Falken Azenis FK520 vs Falken e.Ziex: Falken Tires, a highly respected and renowned brand in the tire industry, has just launched their newest innovation – the e.Ziex – a cutting-edge tire specifically designed for electric vehicles (EVs). This highly anticipated release has generated a lot of buzz in the market, as EV owners and automotive enthusiasts alike are eager to see how it performs in comparison to its sister tire, the Azenis FK520. Both tires boast impressive qualities, but the e.Ziex’s EV-specific design is sure to attract attention.
The Azenis FK520 has long been a popular choice for drivers seeking a high-performance tire with excellent grip, comfort, and durability. However, with the rapid growth of the EV market, Falken decided to develop a tire that caters explicitly to the unique demands of electric vehicles. The e.Ziex has been engineered to address these specific needs, offering superior performance, range, and efficiency to EV drivers.
In this article, we will explore the key features and differences between these two tires, evaluating the new e.Ziex against its well-established sibling, the Azenis FK520. This comparison will provide valuable insights into the evolving world of tire technology and help EV owners make informed decisions about the best tire for their vehicles.
Table of Contents
Results
The results of the 2023 Best Electric Vehicle Tires versus UHP Tires test, which evaluated ten tires, were used to compare the Falken Azenis FK520 vs Falken e.Ziex based on relevant performance categories. The following graph depicts the comparison, with the Falken Azenis FK520 serving as the reference point, indicated by the 100% mark.
The tire size of interest is 255/45 R20 which is a common tire size for Audi Q5 and the Mercedes-Benz Glc 300. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is a Kia EV6 which the first dedicated electric vehicle by Kia.
Wet
Pertaining to safety, attaining exceptional wet performance is of utmost importance. In empirical wet braking examinations, the e.Ziex astonishingly surpassed the Azenis FK520 by a mere 0.2 meters when decelerating from 80 km/h to a full halt. Despite possessing a significantly lower tread depth (6mm), the EV tires secured the top two positions in the test, which is typically their Achilles’ heel. Nevertheless, in the wet handling division, the Azenis FK520 accomplished a marginally greater average lap velocity, with a negligible lead of a mere 0.2 km/h, as both Falken’s reside in the bottom three positions.
This pattern was similarly noted in hydroplaning evaluations, where the e.Ziex displayed a slip speed shortfall of 1.3 km/h in linear hydroplaning and a deficit of -0.86 m/sec2 in lateral hydroplaning. This outcome was anticipated due to the substantially higher tread depth of the Azenis FK520 (7mm) in comparison to the e.Ziex (6mm). In conclusion, the wet performance results were remarkably close, with the sole discernible distinction being lateral hydroplaning.
e.Ziex :
- +0.8% in wet braking
- -0.4% in wet handling (average lap speed)
- -1.3% in wet circle
- -1.6% in straight aquaplaning
- -10.7% in curved aquaplaning
Dry
Concerning dry performance, safety is customarily not a pressing issue, as braking distances tend to be more extended than in wet conditions. Nonetheless, consistent performance remains crucial for everyday use. Boasting a reduced tread depth, the e.Ziex surpassed the Azenis FK520, demonstrating a 0.6m shorter braking distance. It is well-established that a lower tread depth is indeed advantageous for dry braking. Although the Azenis FK520 attained a marginally superior average lap speed, the advantage was negligible at a mere 0.2 km/h. Both tires exhibited commendable dry handling capabilities, securing positions within the top four in the rankings.
e.Ziex :
- +1.8% in dry braking
- -0.5% in dry handling (average lap speed)
Noise
The e.Ziex is discernibly more hushed than the Azenis FK520, registering a 1.5 dB reduction in noise. Owing to their lower tread depth, the e.Ziex and other EV tires emerged as the preeminent contenders in terms of acoustic performance.
e.Ziex :
- +2.1% in exterior noise (-1.5 dB)
Rolling Resistance
Although rolling resistance is integral to minimizing energy consumption for electric vehicles, and EV tires are expected to prioritize this performance criterion, it was surprising to discover that the Azenis FK520 matched the e.Ziex in rolling resistance, jointly securing the top position in the rankings. This is notwithstanding the Azenis FK520’s “C” label EU ranking compared to the e.Ziex’s “A” label EU ranking. Both tires boast a rolling resistance value of 5.7 N/kN, substantially below the “A” EU label threshold of 6.5 N/kN. However, in terms of energy consumption, the e.Ziex outperformed the Azenis FK520, demonstrating a significantly lower energy consumption level of 13.2 KW/100 km as opposed to the Azenis FK520’s 14.7 KW/100 km.
e.Ziex :
- 0% in rolling resistance
- +11.4% in energy consumption
Price
Since the e.Ziex was officially introduced in April 2023, the pricing structure remains unavailable. Remain attentive for further updates this summer regarding the e.Ziex’s cost!
Tire size: 255/45 R20
e.Ziex : Out this Summer 2023 !
Azenis FK520 : €214
Summary
In summary, both tires exhibit unique strengths tailored to their specific applications. The e.Ziex showcases a marked advantage in energy consumption, noise reduction, and dry braking, whereas the Azenis FK520 astounds with equal rolling resistance and commendable aquaplaning capabilities. Given the evident segmentation disparities between the two products, it is unfeasible to declare a definitive victor in this comparison. Enjoy!