Interesting new 200tw tire on the way: Nankang CR-1

After they jumped into the R-compound waters with the AR-1, now Nankang is apparently introducing a 200tw tire, the CR-1, and it looks almost exactly like a Pirelli Trofeo R

Nankang:

Pirelli:

First set of sizes are due in November 2020 and are:

 - 275/35/18
- 225/45/15
- 255/40/17

Second set of sizes, due in December 2020/January 2021, are:

- 205/50/15
- 245/45/15
- 245/40/17
- 265/35/18
- 295/30/18
- 315/30/18

(Sizes and ETAs taken from here: https://www.tf-works.com/nankang-motorsport-cr-1-200tw-competition-tire/)

The 245/40R15s intrigue, especially because the price is listed at $159.00, which is $40 a tire cheaper than the BFGs I'm running right now. I also have heard that during early testing, they are in the same league as the A052s, Rival S 1.5s and RE71Rs, because they are essentially the AR-1 100tw tire compound in a new tread pattern. There are also rumblings of a 275/35R15 on the way. Should be interesting to see how these shake out.

YESSSS

Now to figure out if I can stuff a 265F onto the front of the 996. I love the battle for tire supremecy.

In reply to Olemiss540 :

I too enjoy the 200tw tire wars. I know some people complain they're too expensive or too complicated or whatnot, but I enjoy trying different types of tires and how they drive. For example, while I love the grip my current BFGs have, I do miss how fun my Nexens were to drive on and how temperature insensitive those were. And kicking ass on an underdog tire is kind of fun too.

I'll grab a set, I always like trying different things. I loved the AR1s I had on my car on loan. 

 Somebody grab a set and chump test them to compare to the RS4's please

more companies make a 245-15 the better.  that hopefully means we are closer to bridgestone making that size

Interesting sizes to start with. I would have loved a 255/40 17” about 15 years ago for my STU M3!

I would love if these were competitive... the rest are pretty expensive, especially the Yok$.

79rex said:

more companies make a 245-15 the better.  that hopefully means we are closer to bridgestone making that size

I have emailed a big Nexen dealer about a 245-15 N FERA SURF and I was told that they have had a ton of people requesting that size and have been passing it on to Nexen, so hopefully we'll see those. And with the way Nexen sizes tires, they would really be a 255-15

79rex said:

more companies make a 245-15 the better.  that hopefully means we are closer to bridgestone making that size

+1

I've bought 2 sets of Nankangs for myself and planning a 3rd set for my Cayenne. I haven't had a single bad thing to say about a Nankang yet. I'm excited. I'm actually waffling on buying another set of Mudstars (bigger this time) because they discontinued it for the new model (still some out there, getting scarce) and i LOVED the old model's classic unadorned looks.. so i might be doing that soon. I'd definitely consider these because 245/40/17 and all the 15" sizes work for several of my cars and im starting to consider myself a Nankang fanboy to the point that i started looking at the Milestar range when i figured out they were made by Nankang. 

275/35-15 is perfect for a vintage Audi.

I'll be getting 205/50R15 for the escort. 

PSA for anyone thinking about these as autocross tires: only three wheel diameters available so far means they're not legal for SCCA competition.

They do look intriguing as an A052 alternative that's a little cheaper and maybe slightly more robust. They're a time trial tire, so I can't imagine they'd hold up in an endurance situation...or even normal track day conditions.

My favorite RT615K has been axed so I'm always interested in new 200TWs but they don't have my size listed. Oh well. I'm giving Nankang a try on my summer daily but that won't tell me much about their 200TWs.

In reply to NickD :

I put the Nexen N Fera SUR F on my Cayman this season and they were surprisingly good.  I would put them right up there with the RS-4's as a track day or endurance tire; fast enough and pretty tough.  Unfortunately it doesn't look like these Nankangs will be coming in Cayman sizes any time soon.

FYI these have already been getting laps all summer on a few time attack cars. Particularly Jackie Ding has been running them, Super K and a few others have tested them.

I believe there are a few youtube review videos up on various channels.

In reply to buzzboy :

You and me are in the same boat. Bought 3 sets Friday 

In reply to ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) :

I loved the Nexens. Relatively quiet in the street and they didn't tramline, were far better than the Rivals in cold or rain, a lot of fun to drive on and would let you hoon around a bit before they let go. Sadly they don't come wider than 225 in 15s

Im looking for 225/45R15s for my Fiesta so these could be in the running with more favorable reviews. Anyone have any other alternatives?

Currently i have run 615k+, RS-RR's, RS-Pro's and some generic 340tw tire. My favorite so far has been the RS-RR's which lasted the longest on a very camber challenged car. My current RS-Pro's on my 16x8 wheels ate the shoulder apart quickly. I am dialing in more camber with some top plates and plunged for some 15x8 Konigs in a group buy so the 225 size is right up my alley for more rubber on the road and to reduce extreme camber wear.

Was thinking the Kumho V720 or the Fed RS-RR but am open to other tires - Nexens or Nankangs - since the price is right in line with the others.

I wonder how much difference in time there would be between a 275/35/15 set of these and the same size from the purple crack company? Think Challenge car on the Gainesville lot, not a car at SCCA Nationals.

In reply to kevinatfms :

I have no data on the Nankangs yet, but I loved my Nexen N FERA SUR4Gs. I know the Kumhos had issues with delamination, but no clue on if that was ever solved or not.

DeadSkunk (Warren) said:

I wonder how much difference in time there would be between a 275/35/15 set of these and the same size from the purple crack company? Think Challenge car on the Gainesville lot, not a car at SCCA Nationals.

If you buy me a set of Hoosiers, I'll buy the Nankangs and let you know  

Dangit.  Now I'm going to have trouble effectively using my "Nankang Ditchfinder" joke.

Or maybe not depending on the wet weather behavior.
 

In reply to NickD :

Nice try. I think the magazine should do a Challenge based tire shootout just so 4 or 5 of us know which direction to go in for budget purposes..............and "for science" too.

DeadSkunk (Warren) said:

In reply to NickD :

Nice try. I think the magazine should do a Challenge based tire shootout just so 4 or 5 of us know which direction to go in for budget purposes..............and "for science" too.

It's a critical market of nearly 2 dozen total tires that isn't currently being served adequately.   Won't someone consider the Challengers!

I may buy a set of these for the MG for track use once the Rivals on it are all worn out.  Which will probably happen at Gridlife next weekend.