The Nitto NT555R2 is a high-performance summer tire that provides exceptional grip and handling for a wide range of sports cars and performance vehicles.
As an evolution of the popular NT555 tire, the NT555R2 is the latest version that builds upon the strengths of the original while improving key areas.
This ultra high-performance tire is intended to be used on coupes, sedans and sports cars from manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, and more. It fits on a diverse range of rim sizes from 17 to 21 inches.
The NT555R2 utilizes advanced technologies to deliver precise and responsive handling along with traction in both dry and wet conditions.
The tread pattern and compounds have been optimized to provide enthusiasts and track drivers with the performance they demand from a summer tire.
Overall, the NT555R2 offers an excellent blend of grip, stability and comfort for drivers who want a high level of performance without sacrificing ride quality.
As Nitto’s flagship ultra high-performance tire, it showcases the latest in street tire technology.
Nitto NT555R2 Review
D.O.T.Compliant Competition Drag Radial Tire
- Max-performance summer tire designed for sports cars and performance vehicles
- Builds upon its predecessor, the NT555, with optimized tread patterns and compounds for better grip and handling
- Renowned for a comfortable ride with low noise levels, absorbing road imperfections well
- Provides strong cornering performance and stability at high speeds due to rigid tread blocks
- Comes with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty and good customer support for warranty claims
Tread Design and Traction
The Nitto NT555R2 features an asymmetric tread design optimized for performance in both dry and wet conditions.
The outer shoulder uses large, interlocking tread blocks to provide responsive handling and grip during high-speed cornering.
The inner shoulder has a more open pattern to efficiently channel water away.
The middle of the tread contains a combination of lateral and circumferential grooves to maintain traction on wet roads.
The grooves allow water to escape while the solid tread blocks remain in contact with the pavement.
Reviewers found the NT555R2 provided a confident grip and control even in heavy rain.
The silica-enhanced compound helps keep the tread pliable in cold weather. Owners reported the tires performed well on snowy roads, with the open inner shoulder design preventing packed snow buildup.
While not an extreme winter tire, the NT555R2 offers better cold-weather traction than many high-performance summer tires.
Overall, the tread design provides an ideal balance of dry and wet traction for a max-performance summer tire.
Drivers praise the grip and stability when pushing the tires hard through corners. The tread pattern is optimized to combat hydroplaning while maintaining responsive handling.
Ride Comfort of Nitto NT555R2
The Nitto NT555R2 is well-regarded for its comfortable ride quality and refined manners.
The tire absorbs road irregularities with ease, providing a smooth and quiet ride even on rough pavement.
Noise levels are low, with owners reporting minimal interior cabin noise while cruising on the highway.
The tire remains composed over expansion joints and railroad crossings with minimal impact harshness entering the chassis.
This results in a peaceful ride experience even over poor road surfaces.
Vibrations from the road are effectively dampened before reaching occupants. The tire maintains its composure and stability even when encountering mid-corner bumps, with no hint of tramlining or darting. Overall ride quality instills confidence in the tire’s abilities.
Grip levels remain high across various road surfaces, from dry to damp conditions. The tire maintains traction off the line, through corners, and under braking without any signs of slippage or loss of control on both asphalt and concrete roads.
The pliable sidewalls and tread design work together to isolate road feedback and small imperfections.
This creates a refined ride quality focused on comfort without sacrificing handling abilities.
Overall, the NT555R2 delivers a smooth, quiet ride across varying road surfaces while still providing strong grip and control.
Handling and Cornering of Nitto NT555R2
The Nitto NT555R2 delivers impressive handling and cornering performance thanks to its asymmetric tread pattern and rigid tread blocks.
The tires feel very responsive and grippy when pushed hard into corners.
The asymmetric design places larger shoulder blocks on the outside of the tire to increase grip during hard cornering.
This allows the NT555R2 to take corners at higher speeds while maintaining traction and stability.
The stiff tread blocks also minimize flexing for sharper turn-in and a better feel through the steering wheel.
At high speeds, the NT555R2 feels planted and stable. The tires hold their line through sweeping highway curves without squirming or losing composure.
The rigid blocks and firm sidewalls resist deforming forces, keeping the contact patch consistent during performance driving conditions.
Overall, the NT555R2 provides sports car-like handling with high levels of grip, responsiveness, and stability.
Drivers report the tires make their vehicles feel more nimble and allow them to carry more speed through corners.
The asymmetric tread and stiff construction result in a direct steering feel and traction that inspires confidence when pushing the limits.
For drivers wanting maximum grip and sharp handling from a street-legal tire, the NT555R2 delivers an extremely high level of performance.
Treadwear
The Nitto NT555R2 is an ultra high-performance summer tire, so treadwear is not its strongest attribute. However, it does perform reasonably well in this category.
Most owners report getting around 20,000 – 25,000 miles out of a set before needing replacement.
This can vary substantially depending on your particular driving style and conditions.
Aggressive drivers or those in high-wear environments may see closer to 15,000 miles, while milder drivers in ideal conditions could see up to 30,000 miles.
The treadwear tends to be very even, with the tire wearing smoothly across the tread surface.
The outside shoulders tend to wear just slightly faster than the middle, which is typical.
There are no unusual or premature wear issues with the NT555R2, as long as it is properly aligned and inflated.
