| Test Summary | |
| Wet Braking | Pirelli P Zero |
| Dry Braking | Continental Sport Contact 5 |
| Wear | Continental Sport Contact 5 |
| Rolling Resistance | Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue |
| Noise | Michelin Primacy 3 Nokian Hakka Blue Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue |
| Ice Handling | Pirelli P Zero |
Testing "touring / high performance" tires in 225/45 R17 on an Audi A3 Saloon, Auto Review have tried to test eight of the latest non-ultra high performance tires, and included a Pirelli P Zero as a benchmark ultra high performance tire. While this is a great idea in theory, the entry from Continental and Hankook are classified as ultra high performance, so the inclusion of the "extra" Pirelli seems a little confusing. Still, it gives us a nice mixed tire test, and allows each tire to highlight its strengths.
As usual, the tires get a good workout, covering all the normal dry and wet tests you can expect, along with an added "shock / impact" test. For this test, the magazine run the car into a 45 degree, curb sized steel block at increasing speeds until the tire fails. Unsurprisingly, the results from this destructive test shows rough correlation between the lighter, more comfortable, low rolling resistance tires failing earlier than the less comfortable, sportier tires.
The difference between the UHP Pirelli P Zero and the rest? As you'd expect, the P Zero is the tire to have fitted if you're after the ultimate driving experience, and the equally as sporty Continental Sport Contact 5 isn't far behind. The best premium touring tire, the Michelin Primacy 3 trades a little of that sporty feel for higher levels of comfort, lower noise and better fuel economy.
Full Results
1st: Continental Sport Contact 5 | |
| Strong wet and dry grip Lack of comfort While the Sport Contact 5 was bettered in the the aquaplaning tests by Hankook and Nokian, the Continental proved to be the wet master, with good traction, the best braking and the quickest time on wet roads.
Confirming its remarkable blend of qualities, the Continental also had the shortest stopping distance in the dry, and was one of the second fastest time in dry handling. It didn't look as though the tire wore badly either, so they haven't compromised wear for grip!
Negative point, not the most comfortable or quiet tires on test, but that was balanced with a good impact resistance. Read Reviews Buy from £90.62 |
2nd: Pirelli P Zero | |
| Dry handling, strong sidewalls, wet grip Poor comfort, low resistance to aquaplaning The only UHP tire included (we're not sure we agree, the Conti is a UHP tire), Auto Review included it to highlight the differences between touring and performance tires.
Naturally, the P Zero had a performance bias. It had the highest rolling resistance, one of the lowest levels of comfort and the strongest sidewall, but in the wet and dry tests it was trading places with the Continental for top spot.
For the ultimate lap time, the testers would pick the P Zero as not only was it the fastest, it offered the best subjective feel too with the fastest reactions to steering.
Read Reviews |
3rd: Michelin Primacy 3 | |
| Strong wet and dry grip, good dry braking, comfortable Sluggish steering in the dry Excellent wet performance, but slightly sluggish steering in the dry. Good wet and dry braking.
Quiet and comfortable tires, and with a mid pack impact test score the Michelin Primacy 3 is a well balanced, safe, comfortable tires with a low rolling resistance.
Read Reviews Buy from £97.93 |
4th: Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 | |
| High resistance to aquaplaning, good wet and dry grip, good price Lack of comfort, weak sidewalls Every year Hankook tires are getting better and better, and with the Korean company now OE on cars like the Mercedes Benz S Class, the 'big 6' tire companies really need to watch out.
The Ventus S1 EVO 2 is strong in the wet and dry, scoring particularly well in the aquaplaning tests. In the dry, the Hankook has a nice balance of safety with strong braking and stable high speed maneuvers.
Negative points? Not the best comfort on test, or shock resistance, but a low price wins it back some points.
Read Reviews Buy from £94.39 |
5th: Nokian Hakka Blue | |
| High resistance to aquaplaning, good wet grip, comfortable Dry grip The Nokian has the second best aquaplaning resistance, and an all round strong wet performance, but isn't quite a match for the best in the dry.
The tire offers good comfort, shock resistance and rolling resistance
Read Reviews |
6th: Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue | |
| Good wet grip, low rolling resistance, comfortable Low resistance to aquaplaning, weak sidewalls Low rolling resistance combined with excellent wet braking and grip and very high comfort.
Average dry performance, low aquaplaning resistance and low shock resistance.
Read Reviews |
7th: Toyo Proxes CF2 | |
| Strong sidewalls, comfortable, good price Dry grip, average wet grip Excellent shock resistance, good dry braking and handling, but a weak wet formance and average comfort leaves Toyo sixth.
Well priced.
Read Reviews |
8th: Bridgestone Turanza T001 | |
| Resistance to aquaplaning Wet grip, dry braking, poor comfort Bridgestones reputation has been somewhat saved by Dunlop, as the Bridgestone T001 proved to be average in nearly all areas.
Slow in the dry and wet, the only good result was in the aquaplaning test.
Despite being loud and uncomfortable, the Bridgestone also failed early in the impact test.
Not good value for money.
Read Reviews Buy from £87.28 |
9th: Dunlop SP Sport LM704 | |
| Price, strong sidewall Extremely low wet grip, low resistance to aquaplaning, high rolling resistance Not available in the UK market, Auto Review found the Dunlop LM704's dangerous thanks to a shocking performance in the wet.
OK for hot climates with pot holed roads that don't see rain. No where else.
Read Reviews |
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