Latest news with #UnpluggedPerformance
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Tesla Drivers Can Now Purchase 'Indestructible' Wheels
If your city's roads are coasting on, shall we say, "deferred maintenance," there's a solid chance you can trace a flat tire or two back to a particularly wicked pothole or rut. The unlucky among you may even be able to trace a cracked or bent wheel back to your unfavorable commute. If you happen to drive a Tesla, we have fantastic news for you. An aftermarket company specializing in Tesla modifications has come up with a new wheel design, and they're doing the unthinkable: touting it as 'indestructible,' complete with a lifetime replacement guarantee. Unplugged Performance debuted the wheel earlier this week. It's called the UP Forged Road Warrior, or UP-RW. As the name suggests, it's a forged wheel that fits all Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The design is pretty slick, vaguely resembling half a turbofan wheel from the 70s and 80s if you squint. The design highlights one of the wheel's standout features: a forged, aerodynamic disc integrated into the wheel design to maintain nearly the same aerodynamic performance as the factory original. Of course, the main advantage these wheels offer is their resilience. While being touted as 'indestructible,' they also feature a replaceable outside lip that can be easily swapped in the case of damage, most likely curbing. Although we can't attest firsthand to how these wheels might perform, forged wheels are the go-to choice for anyone putting their car through tough paces. Typically, forged wheels are both lighter and stronger than flow-formed or cast wheels. Forged wheels are crafted from a single piece of aluminum, as opposed to being formed from a liquid being poured into a mold. Unplugged Performance certainly seems to know its way around a Tesla as well. On their website, you can find a vast variety of accessories, including aero kits, brake upgrades, and wheels for other Tesla models. The biggest downside - arguably the only downside - of forged wheels is the cost of manufacturing. A set of four 19-inch UP-RW wheels will set you back $2,595, while larger 20-inch units will lighten your bank account to the tune of $2,995. That's on the lower end of what a typical forged wheel setup costs. Of course, if you aren't a stickler for aesthetics, there's a much better bang for your buck out there: steel wheels. Old-school steelies (think cop cars and that beat-up '90s Honda driving around your neighborhood) are certainly no less resilient and cost around a quarter of what these UP-RWs will set you back. Although we're not sure how heavy steel wheels would affect range. Interestingly, Unplugged Performance claims the wheel has been "engineered for Tesla's future Robotaxi fleet," which seems to simultaneously bet big on the success of Tesla's new autonomous ridesharing venture but not on its ability to dodge curbs, potholes, or other road hazards. It's a strange gamble, but we could see many Tesla owners opting for a lifetime-guaranteed forged wheel simply on principle. Of course, the brand stipulates that replacement only occurs under "normal use," with lengthy terms and conditions to accompany it. Sorry, all you would-be WhistlinDiesels. Decent-looking forged wheels with nearly OEM aero and a lifetime warranty for under $3,000 still seems like a screaming deal to us. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Car and Driver
03-08-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
Is There Such a Thing as an 'Indestructible' Wheel? Tesla Owners Can Find Out
New wheels from the aftermarket company Unplugged Performance, which caters to Tesla owners, are claimed to be indestructible. The claim is a bit far-fetched, but the Road Warrior wheels appear to be tough and well-designed. Priced between $2795 and $2995, they're also relatively light and don't add much to aerodynamic drag. If you want to market your product to Tesla owners, you're going to need to make a claim that stands out. Thus, aftermarket outfit Unplugged Performance doesn't just say that its latest set of forged alloy wheels for the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are tough—it's claiming the wheels are literally indestructible. This claim is backed up by the company's guarantee of free replacement for life if a wheel should be bent or cracked. Think of Darn Tough, the Vermont manufacturer of heavy-duty socks. Those socks, made in the United States, are guaranteed for life, warranted for replacement should they wear out. On one hand, you're buying a corporate promise, but they really are decent socks. These wheels also look to be a solid product. Phillip Awad | Car and Driver 2026 Tesla Model Y Juniper with 20-inch Road Warrior wheels. At $2795 for a set of 19-inch wheels and $2995 for 20s, the Road Warrior wheels are reasonably priced for forged aluminum. Load rated at over 2000 pounds per wheel, they're theoretically stronger than many wheels used in actual rally racing, and those cars are expected to survive jumps, not just potholes. Also, at a claimed 23.5 pounds per wheel for the 19-inch application and 26.0 pounds for the 20s, they aren't adding a bunch of unsprung weight. Perhaps more important for an EV application, the increased aerodynamic drag is claimed to be minimal, with Unplugged Performance claiming that the coefficient of drag with its wheels is within roughly 4 percent of the most slippery 18-inch factory wheels. The Road Warrior wheels also fit Tesla's factory tire sizes and come with a built-in, replaceable curb protector. Unplugged Performance Tesla Model 3 with Road Warrior wheels. The marketing release for the Road Warrior wheels comes with a bunch of copy about how these "indestructible" wheels will be ideal for ride-share drivers and owners of fleets of robotaxis, with wheels that will never have to be replaced. While it all sounds pretty hyperbolic, the company has designed these wheels based on learnings from the beatings its wheels have taken on municipal Tesla police fleets. These wheels do look tough, well-designed, reasonably priced, and light enough to be a decent upgrade for a privately owned Tesla. The built-in curb rash protectors are a lot less garish than the plastic aftermarket offerings more commonly available, although at $80 for a replacement set of two, you're going to want to pay some attention while parking. Which you should be doing anyway. Making bold claims and not following up on them is, unfortunately, a winning corporate strategy in 2025. Slightly exaggerating but putting out a solid product? By comparison, entirely forgivable. Brendan McAleer Contributing Editor Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. Read full bio
