Why do sport cars have such big wheels?
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I've been wondering about this. Can someone enlighten me?
Thanks. -
1. stability
2. aesthetics
3. big price -> big wheels -
TRACTION
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not realli, still damn freaking ex even for med sized 16" on coupesOriginally posted by Theatre Of Dreams:1. stability
2. aesthetics
3. big price -> big wheels -
more stable ma...
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bottom line is...NEVER save $$ on the tyre....even if its a 50 dollars more pre tyre just spend on it as it may make the diff between saving your life and having your car controllable in an emergancy situation like E-braking or having yr car totalled....
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cos everything about sports cars is BIG... BIG power, BIG attraction, BIG on price, BIG BIG BIG...
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Sometimes it depends on the driver's preference; if he wants less road noise then it means less grip. for me, since i drive with windows down often i'm immune to road noise, grip during wet weather is more important.Originally posted by AE86tofu:bottom line is...NEVER save $$ on the tyre....even if its a 50 dollars more pre tyre just spend on it as it may make the diff between saving your life and having your car controllable in an emergancy situation like E-braking or having yr car totalled.... -
agreed...wet weather grip is crucial....as most accidents happen during wet weather...road noise? no wad...getting the correct tyres meaning not off road tyres when u are travelling on the road all the time....like for my instance....Originally posted by nullifi3d:Sometimes it depends on the driver's preference; if he wants less road noise then it means less grip. for me, since i drive with windows down often i'm immune to road noise, grip during wet weather is more important. -
A bigger wheel-size-to-tyre-wall-size ratio makes the tyre sidewalls stiffer. I'm not sure how the rest of it works though.
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well, u are half right about the side wall ratio. larger rims accomodates tires with thinner sidewalls. thinner sidewalls means there is lesser room for flex during hard cornering, giving better resistance to bodyroll and traction loss due to tire deformation. on top of which, the stiffness of the sidewall also depends on how the tire was constructed. 2 tires of the same size from different manufacturers/ models will have different sidewall rigidity.Originally posted by Kuali Baba:A bigger wheel-size-to-tyre-wall-size ratio makes the tyre sidewalls stiffer. I'm not sure how the rest of it works though.
the other advantage of bigger rims is a wider profile. this means the car leave a bigger footprint behind. as shutterbug pointed out, its all about traction. sportscars tend to lay down more power and to effectively transfer it into motion, the tires muz have enuff surface area to grip.
the trade off for such advantages is a harsher ride and increase in fuel consumption. -
So its harder to slip on banana peels.
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most RWD supercars have wheels bigger at the rear than at the front, apparently to cope with the huge power fed to the driven wheels.
i'm relieved heavily powered FWD cars were never designed to have bigger front wheels cos it'll be...
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but if U use forged rims which are light or best mae of magnesium I dun think will suffer mich right...only your pocket....Originally posted by tailslide:well, u are half right about the side wall ratio. larger rims accomodates tires with thinner sidewalls. thinner sidewalls means there is lesser room for flex during hard cornering, giving better resistance to bodyroll and traction loss due to tire deformation. on top of which, the stiffness of the sidewall also depends on how the tire was constructed. 2 tires of the same size from different manufacturers/ models will have different sidewall rigidity.
the other advantage of bigger rims is a wider profile. this means the car leave a bigger footprint behind. as shutterbug pointed out, its all about traction. sportscars tend to lay down more power and to effectively transfer it into motion, the tires muz have enuff surface area to grip.
the trade off for such advantages is a harsher ride and increase in fuel consumption. -
bigger wheels == more rolling resistance normally.. so ur FC will still suffer no matter what u do if u use big mama rimsOriginally posted by AE86tofu:but if U use forged rims which are light or best mae of magnesium I dun think will suffer mich right...only your pocket.... -
bigger wheels = usually higher weight penalty = higher unsprung weight = not as sharp handling.
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Thanks, I didn't know how to explain the improvement in handling.
Wide tyres create more drag, dull steering feedback and make the ride harsh though.Originally posted by tailslide:well, u are half right about the side wall ratio. larger rims accomodates tires with thinner sidewalls. thinner sidewalls means there is lesser room for flex during hard cornering, giving better resistance to bodyroll and traction loss due to tire deformation. on top of which, the stiffness of the sidewall also depends on how the tire was constructed. 2 tires of the same size from different manufacturers/ models will have different sidewall rigidity.
the other advantage of bigger rims is a wider profile. this means the car leave a bigger footprint behind. as shutterbug pointed out, its all about traction. sportscars tend to lay down more power and to effectively transfer it into motion, the tires muz have enuff surface area to grip.
the trade off for such advantages is a harsher ride and increase in fuel consumption. -
Higher unsprung weight = higher inertia at suspension = slower feedback = driver not being able to react fast/sharp enough = poorer handling.