We review Falken’s high-performance Azenis FK510 tyre aimed at drivers who demand more from their rubber

Words: Deyna Chia

Photos: Jay Tee

SINGAPORE

When it comes to ultra-high performance tyres (UHP), there are more players in the game than when it comes to luxury cars. Most will know the usual Japanese and Continental brands, but it’s worth dipping your toe outside of the usual pool to see if great performance can be had. 

Falken’s ultra-high performance rubber is the Azenis FK510, and the flagship tyre for the brand. Falken is well known here, but for those who don’t know the 39-year old brand from Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd (SRI), the fifth-largest tire manufacturer in the world, and sister-brand to Dunlop tyres.

Also known around the world for its teal and blue coloured race cars, Falken was literally a household brand in the early 2000s here in Singapore, with its livery worn by the Falken rally team comprising Subaru WRXs during a time when they featured prominently in the World Rally Championship (WRC). Falken tyres were regular fitment, even for regular (car) track drivers as ourselves, offering good value for performance, from street tyres to semi-slick race tyres. 

The FK510 is available in sizes and profiles to fit wheels ranging from 17- to 20-inches, and prices start at S$267, not including fitting. Falken tyres are sold in Singapore by Stamford Tyres.

Introducing the FK510

As UHP rubber, the tyre is designed for premium/luxury vehicles and drivers seeking excellent grip and tyre performance. There’s always more to tyres than just black, round things, and Falken claims lots of proprietary and advanced tech here: 

• 4D Nano Design, a rubber compound technology that helps balance the compound composition at the molecular level, enhancing both longevity and wet performance.
• Tension control technology, where Falken’s proprietary casing mould shape provides a more flexible middle sidewall area to absorb shock while providing enhanced handling capability via the rigid outside shoulder tread and bead area of the sidewall.
• Hybrid undertread cap ply materials, which provides added rigidity and high-speed stability. Falken has gone further to incorporate a tread pattern design that optimises the void ratio, features variable sipe depth, and wide shoulder blocks, resulting in more tire stability and confidence during high-speed cornering. 

Testing the FK 510 

We ran the FK510 tyre on our Volkswagen Golf hatchback, which makes it a good fit for the target audience Falken is aiming at – those who want great performance without spending top-level prices. The test was conducted on Singapore roads over multiple tankfuls of fuel, more than 2,000km, and over the course of a couple of weeks. The tyres replaced a German brand of UHP tyre. 

Ride Comfort
Designed as a tyre for premium vehicles, the FK510 exudes comfort, with that bit more “give” when rolling over road irregularities, giving that cushioned plushness you get when lying on top of the comforter on the mattress. Steering response isn’t as crisp as a result, but we appreciated the day-to-day comfort of the tyre.

Refinement
A UHP tyre will always have more noise than a touring tyre. Designed as a sporty tyre, tyre roar was still apparent over rougher sections of tarmac, though quiet enough to allow the engine note to be more apparent than the tyres it replaced.

Dry Handling

Our concerns with dry grip being compromised because of the high level of ride comfort were unfounded. The tyres were screech-free when piloting the car spiritedly around our usual test routes of reducing radius corners, tight turns over imperfect tarmac and high speed sweepers. From what we gather on the road, they deliver excellent performance. 

Wet Performance

Falken’s in-house comparisons place the FK510 at the top of its category, and we found this to be true. Emergency braking on wet tarmac were without incident or tyre slip, very confidence inspiring.

Fuel efficiency

Surprisingly, the Falkens were slightly less fuel efficient than the tyres they replaced, but we suppose given the overall cost efficiency, this is a decent compromise to make. 

Conclusion
With Falken a mid-range tyre brand and the FK510 delivering excellent all round performance for the price, it’s easy to recommend them to driving enthusiasts who want a good daily tyre for both excellent grip and ride quality.