So, what’s the difference between an Ultra High Performance (UHP) Tyre and R-Compounds anyway?
The world of tyres can be confusing which is why we want to help make things as clear as possible. We want to make sure you have all of the information you need to make an informed decision about your future rubber! We have talked about what an r-compound tyre is but what is a UHP and how does it differ from the rest?
Ultra High-Performance Tyres
Let’s get this thing started! So, an Ultra High-Performance tyre is a 400trw street tyre that is made for drivers seeking extra performance. UHP’s are typically used on higher performance cars looking for more grip at the street level. Now, don’t get them confused with all-season passenger tyres, which are usually between 600 and 800trw, used on any old lemon. A UHP heightens performance because it heats up and cools down faster than the standard summer or all-season tyre. Which also means they won’t last as long. In a track application, UHP’s are great for lower horsepower cars that don’t really need heated grip. The UHP was made to handle increased speeds, torque, and performance suspension to name a few. So, you can get 100% of the performance out of your, well performance car.
Are you still with us? Need an example? Well, the Accelera PHI is a 400 TRW UHP street tyre that performs at the highest level on and off the track. It also has a unique tread pattern that will maximize the performance of your car in any condition, it won’t let you down.
Race-Compound Tyres
A r-compound tyre is considered semi-slick and is as close to a race tyre as you can get. R-compounds work entirely on heat and depending on the treadwear level, if there isn’t any heat, you might feel like you’re driving on ice. To make sure that doesn’t happen, you’ll either need to purchase a tyre that has more than 180trw or only use them on a track where you are able to heat cycle the tyre and properly get the grip and traction you need. Tyres that are DOT certified and r-compounds can be run on the street, but we recommend you heat them before driving for max performance.
Let’s get into the specifics, r-compounds tend to have tread patterns that are either completely slick or semi-slick to ensure the tyre heats evenly and quickly. These tyres are made for racing which means a shorter lifespan and, of course, more grip! Most don’t perform as well in wet conditions because of the amount of tread and heat you need to get performance. This all depends on the tread pattern of that particular tyre. A r-compound tyre has between 0 and 200 TRW. At the 200 TRW level, you would be able to use them for daily driving in the summer because of the heat and still get a decent amount of life out of it.
Get the full rundown in our post all about r-compounds here. Like what you read? Well, the street-legal r-compound Accelera 651 Sport tyre is engineered for precise handling and quick steering response in all conditions!
Which tyre is right for you?
Well, it depends - is your main goal racing on a track or getting heightened performance during your daily drive? A UHP tyre is best for those who might want to race once in a while but mainly, have some fun with their daily. A r-compound tyre works best for those who want to get max grip and performance out of their tyre on the track.
To sum it all up, UHP’s are heightened summer tyres when r-compounds can be seen as a racing slick, or close to it, depending on which part of the scale you are on. R-compounds heat up and give the driver grip and performance at any turn and even sometimes too much grip depending on the car they are on. While UHPs provide the average man the chance to get in on the grippy action.