[Jim Rowland]

After looking very close at the picture of the fiberglass property, I have come to the conclusion the small wheels may be geared for mechanical advantage but the sacrafice in appearance is too significant. Big wheels are much more of the good look of the concept than I first realized. Guessing, they look like 16". Come on guys, please hold on to 18" at minimum. Of course economy is important but to win the market you need an edge, and appearance is that edge that will spark public interest. Use Ulra-caps for extra boost to turn those big wheels.
Go GM go!

 

[MetrologyFirst]

Amen to that!

18" minimum. The wheels on the concept were oversized, I agree, but they were key to the visual impact the car had. You want people on the road to see this thing and say, "THAT'S a great looking car!"

I can't help think that bigger wheels make a bigger impression. I know they may be slightly less efficient. But, GM can't go for maximum range and minimum style. That would be a mistake.

GM is throwing down the EV gauntlet with this car. Give the others some harder to aim at. Keep the wheels big GM.

 

[pennor1]

Big wheels are much more of the good look of the concept than I first realized. Guessing, they look like 16". Come on guys, please hold on to 18" at minimum. Of course economy is important but to win the market you need an edge, and appearance is that edge that will spark public interest.Go GM go!

I fail to see how making the Volt look like some hot wheel car with oversized wheels make it more appealing . For me over sized wheels make it look very odd indeed. I may be in the minority, but I like smaller wheels on a car.

 

[bcool]

Big wheels = more weight = less mileage

I'd be surprised to see any kind of large wheels on a Volt. Look at the Prius - either 15 or 16" low-rolling resistance tires to help with the mileage. When you're trying to maximize the mileage a car gets, one of the key ingredients is cutting down on the weight. If they included huge tires, they'd have to scrimp elsewhere.

 

[MetrologyFirst]

bcool,

The Volt is not a Prius!! GM should be trying to change the game entirely with this car. That's the point of the concept design. If they wanted to make a GM Prius, they could have shown it to us last year and it would be parked at the top of this web page.

They didn't. The Volt is something different. Maybe smaller wheels can be an option on this car. I would GLADLY give up some range to drive a car that looks like the concept rather than get maximum mileage driving a rolling, generic, boring econobox. GM should be trying to give people a different option other than the ugly Toyota appliance. Break the mental image most have of an electric car. The Japanese image.

The Volt should be everything the Prius is not. Stylish, fun to drive, electric car. If GM would build a stylish electric car, not a "hot wheels car" (I don't understand the comparison), but a sharp looking, fun design with, yes, larger than usual wheels, the Japanese makers will be stuck. Particularly if driving the Volt is fun!

Imagine that.

 

[mark4090]

I agree with Metro...Every time I see a car with those tiny wheels, I think of a go-cart. They look so toy-ish. Please do not let the Volt have tiny wheels. Pretty please!

 

[Koz]

One of my least favorite features of my Vibe is the tiny wheels. It gives it a little of the gocart feel to go with the look. Oversize the wheels, please.

 

[DaV8or]

Good news for all of the big wheel fashion folks. There is a thriving after market that will love to sell and install what ever size wheel you what on your Volt. You want to stick the DUB badge on the side? No problem, they can do it. This is how they roll in my neighborhood;

16" standard with a 17" upgrade will be just fine. Everything has to be a balance on this car.

 

[hvacman]

Wheel size and faddish body "styling" is a non-issue for me. In 21st century auto design, we emulate the architectural maxim, "Form follows function". Just add a huge factory lightning-bolt paint job on each side panel. That's enough of a "signature" look for me. That plus the stealthy ride would speak volumes.

 

[DaV8or]

In 21st century auto design, we emulate the architectural maxim, "Form follows function".

What an ugly world that would be if it were to be strictly followed. The Soviets employed this philosophy and the results and their popularity show that most humans don't care to live that way. Thankfully, unless hindered by outside forces like government, we are a naturally artistic creature. It is one our defining characteristic features that differentiates us from the animals.

