Model 3 wheel options

[Zaphod]

One person has suggested these are not aero rims but wheel covers applied to the V-spoke rims to give better aerodynamics to the wheel. Toyota did this on their rims for the Prius. I don't know if he is correct, but it is food for thought.

Could be possible, but not sure why would they do that. Doesn't make sense to spend money casting a wheel just to put a cover over it, even for aerodynamic reasons. Might as well just use a steel wheel then to save cost. Anything is possible though.

 

[tracksyde]

Could be possible, but not sure why would they do that. Doesn't make sense to spend money casting a wheel just to put a cover over it, even for aerodynamic reasons. Might as well just use a steel wheel then to save cost. Anything is possible though.

Thats kind of what Toyota did with the 2012-2015 Prius.. I assume the wheel cover was for aero because the wheel cover is hideous.. which is why many 2012-2015 Prius owners just removed the covers and rolled on the uncovered black alloys

 

[plankeye]

i don't like those wheels at all. Probably more areo than the others but I would pass for sure.

The bigger issue is that these aren't a different wheel. These are the smaller wheel we've been seeing, but with the covers on them. I'm super-bummed about this. I hope the aftermarket quickly makes a true center cap for these wheels that we can at least put on while doing only in-town driving. I think these covers are to get the cd to .21, sadly.

 

[plankeye]

agreed - those aero rims are horrible.

We have to start a petition to get Tesla to NOT release these wheels. I'll take a higher CD to not have these hideous wheels, or I'll run with the covers off.

 

[stopcrazypp]

The bigger issue is that these aren't a different wheel. These are the smaller wheel we've been seeing, but with the covers on them. I'm super-bummed about this. I hope the aftermarket quickly makes a true center cap for these wheels that we can at least put on while doing only in-town driving. I think these covers are to get the cd to .21, sadly.

That might be true. It's still better than wheel skirts though.

But if they are removable, I don't see the issue much.

 

[plankeye]

That might be true. It's still better than wheel skirts though.

But if they are removable, I don't see the issue much.

Except that you then have the ugly hub hole and open lug nuts. Might need to get a 3D printer to make some covers.

 

[Waiting4M3]

Same or not? I can't decide

 

[anonim1979]

/tin foil hat
Those are temp caps to hide new wheels design for 1st day reservations - that promised "something cool" thingy

 

[CT200h]

Have to agree the aero wheels are covers that go over what I thought were great looking v spoke wheels

Bummer , much like the Prius I. See people removing the caps and running the bare wheel

 

[garsh]

Same or not? I can't decide

View attachment 229442

 

[S3XY]

This might explain what that groove in the wheel is for. It might be there to help keep the wheel covers in place. I don't like the aero covers either but they would probably look better if they were silver/chrome.

 

[CT200h]

The wheels remind me of the BMW i3's Mega world wheel . This is an aero wheel for sure aimed at minimum drag.
I don't really mind them on the i3's or the Tesla 3 version. But I'd rather have a traditional spoked wheel and take the range hit.

 

[Chris L]

Hyundai Ioniq Electric wheels, giving that car the highest efficiency rating of all EVs.
I like the Tesla aero wheels (they're distinctive, so they may take some getting used to for many people). If they are offered, or standard (to give the highest EPA range possible), I'm sure there will be other optional wheels to satisfy everyone. If not, there will be aftermarket wheels.

 

[Zaphod]

The bigger issue is that these aren't a different wheel. These are the smaller wheel we've been seeing, but with the covers on them. I'm super-bummed about this. I hope the aftermarket quickly makes a true center cap for these wheels that we can at least put on while doing only in-town driving. I think these covers are to get the cd to .21, sadly.

What makes you think they are covers? Nothing jumps out at me to suggest that. Am I missing something?

 

[smartypnz]

Covers that slide closed upon rotating, perhaps????

Oh well !!!

 

[FlatSix911]

This is simply the orginal wheel shown at Model 3 announcement event ...

First time production Aero wheels spotted! Maybe the Aerowheels are the something special Musk was hinting for first day reservations.
View attachment 229390

here's another pic of the aeros from reddit
View attachment 229404

One person has suggested these are not aero rims but wheel covers applied to the V-spoke rims to give better aerodynamics to the wheel. Toyota did this on their rims for the Prius. I don't know if he is correct, but it is food for thought.

 

[T34ME]

This is simply the orginal wheel shown at Model 3 announcement event ...

That is what I originally thought too. But if you look closely at the picture above, the Alpha wheel is much different, not even close.

 

[T34ME]

So for everyone who hates the aero wheels, I'm not a huge fan either, but at what increase in range would it be worth it to you?

Experiments by Prius owners found about a 5% range difference with and without the aero wheel covers (which is what these appear to be).

 

[Zoomit]

Experiments by Prius owners found about a 5% range difference with and without the aero wheel covers (which is what these appear to be).

And that's on a car with higher drag. I don't see a Cd of 0.21 being possible without some form of aero wheel. Taking the covers off might decrease range 5-10% on the Model 3.

 

[22522]

Does anyone know the reason for the five raised areas where they used to put weights?

Are those process marks like ejectors on a die cast part, or there for vibration reasons?

Those are registration posts to align the aero wheel covers!

If they paint the wheels black before putting on the aero wheel covers, the pinstripe will go away and they will be less conspicuous.There is room to work.