FIRESTONE FIREHAWK SZ40

OVERVIEW

The Firehawk SZ40 is Firestone’s first Ultra High Performance car tyre, designed to offer strong sports performance and particularly good handling in both wet and dry conditions. It incorporates Bridgestone’s UNI-T design technology.

1) The SZ40 features a uni-directional tread pattern based on the company’s wet weather Indy car tyre to improve wet performance, in particular handling, hydroplaning, braking and traction.

2) Super slant grooves for maximum water displacement, a more even contact pressure distribution and lower noise levels.

3) Optimised pitch sequence for low noise.

4) Continuous central rib for improved handling.

5) Designed using Bridgestone’s Comprehensive Tyre Design Method (CTDM) which allows the tyre to be optimised to improve wet and dry handling whilst maintaining a good level of ride comfort.

Sounds impressive right?    That's what I thought too unfortunately.

I am very disappointed with the Firehawk SZ40.  It certainly doesn't offer the features you would expect from a flagship ultra high performance orientated tyre.  The SZ40 lacks in every aspect except the wear rate.

The grip isn't anything special, only moderate grip levels at best.  Sports orientated tyres like the Bridgestone Potenza RE720 etc would be a much better choice and similar tyres from leading manufacturers would run rings around the Firestone SZ40 considering that they aren't ultra high performance tyres.  There isn't much feedback from the tyre and its not as responsive as an ultra high performance tyre should be, and the feel is a little wooden.  If there was more feedback in the tyre, you could say that it was progressive but due to the lack of feedback it does go from grip to slip without much warning.  The tyre walls are quite soft on the Sz40 so you will have to put up a with a fair amount of flexing.

From cold, the performance again is only moderate but the warmer the tyre gets more confidence you will find yourself having in the Firehawk's.  Due to the lack of feedback and overall performance, the Firehawak's don't inspire any confidence so you will find yourself not being able to enjoy and exploit your car's potential.  The Firehawk's Sz40 are also noisier than the competition which also deducts a mark and on some surfaces the tyre noise can get irritating.

WET WEATHER PERFORMANCE

Not good.  Not much grip, the break away is sudden in the wet (but controllable if you are used to oversteer).  They aren't very good at clearing the water quickly and efficiently so if you drive through a puddle you will have to be slightly cautious. They really keep you on your toes on greasy roads as they easily loose their grip.

TYRE LIFE

This is the place where the Firehawk's may bring a smile to some faces.  The wear rate of the Firestones is quite good, after 4,000miles and a mixture of fast road and general driving with regular consistent top speed motorway runs the SZ40's look in near perfect health after 4,000miles.  I really had to get shot of them as I didn't get on with them but I would assume a reasonable 8,000 with the above driving style would be achievable.

SUMMARY

Don't be fooled into thinking that this an ultra high performance tyre, because it isn't, far from it!  Best avoided, plenty of other tyres to choose from that are considerably better in every way than the Firehawk SZ40.