R2: Choosing wheels and tires for Launch Package

The right wheel and tire setup for your R2 might be the most underrated aspect of your build. Those four contact points are always between you and what's ahead, and can help you squeeze the most out of every drive. Let’s dive deep to help you choose the right option for you.

What’s available for Launch Package

R2 Launch Package gives you two wheel and tire packages: the 21-inch Liquid Tungsten All-Season wheel on a 32-inch Pirelli Scorpion MS tire, or the 20-inch Black Sand All-Terrain wheel on a 32-inch BFGoodrich Trail-terrain T/A tire. They are both great tires with roughly the same outer diameter mounted on fantastic-looking wheels, but they have different road manners and excel in different terrain.

If there’s one recommendation we’d make, it’s to pick based on how and where you actually drive.

For sporty handling on-road and off

The 21-inch wheel package is well suited to winding roads and maximizing straightaways. The all-season tires give you about 2.75 inches of sidewall. Less sidewall means less flex in the tire, and giving you a sportier feel. Turns are crisper and steering input is more immediate. The vehicle feels more planted through a highway on-ramp and settles faster after a lane change. If you want the most nimble and responsive driving feel, this is the setup.^¹

The Pirelli Scorpion MS is an all-season tire with shallow, tightly packed tread blocks. That construction rolls quietly, sheds water well and gives up very little energy to heat and deformation.



For exploring all types of terrain

The 20-inch wheel package makes the most of your tires when the going gets tough. With the all-terrain tire, you get roughly 3 inches of sidewall. That extra half-inch of air between your wheel and the road smoothes out bumps and rough surfaces. The taller sidewall can also provide additional flexibility for off-road driving and, when appropriate, allow you to reduce tire pressure for sand and rock with more rubber between the trail and your rims.^²



The BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A tire trades some of the Scorpion’s on-road performance characteristics for off-road grip. Deeper tread with wider voids between the tread blocks lets the tire bite more effectively in loose material. It also has a more aggressive shoulder that helps in ruts and off-camber climbs. For those in colder climates, the 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol means this tire has been tested and meets higher traction standards in cold and snowy conditions.

Range comparison

Going with a more aggressive all-terrain tire comes with a small trade-off on range. The 21-inch All-Season wheel package offers 330 miles of EPA-rated range, compared to 307 miles for the 20-inch All-Terrain wheel package, which is a difference of 23 miles or about 7 percent.^³ That’s a tradeoff you should consider if you want to maximize miles between charges.

How to decide

R2 is so versatile that neither choice limits where it can take you. A shared suspension, propulsion system and exterior geometry make R2 more than a match for almost any road, no matter what tires you choose.

The difference comes down to what matters most to you — handling and range or overall capability. Think about your last few months of driving. If you never left the pavement, take the 21s and enjoy the range and steering response. On the other hand, if you found yourself heading down more than a few dirt roads or rocky trails, take the 20s and don’t sweat it.

That’s our take. Better yet, book a demo drive and settle the debate for yourself in person.