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Stockholm
Här sen Apr 2006
Inlägg: 15
Trådstartare
31 Jul 2006 09:35
Hittade följande artikel på "tire trends"
| Citat: | Compromise - over the past few decades technology, more than anything else, has influenced the continued development of the automobile. And while some of the effects of this technological advancement are obvious to any driver (electronic fuel injection, ABS brakes, and traction control are some of the most noticeable contributors), some of the most important advancements are almost imperceptible to the average car owner. But you're not the average car owner. Oh no, you're looking to wring every last ounce of performance out of your car. And while you may have replaced, rebuilt, or refined every possible part in your quest for more speed, it's all for naught unless you can get that power to the ground.
Thankfully enough, the technology train has not passed the tire industry by. While new research in rubber compounds have helped immensely, it's the advent of computer-aided design that has allowed engineers to see how exact their tires react to different conditions, and measure them in real-world applications, that has really helped. This relatively new scientific take on rubber has brought incredible advances in the field of street/track tires such as Falken's RT series, and Hankook's R-S2 (among others). Initially introduced just over a decade ago in Japan, the Falken RT215 was at the forefront of tire design, with an asymmetrical tread pattern that enhanced grip under hard cornering, while simultaneously offering acceptable wet traction. It arrived on our shores at the very end of its product life span, and has since been replaced by the excellent RT615. Essentially the same idea, this Road and Track tire has an asymmetrical tread pattern that places more rubber, and thusly a larger contact patch on the outboard shoulder of the tire, increasing grip under heavy cornering. The average street tire, with its numerous sipes and grooves for water drainage suffer "feathering" under high cornering loads due to the significantly smaller contact patch. This feathering effect leads to reduced traction, as well as a reduced tire life. In the case of the Falken RT615, the increased amount of rubber on the shoulder distributes the loads placed on the tire over a larger area, essentially negating any and all feathering effects. Interestingly enough, this larger contact patch also allows Falken to use their standard highway-tire rubber compound (instead of a softer, sticker compound that would wear much faster), which means the tire lasts for a very long time, even when subjected to track punishment. But how is it off the track? While if the outboard side of the Falken tire could be thought of as the "track" portion, incorporating less water drainage grooves and sipes in an effort to maintain high adhesion during cornering, the inboard side could be thought of as the "road" portion of the tire. With more grooves and generally less rubber, the inboard portion of the tire is the portion that maintains wet traction, and it does a pretty good job of it too, getting the tire an "A" rating in that area.
onlookers will instantly spot a difference between the Falken and the Hankook, and these two tires' differences aren't just skin deep. The Hankook R-S2 achieves the same sort of adhesion levels, but in a totally different manner. Utilizing Hankook's Ventus Ultra High performance compound (among their softest), the Hankook tire can achieve the same amount of dry grip without the use of an asymmetrical tread pattern (like the Falken's). The biggest benefit here is one we Canadians can really relate to, and that's wet traction. While both these tires achieved an "A" grade for Wet Traction, the Hankook RS-2's more open tread pattern will channel water out from under the tire more efficiently, especially when there is a larger buildup of standing water on the road. And it's that softer rubber that allows the RS-2 to effectively reduce the contact patch (giving water room to drain away) without diminishing their tire's level of grip. But, of course like anything else, there's always a trade off. The bottom line is that the Falken's harder compound will take more days worth of track thrashing than softer Hankook. On the other hand, the Hankook could be a better tire for everyday driving, especially if you live somewhere where rain is a constant possibility. So which is right for you? Well, it really depends on your needs. But both offer incredible performance for the money, and both will give you an added edge both on the track and on the street. Isn't technology lovely? |
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Kalle Söderman
Mitsubishi Colt GTi -90
Mitsubishi Legnum VR-4 -99
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HANKoOK RS 2 = R-däck?
