Nitto NT05 - Tire Review

»Large reinforced and continuous shoulder tread blocks for corning rigidity and stability.

»Stiffer internal construction for added response, handling and high-speed capabilities.

»Symmetric, rotation-specific tread design.

»Low void shoulder tread blocks separated by minimal shallow grooving to reduce tread squirm.

»Wide solid center tread rib for better steering response and straight line stability.

»Chamfered tread block edges that reduce stress and heat risers to reduce chunking.

»Spiral wound cap ply for high-speed stability and carcass heat dissipation.

»Tread compounds were tested at three different racetracks, including the Nürburgring, to aid in the selection of the best performing compound for this segment.

»Testing focused on balancing dry han-dling performance with good wear life.

»Improved compounding with the addition of silica for increased wet grip as well as stiffer carbon black and polymer chains to strengthen tire.

»Extremely high upturn for added sidewall strength and stiffness.

We love the Nitto NT01. When it comes to all-around grip, reasonable wear, predictability and great heat characteristics, the NT01 is a great pick for track-bound beginners and pros.

As great as the NT01 is, Nitto Tires did see the need for a tire that bridged the wide gap between its aging NT555 line and the motorsports-oriented NT01. With more and more enthusiasts headed for weekend track sessions, but few serious enough to have a dedicated set of track wheels and tires, Nitto had to develop a tire that would stick under track conditions while being robust enough to be daily driven. The NT05 was the solution.

Making a street tire that can also handle track duty can be a double-edged sword. Compounds hard enough for the street typically get greasy after a few laps on the track, while soft track compounds typically wear out too fast and are completely incompetent in cold, wet conditions. Track tires are also typically stiffer in construction, making them uncomfortable for daily use on rutted streets. Striking the balance is the challenge. Nitto found that balance by starting from a clean sheet with the NT05’s dry, sticky compound with added stiffeners and silica to increase tire strength, wear and wet-traction abilities. The tread pattern was fleshed out with huge near-continuous shoulder tread blocks for sustained cornering grip and two large center tread channels to evacuate water.

After seeing the success of the motorsports NT01 tire among tuners and time attackers, Nitto realized the change in emphasis of performance over tuner looks. So the company invested extensive effort into tire simulations and real track testing of the NT05 during its design stage.

Our test tires went onto a turbocharged Nissan 240SX that’s best known for its excessive torque and its tail-happy antics. We scrambled to get the tires on for the rare Southern Californian rain on the horizon so we could have a chance to assess this dry tire’s wet abilities. Obviously, we’re not expecting miracles from a dry tire in the wet, and just one look at the NT05’s tread pattern will tell you that it’s not a wet tire. But even in the greasy, wet asphalt of a first rain, our brand-new NT05s did stick. In acceleration, the tires would spin in second gear as 300 ft-lbs of torque were unleashed to just two drive wheels. But what tire wouldn’t? These are all minor hurdles that can be overcome with a little caution and anticipation.