Report: In Small Cars And EVs, Smaller Tires Could Save Fuel

With signs that minicars might finally be taking off in the U.S.—signaled by the arrival of models like the Fiat 500, Ford Fiesta, Scion iQ, and a host of potential ones—it could be time to give smaller wheels a new chance.

Why? Because, Motor Trend reports, a new generation of higher-quality ten-inch tires are here. Michelin has produced a new 175/70R10 tire, specifically for city cars, that weighs about three pounds less than a 175/65R14 tire.

Twelve pounds and some rolling resistance might not sound so significant, but it is. According to Michelin, MT reports, the new smaller tires might be especially of use on new urban electric vehicles, where the use of tires designed for larger vehicles with internal combustion engines could account for 30 to 40 percent of overall energy consumption. Reducing that means greater range—which is especially important right now, on the cusp of EV adoption.

Tires, even on the smallest, entry-market vehicles, have become larger in recent years. In the 1980s, the mainstream tire size was the 14-incher; then in the 1990s, 15- and 16-inch sizes became increasingly common on affordable vehicles. Sidewalls continued to get even shorter and this past decade gave way to low-profile, large-diameter chromed insanity in the way of 20-inch wheels and beyond.

Designers have for well over a decade now penned vehicles with increasingly large wheels and wheel wells, so eventually, smaller, less exaggerated wheels might come back in style. It could certainly bring some packaging advantages, as huge wheels require large wheel wells that eat up trunk or cabin space.

The downside of these big rollers—aside from their sometimes harsh ride quality—is that they add weight and raw materials, and sometimes actually increase rolling resistance. And that definitely factors into gas mileage.

At the same time, on bigger, heavier vehicles it might not pay to downsize if you don't change the compound, as smaller-diameter wheels and tires typically do have more rolling resistance. One Michelin design, a 205/55R19 wheel, is measurably more efficient than existing 205/55R16 designs.

What's the message to take away? Don't take the impractical 22s you might be rolling on as the look of the future, and be prepared to see some smaller (or skinnier) wheels on next-generation fuel-savers.

[Motor Trend]

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More rumors: C7 Corvette said to sport smaller, high-revving turbo V8

As the current generation Corvette (C6) began to near the end of its life cycle, a plethora of rumors began to circulate – some more extreme than others – concerning the direction that Chevy’s iconic sportscar would soon take.Leftlane eventually brought you clarification surrounding most rumors, such as the claim that a turbocharged V6, a wet dual-clutch or a mid-engine design would be used, but now we must introduce yet another suggestion.

This time around the rumor is a bit more believable and it arrives in the form of an optional engine that would displace about three liters, while making use of a turbocharger and eight cylinders, according to The Detroit Bureau. This concept is apparently less offensive than the thought of using anything less than eight cylinders to purists, but by pairing a smaller displacement V8 with a turbocharger GM can still offer a somewhat less thirsty Corvette variation.

It is believed that the turbocharged engine will be good for around 400 horsepower and about the same torque, as is common with turbocharged V8s. One new and exciting attribute that would result from the small displacement, however, comes in the form of a high-revving engine that would be more at home with many European sports cars.

The engine is expected to be so high-revving in fact, it may even reach as high as 10,000 rpms, which would deliver a very different driving experience than what is traditionally expected from a Corvette – potentially appealing to a whole new audience of prospective buyers, which fits the public direction GM executives have stated the next Corvette will take.

Look for the C7 to debut for the 2014 model years, possibly arriving in the 2013 calender year.

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Feds Mandate Smaller Cars, This Time For Their Own Fleets

If you work for the federal government and want to keep driving a government-owned, full-size sedan or SUV, you’d better be able to explain how the vehicle is essential to your duties.

Under a new presidential order for federal agencies, vehicles should be “mid-size or smaller sedans” with optional equipment limited “to what is essential to meet agency mission.” Excepted from the new ruling are vehicles used for law enforcement, protective, emergency response or military tactical operations. In other words, the president isn’t giving up his Beast limousine any time soon, and federal law enforcement agencies can continue to use full-size sedans.

If you’re a mid-level government manager, however, your days of full-size-sedan-and-automatic-climate-control bliss are short-numbered. Under the order, any executive fleet vehicles larger than a mid-size sedan, or those not meeting alternative-fuel vehicle requirements, must be disclosed on an agency website.

The new mandate extends to flex-fuel vehicles, too. New vehicles ordered must be “advanced technology” to maximize fuel efficiency, but that category includes both hybrids and E85 flex-fuel vehicles, which can run on fuel blended from up to 85 percent ethanol. The order stops short of mandating the use of E85 in such vehicles for now. However, it does require that, “alternative fueled vehicles must, as soon as practicable, be located in proximity to fueling stations with available alternative fuels, and be operated on the alternative fuel.” 

Forward thinking or economic folly? Ask your Congressperson.

[The Detroit News]

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