Arai GPV-R and SKV-R Deliver Next-Gen Racing Helmet Innovation
Arai debuts the new Arai GPV-R and SKV-R helmets—two state-of-the-art models that embody the brand’s unwavering dedication to safety, performance, and handcrafted precision. These new helmets represent the pinnacle of innovation for competitive racers and motorsport enthusiasts. Inspired by the natural durability and strength of the egg shape, both helmets employ Arai’s foundational Egg Shape Form (ESF), a design philosophy aimed at enhancing the helmet’s ability to glance off impacts and redirect energy away from the wearer. It’s a shape that’s protected life for millions of years, and now it’s doing the same on race day.
The Arai GPV-R auto helmet and the SKV-R karting helmet are crafted to meet the demands of modern motorsport, where visibility, safety, and comfort intersect. At first glance, you notice the smooth, sculpted exterior. But under that surface lies a wealth of racing technology and meticulous design intended to protect drivers in the most extreme conditions. The brand’s mission—Priority for Protection—remains unchanged. But the execution has evolved significantly, with both helmets showcasing enhancements in shell design, shield mechanics, aerodynamics, ventilation, and interior customization.
Arai GPV-R: Precision Engineering and Elite Protection
The new Arai GPV-R helmet features a completely redesigned shell structure that not only meets but is engineered to exceed the FIA 8859-2024 standard and SNELL SA-2025 certification. The helmet features a lowered shield pivot point and a reshaped shell profile with the highest point of the visor lowered by 17 millimeters. This subtle but impactful change results in a larger and smoother exterior shell that reinforces the Egg Shape Form, while the relocation of the rear mounting screws contributes to a lighter, stronger helmet with a lower center of gravity and enhanced glancing-off capability.
Arai has also developed a patent-pending dual-action center shield locking mechanism. Designed to withstand serious frontal impacts, the locking system offers intuitive operation by the driver or emergency personnel from either side of the vehicle. The secure “pull down – lift up” action prevents unintentional opening while ensuring that it can be accessed quickly when seconds count. Drivers benefit from an 8-millimeter increase in the lower field of view, offering better situational awareness and quicker access to visual information without taking eyes off the track ahead.
Inside, the GPV-R offers a fully adjustable, washable, and removable headliner that increases airflow thanks to open interior channels. It includes two sets of removable foam temple pads—one 5mm soft and the other 7mm dense—for a customizable fit. An integrated crown pocket simplifies the installation of eject devices. The cheek pads are also communication-friendly, with a pre-routed space for microphone stalks to ensure clean installs and enhanced comfort. The removable chin-liner includes integrated hydration tube routing, which keeps tubing secure and properly positioned without adding bulk.
The aerodynamic profile is elevated further by a wider Hyper-Ridge and an included Performance Enhancing Device (PED) kit that ensures improved stability at high speed. The helmet shell itself comes in several construction variants. The standard GPV-R employs PB-SNC2 construction, a composite of super fiber and synthetic materials reinforced with custom-woven bands across high-stress areas like the eye port and the lower back of the shell.
For those requiring the most elite-level protection, the GPV-R SRC and GPV-R SRC ABP are available with Racing Carbon shells made from a wide-pattern T-1100 carbon fiber. These premium shells use new resins and are bonded together with superior strength, meeting the FIA 8860-2018 standard for top-tier motorsport.
Every Arai GPV-R shell is hand-built by certified Arai Shell experts and double-inspected to ensure flawless performance. All GPV-R models are expected to be available in Q2 of 2026 through Arai’s authorized dealer network.
SKV-R Adapts GPV-R Innovations for Karting Excellence
The Arai SKV-R helmet takes nearly all of the cutting-edge innovations from the GPV-R and adapts them for karting. Built to meet FIA 8878-2024 and SNELL K-2025 standards, the SKV-R brings the same emphasis on shell smoothness, impact deflection, comfort, and airflow to kart racers who want serious performance from their gear. The only features not carried over from the GPV-R are the HANS anchors, the PED kit, and the FR liner material—sensible exclusions for the karting segment.
The SKV-R uses the same refined shell shape and materials for optimal glancing off ability. It retains the enhanced lower field of view, making it easier for drivers to stay aware of their surroundings while keeping an eye on instrumentation or the competition ahead. Like its GPV-R sibling, the SKV-R features an odor-resistant, removable, and washable interior liner that remains fresh longer and is easy to clean—perfect for long days at the track. The adjustable liner design ensures a customizable fit and greater comfort during intense race sessions.
With a focus on durability, ventilation, and helmet balance, the SKV-R doesn’t cut corners. Its comfort and build quality reflect Arai’s philosophy that every racer, whether in a kart or behind the wheel of a GT car, deserves elite-level protection. Like all Arai products, the SKV-R is hand-assembled with the same care and precision that defines the brand’s craftsmanship.
Both models reflect Arai’s long-standing commitment to innovation and protection. As Managing Director Brian Weston puts it, “Arai’s goal has always been to create helmets that prioritize protection for drivers. The GPV-R model line and SKV-R reflect our ongoing commitment to constant improvement and to providing helmets that meet the needs of today’s racers at every level.”
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