Latest news with #RoadWarrior
Motor Trend
2 hours ago
- 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
8 hours ago
- 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@
GMA Network
18-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
JB Bahio signs two-year contract extension with NLEX
JB Bahio remains as a Road Warrior. Just hours before NLEX' quarterfinals match against Rain or Shine on Wednesday, Bahio signed a two-year contract extension with the Road Warriors. According to Bahio, this came as a surprise after he was picked up by the team as a free agent last November. 'Sobrang happy and blessed po ako na nagbunga 'yong mga extra work at lahat ng pinaghirapan ko,' said Bahio. The 27-year-old big man out of San Beda posted averages of 10.91 points and 7.45 rebounds during the elimination round of the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup. NLEX team governor Ronald Dulatre also praised Bahio's performance. "We're glad to have JB onboard for the next two years. This is to repay his hard work and positive attitude. At just 27 years old, he hasn't even reached his prime. The best is yet to come," he said. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
How do you know where not to drive in downtown Rochester?
May 18—Dear Answer Man: Last week, you wrote about some of the big MnDOT projects going on in Southeast Minnesota this year. But what about the road work being done by the city of Rochester? I was driving downtown last week, and it was like heading down the wrong way in a maze. There are more closed roads and detours than I can figure out. How do I stay ahead of this traffic mess? — Rochester Road Warrior. Dear Road Warrior, I feel your driving rage. Last week, I was trying to navigate downtown Rochester and came upon a closed road even the map app on my phone didn't know existed. In my head, I heard the word "Rerouting." C'est la vie. Answer Man's good friend with the city of Rochester, Communications & Engagement Coordinator Megan Moeller, said, "Downtown is undergoing a significant transformation that will benefit everyone who lives, works and visits our city. We're excited about what's ahead and truly appreciate the public's patience during this period of change." That's Megan shining the apple. Her next line is what we're all thinking: "We understand that navigating construction, especially during the busy warm-weather months, can be challenging." Preach the truth, Megan. But she's right. The city isn't tearing up roads for the fun of it. All this is to make for a more enjoyable experience for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles (including mass transit vehicles) down the, ahem, road. Currently, Answer Man counts eight-and-a-half blocks of completely closed roads in downtown Rochester. That includes a Second Avenue Southwest alleyway between West Center Street and Peace Plaza, two blocks of Second Street Southwest from Fourth Avenue to Sixth Avenue, two blocks-plus of Sixth Avenue Southwest from a bit south of Second Street to West Center Street, roughly two blocks of Peace Garden Drive Southwest from 10th Avenue to Marian Circle, Fifth Street Southwest from Fourth Avenue to Sixth Avenue, and nearly a block from Fourth Avenue Southwest from First Street to Second Street. That doesn't include the roughly dozen blocks of streets reduced to a single lane in each direction and intersections of "periodic closure." Challenging, indeed. You might think, "I bet this is all related to that Link Bus Rapid Transit project, right?" Well, not exactly. Much of this has to do with utility infrastructure for Mayo Clinic projects. The Link transit construction comes later this summer when the amount of roadblocks will make today's number of closed roads look quaint. Mayo Clinic and the city are seeking to collaborate so they don't tear up and repairs streets only to tear them up again for additional work. So, how will you get to your favorite downtown restaurant (shameless plug for downtown dining) or even to a Mayo Clinic appointment? Well, the city of Rochester and Mayo Clinic have created websites to help you see what is closed and what detours might exist. The city's website is , where the city offers printable maps and an online in-depth virtual map that can be viewed. Furthermore, Mayo Clinic offers the Rochester Construction Webpage that is designed to help patients navigate to their appointments and features the latest information on parking and drop-offs, suggested routes, road closures and construction across Mayo Clinic's Rochester downtown and Saint Marys campuses. If you're not a daily or even weekly commuter into and our of downtown, you might want to bookmark both of those websites and refer to them when your plans take you downtown. Now, take a deep breath and realize two things: One, like I said, it'll get worse before it gets better, but, two, it will get better, and access to and through downtown will become smoother for everyone. Send questions to Answer Man at answerman@ .
Los Angeles Times
23-03-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
MapQuest Vows to Protect Privacy with its New Mapping App
Los Angeles-headquartered MapQuest has announced the release of Private Maps by MapQuest – the first app fromaleading mapping brand specifically designed to protect users' privacy. Secure, straightforward and free from invasive trackers, Private Maps by MapQuest shifts the focus of online mapping back to the journey, because 'personal data shouldn't be the cost of finding your way.' Private Maps, available now for download on Android devices, keeps routes private with no tracking, no sharing of data and no ads: 'MapQuest introduced the world's first online mapping solution, and now we've come full circle with the launch of the most private mapping experience,' said MapQuest general manager John Chipouras. 'MapQuest learned from the best when building our new Private Maps app: Startpage, the world's most private search engine. Collaborating with Startpage helped us better understand how to create top-tier privacy protections for people who want directions without jeopardizing their online privacy.' MapQuest guides tens of millions of users monthly with maps, directions and route planning. It incorporates map content from HERE Technologies, which practices a privacy-by-design approach as part of its privacy charter. Acquired by System1 – an AI and machine learning-powered customer acquisition platform – MapQuest has undergone a significant tech transformation. MapQuest users now enjoy faster, more intuitive navigation thanks to major product, team and tech investments that include enhanced search capabilities and cutting-edge mapping data. MapQuest's mission is to empower people and businesses to find what they need and navigate how to get there. It is now used by millions of people each month and also operates RoadWarrior, a subscription route-planning app that leverages a proprietary algorithm to streamline complex multi-stop itineraries for delivery drivers. The company is now owned by System1, an industry-leading omnichannel digital marketing platform, powered by Machine Learning and AI. MapQuest's Private Maps concept is consistent with System1's privacy mission. System1 has stated as part of its mission that it believes everyone has the right to control their data, protect their privacy and be safe online, making it the company's duty to 'bring privacy solutions to market that can benefit from our privacy-focused expertise.'
