Fire: Hankook Ventus R-S3 Version 2 (Z222) (Extreme Performance Summer, 245/40R18 97W)
What We Liked: Overall ride and noise comfort (for an Extreme Performance Summer tire)
What We'd Improve: Dry cornering traction and wet grip in cool temperatures
Conclusion: A capable Extreme Performance Summer tire that really performs in warm wet weather
Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08 R (Extreme Performance Summer, 245/40R18 93W)
What We Liked: Great traction and stable handling
What We'd Improve: More wet grip at lower temperatures
Conclusion: Plenty of handling muscle, but no longer stands out in the crowd
Fire: At the end of 2014, Toyo changed the Uniform Tire Quality Grade (UTQG) of their Proxes R1R Extreme Performance Summer tire to reflect a 200 Treadwear rating.
UTQG ratings for Treadwear, Traction and Temperature are based on tests conducted by tire manufacturers and reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These regulations allow tire manufacturers to under-rate their tires' capabilities, but prohibit over-rating them. UTQG ratings are required to be printed on their labels and branded on tire sidewalls.
Toyo assigned the 140 Treadwear rating to match the UTQG Treadwear rating required by competition rules when the Proxes R1R was introduced, however subsequent Toyo wear data revealed the tire line earned a 200 Treadwear rating.
With some competition rules now requiring higher UTQG Treadwear ratings, Toyo decided it was time to officially change the Proxes R1R line's rating to accurately reflect its capabilities.