A peculiar-looking Peugeot 208 was recently spotted in a parking lot in Marseille, France, sporting what appeared to be four spare tires. However, this small hatchback is fitted with “universal wheels,” a product developed by French company Enovcar specifically for workshops.
Despite their unusual appearance, these wheels serve a very practical purpose: they enable garages to move vehicles with disabled drivetrains. When a car’s brakes are stuck, the gearbox is damaged, or an electric car has run out of charge, manual movement can be challenging. That’s where these universal wheels come in handy. They are also useful when car owners want to send their original rims for restoration but still need to keep their vehicle mobile or properly parked in the garage.
These wheels are attached via an intermediate hub using 10 bolts and can be adjusted to fit both 4 and 5-bolt patterns, as seen on the Peugeot in the images. According to Enovcar, this system should only be used at speeds below 5 mph, and it features a “spinner” mode that allows the wheels to rotate 360 degrees, making it convenient for turning the car’s head or maneuvering it sideways. However, the spinner mode is only effective at speeds below 2 mph, and switching between the two modes takes about 30 seconds.
In terms of load capacity, each wheel can support a maximum weight of 1,000 kg (2,200 lbs), while the wheel itself weighs around 10 kg (22 lbs). This is a reasonable weight for workshop mobility requirements.
Enovcar is not the only company offering this type of wheel. According to The Autopian, Guni Wheel also distributes a similar product called the Guni Wheel X, touted as a “universal car-moving solution” for cars with flat tires, brake issues, or drivetrain problems. Guni Wheel emphasizes that their product is ideal for long-term vehicle storage and protects the original tires and rims when not in use.
While Peugeot currently offers an electric version of the 208, the car spotted in Marseille was equipped with a 3-cylinder gasoline engine, a popular choice within the Stellantis group’s portfolio.
The pioneer Vietnamese female athlete dominating the FIA Motorsport Games global racing event
Nguyen Gia Bao is making history as the first Vietnamese athlete to compete in the renowned FIA Motorsport Games 2022, specifically in the Auto Slalom category. Her presence in this event signifies a remarkable achievement for Vietnam in the global sports community. Bao’s extraordinary talent and unwavering commitment have propelled her to the ranks of the world’s elite athletes, highlighting her exceptional skills in the exhilarating realm of motorsports. As she embarks on this groundbreaking venture, Bao is poised to proudly represent her nation, fueled by determination to set a new benchmark for Vietnamese athletes on the global sports stage.
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