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Is There Such a Thing as an 'Indestructible' Wheel? Tesla Owners Can Find Out
New wheels from the aftermarket company Unplugged Performance, which caters to owners, are claimed to be indestructible. The claim is a bit far-fetched, but the Road Warrior wheels appear to be tough and well-designed. Priced between $2795 and $2995, they're also relatively light and don't add much to aerodynamic drag. If you want to market your product to Tesla owners, you're going to need to make a claim that stands out. Thus, aftermarket outfit Unplugged Performance doesn't just say that its latest set of forged alloy wheels for the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are tough—it's claiming the wheels are literally indestructible. This claim is backed up by the company's guarantee of free replacement for life if a wheel should be bent or cracked. Think of Darn Tough, the Vermont manufacturer of heavy-duty socks. Those socks, made in the United States, are guaranteed for life, warranted for replacement should they wear out. On one hand, you're buying a corporate promise, but they really are decent socks. These wheels also look to be a solid product. At $2795 for a set of 19-inch wheels and $2995 for 20s, the Road Warrior wheels are reasonably priced for forged aluminum. Load rated at over 2000 pounds per wheel, they're theoretically stronger than many wheels used in actual rally racing, and those cars are expected to survive jumps, not just potholes. Also, at a claimed 23.5 pounds per wheel for the 19-inch application and 26.0 pounds for the 20s, they aren't adding a bunch of unsprung weight. Perhaps more important for an EV application, the increased aerodynamic drag is claimed to be minimal, with Unplugged Performance claiming that the coefficient of drag with its wheels is within roughly 4 percent of the most slippery 18-inch factory wheels. The Road Warrior wheels also fit Tesla's factory tire sizes and come with a built-in, replaceable curb protector. The marketing release for the Road Warrior wheels comes with a bunch of copy about how these "indestructible" wheels will be ideal for ride-share drivers and owners of fleets of robotaxis, with wheels that will never have to be replaced. While it all sounds pretty hyperbolic, the company has designed these wheels based on learnings from the beatings its wheels have taken on municipal Tesla police fleets. These wheels do look tough, well-designed, reasonably priced, and light enough to be a decent upgrade for a privately owned Tesla. The built-in curb rash protectors are a lot less garish than the plastic aftermarket offerings more commonly available, although at $80 for a replacement set of two, you're going to want to pay some attention while parking. Which you should be doing anyway. Making bold claims and not following up on them is, unfortunately, a winning corporate strategy in 2025. Slightly exaggerating but putting out a solid product? By comparison, entirely forgivable. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
Motor Trend
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
Are These New Tesla Model 3 and Y Wheels Really Indestructible?
Anyone who has had to maintain or operate a taxi knows that upkeep is an important task. Every minute your car or SUV is down, the less you're earning. Keeping it looking clean and presentable is also paramount, as a damaged and unclean vehicle can cause customers to look for another taxi. Other than being the cheapest option, it's why many taxis will use a steel wheel, as curb rash is a bit harder to see than on an aluminum wheel, and steelies can take regular pothole and curb impacts slightly better. That's why there might be a slight reason to believe in the marketing of the new Road Warrior wheel for the Tesla Model 3 and Y from Unplugged Performance, even if the 'indestructible' part is a bit far-fetched. The Unplugged Performance Road Warrior wheel, designed for Tesla Model 3 and Y, claims to be "indestructible" with a replaceable rim guard for curb rash. While appealing for customization, its high cost makes it less practical for robotaxi fleets compared to standard or steel wheels. This summary was generated by AI using content from this MotorTrend article. Read Next No wheel on the road today is 'indestructible.' Hard to damage, sure, but none can take everything you can throw at them and come out unscathed. Just ask anyone who's rock crawled or rally raced for some time. What the Unplugged Performance Road Warrior does have going for it is that it's a forged aluminum wheel. As the word suggests, these wheels are beat into shape, which causes the microscopic grain structure to even out and stretch into shape. This creates a far stronger wheel than a cast aluminum unit you'll find on your average new car, including Tesla models that don't use a forged aluminum wheel. Now, that doesn't mean harder, as the wheel needs to flex a little bit, but forged aluminum wheels are more rigid and better able to return to shape. Make a wheel too hard, and you risk making it brittle, and that brittle wheel could eventually shatter on the next pothole hit you take. So, yeah, the 'indestructible' part is an Unplugged marketing gimmick, but the one other advantage it does advertise doesn't sound so gimmicky. Outside of its forged aluminum construction, the Road Warrior offers a replaceable aluminum rim guard. It's designed to be sacrificial and to be installed and