The Yokohama Advan A046 is an ultra-high performance summer tire specifically developed as original equipment for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX, delivering track-focused performance characteristics prioritizing ultimate grip and handling precision over extended tread life considerations. This tire represents Yokohama's commitment to providing extreme performance capabilities appropriate for aggressive all-wheel-drive sports car applications, featuring stiff sidewall construction providing excellent steering response and predictable handling characteristics under high lateral loads. The A046 carries 200 UTQG treadwear rating reflecting its performance-oriented compound formulation prioritizing mechanical grip over longevity, with the tire targeting serious driving enthusiasts and Evolution IX owners seeking maximum performance from their vehicles during spirited driving and track day participation. Originally fitted to 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX models, the A046 established benchmarks for original equipment performance tire capabilities appropriate for turbocharged all-wheel-drive applications demanding exceptional grip and responsive handling characteristics.
The Yokohama Advan A046 performs exceptionally well as genuine performance car tire, with users consistently praising the stiff sidewalls delivering excellent steering response and precise handling feedback appropriate for aggressive driving. However, significant limitations emerge in tread life with the tire lasting approximately 10,000 to 15,000 miles at most—relatively short service life even among high-performance summer tire category making replacement costs substantial consideration for daily-driven vehicles. User feedback comparing the A046 favorably to alternatives like Bridgestone Potenza RE050A while noting the economic challenges of maintaining these tires for regular street use given their rapid wear characteristics and premium replacement pricing. The tire excels during performance driving applications where ultimate grip and responsive handling take priority over longevity concerns, serving Evolution IX owners and serious driving enthusiasts seeking maximum capabilities from their vehicles during track days, autocross events, and spirited backroad driving. The A046 represents track-focused original equipment tire specification prioritizing performance over practical considerations, making it ideal choice for competition-oriented driving but expensive proposition for daily transportation duties. Like all extreme performance summer tires, the A046 is designed exclusively for warm weather operation and should never be used in near-freezing temperatures, through snow, or on ice where compound characteristics become unsuitable for safe operation.
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