Yokohama AD08 Review on Evasive S2000, New Yokohama Advan AD08s

In the past, Evasive Motorspors were able to run the following tires extensively on the track.

Includes:
Toyo R1R
Advan AD07
Bridgestone RE01R
Nitto NT05
Dunlop Z1 Star Specs

We were able to try out the next generation in the high-performance street tire from Yokohama, the Advan AD08 at the Redline Time Attack at Willow Springs.

I think this was the first S2000 in US to try out these tires and we were really pleased with the handling balance and performance of the tires.

Pictures:


S2000 with stock motor


AD08 Tread


AD08 Sidewall (looks great!)

Impressions: I would describe the AD08s as tire that has the controllability of the old AD07s at the edge of adhesion while having excellent steering feedback similar to RE01Rs. The AD08s are also very consistent tires and resists performance degradation from heat. Out best time of the day was 1:32.4 which is currently the fastest street tired / street registered S2000.

- Steering Response: Very direct yet not overly too sharp. Response to steering gain is predictable and linear.

- Control: The previous Advan AD07s had excellent grip was bit vague on the feedback at the limit. The new Advan AD08 provides feedback similar to the RE01R while keeping the similar gentle / progressive breakaway characteristics from the AD07. Combine that with improved grip level, the AD08s were very easy to drive to the limit and exceeded it a controlled manner.

- Excellent Heat Resistance. My lap times from 6 time attack laps (2 sessions) were all with in 0.7 seconds. (Larger variance due to traffic from competitors with mechanical problems.) The laptime consistency is fairly close to modern day DOT R compound such as NT01 as the lap times are very stable till about lap 4/5. Even after 5 laps at full speed, the break-away characteristic and feedback from the tire is excellent.

Overall, we were happy with the tire's performance and our lap time of 1:32.457 (Fastest NA with Street Tire). We lost to a 2nd Gen MR2 with 400hp by about 0.06 seconds but did our best to put up a good fight.

I do agree that the AD08s maybe higher priced in terms of the market but when the competition is close, I wouldn't want to look back and think if I cheap'ed out on tires. I think of it as... I don't cheap out on components on my car so why would I cheap out on tires (one of the most complex device on a car).



It would be really interesting to compare the new Bridgestone RE11s.
Tire wars are awesome! Brings out the best for all of us to enjoy!

Great review! Thanks for the info Rob!

This post has been edited by K2Rhiro255 on Jun 2 2009, 02:38 PM

Nice review Rob and congrats on your 2nd place S-RWD finish at the last RTA!

Had the MR2 not participated, it would have been a 1-2-3 finish for the S2000's.

Thanks for the review and congrats on the awesome drive. 400 hp really helps out of 9 and down the straight at WSIR. Being less than a tenth back is amazing. I love my AD07s, I'll have to try the AD08's next.

To excuse that MR as fast simply because of its power would be foolish.

It was stock bodied, had pretty much zero aero. I don't even know what tire sizes were on the car but for that thing to win the class was an accomplishment in its own. Why detract from Croiset's accomplishment as having less value than Evasive's finish? I don't think that is appropriate. Both cars were equally impressive in their own ways. I am fairly positive no one expected the MR2 to win.

How would you compare them to the Dunlops?

--kC

For the money, Dunlop Star Specs are amazing. We ran Buttonwillow at Super Lap Battle on new Star Specs our time was 1:58.

I guess only time will tell if there are any edge in using new generation of tires like AD08 / RE11 vs. the Star Specs.

Thanks for the great review Rob!


Evasive Team,

I'm more interested in hearing about the Yoko A005s
If you guys would be so kind as to give us a little more info and thoughts on the slicks, that would be awesome I have a feeling that there will be a number of us that would like to hear more about them.

Is the shop now an authorized Yokohama dealer?

Unfortunately slicks can only be purchased through tracksideperformance.com and I'm sure Tim will chime in on his experience with the slicks.

This post has been edited by Samer327 on Jun 2 2009, 06:47 PM

Rob,

Did you guys stick with the 18" wheels?

Jim

I think Maxrev needs more HP. Who wants to see his write up on before and after? I'll just do some 'mild tuning' jdm style YO
<57s in street trim on street tires

Great review

Considering this is a hp track, the lap times are pretty amazing. I think if this were a streets or bw TA, results would have been different