A product for a turbocharger assembly is disclosed. A turbine wheel assembly may be adapted to rotate when exposed to a flow of gas. A vane ring may be disposed in the turbine wheel assembly. A plurality of vanes may be mounted to the vane ring. The flow of gas may meet the plurality of vanes at an angle of incidence. The plurality of vanes may be adjustable to selectively change the angle of incidence. The vane ring may have at least one slot adapted to direct a thermal deformation of the vane ring in a selected direction when exposed to the flow of gas.