The replacement for the much loved Uniroyal RainSport 3 has been released, and it has been creatively named the Uniroyal RainSport 5!
As of yet, we don't know much about the new tyre as the press release below is the only official communication we've had. The new tyre seems to build on the excellent grip of the RainSport 3, while addressing the two weak areas of the outgoing tyre - wear and handling.
We'll be sure to include this in next years "regular" tyre test, so keep an eye on the site / YouTube for more information on the new RainSport 5 in the future!
Press Release
New RainSport 5 features enhanced Shark Skin Technology and improved mileage.
RainSport 5, the new wet-weather specialist for sporty, powerful cars and SUVs, combines the Uniroyal brand’s impressive hallmark performance in the wet. With precision handling on dry roads for maximum driving pleasure, Uniroyal’s development engineers have also managed to endow the RainSport 5 with 15 percent higher mileage than the RainSport 3, as well as delivering improvements in ride quality. The new arrival is also the first Uniroyal tyre to benefit from enhanced Shark Skin Technology.
The tyre’s developers have used Shark Skin Technology in the circumferential tread grooves. This enables water to be dispersed from the contact patch with very little turbulence. The bionic Shark Skin contours are complemented by innovative Aqua Twist sipes that disperse the water from the contact patch fast. In addition, as the tread depth decreases, the sipes change shape to help the tread retain its ability to take-up water. Along with a striking, asymmetrical tread pattern, the new tyre also features a solid outer shoulder with good lateral stiffness for high grip on cornering. The reinforced substructure of the tyre counteracts deformation effectively, even under heavy loads. As a result, the Rainsport 5 offers precise steering manoeuvres, even in the event of sudden load changes and at high cornering speeds. Needless to say, on the EU tyre label, all the available sizes received an A rating for top performance in the wet.
Selected sizes of the new Uniroyal RainSport 5 are now available, with further sizes expected from early 2020. The product range extends from 15-21 inches, including special SUV sizes with increased load capacity and models with a rim protection rib. Speed approvals go as high as 186 mph.
I’ve had rainsports now on a BMW z3 2.5 and on a second set on a Z4 3.0 First 3’s now 5’s. I have nothing but praise for them. Both Z’s had run-flats and I couldn’t wait to get rid of them. Hard ride, terrible deviation etc. Took a chance on RS’s after a recommendation and run with a ‘Slime’ kit in the boot. They wear well (5’s even better) and drive well, under hard cornering and hard acceleration. I drive spiritedly! I did a track day in the Z4 last year on a 60% worn set of 3’s, starting wet then dry and the confidence they gave me to use the power to the full were amazing. I’ve seen a couple of negative reviews but you won’t get one from me!
I'm glad you're getting on with them! They certainly seem to work better on lighter cars.
Had the RS3s' on my Five Touring. Foolishly allowed my local tyre place to talk me into them as an alternative from my usual Pirellis.
Within a week of fitment I noticed thin slivers of rubber peeling off the sidewalls on the rears. Never seen anything like that in fifty years of driving.
A couple of months in and both back tyres blew out within a few days of each other. Luckily I was crawling in traffic both times, and close to home.
One of them had a hole in the sidewall large enough for me to put my hand in. How was that even possible?
When I took it up with the tyre place he told me 'yeah those five series wagons eat back tyres'
No sh /t sherlock, but not within six weeks of fitting them!
Uniroyal's are made from Jelly Babies. Maybe ok on a Ford Fiesta or a Kia but don't put them on anything big or heavy, the compound is just too soft.
Im not prepared to risk spending on these RS5's
Went back to my Pirellis. Stick with what you know.
That's a very strange experience, have you had your alignment checked? The RS3 is a soft tyre, however I read no unusual amount of failures for it, so it must be an isolated incident.
RainSport 3 was the worst in wet handling/Kreisbahn (don´t know the english word for this) of 20 tyres in test.
Dunno if the improvements of the 5 help enough to in the middle
Kreisbahn is wet circle / lateral grip
Thanks :)
can we get a review on the YT channel?
Working on it :)