GT Radial is one of the fastest growing tire manufacturers in the world. A member of the Giti Tire family, GT Radial built its first North American facility called Giti USA Manufacturing in June 2014 despite being in the market for more than 25 years. After participating in drift races for a few years, drivers approached GT Radial in search of a tire that captured the true spirit of Formula DRIFT. From there, engineers spoke with drivers to learn about their top priorities before commencing the development process, which included the desire for a tire that could be "tossed," had excellent "feel," exhibited progressive breakaway behavior and recovery, and displayed tremendous grip for them to speed out of bends and generate forward impetus.
Enter the GT Radial Champiro SX2, which was built and produced in South Carolina, and was used in Formula DRIFT for the first time in 2018. Among the top 12 drivers, six were GT Radial drivers who used the Champiro SX2. In other words, the Champiro SX2 is about a tire with a high grip compound and aggressive tread design that make it desirable for track and road use. Handling is very predictable, with you knowing exactly when the car is going to understeer or oversteer.
Features and Benefits
Considering that they are summer tires, Champiro SX2 tires are already expected to exhibit superior dry performance, but their outstanding wet performance may just take you by surprise. Though hard to remove, these tires hold up well even when it rains. The GT Radial Champiro SX2 rating becomes high as you gain tremendous confidence in pushing your car, benefiting from the highly responsive steering.
The following features and benefits in the GT Radial Champiro SX2 tire review would be beneficial for you to understand the tire’s capabilities:
- Extra large shoulder blocks for enhanced grip and cornering stability
- Asymmetric tread pattern for optimal performance on the street and track
- Wide center rib for superior handling
- Quieter and more stable than some competitor tires
- Great feedback while driving at higher speeds
Pros and Cons
No tire is perfect, and that’s true for the Champiro SX2. Here are some of the tire’s main strengths and weaknesses.
Pros
- A combination of effective functioning and a stylish, athletic appearance
- Generates less heat in central tread ribs to fend off uneven wear
- Strong traction in dry and wet conditions
- Top-class braking performance and traction
- Highly durable
Cons
- Not suitable for winter
- Can be noisy on the highway
SimpleTire’s view on GT Radial Champiro SX2 tires
When one considers all the specifications for motorsport tires, especially emergency maneuvering, they are virtually the same for the street tire. The tire's response at that point must be precise and gripping for cornering as well as for braking or accelerating to prevent a collision. To perform its function, the street tire must be strong and resilient enough to support the load, endure different climatic conditions, and operate in extremely hot and stressful settings. Our GT Radial Champiro SX2 review process has shown the tire to be capable of handling the above situations with aplomb.
Vehicles the GT Radial Champiro SX2 is a good replacement tire for
While not used as original equipment on any vehicle, the Champiro SX2 is a great choice for race and performance-oriented vehicles. If you drive a Lotus Espirit S4s, Lotus Espirit V8, BMW M3, Honda S2000, Ford Focus RS, Nissan 350Z, or Mazda MX-5 Miata, then the Champiro SX2 needs to be a tire you consider for your ride.