The tire seems to hold up well to both dry and wet conditions in terms of treadwear.
Overall, while the NT555R2 prioritizes performance over longevity, it still provides respectable treadlife for an ultra-high-performance tire.
With proper care and maintenance, most drivers should be satisfied with the mileage they can expect.
Available Sizes
The Nitto NT555R2 comes in a wide range of sizes to fit most vehicles. Here are the key details on sizes:
- Widths range from 205mm to 315mm
- Aspect ratios span from 40 to 70
- Diameters cover everything from 15″ to 20″ wheels
- Rim widths supported are 6″ to 12″
- Section widths vary from 8.1″ to 12.6″
- Overall diameters range from 24.1″ to 30.7″
So whether you’re looking to fit a sports car, muscle car, truck, or SUV, there should be a size that fits your wheels properly.
Nitto has ensured good coverage for both small and large-diameter rims. The lower-profile 40 and 45 series tires cater to performance vehicles with wide, low-profile wheels.
While the taller sidewalls of the 55, 60, 65, and 70 series fit trucks, SUVs, and vintage cars with larger diameter rims. Overall, the most common wheel and tire sizes are available.
Price
The Nitto NT555R2 is competitively priced compared to other high-performance summer tires.
The price can range from around $130 to $180 per tire depending on size, with lower profile tires at the higher end.
Compared to other top tires in the ultra high-performance summer category, the NT555R2 has a similar price point.
For example, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S starts around $150, the Continental ExtremeContact Sport around $140, and the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar 3R around $160.
So the Nitto is right in line with pricing from the major tire brands for premium summer performance tires.
The NT555R2 does cost more than Nitto’s NT05 grand touring summer tire, which can be found for around $100 to $150 per tire.
But you’re paying for enhanced dry grip, handling, and cornering with the NT555R2. For a max-performance summer tire that’s suitable for track days, the NT555R2 delivers strong value considering its abilities.
Overall, while not the cheapest high-performance summer tire, the Nitto NT555R2 offers competitive pricing given its impressive levels of grip, response, and handling. Drivers get a lot for their money with this tire.
Warranty
The Nitto NT555R2 comes with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty. This is fairly standard for a high-performance summer tire.
The warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship that cause premature treadwear under normal driving conditions.
To be eligible, the tires need to have been rotated regularly according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
The warranty does not cover damage from road hazards, improper inflation, improper mounting, misalignment, improper balance, negligence, abuse, and improper suspension alignment or tire/wheel assembly imbalance.
To make a warranty claim, you need the original purchase receipt. Nitto will prorate the tire based on the amount of tread remaining to determine the replacement cost.
The warranty process involves working with the authorized Nitto dealer where you originally bought the tires.
If you have issues getting the local dealer to honor the warranty, you can contact Nitto customer service directly for assistance.
From most accounts, Nitto’s customer service team is very responsive and helpful in resolving any warranty issues. They aim to make the process as smooth and convenient as possible.
Pros and Cons
The Nitto NT555R2 has several pros that make it a strong all-around performance tire:
- Excellent dry traction and grip: The asymmetric tread design provides strong lateral grip and traction during hard cornering and aggressive driving. Testers found the NT555R2 to be very responsive and confidence-inspiring.
- Good wet weather performance: The tire performs well in wet conditions, with reviewers noting stability and easy control in heavy rain. Hydroplaning resistance is also good.
- Comfortable ride: The silica-infused tread compound helps absorb road noise and impacts for smooth, quiet ride quality. The tires don’t feel overly stiff.
- High-speed capability: The NT555R2 has a high-speed rating of W, making it suitable for sustained high-speed driving. Handling is stable even at very high speeds.
- Long treadwear: The tread compound offers above-average tread life, allowing you to get several seasons out of a set before needing replacement.
Some downsides to consider:
- Not ideal for cold weather: The tread compound can become hard and lose grip below 45°F, so these are not the best tires for cold climates. Winter tires would be better for snow and ice.
- Weak light snow traction: While suitable for occasional light snow, performance suffers in heavy snow conditions. Drivers in snowy regions should consider separate winter tires.
- Price: The NT555R2 sits at the higher end of the ultra-high performance spectrum, so shoppers on a tight budget may want to look at cheaper options.
Overall, the pluses of grip, handling, ride quality, and treadwear make the Nitto NT555R2 a great choice for drivers wanting a high-level summer performance tire. Just be aware that they are less ideal for winter weather use.
Final Verdict
The Nitto NT555R2 is a great choice for drivers looking for a high-performance summer tire that offers strong dry and wet traction along with impressive handling and cornering capabilities.
This tire shines on dry roads and tracks but also provides dependable wet-weather performance.
The NT555R2 is ideal for sports cars, muscle cars, tuner cars, and other high-performance vehicles.
Drivers who push their vehicles hard in the corners and value responsiveness will appreciate what this tire offers.
The precise steering feel and grip inspire confidence to drive in a spirited fashion.
Overall, the NT555R2 provides an excellent balance of traction, handling, ride comfort, and treadwear.
For drivers who want a summer performance tire that can tackle both the streets and track days, the NT555R2 is a top recommendation.
The competitive pricing also makes this a great value choice in the ultra-high performance category.
The NT555R2 delivers on the key qualities enthusiasts look for in a max-performance summer tire.
