As the only contact medium between the vehicle and the ground, the importance of the original tire of e-car is self-evident, whether it is the vehicle's ABS or ESP and other auxiliary systems, its essence is to make the tire exert the maximum grip. Therefore, replacing a set of tires with better grip will improve vehicle handling and safety immediately.
It just so happens that a friend of mine is preparing to upgrade the tires of his golf, with a budget of about 4,000 yuan, to improve the handling performance of the vehicle.
To this end, we found the most popular in the car circle, The Yokohama AD08R (hereinafter referred to as: AD08R) and Michelin PILOT SPORT 4 (hereinafter referred to as: PS4) two sets of tires, to see who has the "track artifact" known as the AD08R and the top street tire PS4 who has the stronger performance.
Before starting the performance comparison test, let me briefly introduce the characteristics of these two tires.
Mention of The Yokohama AD08R, I believe that many readers who are keen on the track and modification will not be unfamiliar, it was introduced in 2013, is an upgrade product of the Yokohama AD08, which with semi-hot melt properties, strong grip and extremely short hot tire time, the popularity in the field of modification absolutely belongs to the T1 level.
AD08R is a semi-hot melt tire, the so-called "semi-hot melt" means that this type of tire can not only take into account daily use, but also has the hot melt properties of track tires, which can soften the tire rubber at the right operating temperature to improve adhesion, so that the vehicle has better grip performance.
Its tire pattern has a very high degree of recognition, this kind of flame-like tire pattern official name is "ring groove" pattern, in the face of road impact using the structural advantages of the tire pattern to disperse the impact force, reduce the pressure on the tread, in the wet state, the ring groove can also guide the surface of the water to the outside of the tire, increase the wetland performance of the tire.
At the same time, the shoulder part of the AD08R is also different from the tire we see every day, which adopts a continuous single shoulder design, which can not only ensure the overall strength and lateral support of the tire, but also allow the tire to obtain a larger grounding area and ensure the grip of the tire in the extreme state.
The Michelin PS4 was officially listed in China in 2017, and it has attracted much attention as soon as it was listed.
As a fully street-oriented sports tire, its excellent dry, wet grip and better tire noise performance compared to other sports tires in daily conditions make it equally popular in the playing circle.
Although the PS4's tire pattern does not look as different as the AD08R, there are still many details hidden in it. Drawing on formula E's race tyre design inspiration, it uses an asymmetrical tyre pattern, while each tread has a chamfer design on the inside, which can inhibit tire deformation and ensure the grip of the tire when driving intensely.
At the same time, a unique lateral groove is designed on the outer shoulder part, and a carcass angle with a larger curvature is adopted, which can not only improve the lateral drainage ability of the tire, but also ensure the grounding area of the tire under the limit state, and further improve the dry and wet handling performance of the tire.
After introducing the technology and characteristics of these two tires, the next step is the "real knife and real gun" rush link, we will compare the performance of this tire for everyone through acceleration, braking, and piling three tests.
Michelin PS4 accelerated test graph
In the acceleration test, the PS4 tire slipped more seriously at the beginning of the first gear, even if it was upgraded to the second gear, there was a little slippage in the initial stage, so it also lost some acceleration time, the maximum acceleration G value of the whole process was only 0.58g, and the fastest acceleration of 0~100km/h was finally measured to be 9.60s.
Yokohama AD08R accelerated test graph
The AD08R in the acceleration test tire performance is more stable, although the starting moment is also a little slippery, but soon able to restore effective grip, instantaneous acceleration G value of up to more than 0.62g, and AD08R rubber formula is containing hot melt components, which is fully demonstrated in the acceleration test.
Starting from the first cold tire test, each subsequent result will be faster than the previous one, and after many tests, the final best score of 0~100km/h is 9.24s.
Michelin PS4 brake test graph
In the brake test, the performance of the PS4 was decent, the grip of the front and middle sections of the braking process was good, and the deceleration G value was maintained at about 1.0g, but the final approach to the brake stop may be affected by the road surface conditions, the braking force has a relatively large fluctuation, and the shortest distance measured in the end is 39.12 meters.
Yokohama AD08R brake test graph
AD08R in the brake test performance can be described as eye-catching, the entire braking process deceleration has been maintained at about 1.17g, even if it is close to the brake stop is still very stable, the tires can always cling to the ground, the final minimum braking distance measured is only 36.76 meters, 2.36 meters shorter than the PS4.
In the 15-meter interval pile winding test, the data measured by the two tires were relatively close, among which the PS4 had a maximum speed of 57.12km/h and a maximum G-value of 0.905g, and the AD08R had a maximum speed of 57.87km/h and a maximum G-value of 0.934g.
Although there is not much difference in the acceleration G value, but the actual driver of the two sets of tires feels diametrically opposite, PS4 around the pile gives people the feeling of some "step by step", tire grip will slowly decrease with the increase of speed, I can easily grasp the limit of the tire, in the continuous steering of the rear is also very flexible, driving is very enjoyable.
After changing to AD08R, the vehicle bites the ground tightly like a railcar, the timing of the tire is later, the lateral support performance of the tire wall is better than that of the PS4, and the roll of the vehicle is less, but at this time the rear of the car is also more gripping, compared to the PS4, a little less flexible and playable. But it is also this stable grip performance that makes it use the title of "track artifact".
summary
If you look at the handling performance improvement alone, it is not difficult to find that the Yokohama AD08R with semi-hot melt properties is superior to the fully street-oriented Michelin PS4 in terms of vehicle acceleration, braking and overall handling.
However, it should be noted that whether it is a hot melt or semi-hot melt tire, its working temperature has certain requirements, and the performance of the tire will shrink in all aspects when the appropriate working temperature has not yet been reached, and in the wetland road conditions, such tires have certain disadvantages compared to PS4 street-oriented tires.
So if you're a user who's looking for extreme performance and track driving needs, I guarantee that the Yokohama AD08R won't disappoint you, but if you're more of a city commuter and want to indulge your friends occasionally, the Michelin PS4 is the better option.