removed without dismounting your tires. It's not the first time we've heard about this type of feature on a wheel. There have been other attempts that have come and gone (remember curb feelers?) and some that have stayed—like tires that feature an extra bit of rubber that goes around the wheel rim to work as curb rash protection. Replaceable rim lips are also ones that just seem to pop up from time to time and usually target the slammed-out crowd. That said, you'll usually find these replaceable lips to be made from plastic or some sort of composite because it's a cheaper way than manufacturing them out of aluminum. And we're not counting beadlocks in this category, as they offer a different use case. You will find some truck wheels that offer non-beadlock wheels with replaceable aluminum rim lips, but they often require the tire be at least partially dismounted, as they do retain the bead or help seal the tire to retain air. What makes Unplugged Performance's marketing unique is that it's targeting those Tesla Model 3 and Model Y owners who are looking to join the Robotaxi service. A wheel that will survive most anything a taxi vehicle will encounter and also features a rim lip can be replaced when the old one becomes too rashed up is an easy sell for those just getting into taxi service. The fact that you can change that lip without dismounting the tire means there will be little downtime and that owner can continue to make revenue. That also means there are two unfortunate facts that do make this wheel a poor choice for taxi fleets. One: How often does an automated Tesla curb rash a wheel? Our experience is that, despite its other flaws, a Tesla does a decent job at parking itself—if just a bit on the slow side of doing it. If a human were driving, of course that would be a different story, but robotaxis are supposed to be fully automated. Two: If you're looking to maximize your earnings, a regular Tesla Model 3 or Model Y wheel makes more sense. Yes, the forged Road Warrior wheel is a potentially tougher wheel, but it's also more costly. A set of four 19-inch Road Warrior wheels will cost $2,595, while the 20-inch set will add another $400 to the cost of the quartet ($2,995). A two pack of replacement rim guards will also set you back $79.95 for both the 19-inch and the 20-inch wheels. And this doesn't include the mounting and balancing labor if you want to reuse the tires your Model 3 or Model Y are already using, let alone the additional cost of a new set of tires plus mounting labor. Looking at some of the OE aftermarket options out there, a new 19-inch Model 3 replica wheel from a reputable company can be as little as $200–$300. Tesla will even sell full set of four 19-inch Sport wheels with tires for $2,750—though we will note this is for a set of winter tires. If you're looking to customize your Tesla Model 3 or Model Y, the Road Warrior isn't a bad option and has a rather unique aerodynamic look with a great option for curb rash repair. But if you're looking for a cheap and easy way to keep your Tesla in service for your robotaxi dreams, it's probably best to stick with your standard set of 19-inch wheels. Or try to find a set of steelies.
The Drive
29-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
Tesla Aftermarket Company Claims It Built an 'Indestructible' Wheel for Rideshare Drivers
The latest car news, reviews, and features. Typically, forged wheels exist in the realm of high-performance vehicles that see track abuse. They're stronger than the cast wheels that comprise most OEM and aftermarket equipment, at the penalty of a much higher cost. One Tesla aftermarket specialist is marketing their latest set of forged rims to a different sort of clientele, though: hard-driving Uber drivers and future robotaxi operators who put their vehicles through constant abuse on pothole-strewn roads. They've even gone so far as to call their product 'indestructible.' That's a tall claim, especially considering Unplugged Performance is selling these 'Road Warrior' wheels with a 'lifetime replacement guarantee if owners manage to bend or crack' them. On one hand, that signals faith in the goods, which is always encouraging to see; on the other, if we're even entertaining the possibility that these could crack or bend, then they're not really indestructible, are they? Marketing aside, forged wheels are generally pretty strong, and Unplugged says its Road Warrior design also draws within 0.01 Cd of Tesla's lowest-drag factory wheel, thanks to a 'structurally integrated forged aerodynamic disc' that mitigates turbulence. Looking at a Road Warrior wheel side-on, it does look a little funky, backing a typical aftermarket 10-spoke design with a large plate that's chamfered along the inner edge. Unplugged Performance The outer edge is interesting, too, because Unplugged is shipping these with swappable aluminum guards to protect against curb rash, which you can see in one of the images above. This is a pretty good idea on its surface, because banging into curbs is something rideshare drivers probably do a lot. However, a two-pack of these costs $80, per the company's website, and a particularly careless or sloppy parker is going to be chewing through them like crazy. At which point, I'd be remiss not to mention the tried-and-true champion of cheap durability for anyone truly concerned about potholes: steel wheels and tires with chunky sidewalls. It's true that they look good on everything—even Teslas, no matter what your passengers say. They may increase unsprung weight and drag, but if you're ultimately concerned with your bottom line, like road warriors tend to be, they'll endure just about anything. Going back to Unplugged's 'indestructible' wheels, they run $2,595 for a 19×8.5 set, or $2,995 for a 20×8.5 set. That's actually quite cheap as far as forged wheels go, though we can't attest to their quality. The fitment is geared for the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, with the latter also serving as the automaker's first 'Robotaxi' autonomous vehicles now popping up in cities like San Francisco. Got tips? Send 'em to tips@
