Top Car Performance Accessories Sold in the UK
Top Car Performance Accessories Sold in the UK
Blog Article
Whether you’re a seasoned car enthusiast or a daily driver looking to boost your car’s performance, the UK car market offers a wide range of performance accessories to improve acceleration, handling, engine efficiency, and overall driving experience. From engine upgrades to suspension kits, there are countless options for enhancing both the performance and aesthetics of your vehicle. In this article, we’ll explore the Top Car Performance Accessories Sold in the UK, covering their benefits, installation, and the impact they have on driving dynamics.
1. Cold Air Intakes
Best For: Increased horsepower and engine efficiency
Price Range: £100–£300
One of the most well-known performance mods for vehicles is a cold air intake (CAI). A CAI does this by taking in cooler, denser air into the engine, which permits improved combustion and more power and efficiency. Cold air intakes are readily available in the UK for many types of vehicles, particularly those that have aftermarket tuning or sport-oriented ambitions.
Benefits:
More horsepower: More efficiently burning cooler air improves engine power.
Better fuel efficiency: The cooler air leads to a more efficient combustion process.
Better engine note: CAIs tend to make the engine sound deeper, more aggressive.
Popular Brands: K&N, AEM, Pipercross, Green Filter
2. Performance Exhaust Systems
Best For: Increased engine power and noise
Price Range: £300–£1,500
An upgraded performance exhaust system is a traditional upgrade for anyone who wants to enhance the power output and the sound of their vehicle. By upgrading the restrictive factory exhaust to a more efficient system, you can enhance airflow, decrease backpressure, and enhance engine performance.
Advantages:
More horsepower: By decreasing exhaust restriction, more power is created.
Better sound: A performance exhaust provides your car with a louder, sportier growl.
Improved fuel efficiency: Less restrictive exhaust flow allows the engine to operate more efficiently.
Popular Brands: Akrapovic, Milltek Sport, MagnaFlow, Remus
3. Performance Suspension Kits
Best For: Improved handling and ride quality
Price Range: £200–£1,000
Suspension performance kits, such as coilovers and shock absorbers, are a must to enhance your vehicle's handling, stability, and cornering capacity. For UK motorists who regularly drive over rough roads or want a sportier driving experience, suspension upgrading can make a significant difference.
Advantages:
Improved cornering: Enhanced grip and stability on turns and high-speed corners.
Lower ride height: Adjustable ride heights are available with most performance suspension kits, lowering your car for a sportier appearance and improved aerodynamics.
Better handling: Better shock absorbers minimize body roll and enhance road feel.
Popular Brands: Bilstein, KW Suspension, Eibach, Tein
4. Performance Brakes and Brake Pads
Best For: Greater stopping power and safety
Price Range: £100–£1,000
Upgrading your brake system can significantly improve the performance of your vehicle, particularly if you travel at high speeds on a regular basis or engage in motorsport activities. A performance brake kit usually consists of improved calipers, discs, and pads that enable improved stopping power, heat dissipation, and safety in general.
Benefits:
Enhanced braking performance: More sensitive brakes with minimal fade under hard use.
Improved heat management: Performance brakes transfer heat better, minimizing the chance of brake failure.
Increased Safety: Reduced stopping distances can be vital for high-performance driving and emergency situations.
Popular Brands: Brembo, EBC Brakes, AP Racing, StopTech
5. Enhanced Engine Tuning Chips/ECUs
Best For: Engine performance optimisation
Price Range: £200–£600
An ECU remap or tuning chip is a software modification that maximizes your engine's performance by modifying the fuel mixture, turbo boost, and timing. It's one of the UK's most sought-after performance upgrades, particularly for turbo or diesel cars. Most cars have conservative factory settings, which can be enhanced through a tuning chip or ECU remap for enhanced power, torque, and throttle response.
Benefits:
More horsepower and torque: ECU remaps optimize engine performance by modifying factory settings.
Improved throttle response: Instant gain in acceleration and responsiveness.
Improved fuel efficiency: Most ECU remaps will also enhance fuel efficiency by fine-tuning the air-fuel ratio.
Popular Brands: Superchips, Revo, APR, Mountune
6. Performance Tyres
Best For: Enhanced grip and handling
Price Range: £80–£300 per tyre
High-performance tyres are one of the easiest things to do to enhance handling and safety. They're made to give you better grip, enhanced cornering, and better wet-weather performance. If you commute in all weather, particularly on UK roads that can be slippery and wet, spending money on good-quality performance tyres can really make a difference.
Advantages:
Better grip: Performance tyres provide better traction, particularly in wet and dry weather.
Improved braking performance: Higher quality tyres can shorten braking distances.
Improved cornering stability: Performance tyres enable sharper, more precise corners.
Popular Brands: Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental, Pirelli
7. Strut Bars and Sway Bars
Best For: Chassis rigidity and handling improvement
Price Range: £50–£300
Strut bars and anti-roll bars (also referred to as sway bars) are intended to minimize body roll and increase chassis stiffness, which enhances cornering stability. These accessories transfer the weight of the car more evenly when cornering, making it more predictable and responsive, especially on UK country roads with lots of bends.
Advantages:
Less body roll: Keeps the car level when cornering sharply.
More rigid chassis: A more rigid chassis enhances the overall driving experience and handling.
Better steering accuracy: Reduced suspension flex results in a more direct and immediate steering response.
Best Brands: Cusco, H&R, Whiteline, Eibach
8. Superchargers and Turbochargers
Best For: Extreme power increases
Price Range: £1,000–£5,000+
For those who want to dramatically boost engine performance, fitting a turbocharger or supercharger is a real game-changer. The forced induction units push more air into the engine, which equals more power, quicker acceleration, and increased top speeds. They're more prevalent on performance cars and racing vehicles, but increasingly being adopted in the UK aftermarket market.
Advantages:
Huge power gain: Superchargers and turbochargers can boost power by 30-50% or more.
Better acceleration: Quick throttle response and quicker acceleration.
Enhanced performance at higher altitudes: Forced induction systems ensure power in low-pressure environments.
Popular Brands: Garrett, BorgWarner, Eaton, HKS
9. Light Flywheels
Best For: Improved engine response and quicker acceleration
Price Range: £300–£800
A light flywheel is an aftermarket piece that minimizes the engine's rotational weight, enabling it to rev more freely. This translates to faster acceleration and better engine response. This is often used in high-performance vehicles, especially for track and racing purposes.
Advantages:
Faster engine response: Less weight equates to the engine revving faster.
Faster acceleration: The vehicle can accelerate faster, particularly during gear shifting.
Improved engine efficiency: A reduced weight flywheel enables the engine to do less work.
Popular Brands: Exedy, ACT, Fidanza, ClutchMasters
Conclusion: Improving Your Car's Performance
From cold air intakes to turbochargers, the UK market offers a wide range of performance accessories designed to improve every aspect of your car’s dynamics. Whether you’re after more power, better handling, or improved safety, these performance parts can make a noticeable difference in how your car feels on the road.
Selecting the correct accessories depends on your driving preferences, budget, and planned application—whether you desire a daily driver with better efficiency or a track and weekend driving-focused high-performance vehicle.
Remember to always check that any performance parts you select are compatible with your vehicle and meet UK road regulations. With the correct enhancements, you can enhance your driving experience and fully realize your car's potential.