Why do Hybrids/Electric cars need to have ugly wheels?

L-M

And now Volvo's "DRIVe" range




It's probably something to do with wind catching in the wheels or some crap, or else it's to make them distinctively the "Hybrid range".

Opinions/Comments?

copacetic

as you say, aerodynamics.
body panels covering the wheels altogether are used on those solar cars in the cross country races.

edit: volvo have made an effort there though, quite like those.

Berty

I would imagine that they are such a light material(good for mother nature) that you could not have a 5 spoke wheel because it would crumble and the amount of material makes up for itself with integrity.

???

But really. I dont know.

R.O.R

Didn't realise Volvo had to go to all that trouble to get lower emissions, not sure if it's worth it for Ireland.

If the pricing I got for the DRIVe models is true, you can save between €150 - €180 on the S40 between the 1.6D and the equivalent DRIVe model. Although, when you take in to account the cheaper options and road tax...........

peasant

yepp, aerodynamics.

A complete flat disc would be most effective ...however you need some holes in it for ventilating/cooling the brakes. So you end up with a compromise

Seth Brundle

Can you imaging how smug the owners would be if their cars looked nice as well as saving the planet?