A bimetallic brake rotor includes a rotor body composed of a first material and a pair of cheek inserts serving as the rotor cheeks, being composed of a second material less dense than the first material. Each of the cheek inserts has a first sequence of slots and teeth, and a disc component of the rotor body has a second sequence of slots and teeth on each side thereof which mesh with the first sequence such that a radial edge interface is provided at each adjoining tooth and slot which transfers braking heat and mechanical loading from the cheek inserts to the rotor body.