NEW 2015 Performance tires

There are six new performance tires for 2015, the summary review and article are provided by auto123.com

• Yokohama Advan Sport A/S V405 (high-performance): Should be very good on dry and wet surfaces with reasonable tread life
• GT Radial – Champiro UHP A/S (high-performance): Decent price, expected good tread life and wet-surface handling
• Hankook Ventus V12 Evo2 (high-performance): Should provide good stability and be quiet for a W and Y speed-rated tire
• Pirelli P Zero Nero A/S + (performance/touring): Expected good handling and a good comfort/performance compromise
• Continental ControlContact Sport A/S (true all-season – performance): May or may not replace the DWS, should be very good on dry, good on wet. Expected to only be available later this year
• Bridgestone Potenza RE71R (extreme performance): Should turn out to be an excellent track/street use compromise tire with mitigated wet traction

I really do not like purchasing a new model tire or car for that matter, in it's first year of production. I prefer to have some sort of reliability information at hand. Others always like to be the first to have the latest and hopefully the greatest items. I'm not one of them, I will generally wait till the second year of production and do my research before making my purchase.
I have begun my research for a new set of performance all-season tires to replace my almost worn out Bridgestone Turanza EL470's. I have never been fond of these tires ever since I bought my car (stock tires). They will not exceed 40000 km (25000 miles) of wear and them and never performed well in the rain to begin with (when new). I admit I am a bit of a spirited driver (manual shift) but I always check my tire pressure on a regular basis. I do as well check the ratings and tests on TireRack.com which scores the EL 470's tires as poor.
For those of you like myself, below you will find the link and list of good dependable tires with a track history. These are the top picks according to the auto123.com article dated 26/03/2015.
The most unfortunate issue for myself is finding a good tire in my cars awkward size.

Here are the picks:
Best tire in the $100-$150 range (P205/55R16)

• Pirelli P4 A/S Plus (touring): Comfort biased, good handling, low-rolling resistance
• Continental PureContact (performance): A high mileage, DWS rating*, low-rolling resistance tire with a “V” rating
• Toyo Extensa A/S (touring): High mileage tread, good handling

Best tire in the $150-$200 range (P205/55R16)

• Toyo Proxes 4+ (performance): A fairly high mileage performance tire with a “V” rating
• Toyo Versado Noir (touring): Eco low-rolling resistance technology, average mileage, and quiet tire
• Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 (performance): Good low-temp and wet grip, excellent dry, strong lateral grip
• Michelin Premiere (touring): High-mileage tread, good wet traction, EverGrip Technology**
• Pirelli P7 A/S Plus (performance): Comfort biased, good handling, low-rolling resistance with a “V” rating
• Yokohama Avid Ascend (touring): Eco low-rolling resistance technology, high mileage and quiet tire
• Bridgestone Turanza Serenity + (touring): Quiet, comfort biased, good handling
• Bridgestone Driveguard (touring): Comfort biased, good handling, quiet runflat replacement 

Best tire: $225 + (P225/45R17)

• Michelin Pilot Super Sport (summer performance): Fairly high mileage ultra-high performance, good wet traction    
• Michelin Pilot A/S 3 (all-season performance): Good low temp and wet grip, excellent dry, strong lateral grip
• Bridgestone Potenza RE97AS (all-season performance): Quiet, comfort biased, superior handling
• Yokohama ADVAN Sport V105 (summer performance): Ultra-high performance, decent wet traction    
• Toyo Proxes T1 Sport (high performance): Good handling, generous footprint, and quiet

Link to full article on auto123.com:
http://www.auto123.com/en/news/top-2015-summer-tires/60514/

http://www.auto123.com/en/news/2015-new-performance-tires/60515/

New Toyota Compact Crossover for 2016 -- CH-R Concept

The 2016 CH-R Concept

It's a rather slick looking compact SUV, Toyota’s all new CH-R concept was unveiled at last year at the Paris auto show. We all know the majority of time the actual finished product will not look like the concept version. Concept vehicles have more outrageous styling than the actual production version which have a more "toned down" styling.
The CH-R will be a new breed of small crossover vehicles for Toyota. The CH-R will be revealed at next year’s Geneva auto show according to credible rumors.
It will likely have a gas-electric version (hybrid powertrain) of whatever production model the concept leads to.
The only specifications available thus far from the Toyota Global Site are the exterior dimensions:
Overall Length 4,350 mm (171.26 in), Overall Width 1,850 mm (72.83 in), Overall Height 1,500 mm (59.06 in), Wheelbase 2,640 mm (103.94 in).

On Toyota Europe website there is little new information to be found. It does confirm a hybrid powertrain. https://www.toyota-europe.com/world-of-toyota/articles-news-events/2014/chr-next-big-thing.json

Here is a 2:47 minute video from Toyota's Global Site displaying and explaining the CH-R's features.

Full article from Autos.ca: http://www.autos.ca/general-news/new-toyota-compact-crossover-set-for-2016-geneva-auto-show-debut/