Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport, 235/40 ZR18.
Goodyear recently introduced a complete range of Eagle F1 UHP and Ultra Ultra-HP tyres. The lineup consists of the Asymmetric 5, Supersport, Supersport R and Supersport RS tyres.
The subject of this review is the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport, which competes with the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. This niche is keenly contested, with many sports and GT cars using tyres like these.
The Goodyear Eagle F1 Superport features Dual Plus Technology, which are the bands of different rubber compounds in its tread.
The outer shoulder (Power-Shoulder) has a durable high dry grip compound. A “wet compound”, for wet conditions is used for the inner three tread bands.
The tread belting is on the firm side because of “High-Force Construction”, a dual steel belt capped by the “Powerline Cover”.
This Powerline Cover is an aramid-nylon hybrid circumferential belt designed to control radial expansion at high speed. The sidewalls are stiff but have a flexible band about two-thirds toward the tread.
DRY PERFORMANCE: 9/10
The Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport tyres felt good right from start. However, another 200km allowed the tyres to scrub-in. Amazingly, they kept improving until I hit 500km.
The steering felt meatier, and the on-centre feel is well delineated. Sharpness during turn-in is very good. You will need progressively more steering lock at the limit.
Thanks to the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport’s well-engineered carcass, higher tyre pressures can be employed without much penalty in terms of ride quality.
Above 32psi, the steering become sharper. But at 35psi, the ride quality suffers.
Grip in the corners is immense. At some points, I felt like my ear was being plastered to the window. Yet at the limit, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport is mostly silent. It will squeal a bit if you overcook your corner entry speed.
Whether you drive aggressively or gently, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport’s responses are mostly very measured. It clings to the tarmac tenaciously, helping resist both oversteer and understeer.
In terms of braking, the tyres stop the car amazingly well. The ABS doesn’t kick in until later.
Naturally, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport has a very high resistance to wheelspin. These tyres only surrender traction to the most brutal launches.
Straight-line tracking is exemplary and secure at high speeds. There’s no “nervousness” or over-reactions to small steering inputs.
WET PERFORMANCE: 9/10
It seems that the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport tyres are happier when it rains. There are just three tread bands with the wet compound
There are just three tread bands with the wet compound, but they really do the job well. There is a remarkable level of wet grip. The tyres feel like they cling to the wet road with the same tenacity that they do in dry conditions.
Exploiting the tyres’ grip is reassuring because there’s no breakaway at the limit. Even the steering maintains its feel.
Closer to the limit, you can feel the point at which the steering begins to go light. But amazingly, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersports continue to hold their line – albeit with more understeer.
During take-off, there will be some wheelspin if you gun it hard. Braking performance is great, with the tyres again working well with the ABS.
With secure wet handling paired to excellent dry performance, there’s little to worry about when encountering wet/dry stretches of roads.
This transition can sometimes be terrifying, but for the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport, it is a non-event.
COMFORT & NOISE: 8/10
Can an Ultra-UHP tyre be comfortable? Surprisingly, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport possesses relatively good ride comfort right up to 35psi.
Fortunately, 35psi is unnecessary, as the tyre feels like it’s in top form at 32psi.
The tread pattern noise is low and road noise is well-suppressed. This makes the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport ideal for long distance travel.
ROLLING RESISTANCE
Another surprise from the Eagle F1 Supersport is its rolling resistance. You’d think that such a high-performance tyre would cause your car to consume more petrol.
But after a few tankfuls, it was clear that this was no fluke. That’s quite a bonus for an Ultra-UHP tyre.
CONCLUSION
It is very surprising just how complete the Eagle F1 Supersport is.
The dry performance is top-drawer stuff. Yet it is easy to live with, thanks to its good ride quality and progressive steering response.
The steering feel is meaty and positive, allowing the driver to savour the drive even if he or she is not cornering at the limit.
And the tyre loves wet conditions. It grips tenaciously and bolsters the driver’s confidence.
Topping it off is the surprisingly and relatively low rolling resistance. The Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport might be the best all-rounder I have encountered in a long time.
Clearly recommended. Level A+.
Test Size: 235/40 ZR18
Tested On: Honda Civic Type R (FD2R)
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Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres tested on track
