If you’ve got a performance-oriented sports sedan, coupe, or crossover and you want to be able to get the most out of your car’s handling properties and cornering ability, you may already have found out that many all-season tires can’t deliver the kind of cornering, braking, steering response, and overall performance you’re looking for. Some all-season tires are capable, no doubt, but many tend to be a little sluggish in their response or don’t have the traction you need to be able to push your car’s cornering to the absolute limit.

If that sounds familiar to you, you might benefit from a set of ultra-high-performance (UHP) tires. UHP tires are designed for performance, with a tread formulation that’s softer and “stickier" (sometimes about as soft as a pencil eraser) so it can get better mechanical grip on most pavement surfaces. They’re also designed with a tread pattern that delivers better handling, cornering, and steering response, a shoulder that’s reinforced to resist the inertia of cornering and braking, and a tread face that’s stiffer and more rigid to prevent “tread squirm” and deformation as you push into a corner.

With that in mind, we think that the Laufenn S FIT EQ+ LK01 could be an excellent fit for your needs. It’s a tire that’s designed from the ground up for thrilling performance and exhilarating driving, but don’t just take our word for it – let’s go in for a closer look with this Laufenn S FIT EQ+ LK01 review:

Features and Benefits

Here are just some of the features that make the S FIT EQ+ LK01 a standout performer and a great value in a high-performance summer tire:

• Reduced rolling resistance for improved fuel economy
• Asymmetric tread designed for great wet or dry weather traction as well as sharp steering response and confident cornering
• Advanced Aqua Hydro Block tread design resists hydroplaning with wide circumferential grooves that divert water through and behind the tire’s contact patch in wet weather
• Streamlined kerf and sipe design works as a system with circumferential grooves to enhance traction in wet or dry weather
• Contact patch redesigned for a wide, flat footprint that puts more rubber in contact with the road at all times
• Advanced silica-infused tread formulation is designed for long wear as well as boosting wet-weather performance
• Tie bars link tread blocks together for improved stability and less flex and deformation during hard cornering
• Tread pitch randomized and computer-tuned to help keep road noise low
• Shoulder reinforced for extra stiffness while cornering

Pros and Cons

So, is this Laufenn tire the right choice for your ride and budget? Before you decide, let’s look at the tire’s pros and cons.

PROS:

• Cornering, braking performance, and steering response on wet or dry pavement are all sharp, responsive, and accurate
• Ride quality is compliant and forgiving
• Great road manners on the highway

CONS:

• No mileage warranty
• Not suitable for year-round use
• Some drivers report excessive tire noise on certain pavement surfaces

SimpleTire’s view on Laufenn S FIT EQ+ LK01 tires

When it comes to ultra-high-performance (UHP) tires, there are a lot of options on the market, at every conceivable price point. The Laufenn S FIT EQ+ LK01 might come in at a more affordable price, but this is a tire that beats expectations when compared to more expensive premium brand tires. Laufenn is a wholly-owned brand from Hankook, one of S Korea’s premier tire manufacturers, and Hankook leveraged its prowess in design, manufacturing, and materials with this tire.

The S FIT EQ+ LK01’s asymmetrical tread is designed for confident grip and performance while braking, cornering, and maneuvering as well as for the traction you need to safely get through wet or dry conditions. Its silica-rich tread compound delivers excellent control and grip on wet pavement as well as encouraging long, even wear. Ride quality with the Laufenn S FIT E1+ LK01 is comfortable and composed even on irregular pavement, and straight-line road manners at highway speed are as stable as a freight train. The reduced rolling resistance makes a difference in fuel consumption over the life of the tire, and braking distances are short on either wet or dry pavement. Cornering performance and traction are secure even when pushed to the very limit, and this tire’s steering response is immediate and precise without being twitchy or overly sensitive.

No, the Laufenn S FIT EQ+ LK01 is not designed for colder weather – as a summer tire, its softer tread formulation will stiffen up and lose grip on colder days. Laufenn and Hankook advise against using this tire if temperatures are below 40-45 degrees F. And no, the Laufenn S FIT EQ+ LK01 does not come with a factory mileage warranty – many summer and UHP tires don’t. Still, if you’re looking for great value in a summer/UHP tire that can perform far above its price point, the Laufenn S FIT E+ LK01 is worthy of your consideration.

Our SimpleScore system gives the Laufenn S FIT EQ+ LK01 scores of 7.4 for traction, 8.2 for handling, and 7.0 for longevity, with an overall SimpleScore of a very solid 7.5.

Vehicles the Laufenn S FIT EQ+ LK01 is a good replacement tire for

While not used as original equipment, the Laufenn S FIT EQ+ LK01 would make a great replacement tire for these vehicles:

• Acura TL
• Audi A6
• BMW 135i
• Chevrolet Impala
• Dodge Charger
• Ford Focus
• Honda Civic
• Hyundai Veloster
• Jaguar XKR
• Mazda Miata MX-5
• Mercedes-Benz E550
• Nissan Maxima
• Scion Tc
• Subaru BRZ
• Toyota Camry
• Volkswagen CC Sport