GT Radial

With budget brands now accounting for 38 per cent of 17- and 18-inch tyre purchases in the UK, it is more important than ever to recognise products that deliver the handling and stopping performance required by executive and performance saloons. To identify our favourite Performance Tyres of 2023, WhatTyre has looked at the three most popular sizes for 17-inch and larger rim diameters, 225/45 R17Y, 225/40 R18Y and 205/45 R17W. As was the case in 2022, this year we have separated tyres aimed at the highest echelon of the performance car world into their own category – Supersports Tyres.

GT Radial, the major UK tyre brand of manufacturer Giti Tire, is replacing its most popular European market summer car tyre. The GT Radial FE2, which replaces the bestselling Champiro FE1, delivers 15% better wet braking than its predecessor among other improvements. The tyre will be provided in 15-18" sizes to fit major compact and family passenger cars and small and crossover SUV models. The SUV version carries an "SUV" marking on the sidewall to highlight their core market. By the end of 2021, Giti expects to have 42 different sizes in tyre retailers. In addition to the company record-breaking GT Radial Champiro FE1, the FE2 will replace a number of GT Radial FE1 City and GT Radial Savero SUV patterns.

The GT Radial WinterPro2 Sport winter tyre will launch for the 2020/21 winter season in nine 17-19” sizes. Its manufacturer, Giti Tire, has designed the tyre for high powered passenger cars and premium SUVs. The new tyre is certified with the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol, meaning it is legal in countries that require winter tyre fitments. It will be available initially in nine sizes. These will be for 17-19” rims, 215-235 section widths, and 40-65 profiles.

This year the Mini celebrates its 60th anniversary. To bring things up to date, we have pitted the best tyres in our 100,000 item+ database against each other to find the best five Mini tyres.