GM Design boss: 26-inch wheels could become standard

ChiragM · 19th November 2019, 16:33

According to a media report, General Motors design boss Michael Simcoe has said that large 26-inch wheels could soon become standard.

GM Design boss: 26-inch wheels could become standard-urus-wheels.jpg

As cars become bigger and bigger, the design boss says that cars could soon come with 24-inch and 26-inch wheels as standard. At present, the Cadillac Escalade and the Audi A7 come with 22-inch wheels, while the Lamborghini Urus comes with 23-inch wheels as an option.

However, increasing the tyre size could compromise ride quality as the wheels will have low-profile tyres. The car's braking system may also have to be redesigned as small brakes will not look good with large wheels. Mainstream carmakers could also start offering painted brake calipers. The report also suggests that for electric cars, the range could decrease as wheel size increases.

Link to Team-BHP News

Source

ram87pune · 19th November 2019, 17:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiragM

According to a media report, General Motors design boss Michael Simcoe has said that large 26-inch wheels could soon become standard.

I think with the increase in wheel size the following things will also change

1. Rolling resistance will increase resulting in proportionate drop in fuel economy.

2. The disc size will need to be made bigger along with calipers.

3. What about the size of spare wheel? Even the space saver for a 26 incher will have to be as big as current tyres that most SUV's come fitted with.

4. What about the cost of replacement? Even the 19 inchers of my Hexa cost a bomb to replace.

5. If god forbid that you get a puncture then you will need arms the size of Arnie to change the tyres.

And as the days of big and bulky SUVs are numbered, I dont think we will see the day when mainstream cars are shod with 20 plus inch tyres let alone 26 inchers.

Chetan_Rao · 19th November 2019, 22:29

What about road quality? I'd bet there aren't many passenger-car carrying roads in the world that won't damage these monster wheels running paper-thin-profile tires at the smallest bump taken at decent speeds.

There's only so much you can bend physics before it bends your rims.

GTO · 20th November 2019, 14:08

Crazy trend. There are places in the USA too which have poor roads (e.g. Boston).

Not a fan of big wheels & low profile tyres at all, especially for India. Other than looks, there is no advantage to them. It's too high a price to pay for aesthetics. Stiff ride, more unsprung weight (rims), tyres & wheels becoming more prone to damage and stiff tyre replacement costs.

One industry trend I don't agree with! As stupid as that other trend of sticking screens onto dashboards like an after-market fitment.

19th November 2019, 16:33	#1
ChiragM Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,565 Thanked: 17,807 Times	GM Design boss: 26-inch wheels could become standard According to a media report, General Motors design boss Michael Simcoe has said that large 26-inch wheels could soon become standard. As cars become bigger and bigger, the design boss says that cars could soon come with 24-inch and 26-inch wheels as standard. At present, the Cadillac Escalade and the Audi A7 come with 22-inch wheels, while the Lamborghini Urus comes with 23-inch wheels as an option. However, increasing the tyre size could compromise ride quality as the wheels will have low-profile tyres. The car's braking system may also have to be redesigned as small brakes will not look good with large wheels. Mainstream carmakers could also start offering painted brake calipers. The report also suggests that for electric cars, the range could decrease as wheel size increases. Link to Team-BHP News Source
	(7) Thanks

19th November 2019, 22:29	#3
Chetan_Rao Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 6,316 Thanked: 26,031 Times	Re: GM Design boss: 26-inch wheels could become standard What about road quality? I'd bet there aren't many passenger-car carrying roads in the world that won't damage these monster wheels running paper-thin-profile tires at the smallest bump taken at decent speeds. There's only so much you can bend physics before it bends your rims.
	(2) Thanks

20th November 2019, 14:08	#4
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 71,844 Thanked: 312,251 Times View My Garage	Re: GM Design boss: 26-inch wheels could become standard Crazy trend. There are places in the USA too which have poor roads (e.g. Boston). Not a fan of big wheels & low profile tyres at all, especially for India. Other than looks, there is no advantage to them. It's too high a price to pay for aesthetics. Stiff ride, more unsprung weight (rims), tyres & wheels becoming more prone to damage and stiff tyre replacement costs. One industry trend I don't agree with! As stupid as that other trend of sticking screens onto dashboards like an after-market fitment.
	(2) Thanks