4 categories (8 tests)
Test Category | Best Performer | Worst Performer | Difference |
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Dry (2 tests) | |||
Dry Braking | ▲ Continental Premium Contact 6: 36 M | ▼ Kumho Ecsta HS51: 39.2 M | 3.2 M (8.2%) |
Dry Handling | ▲ Continental Premium Contact 6: 59.3 s | ▼ Nankang AS1: 60.9 s | 1.6 s (2.6%) |
Wet (3 tests) | |||
Wet Braking | ▲ Michelin CrossClimate Plus: 54.6 M | ▼ Nankang AS1: 77.3 M | 22.7 M (29.4%) |
Wet Handling | ▲ Continental Premium Contact 6: 90 s | ▼ Nankang AS1: 99.9 s | 9.9 s (9.9%) |
Straight Aqua | ▲ Kumho Ecsta HS51: 75.1 Km/H | ▼ Nankang AS1: 68.2 Km/H | 6.9 Km/H (10.1%) |
Comfort (1 tests) | |||
Noise | ▲ Maxxis Premitra HP5: 68 dB | ▼ Michelin CrossClimate Plus: 72 dB | 4.0 dB (5.6%) |
Value (2 tests) | |||
Price | ▲ Nankang AS1: 265 | ▼ Michelin CrossClimate Plus: 645 | 380.0 (58.9%) |
Rolling Resistance | ▲ Michelin Primacy 4: 7.2 kg / t | ▼ Nankang AS1: 8.92 kg / t | 1.7 kg / t (19.3%) |
The stand out performances go to the new Continental Premium Contact 6 and Michelin Primacy 4, both showing extremely well balanced test results, and also the new Maxxis Premitra HP5. The quality of Maxxis tyres has quietly improving quickly over the past 12 months, and it's great to see the Premitra HP5 prove it's excellent price / performance ratio.
It's also worth noting, which the Michelin CrossClimate only finished seventh place overall, this is the only tyre on test which has any sort of ability in the snow. The trade for snow performance is often dry grip, but the CrossClimate held its own in a full summer tyre test, which makes it unique amongst all season tyres.
Dry
The dry testing was led by the top three tyres overall, with the Continental, Michelin Primacy 4 and Maxxis trading places in the dry braking and dry handling testing. The Nankang AS1 was last in both tests.
Wet
The Michelin CrossClimate had a surprise advantage during wet braking, but couldn't match the performance during the wet handling lap. The Continental Premium Contact 6 was the best of the summer tyres, with the Maxxis, Yokohama and Bridgestone all having excellent results. The Nankang AS1 was again last.
The Kumho was the best tyre for straight aquaplaning resistance.
Environment
The Michelin Primacy 4 had an extremely low rolling resistance, while the Continental's only weakness was highlighted.
The Maxxis was the quietest tyre on test, with a 1dB margin over the next best.
The cheapest set of tyres on test, the Nankang AS1, were almost a third of the price of the most expensive.
Results
As always, you can see the full results on the Auto Zeitung website.
1st: Continental Premium Contact 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The best tyre in the wet by a margin, shortest dry braking and excellent dry handling, good level of comfort. None mentioned. Read Reviews Buy from £144.39 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2nd: Michelin Primacy 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Good results in the dry and wet, very low rolling resistance. None mentioned. Read Reviews Buy from £150.61 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3rd: Maxxis Premitra HP5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Up there with premium rivals at a lower price, good in the wet, short dry braking. Average rolling resistance, average comfort, average dry handling. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4th: Pirelli CINTURATO P7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Good results in the dry and wet, short wet braking. None mentioned. Read Reviews Buy from £126.38 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5th: Bridgestone Turanza T005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Short dry braking and good ride quality, low rolling resistance, very good aquaplaning resistance. Long wet braking distances. Read Reviews Buy from £128.53 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6th: Yokohama BluEarth AE50 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A well balanced tyre, low rolling resistance. Reduced aquaplaning resistance. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7th: Michelin CrossClimate+ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The shortest wet braking distances. The only tyre with snow capability. Relatively weak wet lateral stability, increased noise levels, long dry braking. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8th: Apollo Aspire XP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Good aquaplaning resistance. Long wet braking, soft sidewalls so poor lateral stability. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9th: Kumho Ecsta HS51 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Good aquaplaning resistance. Long braking distances in the dry and wet, high rolling resistance, low comfort. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10th: Nankang AS1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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None mentioned. Unstable at the limit during wet handling and long stopping distances during wet braking, highest rolling resistance. Read Reviews Buy from £107.54 |