Smart's forvision concept isn't for everyone. The solar-paneled electric vehicle is as pint-sized as its forebears, and get this, it has plastic wheels. Actually, that's the best part; having partnered with materials giant BASF to create a durable, road-worthy plastic, Smart says it has shaved off 3 kilograms per wheel without sacrificing performance or safety. BASF hopes to get the rest of the auto industry to consider trying the material. Whether plastic wheels become standard or not, the wheel needs a rethink, as designers have introduced ever wider and larger tires to a broad range of models. They may look more imposing, but the weight piles up, and both fuel economy and performance can suffer. While designers and engineers could spend years finding a compromise between scrawny bicycle wheels and appropriate tire dimensions, testing a smarter, lighter wheel could start right now.


I think some of these things are pretty cool which is why i posted this...But....These things will only add to the cost of the vehicle and give drivers more things to be distracted by....

We fully expect to see more and more spy photos of the next-generation 2014 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra over the next 12 months. This will be the big catch for spy shooters looking to satisfy a very curious group of truck-loving enthusiasts. 

This recent shot gives us a pretty good idea what the overall shape of the crew-cab body and standard bed will look like. With the exception of the smallish tires on the vehicle, there doesn't seem to be much visually unique about the shape. However, it should be noted that the tires themselves seem a touch smaller than normal and could be made of a special compound to work with new powertrains for added or extended fuel economy. 

The Ford F-150 is the full-size pickup truck gas-mileage leader, and you can bet both Ram and the new GM vehicles will be looking to employ every piece of technology at their disposal to move past the fuel economy leader. Fuel economy is likely to be the single biggest hurdle for big truck makers in the coming years as federal regulations will require pickup trucks to have much higher average standards than they do today. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the EPA will hold three public hearings next month (Jan. 17 in Detroit, Jan. 19 in Philadelphia and Jan. 24 in San Francisco) regarding the stricter 2017 and 2025 fuel-economy targets for U.S.-sold full-size trucks. 

Expect more MPG-stretching technology to make it into all full-size truck models — light-duty and heavy-duty — in the coming years.