🏁 Nankang AR-1 vs Nankang CRS – Street & Track Performance Face-Off
If you’re hunting for serious performance from your tyres without breaking the bank, two names from Nankang stand out: the AR-1 and the CRS. Although both come from the same brand, they target distinct styles of driving — one more track-focused, the other with better durability for mixed use.
At **Autosport Tyreworld Magill, we’ve put them to the test to help you decide which one suits your build best.
⚙️ 1. Design & Purpose
Nankang AR-1
The AR-1 is built for serious grip and track engagement — a favourite among time-attack fans and drift drivers.
Key features:
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Ultra-high-grip compound for fast lap times.
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Aggressive shoulder blocks and minimal tread for maximum contact patch.
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Designed to heat up quickly for fast performance, but with less focus on long life.
Nankang CRS
The CRS is more of an endurance-oriented tyre from Nankang, designed for those who do mixed street and track use and value longevity.
Key features:
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High-grip silica-based compound.
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A more robust carcass and tread design for longer heat-cycle life.
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Good for spirited driving, track days and still usable on the street.
☀️ 2. Dry Grip & Cornering Feel
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AR-1: Loads of initial bite and very sharp feel. It delivers instant steering response and high corner speed, especially on a warm track.
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CRS: Strong grip but slightly more forgiving; the feel is less razor-sharp than the AR-1 but more controllable, especially when heat builds up.
💡 Verdict:
Choose AR-1 if you want maximum performance and are okay with shorter tyre life.
Choose CRS if you want strong performance with better durability and more street usability.
🌧️ 3. Wet & Mixed Conditions
Because both are performance tyres, wet performance is a compromise:
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AR-1: Less suited for wet driving; shallow tread means less water evacuation and more caution needed in rain.
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CRS: Better all-round usable on the street; while not a wet-weather champion, the tread gives you more confidence than the AR-1 in mixed conditions.
💡 Verdict:
CRS is more versatile for street + track.
AR-1 is best for dry, track-heavy use.
🧱 4. Heat Resistance & Durability
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AR-1: Heats up fast, which is good for performance laps, but can degrade quicker under repeated use or heavy loads.
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CRS: Better for multiple sessions, retains performance longer, and offers better value in the long run.
💡 Verdict:
For repeated track days or street-to-track setups, CRS is the smarter choice.
For maximum short-run pace, AR-1 wins.
💵 5. Value & Use-Case
| Tyre Model | Approx. Price* | Ideal Use |
|---|---|---|
| Nankang AR-1 | Lower to mid-price tier | Track days, time attack, highly-tuned builds |
| Nankang CRS | Similar or slightly less | Street & track mix, performance daily driver |
*Prices vary by size/region.
💡 Verdict:
CRS offers better “bang for back tyre” in mixed use.
AR-1 is for the driver chasing maximum performance.
🏆 Final Verdict – Which Should You Choose?
| Driving Style | Best Choice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Pure track / performance builds | AR-1 | Highest grip, sharpest feel |
| Street & occasional track | CRS | Better durability, more versatility |
| Daily driver with spirited use | CRS | More usable, less compromise |
At Autosport Tyreworld Magill, we’ve fitted both tyres on performance cars and found both deliver great results — just choose based on how you drive.
🛞 Get Yours at Autosport Tyreworld Magill
We stock Nankang AR-1, CRS and other performance tyres — fitted, balanced and aligned by experts.
📍 Address: 647 Magill Road, Magill SA 5072
📞 Phone: 0452 641 023
🌐 Website: autostw.com.au
Autosport Tyreworld – Your performance tyre experts.