Different tires and wheels? Lower profile? Wider? Taller?

[neo914]

IMHO the Tesla roadster is a big improvement to the 2nd generation Elise design but could use something to make it stand out in the supercar arena. Larger diameter wheels and lower profile tires can enhance the look and improve performance. A taller and narrower (low rolling resistance) combination should even improve mileage. If anything they should have the lightest wheels available.

There's high demand for wheels & tires which is why SEMA devotes a building to them. Of the many wheel designs, there are very few designs that stand on their own. Notable designs are Porsche Fuchs, BBS basket weave, Mercedes AMG monoblock, and some of the newer BMW wheels. Personally I would like to see a wheel design that mimics the electric motor rotor and windings.

The collectors and conservative owners won't deviate from stock but the performance and youthful minded owners will likely want 18's or 19's maybe larger if they can be made to fit with the suspension height and other aspects compensated.

My guess is the factory engineers have leveraged the Lotus specs and haven't had the time or need to test other sizes and components. If it's ever raced, more sizes will surely be tested. Maybe the factory or an independent group will create a "tuning" company that will offer more options in the future...

[Kardax]

neo914, there's a certain balance to be obtained. Sure, you can put 19" rims on a little car like this, but you're probably making tradeoffs in ride comfort and handling if you do.

Efficiency is important for the Tesla Roadster, but equally important is performance. This is a $100,000 sports car; it needs to drive like one if they want to break out of the rich greenie niche. This is why they're going through all the pain of developing their own transmission, using sport tires, and making aerodynamic compromises to keep the look good.

-Ryan

[TEG]

In NYC (I think):

[Hunter]

Wasn't there a bunch of talk a year or more ago concerning the wheel/tire design and how it was a carefully-selected balance between rolling resistance and handling performance? Seems like you could trade one for the other, but I'm guessing the Tesla engineers have already chosen what they consider the "sweet spot." On the same note, I doubt they got Yokohama on board for a new tire design without appropriate size/aspect choices.

[siry]

same tires (yoko advan neova), same tire and wheel dimensions, different wheels (aftermarket testing) in this shot. These wheels are forged aluminum like the stock wheels but look different and are lighter. They are being testing for durability.

[TEG]

I like the looks of them more than the stock wheels, although black isn't necessarily the best finish to go with all colors.

It would be nice if they were offered in a "gun metal gray" color.

[doug]

In NYC (I think):

Some info about these wheels posted on Lotustalk:

stellaCORSE wheels on the Tesla

We have been working with Tesla for about 2 yrs to develop some aftermarket solutions. One of these items is a new set of wheels. After showing them our Monolites, they were blown away with the quality. We proposed our stellaCORSE and they ordered up a set to test. We had to build them a special set, at considerable cost, as their fitment is different than the Elise/Exige fitment we offered.

Tesla, their Dealers and customers were very pleased with the wheel. I think it looks awesome as well as it makes the car look even more exotic AND aggressive. I think the silver color would be even better. They have obviously been busy delivering cars so have not yet pulled the trigger on the wheels.

[malcolm]

These wheels may appear as the "Edition-specific wheel design" on the Euro Signature edition:-

http://www.teslamotors.com/display_d..._specsheet.pdf

[graham]

These wheels may appear as the "Edition-specific wheel design" on the Euro Signature edition

Sigh... It is obviously too early in the morning and I haven't had caffeine, yet. I read this as: "Edison-specific wheel design" and said out loud to my computer: "There is no way they called it that!" After pouring over the linked pdf, I finally figured out my mistake...

[vfx]

I carefully read the quote:

Tesla, their Dealers and customers were very pleased with the wheel

As a bit of hyperbole since we here all know that unlike other manufactures, there is no distinction between Tesla and Dealers.