Nankang AR 1

The Nankang AR 1 is a Trackday and Competition Summer tyre designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars.

Tyre review data from 35 tyre reviews averaging 75% over 98,391 miles driven, and 1 tests with an average result of 1st.

Dry Grip 91%
Wet Grip 45%
Road Feedback 84%
Handling 88%
Wear 71%
Comfort 66%
Buy again 83%

First On MarketJanuary 2016
Wheel Size13 - 21"
Width195 - 335mm
Profile30 - 60
Rolling ResistanceD - E
Wet GripB - D
Noise (dB)71 - 74
Winter RatingNot Winter Rated

The AR 1 is ranked 21st of 37 Summer Trackday and Competition tyres.

Tests Included

1

Best Result

1st

Worst Result

1st

Average Result

1st

Latest Tyre Test Results

2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test
1st of 10 tyres
  • Race tyre typical, rather soft turn in, high level of grip dependant on temperature, understeer balance which is easy to control.
  • Yarış lastiği tipik, oldukça yumuşak dönüş, sıcaklığa bağlı yüksek seviyede tutunma, kontrol edilmesi kolay önden kayma dengesi.
  • Rennreifentypisch, eher weiches Einlenkverhalten, hohes Gripniveau abhängig von der Temperatur, gut kontrollierbare Untersteuerbalance.
  • Pneu de course typique, entrée en virage plutôt souple, niveau d'adhérence élevé en fonction de la température, équilibre du sous-virage facile à contrôler.
  • Critical handling and high aquaplaning in the wet, very loud noise and vibrations.
  • Islak zeminde kritik yol tutuşu ve yüksek suda kızaklama, çok yüksek ses ve titreşim.
  • Kritisches Handling und hohes Aquaplaning bei Nässe, sehr starke Geräuschentwicklung und Vibrationen.
  • Tenue de route critique et risque d'aquaplaning élevé sur sol mouillé, bruit et vibrations très forts.
  • The slick like Nankang AR-1 is top on track, but nothing for the street, and loud as hell.
  • Nankang AR-1 gibi kaygan bir motor pistte en iyisi, ancak sokak için pek iyi değil ve inanılmaz gürültülü.
  • Der slickartige Nankang AR-1 ist auf der Rennstrecke spitze, aber nichts für die Straße und höllisch laut.
  • Le Nankang AR-1, comme un slick, est le top sur piste, mais rien pour la rue, et bruyant comme l'enfer.
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Questions and Answers for the Nankang AR 1

2019-09-27 - It would be great to have a big review on track tyres with this tyre + all other semi slicks/track tyres like the Michelin PS Cup 2, Toyo R888, Federals and so on!

Definitely working on it!


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Top 3 Nankang AR 1 Reviews

Given 50% while driving a Lotus Elan S2 (225/60 R13) on a combination of roads for 240 spirited miles
Sidewalls are sponge, inaccurate tactile grip sensing due to excessive sidewall flex at any pressures.
Helpful 134 - tyre reviewed on May 17, 2019
Given 63% while driving a Toyota GR Yaris (255/35 R18) on track for 200 spirited miles
Would be really nice to get a comparison of Semi Slicks. Drove the AR1 two times now on the GR Yaris and the Cup2 previously on the M2. Was not so impressed with the Cup2s overall. Going from stock PS4S 225/40 18 to AR1 in 255/35 18 (-3 camber in the front) is a different world. But wear is pretty high. Would be nice to see how they stack up versus other Semi slicks, like 888R, Federals or Yokohams or even slicks. There really is no up to date semi slicks track test. Tire sizes could differ from the spec sheet... what matters more is the real width in MM... i.e. Cup2s 255s are much wider then AR-1 255s etc. What matters more for track is what's available and what fits. Thanks for all the great work. Enjoying the channel :)
Helpful 70 - tyre reviewed on October 12, 2021
Given 33% while driving a Volkswagen Golf 5 GTI (225/40 R18) on a combination of roads for 5,000 spirited miles
I initially opted to fit the AR1 semi-slicks at the rear of my vehicle while waiting for the a050 to become available again. To my surprise, the AR1s provided a lifespan of over 7000 km on the rear, which is impressive for a front-wheel drive car. Upon first use, the tyres performed as expected for semi-slicks, offering a satisfactory driving experience. However, towards the end of their lifespan, I experienced an unpleasant increase in tyre noise, drone and vibration, which was unusual compared to my experiences with other brands of semi-slicks.

