Often, I receive calls about a tire's life and the tire's relationship to its assigned UTQG treadwear indicator. UTQG numbers are assigned to indicate a tires overall level of performance and tread hardness. These numbers beginning at 0 for race products and traveling north of 800 for some of the longest lasting all-season tires, are nothing more than a general guideline to assist customers in making their correct tire purchase.
While certain performance standards are held standard, such as Traction Grades and Temperature Resistance, UTQG treadwear numbers are published by the manufacturer based upon their test findings of a tire's life expectancy. It's important to note that not all manufacturer's standards are equal and similar ratings may lead to different real world results between similar product types.
On a large basis, however, most manufacturer's figures are surprisingly accurate. To gain a better understanding of the process, take a look at a few of our popular performance categories beginning with soft compounds and working our way up.
Track & Competition DOT
These tires offer maximum grip in race environments where performance is key and treadlife is sacrificed. In order to be competitive, these tires feature a soft tread compound that tends to be very adhesive. These soft tires wear much faster than a standard street tire and aren't recommend for street use. Take a look at the Hoosier A6, a popular autocross tire to see an example. Note this tire's low UTQG figure of 40.
Max Performance Summer
This category features high-performance tires designed for street use. Although not nearly as soft as the race products outlined above, they're at home in a performance environment. This is an optimal choice for a driver looking for acceptable levels of treadwear combined with a high-performing grip level. Even though these tires offer much more flexibility, I'm reminded of an economics lesson: There is no free lunch. The longest wearing Max Performance Summer tires will not outlast a good performing all-season option. Sometimes a driver must choose between smiles and miles. Take a look at our current top-rated summer tire, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport and its 300 indicated UTQG treadwear.
Ultra High Performance All-Season
Perhaps our most popular and best-selling category, the Ultra High Performance All-Season, promotes higher treadwear in exchange for some loss in ultimate dry grip. Although not as soft, and therefore not as sticky as the Max Performance Summer tires, these tires still place a good amount of focus on performance. This new breed of all-season tires typically lasts between 30,000-50,000 miles and allows the driver to experience practicality while also including good performance features such as a responsive sidewalls and higher speed ratings. The Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position is currently the number one tire in this category and carries a UTQG number of 400.
Standard Touring All-Season
Tires in this category sacrifice performance in terms of ultimate dry grip to focus on maximum life and mileage. These tires are designed for conservative drivers that are looking for the best in ride, treadlife and practicality. These tires aren't meant for track use or for aggressive street driving, but often work well as purposeful all-season tires. The popular Hankook Optimo H727 is a great example of such a tire. Notice that its 700 treadwear fits this category to a tee.
When it comes to light, fast, compact European hatchbacks, the MINI Cooper S has been the only game in town. With the release of the FIAT 500 Abarth, MINI finally has some serious competition. The 500 Abarth adds a whopping 59 hp and 72 ft. lbs. of torque compared to the FIAT 500 Sport. That's a lot of power for a 2,564 lb. car and some serious power for those front tires to handle.
If you have an Abarth on order, then you'll be counting on 195/45-16 all-seasons or the optional 205/40-17s. The 195/45-16 Original Equipment options for the vehicle are either the Grand Touring All-Season Continental ContiProContact or the High Performance All-Season Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season. The optional 17x7 is equipped with the 205/40-17 Max Performance Summer Pirelli P Zero Nero tire.
Given the Abarth's sporty suspension and short wheelbase, factory choices may not be ideal. In my opinion, the 16" tire choices offer relatively subpar grip, while the vehicle's ride is compromised with the 17" wheels. If I had an Abarth on order, I'd select one of the 16" options and sell them to a FIAT 500 Sport owner and look at a 205/45-16 Tire & Wheel Package.
If you're looking for wheels for a 500 Abarth with a black exterior and red mirror caps and red side stripes, I'd take a look at the black painted O.Z. Racing Alleggerita HLT. For the red-colored vehicle with black mirror caps and black side stripes, the red painted Alleggerita HLT is a great choice. With a white or gray Abarth, there's a number of Alleggerita finishes that'll work.
When looking for a tire that offers great dry and wet grip, predictable handling, optimal balance between steering response and ride compliance and relatively low noise take a look at the 205/45-16 Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport.
Mounted, balanced and ready to install, the Tire & Wheel Package including the Black Alleggerita is $1,712*, while the package with the red painted (special order color) Alleggerita is currently $1,792*.
E 'in poi, è su come Donkey Kong (It's on, it's on like Donkey Kong).
2012 FIAT 500 Abarth FAQ:
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Can I run 205/45-16 sized tires on my Original Equipment 16" wheels? Yes, the O.E. 16x6.5 wheels will accommodate the 205/45-16 tires.
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Would the Sparco Assetto Gara be a good fit for the vehicle? The wheel is a good choice as well, however I personally like the Alleggerita design a little better. If you're open to either design, the Assetto Gara costs less and is priced at $1092* (the red painted Assetto Gara is estimated to be available in June).
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How do the above 4-100 wheels fit on 4-98 bolt pattern vehicle? You can install these wheels with the provided wobble bolts. Wobble bolts are bolts with floating seats. Each bolt seat moves slightly upward to accommodate the 4-100 bolt pattern.
*Price subject to change, excluding shipping
It's very common for a customer to get very excited over the tread pattern of their newly purchased asymmetric tires. While I agree the look of the grooves would lead you to have them pointing in a downward direction during rotation, the reality is there isn't a significant enough of difference for it to matter.
With an asymmetric design you need the larger shoulder block on the outside to take the abuse during cornering, this is more important than the direction of the groove on the inboard shoulder for water evacuation. The groove channels are small enough that the water will escape to the circumferential grooves when under speed. There's an unbelievable amount of force being exerted on the tire when the leading edge hits the road. Water is going to move through those lateral grooves out to the circumferential grooves for evacuation due to the force being exerted. Those grooves must also have an angle to them. While they would work just as well if they were perpendicular to the larger circumferential grooves, the tire would be very loud. By introducing an angle, noise levels are lowered.
Testing data and feedback on the tire is based on them mounted with the outside marking facing outside. The tire will perform as intended when installed in this manner. There's no left side and right design available. The fact remains, the engineers designing these tires are achieving the performance goals with this design. You'll see this on tires from all brands using an asymmetric approach.
Listed below are some of the more popular and highly rated tires with an asymmetric design.
For more information on a tire's asymmetric design, read "Tire Tread Patterns."
2009 Chevrolet Malibu
2005 BMW X3 3.0I
