SRT vehicles combine performance and style with low-profile tires – Aug 13, 2013– Detroit, USA (Techreleased) – Low-profile tires look great, but they are also extremely functional when it comes to performance. That’s what makes them a perfect fit for each of the five vehicles in the SRT lineup.
Low-profile tires have less flex in the sidewall compared one with a taller sidewall. This allows forces generated by the contact patch a more direct transfer to the suspension. In turn, this provides an opportunity for optimal tuning of the suspension, which translates into the ability to drive more aggressively for handling.
“Tires are a very important aspect of how the car does everything,” said Marco Diniz, SRT Vehicle Dynamics Engineer. “We always work to get a good balance between the sidewall aspect ratio and wheel size to get the perfect combination for that vehicle. A short aspect ratio or lower profile tire gives you a better response, because the sidewall stiffness goes up, so it has less flex, which translates into steering response and steady-state capability. The biggest advantage of low-profile tires is a more direct response and a more direct link between the ground and the suspension and the chassis.”
When developing tires to meet these attributes, Diniz and his team have to make decisions in terms of getting the tires, suspension and chassis on the same page for optimal performance. Tire construction, compound selection and aspect radio all factor into the equation. SRT works directly with tire manufacturers to lay out the specifications sought then manufacturers “work their magic.” Before tire manufacturers receive the tire specifications, SRT engineers work with the design studio to define the optimum tire sidewall aspect ratio to a given wheel diameter.
“A tire cannot be amazing for handling in the dry and also have great snow handling capabilities,” noted Diniz. “That’s when we make tradeoffs early on in the program. We need to focus on handling, steering, overall grip, steering response.’ Those types of things start to dictate what the tire will be.”
A multi-step process follows in terms of getting the suspension hardware, such as springs, sway bars and bushings to sync up with the tires. During first round, SRT engineers have a fairly good idea of how the car is going to behave from a ride and handling standpoint. The next iteration focuses on getting the chassis itself to cooperate with the tires even more.
“You keep optimizing and optimizing until you get to your second tire submission and then you once again select the best tire from that submission that improves the level of ride and handling from the development,” Diniz explained. “It’s always one catching up to the other until we get the car to be what we want and where the ride and handling attributes are met and put the car to production.”
During the development process, SRT engineers provide a parameter to the tire manufacturer they are working with in regards to the minimum numbers of miles for a set of tires before replacement. That number does decrease if a vehicle is taken to the track for multiple track-days.
“Tire technology has come a long ways,” said Diniz. “Tires these days can be incredibly quick and capable at the track, and also really quiet, and to a certain extent comfortable on public roads.”
Looks and performance: both come standard on the low profile tires that grace each and every member of the SRT family.
