Nitto Tires Launch New Tire Design at SEMA 08

[DriverzInc]

Introducing the new NT05! You will remember last summer I had posted up asking members to give Nitto feedback regarding what they wanted to see in a new tire. Here is what they've come up with!

For more information regarding the NT05, please visit their website:

http://www.nittotire.com/#index.news

Quoted from their site:

"Nitto Tire U.S.A., Inc., announces the release of its new summer max performance tire, the NT05. The NT05 is Nitto's most aggressive non-competition street tire. The tire gets its name from the fusion of two existing tires: the NT01, Nitto's D.O.T.-approved R-compound, and NT555, Nitto's popular UHP tire. The name signifies that the tire is based on the NT01's award-winning race technology but designed specifically for maximum street performance.

Nitto's top priority was to optimize dry performance. To achieve this, Nitto's engineers used the most advanced computer simulation and extensive on-track testing to identify the optimal tread design and compound. The large continuous center rib and big outer shoulder blocks provide optimum tread contact with the road and the reinforced tread blocks provide exceptional rigidity and stability."

Here are photos I took from the show:
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e99/Hensons/SEMA2008/NittoNT05-1.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e99/Hensons/SEMA2008/NittoNT05_SEMA-1.jpg

[tjbruning]

Too bad they don't do a 335/30 - 20.

Good looking tire... :cool:

[DriverzInc]

I'm sure they will be adding new tire sizes as they keep going. Stay tuned to their site.
I'm excited to see a 275/40/20. That size has been missing for a LONG time from other tire manufacturers.

[Flash68]

Awesome looking tire.

But they went from 275 to 335 in the 19s with nothing in between?? :question:

[DriverzInc]

They'll be making more sizes, not too worry. Like I said above, they will have them in all the popular sizes eventually. Give them time to create them.... At least now we can see what the tread design looks like...

[Flash68]

Cool, I didn't read that above. Yeah that makes sense. Great looking tire. Do you know if it will be priced closer to the NT01 or the 555?

[Tony_SS]

Yikes...that can't be good in the rain. Looks nice though.

[XcYZ]

Very cool.

[DriverzInc]

Its a max performance summer tire. :willy: Definitely not made for wet traction, but I don't think that was the goal with these :)

My understanding is it will be priced similar to the 555. We'll have to wait and see....

[The WidowMaker]

hmmmmmm... i just saw those on their site yesterday. i wonder if i could fit that 275/35/19 up front with some work........

jon, hows that compound going to work with the 555r's? am i better off sticking with the 555 for the front? either way the tread will be a little different than the rear.

tim

[Tony_SS]

Its a max performance summer tire. :willy: Definitely not made for wet traction, but I don't think that was the goal with these :)

I figured as much. I guess this is where the definitions get blurred. I think ideally tires for a true pro-touring car should be able to handle wet weather. I still think they look nice, but I wouldn't trade my 555's for them unless I had a show only car or knew I'd never get caught in a downpour.

[The WidowMaker]

according to nitto's site and their little "performance" meters, the nt05 got a better wet traction rating than the 555 or the 555r.

Tim

[Tony_SS]

according to nitto's site and their little "performance" meters, the nt05 got a better wet traction rating than the 555 or the 555r.

Tim

They have a better rating than the 555's, but not the 555r's.

But I don't see how they can rate that tire better than the 555 for wet traction. Not that the 555 is like some aqua tread, but the nt05 looks to be essentially a drag radial, like the 555r and 555r2.

[DriverzInc]

Tim stick with the 555 front and the 555r for the rear, since the treads will match, and you need that 555r in the back.

The NT05 is definitely a street tire, not a drag radial like the 555r.
It will also of course depend on where you live. Here in Cali, it hardly rains like I know it does in other parts of the country, and always pick a tire that corresponds with the type of driving you will be doing.

[TravisB]

I figured as much. I guess this is where the definitions get blurred. I think ideally tires for a true pro-touring car should be able to handle wet weather. I still think they look nice, but I wouldn't trade my 555's for them unless I had a show only car or knew I'd never get caught in a downpour.

So now pro touring cars have to be driven in the rain too:willy: man its getting harder and harder to fit the pro touring mold. Hey John do they make those with the optional snow studs in case I get caught in a blizzard too:rolleyes:

[Tony_SS]

So now pro touring cars have to be driven in the rain too:willy: man its getting harder and harder to fit the pro touring mold. Hey John do they make those with the optional snow studs in case I get caught in a blizzard too:rolleyes:

I was waiting for a snow comment to come up. :thumbsup:

I don't live in the desert or CA. It's been known to rain around here. So if I take a weekend trip, I'd rather not start hydroplaning while doing 65 in the rain. That's just me though. I guess that can happen with any tire, but judging by the looks, I wouldn't personally try my chances with this particular one. Even though for some reason Nitto give's it a better wet traction rating. :question:

[skatinjay27]

I was waiting for a snow comment to come up. :thumbsup:

I don't live in the desert or CA. It's been known to rain around here. So if I take a weekend trip, I'd rather not start hydroplaning while doing 65 in the rain. That's just me though. I guess that can happen with any tire, but judging by the looks, I wouldn't personally try my chances with this particular one. Even though for some reason Nitto give's it a better wet traction rating. :question:
lol are you a tire designer??? or just assuming that they dont work in wet traction... if you look on the nitto site the nt05 have better wet traction that all three versions of the nt555??? and why exact would they lie about it? it not like they're comparing thier product to another companys product and just trying to get you to buy it by bs-ing you.

