If you care about how your car feels when the road opens up — how it turns in, how it holds a line, how it reacts when you push a little harder — then tires aren’t just parts. They’re the point.
Inspired by Firestone’s racing heritage, the Firestone Firehawk INDY 500 V2 brings motorsports philosophy to real-world roads. These tires aren’t about flash (though they do look good); they’re built for drivers who expect sharp handling, strong grip, and responsive performance without compromise.
Key Takeaways
- Best For: Drivers of performance cars who want ultra-high-performance (UHP) summer tires with confident handling and everyday usability
- Strengths: Responsive steering, wet performance, and long-lasting wear
- Why It Stands Out: Smart tread design, Enliten™ Technology, and race-inspired engineering
- Where It Shines: Reliable handling, cornering stability, enhanced grip, and responsiveness
If you’re shopping around for the best ultra-high-performance tires, the Firehawk INDY 500 V2 deserves serious consideration.
What Makes the Firestone Firehawk INDY 500 V2 Special?
They’re Steeped in Racing Philosophy
If you’re familiar with the NTT INDYCAR® Series, you know that Firestone’s involvement in motorsports isn’t marketing fluff. After all, the six fastest qualifiers in the Series street and road races are called the Firestone Fast Six™, and Firestone tires have carried Indy 500 champions through the finish line over 68 times.
From Firestone INDYCar tires to decades of motorsports innovation, our experience shows up where it counts: in compound development and durability under stress. And just like the original Firestone Firehawk INDY 500 tires, the V2s draw on decades of track lessons to deliver better control, feedback, and performance on the street.
Asking, “What is an Indy car?” Learn more about the Indy 500 in our article, “Milk, Speed, and Glory: What is the Indy 500?”
They’re Packed With Features
The Firehawk INDY 500 V2s might sit squarely in the ultra-high-performance category, but make no mistake; they’re not just street-legal slicks. They’re designed for real-world driving, and every design element serves a purpose, delivering responsive steering, long-lasting wear, and wet-weather performance. They feature:
- Connecting block tread, built for cornering stability
- An a-shape groove to help deliver reliable handling
- A wide inside rib and a new top compound to help enhance grip and responsiveness
- A multi-round tread block to help optimize the contact pressure for a long wear life
- An advanced rain pulse groove to help evacuate water from the tread pattern
- ENLITEN™ technology to enhance performance efficiency and meet modern vehicle demands*.
With advanced compounds designed for long-lasting performance and rolling resistance technology optimized for impressive fuel efficiency, the Firestone INDY 500 V2 tire delivers a remarkable balance of performance and sustainability.*
* The specific ENLITEN technology attributes vary by tire product. Results may vary depending upon proper tire and vehicle maintenance, road conditions, and driving habits.
Where Firestone Firehawk INDY 500 V2s Fit into the UHP Landscape
Choosing a new set of tires requires identifying your needs and driving style. If you value precision, grip, and responsiveness, then ultra-high-performance tires are what you’re looking for. However, not all UHP tires allocate those values the same way. Some are optimized for maximum edge-of-the-limit capability, while others are engineered for broader real-world use.
The Firehawk INDY 500 V2 is built for drivers who want ultra-high summer performance without stepping fully into track-focused trade-offs. Its design incorporates UHP features while also accounting for the longevity, shorter stopping distances on wet roads, and increased efficiency necessary for everyday driving.
By combining motorsports-inspired thinking with features designed for modern vehicles and everyday road use, the Firehawk INDY 500 V2 occupies a balanced position within the UHP category. It’s well-suited for performance car owners who want confident, engaging handling and high speed ratings without committing exclusively to extreme, single-purpose track tires.
Looking for something else? From finding deals on tires sized properly for your car to providing expert installation and routine vehicle maintenance, Firestone Complete Auto Care can help.
Ready to Experience Ultra-High-Performance Tires?
If you’re looking for a tire that delivers confident grip, precise handling, and track-inspired performance you can feel on everyday roads, the Firestone Firehawk INDY 500 V2 is built to impress. Take a closer look by checking availability and fitment for your vehicle, then let your local Firestone Complete Auto Care handle installation with the confidence of being Fixed Right, Priced Right, and Right on Time.
When performance matters, trust the tire — and the team — that’s been setting the pace for generations.
