Do All Drivers Need Ultra High Performance (UHP) Tires?
03/22/2024
In your quest for better performing tires, you may be wondering what the difference is between Performance tires and other premium tire categories, like Ultra High Performance (UHP) and Grand Touring tires. Shouldn't all tires perform well when they’ve come straight out of the factory? When we refer to “performance” in the tire world, we’re not referring to solely functionality and reliability. The definition in this sense is closer to how you would typically use “performative”. UHPs for instance are designed to meet the acceleration strength of a luxury vehicle, sports or muscle car, from four-cylinder to those with a V8 engine, and provide better handling. They perform better than regular passenger tires at higher speeds and are considered safer in a variety of weather conditions. Some might say that they help the driver “show-off” their vehicle. They typically feature advanced rubber compounds and complex tread patterns optimized for cornering and braking performance, making them ideal for sports cars and enthusiasts who demand exceptional performance on the race track.
What should I look for in a UHP tire?
When researching UHPs, you should look for the specific features that are going to optimize the type of driving you plan to do. For instance, most UHPs will show a specific rating like V, W and Y. This means it’s been tested at certain speeds and are considered safe to drive for sustained periods at those speeds: For example, the following letter ratings indicate the speeds that a UHP tire would be safe to drive at if it displayed these letters:
V: 148 MPH
W: 168 MPH
Y: 186 MPH
Why are letter ratings important?
While you might not be planning to drive at those speeds on a regular basis, the rating will give you the assurance that you can do so safely without the tires blowing out. Another common feature in a UHP is better tread/handling on wet surfaces. So if you’d like to be able to zip around town and hug corners tightly without losing traction, you’ll want tires that are specifically designed to grip the road and evacuate water quickly so that your car's "performance potential" isn’t dependent on the weather or road quality. High Performance tires (a step down from UHPs) will also give you better handling at high speeds, but will balance the level of grip with the tread life of the tire, making them more efficient and economical.
What's Groundspeed's Solution for a UHP?
GroundSpeed’s Voyager HP is an Ultra High Performance tire for passenger vehicles. It is manufactured with specialty materials which deliver enhanced handling and traction performance. These features include: stabilized shoulder blocks, which provide stability and confidence for high-performing driving, a noise absorbing tread design, wet grip grooves to ensure water is quickly evacuated to avoid hydroplaning, and V3 Silica Compound for high traction, increased fuel economy, and a comfortable ride.
The Conclusion
When deciding whether to invest in UHP tires, it will mostly be determined by the type of driving you plan to use your vehicle for and if it’s designed to maximize the benefits of a UHP. A UHP will provide the “ultra-high performance” you are looking for during performance and leisurely driving, while also maintaining your safety and ensuring a quiet and comfortable ride. However, if you’re not driving a vehicle that depends on enhanced stability during frequent high acceleration boosts, but still want better performance, consider High Performance or Grand Touring tires.