2010 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test

Winter tires are a hot subject at the moment, with new tests being released weekly. Usually winter tire tests focus on the smaller tire sizes winter tires are often used in, meaning if you drive a performance car and are interested in ultra high performance winter tires you have to hope the tires tested in the smaller sizes have the same attributes in the larger sizes.

Fortunately this year Auto Bild have released a secondary winter tire test using 245/45 R 18 sized tires. The tires were tested on an Audi TT and had the usual mix of tests on dry, wet and snowy roads.

One result worth noting is the TireReviews favourite Nokian WRG2 finishing last. Rest assured it's still a good tire for the UK climate, the test scoring was bias towards snow performance, but Auto Bild commended the WRG2's sporty dry handing and good wet grip.

Here are the full results with breakdown

1st: Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Total: 25 Dry: 7 Wet: 9 Snow: 9 Excellent winter properties with excellent cornering on hard-packed snow, very good aquaplaning properties, dynamically balanced handling characteristics on wet and dry track Slightly higher noise levels Read Reviews
2nd: Continental WinterContact TS 830 P
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Total: 24 Dry: 6 Wet: 8 Snow: 10 Excellent winter properties with the best traction and shortest braking distances on snow, excelling aquaplaning properties, dynamic handling characteristics with short braking distances on wet roads Slightly long dry braking distances Read Reviews
3rd: Pirelli Sottozero Serie II
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Total: 21 Dry: 7 Wet: 7 Snow: 7 Good winter performance with safe cornering on snow and ice, balanced dynamic performance on wet and dry roads, low rolling resistance Slightly longer stopping distances on wet and dry surfaces Read Reviews
4th: Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 2
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Total: 20 Dry: 6 Wet: 6 Snow: 8 Convincing winter performance with short braking distances on snow, sufficient aquaplaning performance, safe driving on wet and dry surfaces Slightly longer braking distances on dry roads, increased rolling resistance Read Reviews
5th: Nokian WRG2
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Total: 17 Dry: 7 Wet: 5 Snow: 5 Good safety margin in the wet, sporty handling with short braking distances on dry roads Only satisfactory winter characteristics, slightly extended braking distances on a wet track Read Reviews