Is the bigger the hub size, the better? No

As everyone who pays close attention to the car knows, the most significant mark of the high-low configuration of many models is the wheel hub. In general, models with larger and more bright wheels are high-end versions, while those equipped with smaller or rimmed wheels are mostly low configuration versions.

Take Audi A4L as an example, among its six new models, there are two sizes of 16 inch and 17 inch and four styles of wheel hub.

Among them, the two entry-level models are equipped with R17 small-size wheel hub, and the other four models (including top configuration) are equipped with R18 large-size wheel hub.

The new Passat provides 5 types of wheels in three specifications of 16 inch, 17 inch and 18 inch in seven configurations of 2017 model.

According to the different guidance price, the size of the wheel hub also changes. The more expensive the model, the larger the wheel hub size.

But in fact, the wheel hubs of high and low configuration models are different, mainly due to the following reasons:

First, beauty.

Large size wheel hub can give people a very intuitive visual impact, with strong tension, there is a kind of vague sense of sharp feeling.

Moreover, when designing large-scale wheel hubs, automobile enterprises will devote more energy and manpower, and the shape will be more beautiful and beautiful. As a result, large wheel hub has become the exclusive of high configuration vehicles. In those days, Kia K5 captured the hearts of many car owners with its beautiful wheels.

Second, cost.

"Businessmen always pursue profits", and automobile manufacturers are no exception. Generally speaking, for the same brand, the same style and different sizes of wheel hub, the price of large size is higher than that of small size. From the perspective of procurement cost, manufacturers of course need to equip more expensive wheel hubs with higher price models, while smaller wheel hubs with lower cost become exclusive to low configuration vehicles.

Again, control the feeling.

Then there is another question. Is it true that the large-size wheel hub of a high-end model that the car owner has spent more money on is certainly good?

Not necessarily.

Generally speaking, in order to maintain the consistency of trafficability and driving attitude and the same wheel torque output with the same displacement during the design of a vehicle, although the wheel hub size is different, the outer diameter of the vehicle tire is the same.

In other words, if the wheel hub size increases, the corresponding tire wall size will decrease.

In fact, the advantages of the large wheel hub + small-size sidewall tire for high-speed models are more sporty, more accurate in handling, and more direct direction feedback. The biggest disadvantage is that the comfort is sacrificed. We should know that the combination of small-size wheel hub and thick tire wall can filter out the road bumps with its thick tire wall, which cannot be realized by the previous combination.

Of course, this more accurate handling experience is based on good road conditions. If the road surface of the vehicle is more complex, it is difficult to take advantage of the large wheel hub. For example, some asphalt pavement will have large and small potholes. At this time, if you drive a car with a large wheel hub and a small tire wall, you are likely to encounter a burst tire and knock the wheel hub when passing at high speed, while the thick tire wall and small wheel hub of low configuration version are more likely to escape the disaster. Therefore, in terms of trafficability, high configuration vehicles equipped with large-size wheel hubs may not have advantages.

Finally, fuel economy.

In order to ensure more adequate grip, large-size wheel hub often matches the tire with wider tread. It not only enhances the mobility and increases the ground friction, but also makes a sacrifice in fuel economy. Compared with the narrow tire with small wheel hub, its fuel consumption will be higher

So, do you want to choose a large wheel hub?

For ordinary users, is it necessary to pursue large-size wheel hub? In my opinion, in fact, choose a suitable one for yourself.

In fact, the disadvantage of worse comfort mentioned just now will not feel too much in daily urban road driving. For many people, it is acceptable to spend a little oil to look good.

Someone asked, can you upgrade the wheel hub yourself? What are the precautions if you can?

This is, of course, feasible. When buying a car, many 4S stores have such business: the owner can offset the original wheel hub of the new car to the store, and then upgrade it to a large size one with a part of the money. Of course, the auto parts city and the maintenance shop can also do this.

What needs to be reminded here is that whether in the 4S store or in the Auto Parts City, when upgrading the wheel hub, it is necessary to keep the tire outer diameter and tread width consistent with the size of the original vehicle, so as to ensure that the wheel torque output value is the same as that of the original car. However, if the outer diameter and tread width of the wheel are blindly enlarged, the friction between the wheel and the ground will be changed, and the vehicle will be unable to start.