TYRE priced for the budget-conscious is a universal concern when racing isn't part of the equation.
Because of it we tend to expect the bare minimum. Only natural since we've been conditioned to accept that performance doesn't come affordable.
So you can imagine that the last thing on my list of wants was something that contributes to a spirited drive experience - as the math puts it, you got to sacrifice if you want the price.
All I expected out of the more budget-friendly General Tire was to simply deliver your standard road-worthy performance with my 15-inch wheeled daily hatchback.
However, the Altimax GS6s (185/60 R15 84H) I was fitted with delivered much more than I had expected.
Compared to my usual affair I found my new set of tyres afforded me a slight improvement in the way of ride comfort.
To my understanding after reading up on them they do really well with the absorption of impacts from speed bumps to road impurities to give you that smoother roll across surfaces.
It is said that the combination of its tough rubber blend and tread pattern is what makes this possible. Individually these two elements also contribute to other benefits.
Tread pattern for one has been optimised for greater grip in wet and dry conditions - immediately noticeable since the day I had it fitted at the tyre shop in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Said experience was further vouched by a fellow colleague of mine during a controlled session around Subang Skypark.
The tough rubber blend on the other hand is said to have been strengthened by a sulphur network that makes the tyre more durable.
While I've only had the tyres for over a month now the science behind it should translate to greater longevity of the product while in action.
To add, its been said that its grip which constitute to a shorter braking distance is attributed to its strong inner tyre shoulder and rigid centre rib design.
Its specially designed tread sipes are connected to the long grooves that are said to push away or clear water faster.
At the same time its pattern is engineered to even out pressure distribution to result in a reduction in irregular wear and lower rolling noise.
Very impressive for an accessible to mid-range level tyre brand. That said the technical level they employed shouldn't come as a surprise.
A sub-brand of Continental AG since 1987, General Tire has over a 100 years of history dating back to 1915 while specialising mostly, though not exclusively limited to, making tyres fit for sports utility vehicles (SUV), 4x4s, and heavy-duty vehicles.
The brand officially entered Malaysia in October last year with the Altimax GC5 (14 and 15-inch), Altimax GS6 (15 to 19-inch), Grabber AT6 (16 to 18-inch) and Grabber HT6 (16 to 20-inch).
Using the GS6 as an example, you can expect that same robust and hardy characteristics across the brand's tyres when running them on passenger vehicles and multi-purpose vehicles (MPV).
Further reassuring its quality is a tyre lifetime manufacturing warranty that covers manufacturing defects for the full tyre lifespan and a Total Confidence Plan (TCP) that offers one-year road hazard protection - terms and conditions apply.
To that end the GS6's value and offering also makes it a great introductory to the sort of performance more premium tyres have to offer.
General Tire's range is available in Malaysia throughout the existing Continental tyre dealer network as well as online via Shopee, Lazada, TikTok and TNG eWallet.
