Why fit low profile tyres

thexav

Pro Tuner
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Car
2002 Clio 172
Low profile tyres are fitted to most sporty cars now. Is this just a visual improvement and to allow larger alloys to be fitted or do low profile tyres offer driving benefits?

I thought a bit of flex in the sidewall of the tyre will actually help cornering and make a car easier and more forgiving to drive?
 
http://www.torquecars.com/tuning/wheels-and-tyres/low-profile-tires.php

Depends on size of alloy etc... but in the main they allow faster cornering and offer better grip but more road noise, a harsher ride and cost more.

I suspect that this is due to the way the whole suspension is designed. Simply retro-fitting wider and lower profile tyres (with suitable rims) to a car with soft comfort oriented suspension will not really offer much benefit at all in terms of grip.

I consider tyres and rims also to be suspension components.

Car makers do know a thing or two about designing cars. I think we've covered this elsewhere.
 
An added benefit of putting larger rims on one's ride is the space to fit larger brakes. Larger brakes means more stopping ability, which is always good.
 

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