• Weekend warriors who want performance without compromise
• Anyone looking to upgrade from heavy steel wheels
• Drivers who want strength without the premium price of fully forged wheels
The Bottom Line
ROH's LITEFORGED range represents a thoughtful approach to wheel design. By using flow-formed technology, they've managed to create wheels that deliver on the promise of strength without weight penalty.
The combination of reduced unsprung mass, serious load ratings, and lifetime structural warranty makes a compelling case. Add in the refined styling of the Lotus or the clean lines of the Apollo, and you've got wheels that can genuinely improve both the performance and appearance of your vehicle.
While we haven't put these through a comprehensive long-term test yet, our initial experience suggests ROH has created something special with the LITEFORGED range. For anyone looking to upgrade their 4x4's wheels without making compromises, they're definitely worth a closer look.
Want to see ROH LITEFORGED wheels in action? Keep an eye on our social channels and YouTube for upcoming content featuring these wheels on our test vehicles.
For more information or wheer to buy these wheels visit ROH Wheels