Need More Grip? Check Out the Latest Extreme Performance Summer Challengers to the Bridgestone Potenze RE-71R

Becoming number one is difficult, but staying on top is even harder. Currently, the Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R has managed to hang on to its Extreme Performance Summer crown, however the competition is getting fierce. BFGoodrich has the new g-Force Rival S 1.5. Falken has come out with the RT615K+. And Hankook has rolled out the Ventus R-S4.

BFGoodrich g-Force Rival S 1.5

The g-Force Rival S 1.5 is an update to the g-Force Rival S. The g-Force Rival S has always boasted great lateral grip, but many drivers found its steering response to be a bit vague compared to the Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R. BFGoodrich updated the Rival S's construction to improve feel and responsiveness. The update focused on all the three-rib (255 section width and narrower) versions of the tire.

While there is not a “1.5” designation on the tire's sidewall, it's still easy to spot a Rival S 1.5 compared to the standard Rival S. Just check the speed rating branded on the sidewall at the end of the Service Description. All Rival S tires feature a W-speed rating, while Rival S 1.5 tires are V-speed rated. Additionally, Rival S 1.5 tires can be identified by the Sizing System. All Rival S tires are P-metric, and Rival S 1.5 tires are all Euro-metric. Finally, all Rival S tires are Light Load tires (with the exception of P205/50R15), whereas Rival S 1.5 tires are all Standard Load.

	g-Force Rival S	g-Force Rival S 1.5
Speed Rating on Sidewall	W	V
Sizing System	P-Metric	Eurometric
Load Rating	Light Load (except P205/50-15's are Standard Load)	Standard Load

FALKEN AZENIS RT615K+

Falken's internal testing shows a measurable improvement in dry grip for the RT615K+ compared to the Azenis RT615K. The RT615K+ impressed during our brief introductory test. We're looking forward to quantifying that improvement and assessing its overall performance during our summer testing.  

HANKOOK R-S4

Likewise, Hankook's tire engineers have seen a big improvement in dry lap times with the R-S4 compared to the R-S3. They have also noticed measurable gains in wet grip. It's another tire that we can't wait to test.