The 2016 Auto Express summer tire test has just been published, and it's the first test to have the "holy 4"! The new Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2, Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 and Pirelli P Zero PZ4 have finally been tested together at the same track, on the same car (VW Golf GTI), in the same 225/40 R18 size!

In a very close tire test, with all nine contenders seperated by less than 4% overall, Michelin will be proud that the new Pilot Sport 4 convincingly won, with a huge margin in both wet and dry braking, and with nine categories of testing the Michelin only finished lower than third onc (cabin noise test.)

It was also an excellent test for the brand new Pirelli P Zero (PZ4), where it managed to combine the best wet cornering and lowest rolling resistance scores, which are usually a balance of performance. Continental took third spot, with the now aging Sport Contact 5 still performing incredibly well, winning the dry and wet handling laps and only really struggling with fuel use.

Dunlop and Goodyear take fourth and fifth place, with both tires proving to be excellent all round performers, but with the overall result so close and the new competition so strong, they couldn't quite get on the podium.

Results

We have an agreement with Auto Express not to give their tire tests detailed coverage, but instead to encourage people to buy the magazine or visit their website which means below is just an overview of the full test. Buy Auto Express issue 1431 or visit www.autoexpress.co.uk for the full test!

1st: Michelin Pilot Sport 4
225/40 R18 3PMSF: no	Total: 100 Overall: 100 Read Reviews    Buy from £107.62
2nd: Pirelli P Zero
225/40 R18 3PMSF: no	Total: 99.1 Overall: 99.1 Read Reviews    Buy from £124.54
3rd: Continental Sport Contact 5
225/40 R18 3PMSF: no	Total: 98.9 Overall: 98.9 Read Reviews    Buy from £97.62
4th: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
225/40 R18 3PMSF: no	Total: 98.7 Overall: 98.7 Read Reviews    Buy from £88.32
5th: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
225/40 R18 3PMSF: no	Total: 98.4 Overall: 98.4 Read Reviews    Buy from £87.22
6th: Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
225/40 R18 3PMSF: no	Total: 98.1 Overall: 98.1 Read Reviews
7th: Falken Azenis FK510
225/40 R18 3PMSF: no	Total: 97.7 Overall: 97.7 Read Reviews
8th: Yokohama Advan Sport V105
225/40 R18 3PMSF: no	Total: 97.4 Overall: 97.4 Read Reviews    Buy from £95.95
9th: Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
225/40 R18 3PMSF: no	Total: 96.2 Overall: 96.2 Read Reviews