Tested 1 times by independent publications, the Nankang AR 1 has taken 1 test wins with an average finish of 1st.
2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tire Test P1 of 10
The slick like Nankang AR-1 is top on track, but nothing for the street, and loud as hell.
Where the Nankang AR 1 finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tires. Field beaten is the share of the other tires it outranked in that measurement.
| Discipline | Tests | Avg finish | Field beaten | Firsts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | ||||
| Dry Braking | 1 | P2 of 10 | 89% | - |
| Dry Handling | 1 | P2 of 10 | 89% | - |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking | 1 | P10 of 10 | 0% | - |
| Wet Handling | 1 | P10 of 10 | 0% | - |
| Wet Circle | 1 | P10 of 10 | 0% | - |
| Straight Aqua | 1 | P10 of 10 | 0% | - |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 1 | P10 of 10 | 0% | - |
| Comfort | ||||
| Noise | 1 | P9 of 10 | 11% | - |
| Value | ||||
| Rolling Resistance | 1 | P9 of 10 | 11% | - |
Drawn from 1 tests. Updated October 28, 2026.
The Nankang AR 1 shows a clear dry-track focus in the 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tire Test. It was recorded first overall in a ten-tire field mixing road performance and semi-slick track tires, with dry braking second, only 0.6% behind the best, and dry handling second, 0.3% behind. The tester praised high grip dependent on temperature and an easily controlled understeering balance, while describing turn-in as rather soft. Those results support its track role, rather than an advantage in every condition.
Wet performance was the clear compromise: braking, handling, wet circle and both aquaplaning tests all ranked tenth of ten. Wet braking was 49.5% longer than the best and wet handling 21.6% behind, while straight-line aquaplaning was 22.4% behind. These are gaps to a mixed road and track field, not solely to other semi-slicks. Noise and rolling resistance were both ninth of ten, and the tester criticised wet handling, aquaplaning, loud noise and vibration. The recorded overall win therefore sits alongside substantial road-use limitations, with the tester explicitly favoring track use over street driving.
high level of grip dependant on temperature- 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tire Test (2022)
understeer balance which is easy to control- 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tire Test (2022)
Critical handling- 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tire Test (2022)
high aquaplaning in the wet- 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tire Test (2022)
very loud noise and vibrations- 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tire Test (2022)
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
The slick like Nankang AR-1 is top on track, but nothing for the street, and loud as hell.
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