7. Larger Wheels

Chevrolet Corvette Coupe

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Improved tire and wheel technology has made the larger ones possible, says GM’s Tom Peters. But BMW’s Chris Chapman warns against ill proportions of wheel, tire and wheel well. “You really have to be careful that it doesn’t become a cartoon,” he says. Some of the 20-inch wheels available in the aftermarket for sedans like the BMW 5 Series or even the more common Dodge Charger can look like wagon wheels.

“Twenty-inch wheels are becoming standard,” says J.D. Power’s Neal Oddes. “Designers are making the wheel wells larger to accommodate larger wheels, including larger ones added after purchase. This gives cars a more powerful appearance.”

Bob Boniface of GM, who worked on the new Chevrolet Volt concept and the Camaro concept, also warns against over-sizing wheels. “You can have a car that is ‘over-bodied’ or ‘under-wheeled.’ The proportion is critical,” he says.

Bigger wheels change the sculptural shape of even basic sedans, says GM’s Peters. He notes that better tire technology and wheel manufacturing methods, as well as improved suspensions, have made large wheels more practical and comfortable. They always looked cool, and powerful.

Designers find larger wheels give them more freedom for expression. “Larger wheels allows us to create more expressive body surfaces and more dramatic proportions," says Peters. “As in the Corvette, large wheels support a greater volume of sculpture.”