[mazspeed]

What's the TWR?

[GinoRin]

Is there a NT05r in the future??? :unibrow:

[Vegas69]

The 335/35/19 option is interesting.

[Fastbowtie]

Well it's almost spring has anybody been able to try these yet? Maybe someone out west?

[DriverzInc]

Funny you should ask. They are still just starting to get out here now. Actually, since Nitto's biggest warehouse is in Georgia, most of them hit out that way first. I'm going to start stocking these here in the next 30 days in 18". As soon as we can put them on something we will. Pricing seems to be just a hair more than what the 555s are selling for, but still very competitive to similiar sizes from other brands like BFG, etc.

[Fastbowtie]

Well, it looks like I'm am going to get a pair depending on Nitto's answer to my question about 245/45/R17 size. I sent them an inquiry to see if and when they would be making them and I am just waiting on the response.

[VP23271]

Once these tires are out and people have put some miles on them, I am curious how they will compare to the Toyo R888's. I went to Nitto's website and they have the NT05's rated very high for street tires.

Jon, Does Nitto say how soft of a compound they are using in comparison to the R888's?

[Fastbowtie]

Well, it looks like I'm am going to get a pair depending on Nitto's answer to my question about 245/45/R17 size. I sent them an inquiry to see if and when they would be making them and I am just waiting on the response.

Well it looks like Nitto is dropping the ball on this one. They don't seem to be coming out with the 245 45 R17 size for the NT05. I guess this means a lot of camaro guys aren't going to be running this tire. The only other size is 255 40 R17 and 235 40 R17. I requested the size and they said they forward the request on to engineering, so if you guys are interested in trying these tires by all means go to the website and inquire about the size they don't have. Tell them you would like to see that size in the NT05. I have been using Nitto's for a while and I can vouch for their products they work extremely well. This will be my 3rd set. :mad:

[DriverzInc]

Well, we just ordered our first set for a customer in 18/19. Sizes are going to be a 245/40/18 front, and a 275/35/19 rear. I will post pictures when they come in....

Sorry they are not making the 245/45/17.... maybe then run their 555's if you are not going to move up to an 18". If you look at it from Nitto's point of view, they still make a lot of sizes in the 555s that work in 17s and there is certainly nothing wrong with the 555. :thumbsup:

[Fastbowtie]

I have Nitto 555's right now they work alright but when I autocross I wanted a little more without going back to the NT01's.

[Fastbowtie]

Well it looks like Nitto is dropping the ball on this one. They don't seem to be coming out with the 245 45 R17 size for the NT05. I guess this means a lot of camaro guys aren't going to be running this tire. The only other size is 255 40 R17 and 235 40 R17. I requested the size and they said they forward the request on to engineering, so if you guys are interested in trying these tires by all means go to the website and inquire about the size they don't have. Tell them you would like to see that size in the NT05. I have been using Nitto's for a while and I can vouch for their products they work extremely well. This will be my 3rd set. :mad:


So nobody wants a set of these in 245 45 R17's but me? As far as going up to 18's I'm lucky to be able to afford these tires much less a new set of rims and tires. Besides I think 17's are the perfect fit for 13" brakes. The rotor fills the wheel completely with no spaces. NT01's Rock they just don't do well in the rain and you better expect to buy a new set in the beginning of the season.

[DriverzInc]

So nobody wants a set of these in 245 45 R17's but me? As far as going up to 18's I'm lucky to be able to afford these tires much less a new set of rims and tires. Besides I think 17's are the perfect fit for 13" brakes. The rotor fills the wheel completely with no spaces. NT01's Rock they just don't do well in the rain and you better expect to buy a new set in the beginning of the season.

I'm just thinking Nitto already sells that size in the 555 if wet is concern, and also in the NT01 if its strictly for performance, so they are probably thinking since its not the most popular size across the spectrum, they already have two tires that are made in that size already that work well.

VP23271:
The tread rating on the NT05 is a 200, while the R888s are 100, same as Nitto's NT01.
Note: If you are going to compete at any of the Good Guys events your tires have to be 180 or greater, so at the NT05's 200 rating, you are in great shape.

[Fastbowtie]

If anybody is intrested in the NT05 and would like to request the size 245 45 R17 be made they can contact Tech and they will forward on the request.

Here is a link to it. http://nittotire.com/#index%2Econtact

[stevehoj]

First page has pic's. No real performance comparisions yet.

http://www.cherokeesrt8.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26552

Note: Not my post or vehicle.

[JT_67Tempest]

Well Jon of DriverzInc is awesome and sponsored a set of NT05's for my ride!! I plan on trying them out at the autocross at the Good Guys show in Del Mar this weekend. I don't have any pics yet as I just got the car back together this evening, but first chance I get I'll post up some pics.

Johnny

[DriverzInc]

Here are some photos of Johnny's car sticking to the ground with some NT05s:thumbsup:

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e99/Hensons/DelMar%202009/Johnny_Track_05.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e99/Hensons/DelMar%202009/Johnny_Track_02.jpg

[Steve1968LS2]

If them made a 335/18 or even a 315/18 I would be excited.. right now I'm just sad... :(


Although I will be running these on the track rat project... :thumbsup: