Falken Tire
Azenis RT-615
Class: Max Performance Summer (Dry)
Tread Depth: 8/32"
Tread Design: Assymetric
Tread Wear: 200
Traction: A
Temperature: A
Load Index/Speed Rating: 94W
Price: $177
Contact:www.falkentire.com
Overall Ranking: 9th
WET
Slalom: 4.806sec
Skidpan: 0.737g
Lap Time: 33.553sec
Braking from 50mph: 107.8ft
DRY
Slalom: 4.190sec
Skidpan: 0.935g
Lap Time: 29.817sec
Braking from 50mph: 79.0ft
As the successor to the RT-215, the new RT-615 is intended to be superior in every category. It has large tread blocks designed for maximum dry traction and its compound is engineered to maintain grip over a wide variety of operating temperatures. The tread design was optimised for water extraction and to reduce hydroplaning. But while the RT-215 finished second in last year's test, the 615 was mid-table. It's strong performance in the dry couldn't compensate for below-average behavior in the wet.
Driver's Comments
DRY
Don: These are the closest yet to an R-compound because you could hear stones sticking to the tread. There was lots of natural grip but not amazing precision in the tight corners, there wasn't enough feedback either.
Will: These were similar to the BFG but felt better in transition and at high speed. They also had slightly more ultimate grip (0.001g, as a matter of fact, but how did he know that? - Ed). I got a good feeling from these tires early on, and they remained consistent throughout.
WET
Don: These felt really good under braking but were average for grip. I didn't like the high-speed transition but they were good under brakes. These were different than most of the other tires and seemed to have different strengths.
Will: Similar to the BFG but they gave up more at the end of the skidpan. They go away more as you push harder and then give up at the limit. They were better on the brakes than the BFG but about the same mid-corner.