· The choice of your vehicle might be something a little bit sportier; the set-up of performance cars requires the entire vehicle to be equipped accordingly. Tyres play a crucial role when it comes to high-powered cars, some of which are sold under the motorsport labels of OEMs.
Almost all cars nowadays use tubeless tyres. For our discussion here, we will focus on the two main components of tyres: the carcass and the lining. The construction of a tyres is a delicate process, whereby the performance of the tyre will need to match the vehicle it is fitted onto. Thus, one of the obvious ways to classify tyres is by their size. Besides that, tyre manufacturers offer variations to meet the driving styles associated with the types of cars we drive.
High-performance cars have more power, they accelerate faster and typically have brakes with more stopping power. Matching this, high-performance tires are designed to deliver exceptional handling, grip, and responsiveness at high speeds. In addition, these tyres also offer more grip when braking. Defining the performance of a tyre, the rubber compound will need to be mixed accordingly. To produce tyres, the rubber will be heated and pressed into shape. When developing the rubber compound, the rubber will be mixed with chemicals to achieve the desired characteristics. In general, the compound of high performance tyres is softer, thus providing more grip.
A sportier, faster driving style also means that tyres generate more heat as they roll over the street’s surface. One important aspect of high-performance tyres is heat dissipation. Generally, heat is the enemy of tyres and the better the tyre can dissipate heat, the longer the tyre will last. Faster acceleration, sportier cornering and heavier braking generate more heat, thus a performance car requires tyres that can handle heat better. Considering the climate in Malaysia, you may want to discuss with the German Motors team about the choice of tyres that would be best suited for your car.
With improved grip, high-performance tyres are also designed to give that extra edge when it comes to safety. As the handling is likely to be sportier, the tyres’ grip allows for more stable driving at high speeds. Softer tyres also stick to the road when cornering, plus a softer tyre, offering more grip, supports the braking system by adding stopping power. However, softer tyres also wear out faster. This is the compromise that one will have to be aware of. German Motors recommends that one is to check tyres regularly to ensure that the profile depth is within legal and, more importantly, safe levels.
Fun fact: tyres would be white as natural rubber is white. By adding carbon black, tyres gain their distinctive colour, making them look like what we commonly associate with vehicles. Today, white wall tyres are used for oldtimers, whereby this look used to be the common colour of tyres.
