Cornering Stiffness

The small‑angle linearized gradient of a tire or wheel assembly's lateral force Fy with respect to slip angle α under specified operating conditions (normal load, camber, pressure, velocity); formally Cα = ∂Fy/∂α (units N·rad⁻1). It represents lateral force produced per unit slip angle for steady or quasi‑steady conditions and is a local, operating‑point property, not the tire's peak lateral grip.