What are N-rated Tires?

Compiled by: Bill Gregory (sansho@rennlist.com)

Date: December 1, 2002

Porsche works with tire manufacturers to test and develop tires which are suitable for the increased performance capabilities of Porsches. These are typically indicated by an "N" code of N0, N1, N2, N3, etc. The numerics are revision numbers, and by themselves are not meaningful, i.e., an N2 revision isn't neccessarily better than an N1 revision. What is important is that Porsche recommends that all 4 tires be the same brand and the same "N" number, for the most consistent handling. An article in the February/March 2002 Porsche magazine "Christophorus" can be found online at http://www3.us.porsche.com/english/usa/news/christophorus/0201/regenmacher.htm, which discusses Porsche tire testing and lists the summer wheel/tire combinations for MY2002.