When it comes to wet performance, the AR1s were the worst semi-slicks I have used. They lacked progression when breaking traction, and I consider myself lucky to have avoided any incidents on wet roads. I ultimately decided to swap back to the a050 tyres once they became available again, as they provide a better driving experience in both wet and dry conditions.
Helpful 37 - tyre reviewed on May 14, 2023
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Latest Nankang AR 1 Reviews

Given 61% while driving a Mazda MX 5 1.5 2015 (205/40 R17) on a combination of roads for 1,500 spirited miles
Tires which replaced the excellent Yoko A052. I was disappointed because they were worn out in less than 1500km of dynamic roads and passes. They are worse in all areas than the Yokohama. They are certainly cheaper but last 3x less long. They are also unstable at temperature and are not suitable for even very dynamic road use.
The positive point is the feeling and feedback which is very good, very progressive, which allows you to slide easily and without being surprised.
I will have tried..
Helpful 8 - tyre reviewed on April 19, 2024
Given 78% while driving a Nissan Skyline R34 (245/40 R17) on a combination of roads for 400 spirited miles
R34 RWD G35 turbo 700WHP rolls/straights.
Slight spin on boost 1st gear compared to Mickey ET Street(no spin, rolls- not launches). Better than R888R(spins 1st + 2nd + slight 3rd since day1. Won't get r888r ever again. AR1 definitely grips very well. finally back in control after 2 years of horrid r888r. Just bought last week. Turning feels great but I'm no circuit expert. Used to have slight oversteer before now it's perfect.
Helpful 13 - tyre reviewed on February 7, 2024
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Porsche 911 992 GT3 (225/45 R17) on track for 500 spirited miles
Has anyone else experienced explosive detonation like some one hit you and popped the car into the air with these AR1tires from Nankang? I experienced this just after turning in at a high speed corner of the nordschliefe at Nürburg. Needless to say at 100 mph entering this turn in a 992 GT3 it was quite frightening. Luckily escaped without damage to car or injury but a 100 mph off in this corner can be deadly so watch out if using these for multiple hot laps. No mechanical damage or failure was found and the car is brand new practically.
Helpful 48 - tyre reviewed on July 16, 2022
Given 76% while driving a Mazda MX5 (205/50 R15) on track for 500 spirited miles
These replaced outgoing R888R’s. Initially feel is they warm up very quickly which is great, very responsive on the turn in but felt a bit more understeer than I got with the Toyo’s. Feedback through steering wheel is great and can feel where the car is at all time. Outright grip I’d say initially Toyo seems better BUT I’ve only put about 500 miles on them and a travkday at abingdon which is very poor tarmac/concrete surface so not a fair test. Would I buy again? I’ll have to do another 2 or 3 trackdays on them as the Toyo’s gave me around 5000 road miles and 3 trackdays (averaging around 200 miles driving each trackday). But initially I’d say yes.
Helpful 45 - tyre reviewed on June 26, 2022
Given 76% while driving a Lotus Elise (225/45 R17) on mostly country roads for 1,500 spirited miles
prefer them to the Toyo R888R's I had before. Less tramlining and similar to more grip and more confidence in it's abilities.
Helpful 50 - tyre reviewed on October 17, 2021
Given 70% while driving a Mazda MX5 2.0 SE (ND 2015 onwards) (215/45 R17) on track for 2,000 spirited miles
these are trackday tyres and i use them only on track or transfers from home to track. the grip is great, even better than Toyo R888R i have used before, consistent performance lap after lap. cornering speed is great! on wet surface it is better to stay at home or cruise at low speed. street usability is fine as long as you use them for short distances, you can feel every pothole, even the smallest my car is a 2016 Mazda MX-5 with no mods other than Tein dampers
Helpful 41 - tyre reviewed on October 15, 2021
Renault (225/45 R17) on track for 0 spirited miles
We run a proffesional motorsport team in terms of how it operated and amatuer in terms of the FIA motorsport coffee drinking, price increasing stamp duty dudes. Our car is Renault Twingo R2 EVO homalated fromt RS133 Apart from the shell of cup there is not much cariierd over from the cup rs133. The dry weight is 650 kg but ballasted to 1250 for FIA event @ 205 HP @ 2WD Front. We have spent alot of time on tyres and suspension and we very inpressed with these tyres and that of the Toyo R888R. The Nankings A1 do have the edge on the track where as Toyo R888R have the edge on the country roads We run a full coil over Ohlins kit weighted and balanced. The A1 are perfect for track days and offer a super glue grip but they need a bit of suspension set up and fixed suspension systems will not release the full potential of the the tyre. A perfect track for testing a car setup is Cadwell Park. In regards to price they are well priced for what they offer We do pre heat them to what we feel is best on the day and tyre pressure is critical for these tyres. In regards to comment of they cheap tyres, well when your using 2 or 3 sets a weekend it can be costly tyre. If your really chasing points and seconds then these would be ok but you would be better of with the Perrelli RK5 tyre compound. As I tell my kids who drive the R2- As driver we can set it up the best we can but you have to learn to drive it into its limits. Feed back from the tyres are good unlike the scary R888R that seem to stick like glue but then let go in rapido mode.
Helpful 60 - tyre reviewed on March 15, 2021
Given 92% while driving a Honda FK2 type r (235/35 R19) on track for 0 spirited miles
Ecxcellent grip on dry weather
Helpful 47 - tyre reviewed on July 15, 2020
Given 78% while driving a Porsche 987 Boxster S (275/35 R18) on track for 0 spirited miles
Been tracking a 944 and a Boxster for years. Both cars highly modified for track work. I just want to have fun and buy whatever r-comps or similar that are on sale. Had sets of re71r’s, Toyota r888r’s, nitto nt01’s. Then saw nangang ar1s on sale. Wow!, as much or more grip as all the above and unlike a review above, I Did not find the tires going any greasier earlier than the others. If you overdrive your car, a specially if it’s heavy, ALL tires will get greasy. And I got more track sessions out of AR1 than any of the above, except Maby the nitto’s. Super tire
Helpful 48 - tyre reviewed on June 30, 2020
Given 90% while driving a BMW 328i Coupe (235/40 R17) on for 3,000 miles
I bought this tires set for my E36 328i and mainly used this tires on track, sometimes daily commute to work if I feel lucky ;) So far, this tires is simple excellent on the track. Great feedback, turn in sharp. It will tell you once it is at its limit. Even if you slightly oversteer, it will grip back as long as you have are sensitive on gas pedal. I managed to cut down 3 seconds from 47s to 44s on one of the local track and around 5s from 1.31s to 1.26s on another local track (worth to mention that also my previous tires is just summer performance tires RE003 - but it is still a really good one). Once it is at the right temperature, it grips like shit on toilet. One more thing I really like from this tires is that it only take 1 2 turns to warm up, so you can go pretty much all in right from the beginning. My car is 1300kg so normally I start at 28 psi cold and usually ends up at around 34-35 psi.

