Yokohama Advan Sport ZPS Tire Review - Modified Magazine

Yokohama Advan Sport ZPS
Size 235/40ZR18
Type Ultra-High Performance
UTQG 180 AA A

Key Features

»A unique rigid sidewall made from a low-heat-generating compound is specifically designed to support the vehicle's weight even without full air pressure

»Exclusive bead-filler delivers a comfortable ride during normal operation and high rigidity under zero-pressure conditions

»An extra-thick bead wire placed in a hexagonal arrangement allows for easier fitting to the rim and reduces the risk of bead unseating after loss of air pressure

»ZPS technology comes at no expense to handling and comfort. You can expect the same performance as other Advan Sport tire models

Test Mule
'08 Subaru WRX

Test Track
Big Willow Raceway and the streets of Los Angeles

Test Condition
Sunny and warm, 78 degrees Fahrenheit at the track

If you've ever been stranded at the side of the road or highway with a flat tire, having to either wait for a tow truck or change the flat yourself, you know the feeling of helplessness can be not only frustrating but can cost you time and money. With the busy pace of life, an hour spent on the side of the road is something everyone wants to avoid at all costs.

Additionally, many of us with modified rides are running around without spare tires because of larger big brake kits or for the sake of saving weight, and that's where Yokohama comes in with its new Advan Sport ZPS tire. Designed to run on zero tire pressure for up to 50 miles, the ZPS provides a way of getting your vehicle home or to a shop safely and quickly (it's rated to travel at 50 mph with no tire pressure) without the need to pull over.

The technology that makes it all possible is a combination of a rigid, high-strength sidewall and a compound that generates minimal heat which allows the sidewall to maintain its form and support a vehicle's weight. But does the ZPS compromise its performance and handling for run-flat technology?

I headed to Willow Springs Raceway in Rosamond, California, to find out. Using our '08 Subaru WRX as a test mule, my immediate impressions were favorable. The Advan Sport ZPS was predictable and stable in high-speed, lateral-load situations thanks to its stiff sidewall. At an aggressive pace, grip was great, but it began to fall off as I put more laps and heat into the tires-probably because the large circumferential grooves (that work great in wet conditions) hinder the tire's ultimate grip on dry land.

However, we mustn't mistake this tire for what it is-a run-flat with excellent street performance. It receives much praise from me for that. It will easily handle any onramp at speeds exceeding the limit, yet it's comfortable and quiet for the daily commute even on grooved So Cal highways.

The Advan Sport ZPS excels at providing ideal summer street performance, with the added bonus of being able to get you where you need to go with zero tire pressure. It's the safety blanket that most of us want but rarely have, because of the myth that run-flat technology inherently compromises the performance, which in the case of the ZPS is simply not true.