The Difference Between an UHP and a R-compound Tire

So, what’s the difference between an Ultra High Performance (UHP) Tire and R-Compounds anyway?

The world of tires 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 tire is but what is a UHP and how does it differ from the rest? 

Ultra High-Performance Tires

Let’s get this thing started! So, an Ultra High-Performance tire is a 400trw street tire 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 tires, 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 tire. 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 tire 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 Tires

A r-compound tire is considered semi-slick and is as close to a race tire as you can get. R-compounds work sololy 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 tire that has more than 180trw or only use them on a track where you are able to heat cycle the tire and properly get the grip and traction you need. Tires 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 tire heats evenly and quickly. These tires 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 tire. A r-compound tire 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 tire is engineered for precise handling and quick steering response in all conditions!

Which tire 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 tire is best for those who might want to race once in a while but mainly, have some fun with their daily. A r-compound tire works best for those who want to get max grip and performance out of their tire on the track. 

To sum it all up, UHP’s are heightened summer tires 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.