Why Does Tesla’s Robotaxi Have Larger Rear Wheels?

Hard to ignore in the photos of Tesla’s Robotaxi is this difference between the front and rear wheels. But why?

Many sports cars adopt different wheel sizes at the front and rear to enhance the vehicle’s mechanical dynamics, but this argument doesn’t seem convincing for the Robotaxi. Excluding the Semi, it will probably be the slowest vehicle in the American manufacturer’s lineup! And a taxi is not designed to quickly jump from turn to turn or to withstand maximum G-force in fast curves.

Furthermore, the Robotaxi has a utilitarian purpose since its role is to transport 2 passengers and their luggage from point A to point B. One of the simplest ways to free up interior space is to reduce wheel size, which is why utility vehicles often have small wheels. This is definitely not the case for the Robotaxi, which has large wheels both at the front and the rear. Plus, the smaller wheels are at the front and the trunk is at the rear.

Remaining is the aerodynamic argument. The wheels are equipped with hubcaps that cover almost their entire surface. We know that these elements can play a very important role in guiding airflow and thus improving the car’s aerodynamic coefficient (Cx). A better Cx means less effort to move thanks to decreased drag, leading to lower fuel consumption and increased range. On paper, this seems credible. But at 50 km/h in the city, small wheels at the front and added hubcaps have almost no aerodynamic effect! Still a miss.

And what if all of this was ultimately only intended to make the Robotaxi… look better? This asymmetry gives it a nice sporty appearance, and the vehicle certainly has plenty of time to evolve before it hits the streets. Some manufacturers, if not all, don’t hesitate to put very stylish 23-inch wheels and low-profile tires on concept SUVs before returning to a maximum 18-inch format with tall sidewalls when it’s ready for production. A little bit of Elon Musk’s flair is perhaps the most plausible explanation.

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