Yesterday

New 'indestructible' wheel claimed for Tesla

Innovative forged rim from Unplugged Performance launched with Robotaxi use in mind - but it doesn't stop there

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Unplugged Performance might be a name you’re familiar with, given they specialise in making properly bonkers Teslas - remember the widebody Plaid? That was them. It took a dozen Cybertrucks to SEMA last year. The LA-based company will also sell you a set of forged 24-inch CYBRSPOKE wheels for them. Suffice it to say that if you want a Tesla spicing up a little, Unplugged is the firm to talk to. 

On the face of it, today’s announcement appears relatively minor by the standards of carbon widebody kits and millions of horsepower. Because it seems to be just a set of forged wheels for the Model 3 and Model Y; perhaps a bit racy for most tastes, though with little more to report than that. But there’s more, because Unplugged Performance says its new Road Warrior is the world’s first indestructible wheel for the two cars. While there will be some jokes to be made about Tesla drivers there, the ultimate aim is for these to be fitted to Cybercab and Robotaxi versions. And whatever driving mistakes - or evasive manouvres, let’s be balanced - they might make. 

The key is said to be the aluminium Kerb Guard Ring around the circumference of the wheel; it’s replaceable without removing the tyre, and intends to absorb damage from kerbs or potholes. If, somehow, the wheel is still damaged in what Unplugged deems as ‘normal use’, there’s a lifetime replacement guarantee. Which would imply a certain level of confidence in the product. Or a lack of awareness of just what the potholes are like in the UK… 

The Road Warrior is said to be ‘purpose-built for high-mileage drivers, commercial operators, and everyday commuters who demand maximum durability, best total cost of ownership economics, all without compromising performance or aesthetics.’ To that end, they are sized for standard Tesla 19- and 20-inch tyres (it would be a bit of an oversight not to) and are within 0.010 Cd of the drag coefficient claimed for Tesla’s 18-inch Photon Aero Covered wheel. So there isn’t going to be a range penalty to pay for the additional protection. 

Unplugged will offer the Road Warriors in Satin Black or Satin Gunmetal, both ‘designed to look great on every colour Tesla Model 3 and Model Y’. They cost $2,595 for a set of 19s (currently £1,930), or $2,995 for the 20-inch diameter (£2,230). There’s worldwide shipping available, too, should the roads be especially terrible near you (they likely are). 

CEO Ben Schaffer added: “The UP-RW Road Warrior is our Robotaxi wheel and the ultimate EV daily driven wheel…It’s the most durable, most thoughtfully designed wheel we’ve ever made. The Road Warrior is ready for battle in the harshest conditions and will bring a unique peace of mind that these are the last wheels you’ll ever need to purchase with our durability guarantee.” Coming to a YouTube video near you soon… 

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[HandsomeBob]

Pretty nice looking wheels.

[CG2020UK]

Actually pretty cool and offers real world benefits.

Suits the Tesla I think.

[s2000db]

They clearly haven’t tested these in the UK yet….

But if they live up to their claimed guarantee, then they’ll be a sellout imo!

[Familymad]

I foresee a utuber giving that claim a go

[Mr-B]

Familymad said:

I foresee a utuber giving that claim a go

Should take whistlindiesel about 30 seconds I reckon, probably less time than it takes to mention the sponsor

[tallsopp]

A Thumbs up from me on this one! Even tho I’m not a Tesla owner, I’d like to see more mods for Tesla cars. I would imagine that at some point in my life, I may end up with an electric powered vehicle… and no, not a motorised scooter with shopping basket attached, so I’d like to see what’s out there now

[bigyoungdave]

I think they look good and if they do as they claim then that's fantastic. I must admit to being a bit cynical though. Maybe they really have found a relatively simple solution that no one has thought of before l, but I find it surprising that other wheel manufacturers haven't previously researched and developed reinforced wheel rims (and for whatever reason not managed to successfully commercialise them). There are so many potholes on the roads in the UK I think these wheels would, over a vehicle lifetime be either cost neutral or even a money saver.

[milesr3]

They look like a great option to replace the original überturbines on my M3P. A set of Hankook ION evos will further improve the efficiency.

Edited by milesr3 on Monday 28th July 18:55

[The Pistonsdead]

s2000db said:

They clearly haven t tested these in the UK yet .

But if they live up to their claimed guarantee, then they ll be a sellout imo!

+1

[CountyLines]

"Normal use" is the key phrase here...

[Wab1974uk]

Does the world need indestructible wheels?

In my 34 years of driving I've only destroyed .... no wheels.

[Bobtherallyfan]

Alternatively, Tesla drivers could actually learn to park properly and save themselves £2k

[Roger Irrelevant]

So it's protection against very minor kerb dings with the downside of having a slightly odd looking hoop of metal sticking out from your wheels that will look wobbly and ste as soon as you ding it on a kerb? I'm sure they'll sell millions.

[CharverDeeksWorth]

Yeah I think this is a pretty poor idea. I’ve never destroyed a wheel and that hoop is going to look absolutely bobbins as soon as someone dings it and it rotates afterward looking like a cheap wheel trim making its way off a steel wheel.

[CoolHands]

What a load of tosh

[Glosphil]

I've damaged a wheel by hitting a pothole filled with water in heavy rain. However, it was the inside rim of the wheel that was damaged.

[milesr3]

It’s the stretched tyres favoured by Tesla that make the wheels so prone to kerbing. Even the tiniest contact. I’ve done mine driving up a dropped kerb at an angle and turning a front wheel away from the kerb.

No other car I’ve owned in 40-years has suffered kerbing damage to the wheels.

[Justin-ow582]

"launched with Robotaxi use in mind" - not a lot of confidence in the automation then

[don logan]

Did I miss how much they weigh?

[Picanto_superleggera]

Wab1974uk said:

Does the world need indestructible wheels?

In my 34 years of driving I've only destroyed .... no wheels.

I'll admit I did completely ruin one. It was a steel wheel on my old Rover 200. I was driving on a back road in the dark and hit a brick. Instant deflation, completely bent rim. This wheel would not have helped.