Function is very important and must be kept foremost in our minds when creating machines and appliances. But form is the interface and what makes life bearable with these machines. Even in this new age of "burn no oil" and "carbon will kill us" environment, there is still room for industrial design and art. EVs will be bound and constrained by function alone for a time, but as batteries, fuel cells, capacitors, etc. get better and better there will be room for more art for art's sake in automobiles. It's in our nature.

 

[OPEC SUCKS]

Wheels

Gotta chime in and say..................... let the engineers use the wheels that work the best. Bigger wheels weigh more, the more they weigh, the harder they are to spin, to accelerate. The harder they are to accelerate, the more power they use. What is the purpose of this car ?? Viva le difference. But I do want an appliance. A stone-ax simple means of transportation that fires up and works every time. All the way. For the next ten years of operation. Big wheels that are not functional, then what's next ?? A big grill ? There goes the aero CD. Just my taste, but I don't appreciate big shiny bling on my car. Even on my appliance. If they are building a car that needs big wheels, then they are building the car wrong. There's plenty of those brand new sitting un bought in the SUV lot. Its one chance to get it right. Maybe their last chance. Don't play around with shiny non functional styling treatments. They can be added as an option, maybe ??

 

[zzyzzx]

I think that the oversized wheels that they put on cars these days look really stupid. They make it look like a clown car. I'd prefer 14" wheels.

 

[zzyzzx]

After looking very close at the picture of the fiberglass property, I have come to the conclusion the small wheels may be geared for mechanical advantage but the sacrafice in appearance is too significant. Big wheels are much more of the good look of the concept than I first realized. Guessing, they look like 16". Come on guys, please hold on to 18" at minimum.

I'm curious as to where you got the idea that bigger wheels look better? I think they look extremeny stupid.

 

[zzyzzx]

More ugly rims

 

[zzyzzx]

Another ugly car with oversized wheels

 

[Jim Rowland]

zzyzzx;
Did you get a good laugh? I did. The corvette has 18" in front and 19" in the rear, do you think that is ugly? The BMW M6 has 19", do you think it is ugly? Take a look at the Karma, I know... you think it is ugly too. Even the Solstice has 18" rims... well it must be ugly too. I think 14" rims would look completely idiotic on such a fine car. I hope GM shares my opinion and not yours! I recomend you get an Aveo, it has 14's.

 

[zzyzzx]

Did you get a good laugh? I did. The corvette has 18" in front and 19" in the rear, do you think that is ugly? The BMW M6 has 19", do you think it is ugly? Take a look at the Karma, I know... you think it is ugly too. Even the Solstice has 18" rims... well it must be ugly too. I think 14" rims would look completely idiotic on such a fine car. I hope GM shares my opinion and not yours! I recomend you get an Aveo, it has 14's.

You probably think that this looks good to then, correct:

 

[zzyzzx]

Also very very ugly:

 

[Jim Rowland]

OK zzyzzx,
I just give up. You are using pics of your dream cars with 22' and larger wheels (why else would you have this collection of pics?), none of which I approve of. This is not what I would suggest. However I don't know what to suggest to a proud owner of a Ford Escort other than the Volt does not meet your M.O. I saw an Escort (with small wheels) at the circus, it was full of clowns! The best automotive designers use 18" wheels, an earlier post mentioned just a few of them. If you don't agree that's ok, I agree to disagree.

 

[cooktin]

Tiny Wheels

Granted I agree that tiny wheels the 15" and the 16" would not be attractive on this car, but lets be reasonable, not everyone wants to drive around with wheels that look like you belong driving around in the "hood".

Wheels should accent the vehicle, not draw you attention away from it so all you see is the wheels. GM will not put little doughnut tires on this car, the deisgners know better than that. Or at least they should.

As far as that car pictured above, to each his own, but around here, you would get laughed right out of town!