When most of us purchase tyres, it’s a grudge purchase. We do it because we’ve been told they’re getting old, or bald or even worse, we’ve been pulled over and cautioned to get them fixed.
While many of us just want to opt for whatever is cheapest or on special at the time, there’s a group of vehicle owners who love the opportunity to grab a fresh set of tyres just to put them through their paces.
For owners of high performance vehicles, such as sporty coupes, luxury SUVs, corner-carving weekend warriors, or highly modified street cars, purchasing a tyre that brings out the very best of their vehicle is par for the course.
Many performance tyres (and Ultra High Performance, or UHP Tyres) are designed to provide outstanding traction and handling on both dry and wet roads during warm weather conditions. They are typically made from softer rubber compounds that provide better grip on the road at the cost of underperforming in cold weather or on snow and ice.
Why Do I Need a High Performance Sports Tyre?
High-performance tyres are designed to complement sports cars and high-performance vehicles that need maximum grip and handling on the road. These types of cars are designed for speed, agility, and responsive handling, and sporty tyres can help to enhance their performance in these areas.
High performance and UHP tyres are frequently fitted on sports sedans and coupes from the factory, as well as on high-performance versions of more mainstream vehicles, such as sports-tuned versions of hatchbacks and SUVs. In general, any vehicle that is designed for performance driving and handling will benefit from the enhanced grip and traction provided by UHP tyres.
Some UHP tyres are even designed for limited racetrack use. In fact, many high-performance vehicles you’ll find at come-and-try track days and entry-level events are fitted with UHP tyres to provide maximum grip and handling on the track. UHP tyres are typically designed to handle the high speeds, lateral forces, and extreme braking that are common in performance driving conditions.
What are the Benefits of UHP Tyres?
Ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyres are designed for sports cars and high-performance vehicles that need maximum grip and handling on the road. They are made from a specially-formulated rubber compound that provides excellent traction on dry and wet roads, and they are capable of reaching high speeds without losing grip or stability.
The shape of a UHP tyre is also optimised for responsiveness and a confident steering feel. The shoulders of many UHP tyres are much stiffer than economy tyres, resulting in much more confident steering. UHP tyres often feature more rounded shoulders for progressive grip and predictable handling while driving at the limit.
UHP tyres also have a specialised tread design that allows for quick and efficient water drainage at higher speeds, which helps to reduce the risk of hydroplaning on wet roads.
To summarise, UHP tyres offer the following benefits:
- Improved grip and traction on dry and wet roads
- Enhanced stability and handling at high speeds
- Reduced risk of hydroplaning on wet roads
- Enhanced performance and driving enjoyment for high-performance vehicles.
As you can see, high-performance tyres have a lot of benefits, but if they’re so great, why aren’t all tyres like this?
What are the Drawbacks of UHP Tyres?
‘We can’t have our cake and eat it, too’ relates to a lot of things in life, and you can add tyres to that list. The main drawbacks of UHP tyres are their limited suitability for use in cold weather and on snow and ice.
Because they are made from a rubber compound that provides excellent grip on dry and wet roads, UHP tyres are not as effective on cold, slippery surfaces. This is because UHP tyres are optimised for warmer conditions and even very high temperatures that can often be achieved through enthusiastic driving, thus at colder temperatures, the rubber becomes hard and traction levels steeply taper off.
Tyres are often optimised for a range of temperatures, where the rubber is still somewhat soft and pliable at lower temperatures, but a regular tyre will often overheat and delaminate when driven at the limit.
Thanks to these softer compounds as well as the types of vehicles and drivers that they appeal to, high-performance tyres often wear out more quickly than other types of tyres.
Additionally, UHP tyres can be more expensive than other types of tyres, and they may require more frequent replacement due to their shorter lifespan.
Stiffer shoulders and sidewalls also produce more road noise and less comfort than other tyres, which can be a disadvantage some drivers aren’t willing to put up with.
Overall, the drawbacks of UHP tyres include:
- Limited suitability for use in cold weather and on snow and ice
- Shorter lifespan and potential for more frequent replacement
- Higher cost compared to other tyre types
- Increased road noise and less comfortable
Popular Sports Tyres Available at Tyrepower
There are many different makes and models of high performance tyres available on the market, and the best choice for you will depend on your specific vehicle and driving needs.
Some popular makes and models of summer performance tyres include the Pilot Sport range from Michelin, Falken Azenis, and the Yokohama Advan series of tyres.
If you’re looking for the ideal tyre for your high-performance vehicle, come chat to the team at your local Tyrepower store!
With the power of Australia’s largest independent tyre retailer, we have a range of products at truly competitive prices.
