BFGoodrich’s new summer tire, the g-Force Phenom T/A is here. Not only did BFGoodrich serve up serious attitude in the ultra-high-performance spectrum, but the Phenom T/A exceeded the hype in testing.
When it debuted, it already had its claws out, ready to take on the big-name players. BFGoodrich tested a 245/40ZR18 version of the tire in a 2019 Genesis G70, and the Phenom T/A came out with shorter wet braking stops than the Yokohama ADVAN Apex V601, Falken Azenis FK510, Firestone Firehawk Indy 500, and Hankook Ventus V12 Evo2.
Sure, those are good competitors, but the Phenom wasn’t attempting to just coexist—it came to stir the pot. Some might have wanted to see it cross swords with heavy hitters like the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S or the Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02, but that’s a debate for another time.
Tread – This One’s Got Dual Personality
What differentiated the Phenom from its UHP counterparts wasn’t so much its grip, as it was its ability to play both sides of the road—Wet or dry, it didn’t discriminate. There are two zones to the tread pattern, giving it dual-purpose functionality—with one dedicated to water evacuation, with deep grooves and intelligent siping planning for the rain. The dry zone grips the rubber to the road for impressive handling in the most demanding driving conditions.
That dual focus paid off. BFGoodrich’s tests revealed improved handling and grip in the wet and dry against its sister tire—the g-Force Sport Comp-2. So, if you find yourself in a summer rainstorm during a spirited drive, you won’t be white-knuckling like you’re dealing with a rally stage.
Not Just a Pretty Face
The Phenom T/A looks pretty good too. Sure, appearance doesn’t win races, but no one’s complaining when a performance tire actually checks the visual boxes. Its aggressive shoulder blocks and tread design radiate the attitude that this tire doesn’t belong on the family sedan. It looks primed to go fast even when it’s at rest.
As for commuting—you didn’t need to be racing around a track to know it has more to give. Everyday drivers enjoy the same grip, feel, and excitement. Even routine drives feel like you’ve inadvertently fallen in with the hot-rod Sunday cruise crowd. That’s something a lot of summer tires can’t accomplish without requiring tradeoffs in ride quality—This model hit a balance that works.
It Arrived Hungry
BFGoodrich didn’t launch another tire into a saturated UHP market and hope it caught on. The g-Force Phenom T/A brings real value to high-performance driving in the summertime, and in its aesthetics. Drivers will love the handling in wet and dry conditions, and the stopping power where the rubber just bites into the road on-demand.
If you think you’ve seen it all in the UHP summer offering this year—think again. When you see the Phenom in the flesh—it’s an instant double-take as you wonder how Goodrich managed to pull off performance and great styling in a tire that leaves the competition in the dust.
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