Posted by Michelle Steiner on August 8, 2006, 8:09 pm
> Imagine finally going to 16" wheels now that the competitors have
> been using 17" and 18" for several years, cool, and we thought
> Toyotas were overpriced compared to the competition before.
What competitors to the Prius have 17" and 18" wheels?
--
Stop Mad Cowboy Disease: Impeach the son of a Bush.
Posted by Michael Pardee on August 8, 2006, 11:54 pm
>> Imagine finally going to 16" wheels now that the competitors have
>> been using 17" and 18" for several years, cool, and we thought
>> Toyotas were overpriced compared to the competition before.
> What competitors to the Prius have 17" and 18" wheels?
My work truck, an F350 Super Duty, has 18 inch wheels, but I doubt it is a
competitor for the Prius <8^P
I am not in love with the large wheels. The inevitable costs in weight and
in control when they hit bumps are only overcome by the increase in precious
ground clearance when I take it on the rocky roads. Otherwise, I liked the
16 and even 17 inch wheels better. On a passenger car 15 is really as large
as I want to go.
Remember the famous Austin Cooper Mini with ten inch wheels? Phenomenal
handling!
Mike
Posted by B A R R Y on August 9, 2006, 4:37 pm
Michael Pardee wrote:
>
> I am not in love with the large wheels.
Me either.
I don't get why a tire that's say 28" tall is more expensive if it's got
an 18" center hole than a 15" hole. <G> On my Tacoma, I opted for the
16" over the 17" wheel for better off-road airing down and longevity
over on-road hazards.
While we're on the subject, what possible use do ultra low aspect ratio
tires have on a 4WD truck?
I totally understand low profile tires on a lowered, 2WD, "street" hot
rod truck. Why have 4WD, with it's higher CG, extra weight, etc... with
those tires?
Posted by mrv@kluge.net on August 9, 2006, 12:03 pm
The NHW20 Prius since its introduction for the 2004 model year has had
16" alloy wheels standard, outside of North America. (North American
models had 15" alloy wheels.) With the sportier suspension, it sounds
much closer to the UK/EU Prius than before (but would need to add the 4
wheel disc brakes and would have to lose the bladder tank and CHHS
(thermos) (and maybe also the rear camera or cruise control) to match
the EU version...)
Mike Hunter wrote:
> Imagine finally going to 16" wheels now that the competitors have been using
> http://pressroom.toyota.com/Releases/View?id=TYT2006080759437
> <quote>
> Toyota Announces 2007 Prices For Nine Vehicles in Model Lineup
> 08/07/2006 Torrance, CA
> Also arriving in August is the new 2007 Prius Touring Edition. The
> Touring Edition adds several sporty exterior enhancements including
> 16-inch alloy wheels, a larger rear spoiler, High Intensity Discharge
> (HID) headlamps and foglamps. A tuned suspension as standard equipment
> will enhance vehicle handling without impacting its ride comfort. The
> Touring Edition will carry a MSRP of $3,070.
> </quote>
Posted by Bob Wilson on August 10, 2006, 5:49 am
> The NHW20 Prius since its introduction for the 2004 model year has had
> 16" alloy wheels standard, outside of North America. (North American
> models had 15" alloy wheels.) With the sportier suspension, it sounds
> much closer to the UK/EU Prius than before (but would need to add the 4
> wheel disc brakes
I agree up to here.
> . . . and would have to lose the bladder tank and CHHS
> (thermos) (and maybe also the rear camera or cruise control) to match
> the EU version...)
The bladder and CHHS are required for low emissions and have no
appreciable performance impacts. The rear view camera is a safety
feature. Again, it does not impact performance.
Bob Wilson
> been using 17" and 18" for several years, cool, and we thought
> Toyotas were overpriced compared to the competition before.