Tested: BFGoodrich g-Force Sport Comp-2 Tires - Import Tuner Magazine

BFGoodrich's first-gen g-Force Sport tire has been a popular upgrade within the sport compact market since its debut a few years back. Delivering exceptional performance both in dry and wet weather conditions, the g-Force single-handedly changed the way car enthusiasts viewed performance street tires. That was, until the most recent introduction of the g-Force Sport Comp-2-a tire that BFG claims has been designed from the ground up and perceived as even better.

At first glance, it looks similar to its predecessor (the BFG g-Force Sport), but inside that rubber compound is a difference that can only be recognized once driven. The tire features a new silica-infused Comp-2 compound, which is derived from racing technology and delivers sharp steering response and grip in wet and dry conditions without sacrificing treadwear. The unique g-Force Sport Tread Pattern, which includes the "g-Hooks" tread design and offset shoulder grooves help to maximize tread contact for enhanced cornering stability. BFG claims the tire is 30 percent better in wet and 8 percent better in dry conditions than the previous model and sports a 340UTQG treadwear.

The g-Force Sport Comp-2 tires feature BFG's Performance Racing Core (PRC) internal structure that includes twin, high-tensile steel belts reinforced by an enhanced ETEC System (Equal TEnsion Containment) of spirally wound nylon that stabilizes the tread area to optimize the contact patch for traction at speed and in hard cornering. Also, g-Control sidewall inserts featuring up to a 40 percent higher sidewall stiffening structure help improve lateral stability and cornering precision for handling responsiveness.

BFG chose California's Auto Club Speedway as the test site for the launch of its g-Force Sport Comp-2, where magazine editors were invited to the one-day event to run through a series of track simulations. The day was divided into four groups of 10 as we each took turns to participate in a flurry of driving activities, which included dry skidpad, wet skidpad, 0-60-0, and finally a competitive open road course.

BFG not only had four individual tire tests set up, but they also had four different makes of vehicles for each test. At the Dry Autocross test there were six different cars. Two had the new Sport Comp-2s and the other four had the Kumho Ecsta SPT KU31, Hankook Ventus V12 Evo, Yokohama S.drive, or Dunlop Direzza DZ101 for comparative side-by-side driving. On the wet skidpad and road course, we drove VW GTIs and Subaru STIs with each outfitted with Sport Comp-2s as well as the competitor's tires.

The final stage was the 0-60-0 test. During this test, we jumped into a Dodge Challenger equipped with BFG Sport Comp-2s. Versus the competitor's tires, we were able to stop 7 feet shorter in distance on dry and 14 feet in wet conditions, which sounded too good to be true if not for the data logging equipment that was conveniently placed directly on the dashboard.

The greatest thing about this test was the back-to-back comparison that BFG was able to offer versus tires they felt were in direct competition with the Comp-2 in a controlled environment. Upon driving for most of the day, I felt the tires' dry handling was impressive, and handled both hard braking and the quick acceleration of the test vehicles with ease. These tires were really designed to bite the tarmac for added traction. The BFG g-Force Sport Comp-2 is offered in 46 sizes, ranging from 15 to 20 inches in diameter, the BFG g-Force Sport Comp-2 tire includes fitments for a wide range of vehicles from classic to sports sedans, including tuner vehicles. An additional 12 sizes will be introduced to the market in September 2012 to offer complete coverage in the ultrahigh-performance category.

If you're in the market for a new set of Sport, Performance, or Tuner tires, be sure to check out the BFG g-Force Sport Comp-2s.