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A newer edition of this test is out: 2011 Sport Auto Performance Winter Tyre Test

Test source Sport Auto

2009 Sport Auto Performance Winter Tyre Test

Overall test winnerContinental WinterContact TS 830 P

It might still be August, but after an unusually snowy start to 2010 talk has already turned to winter tyres in the UK.

Tyres tested
8
Tested size
225/45 r17

At a glance

Tyre shortlist

8 Tyres tested

Published finishing positions, with the strengths and considerations from this test. Owner reviews cover other sizes and driving conditions.

1st

Continental WinterContact TS 830 P

+Very good braking performance in snow, rain and the dry. Consistently high level of grip in wet and snow.

−Average aquaplaning performance

Read full verdict
2nd

Pirelli Sottozero Serie II

+Very balanced and good grip levels. High traction and braking performance in snow and rain

−Light compromising steering precision on dry roads

Read full verdict
3rd

Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D

+Excellent level of grip and very good handling in wet conditions. Good aquaplaning properties

−Not very balanced handling in snow

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4th

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 2

+Excellent winter performance, aquaplaning best performance in the test. Good level of grip when wet

−Average braking performance on dry roads

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5th

Nokian WRG2

+Balanced handling and acceptable delay on snow. Good handling characteristics in drought

−Poor aquaplaning properties. Gentle traction on snow

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6th

Firestone Winterhawk 2

+Precise handling and good braking performance in dry conditions. Good traction on snow

−Lower grip levels and poor brake performance in wet conditions

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7th

Kumho IZen KW27

+Good aquaplaning performance. Safe, understeer bias in the wet and snow

−Poor wet and snow grip levels

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8th

Michelin Pilot Alpin

+Very precise handling and grip in the dry

−Average grip, traction and braking performance in snow and rain

Read full verdict

Tyre shortlist

Compare selected tyres

2009 Sport Auto Performance Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 r17

The full test

The evidence behind the verdict

2009 Sport Auto Performance Winter Tyre Test

It might still be August, but after an unusually snowy start to 2010 talk has already turned to winter tyres in the UK.

While we're waiting for the magazines to put together their 2010 winter tyre tests, here's one of the more interesting articles from 2009. This test is particularly good as it uses a powerful RWD car (Mercedes SLK350) which wears relatively wide 225/45 r17 performance tyres.

Each of the 8 tyres were tested in the snow, on wet roads and in the dry with the scoring emphasis bias towards wet weather and snow performance (these are winter tyres after all!)

While there's little difference between the tyres in the dry, the differences become more obvious in the wet and on snow. Sport Auto give four of the tyres the their ??highly recommended?? award - Continental Winter Contact TS 830, P Pirelli Sottozero Series 2, Dunlop SP Wintersport 3D and the Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 2.

Here are the full results:

1st

Continental WinterContact TS 830 P

225/45 r17
Continental WinterContact TS 830 P
All discipline results (3)
Test%
Dry—
Wet—
Snow—
2nd

Pirelli Sottozero Serie II

225/45 r17
Pirelli Sottozero Serie II
All discipline results (3)
Test%
Dry—
Wet—
Snow—
3rd

Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D

225/45 r17
Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D
All discipline results (3)
Test%
Dry—
Wet—
Snow—
4th

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 2

225/45 r17
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 2
All discipline results (3)
Test%
Dry—
Wet—
Snow—
5th

Nokian WRG2

225/45 r17
Nokian WRG2
All discipline results (3)
Test%
Dry—
Wet—
Snow—
6th

Firestone Winterhawk 2

225/45 r17
Firestone Winterhawk 2
All discipline results (3)
Test%
Dry—
Wet—
Snow—
7th

Kumho IZen KW27

225/45 r17
Kumho IZen KW27
All discipline results (3)
Test%
Dry—
Wet—
Snow—
8th

Michelin Pilot Alpin

225/45 r17
Michelin Pilot Alpin
All discipline results (3)
Test%
Dry—
Wet—
Snow—

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