Daily drive, it is super noisy. But it is semi-slick so you can't complain much about it. Tires make the whole car feels heavy - yes this tires is super heavy.

Also, I like the tread pattern design.
Helpful 58 - tyre reviewed on November 28, 2019
Given 57% while driving a BMW M3 (295/30 R18) on track for 1,000 miles
Like others said in other reviews
I ve used 3sets of Nankang AR1 brefore i write this review on F80 M3 with 490RWHP set up.
My sizes were 265 35 18 front and 295 30 18 rear.
The only problem with AR1 is that it starts to get heat soaked pretty quick for a semi slick tire. You will have to cool down after a consecutive attack, if not it has tendency to become very greasy.

It doesnt last that long obviously but It does provide more grip than most of Extreme summer tires.

If you are limited on tire expense,i would go with something that lasts a little longer.
However if you are not limited, AR1 will provide more DRY grip for a limited time.

Break away characteristic is adequate. I would say it is on the liniar progressive side.

Helpful 49 - tyre reviewed on November 23, 2019
Given 76% while driving a Subaru Impreza WRX STI (225/45 R17) on track for 200 miles
Very strong grip, one of the best semi-slick tire on the market I ‘ve tried (dry road)
Take one turn to warm it
Use at 29 psi hot tire pressure
I recommend it for sure and I will buy it again


Didn’t try on the wet but I won’t recommend
Helpful 50 - tyre reviewed on November 2, 2019