Wheel size and range

[Newguy]

Happy to be ordering my first Taycan, a 2025 4S. Still deciding about wheels. I understand that the 19 inch wheels supposedly have the best range, but have seen posts suggesting that, for earlier years, a European site (the European version of the EPA) has calculated the Taycan's range for various wheel sizes, that European Taycan configurators do the same, and that the range for some 19 and 20 inch Taycan wheels are similar. I prefer the look of the larger wheels and recognize that range need not be controlling, but want to get the best intelligence about the range differences. All inputs appreciated. Looking forward to getting the new car!

Sponsored

 

[W1NGE]

Happy to be ordering my first Taycan, a 2025 4S. Still deciding about wheels. I understand that the 19 inch wheels supposedly have the best range, but have seen posts suggesting that, for earlier years, a European site (the European version of the EPA) has calculated the Taycan's range for various wheel sizes, that European Taycan configurators do the same, and that the range for some 19 and 20 inch Taycan wheels are similar. I prefer the look of the larger wheels and recognize that range need not be controlling, but want to get the best intelligence about the range differences. All inputs appreciated. Looking forward to getting the new car!

As a general rule of thumb the smaller the rim size the better and the less openness in rim design the better.

21" RS Spyders and Mission E will provide the worst range due to rim design / openness (too much open space for air to virculate and therefore drag). In addition, the bigger the rim size the lower the tyre profile and the wider the tyre (more friction and more drag).

Therefore any 19" rim which has an enclosed design and may have "aero" in the name will be range friendly.

The difference in range will be variable depending on how much city, country and motorway driving you do.

Historically, Porsche had a range calculator on the website which enabled you to see the range estimates per wheel selection.

Expect a 10 - 15 mile variance on the least aero dynamic wheel selection.

 

[bn8959]

In the configurator check the tech specs at the bottom. I believe it updates the range depending on your choice of wheel, so you can get an idea of the relative differences that way.

 

[f1eng]

The wheel centre design has a small influence on drag but the width of the tyre has a big influence, both on drag, where it is almost exactly proportional to width, and pumping losses when wet, ditto.
The 21" tyres are around 7% wider so will have around 7% more aero drag than 20"
I didn't find 19" tyre size with a quich look but the rim is narrower so the tyre will probably be too.

I suspect a big part of Tesla's efficiency is the narrow tyres they fit.

 

[Poshfpg]

The ID3 uses the same width tyres on all 3 rim sizes, 18/19/20 so it has no range effect. Width is the issue as Frank says. 19s are skinnier (225 all round it seems) but they don't look great IMHO, there's a saloon around here on the base wheels and I think they could only exist to make you upgrade. 20s are 245 front and 285 rear so it's a significant increase. I would have happily used 19s for my Winters if they had a better looking design.

 

[Ross]

I didn't find 19" tyre size with a quich look but the rim is narrower so the tyre will probably be too.

225 55 19 front
275 45 19 rear

245/285 on 20's

265/305 on 21's

 

[Poshfpg]

225 55 front
275 45 rear

Interesting, on eBay and other sites the wheels are being sold in batches of 4 in a 225

 

[Ross]

Interesting, on eBay and other sites the wheels are being sold in batches of 4 in a 225

Do you mean tyres? That is a tyre size

Suggests to me that is buying 4 front tyres!! - Less than useful!

Wheel size is
Front axle: 8.0 J × 19 ET 50
Rear axle: 10.0 J × 19 ET 47

 

[cityhpper]

I started out on the 19"s but went to 20" wheels for both seasons. I took about a 5-6 % range loss as I did the transition, but the car feels a bit more planted (not dramatically) and the looks are better IMHO.

I did Vmax in Germany while on the 19", fully loaded car with four people onbord. No issues.

 

[Donar]

Wheels are critical for the looks of any car. I would always prefer looks over range and consumption.

 

[ShiftyWolf]

Happy to be ordering my first Taycan, a 2025 4S. Still deciding about wheels.
I prefer the look of the larger wheels and recognize that range need not be controlling, but want to get the best intelligence about the range differences.

I find 20s to be the sweet spot for your average US road. They have enough sidewall to protect from bumps and potholes without looking like economy car tires. I also find that the 20" wheels fill the wells nicely with just enough black tire for my tastes.

YMMV

 

[r553]

I stayed with 19 inch wheels on my 2020 4S for range and a bit more pot hole protection. To each there own.

 

[Gra13]

Don’t forget there is a new 21” aero wheel on the new Taycan which is supposed to have same range as 19”

 

[f1eng]

225 55 19 front
275 45 19 rear

245/285 on 20's

265/305 on 21's

From an engineering perspective the most logical EV was the BMW i3 but that just shows either it was before its time or the market prefers familiar over better engineered.

A larger diameter narrower tyre has a big contact patch without the drag and has some directional response benefits and is less sensitive to camber, most people don’t know this, of course - and it turns out fashion trumps engineering outside motor sport.
Not a surprise perhaps but an expensive lesson for BMW.

 

[Avantgarde]

My view:

Decision 1- Upgrade to 20 inch from 19 inch: no brainer. 200% improvement in looks, slightly more planted handling and precision in steering, 1% loss of range. (Official porsche data)

Decision 2- Upgrade to 21 inch from 20: less clear. 30-40% improvement in looks. Slightly more planted handling. 6-7% loss of range, a bit harsher ride, noticeable increase in highway noise, and very delicate to dings.

Everytime I think about Decision 2, i conclude 20 inch turbo aeros are the optimal and should be the wheel of choice for Taycan. Then I walk out and see my car with Mission E’s, i feel glad i have the suboptimal wheels.

Sponsored