2019 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test

As this is the worlds first full video tyre test, I encourage you to watch rather than read, and if you have any comments or suggestions please leave them on the YouTube page. If you'd rather read, all the glorious tyre test detail can be found below the video!

Dry BrakingMichelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 35 MAccelera PHI: 40.5 M
Dry HandlingContinental Sport Contact 6: 60.3 sAccelera PHI: 63.8 s
Subj. Dry HandlingContinental Sport Contact 6: 9 PointsAccelera PHI: 5.6 Points
Wet BrakingMichelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 46.3 MAccelera PHI: 73.3 M
Wet HandlingGoodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport: 70.37 sAccelera PHI: 86.43 s
Subj. Wet HandlingGoodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport: 9 PointsAccelera PHI: 2 Points
Straight AquaToyo Proxes Sport: 86.9 Km/HAccelera PHI: 82.9 Km/H
Subj. ComfortFalken Azenis FK510: 9.8 PointsVredestein Ultrac Vorti: 6.5 Points
NoiseContinental Sport Contact 6: 72.1 dBGoodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport: 73.8 dB
Tyre WeightGoodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport: 43.5 KgVredestein Ultrac Vorti: 51.3 Kg
Rolling ResistanceContinental Sport Contact 6: 8.18 kg / tKumho Ecsta PS91: 9.41 kg / t
Here it is, the 2019 Tyre Reviews UUHP tyre test! This is a HUGE tyre test, which includes the first test of the new Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport, and its two current top rated rivals, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, and the Continental SportContact 6, plus five other maximum performance summer tyre patterns.

This test was conducted at Continentals test facility in Uvalde texas, and has the added advantage of all the tyres (other than Goodyear) being available to both the European and American markets! 

The test car is a BMW M2 wearing 245/35 R19 fronts and 265/35 R19 rears. This is a full tyre test, so all the usual categories are on test including dry and wet handling, dry and wet braking, aquaplaning, rolling resistance, noise and comfort. Where this test is slightly different from other tests is we've put a greater emphasis on subjective handling scoring in the dry and wet, as we believe on a car like the BMW M2, how the car feels and how it's balanced is as important as saving a few tenths of a second.

Sadly Pirelli, Hankook, Yokohama and Nokian only made one of the two tyre sizes we needed for this test in aftermarket fitment, testing mixed fitment like on the M2 is always difficult.

 

Dry

The gap in dry handling was extremely close between the Continental, Michelin and Goodyear, with all three tyres being separated by just 0.3 seconds. Subjectively, the Continental felt the most exciting tyre on test, with the quickest steering and most feedback through the front axle. The Goodyear and Michelin offered a very similar balance, which gave the M2 a little more understeer than on the Continental.

The midrange battle was won by the Vredestein, which subjectively felt as good as the Continental but was on average, 0.6 seconds behind across the lap. Falken have managed to produce a tyre with good grip, but the more comfort bias of the tyre made it subjectively too soft. Kumho was very fast on its first lap, but the grip fell away quickly as the tyre overheated, as did the Toyo, but to a lesser degree.

Dry braking was dominated by the three premium manufacturers.

Wet

By using a BMW M2, wet handling became as much about rear grip as about front. This is where the new Goodyear excelled, offering a really neutral balance between the front and the rear of the car, while providing excellent grip across the lap. While the Vredestein couldn't match the best during wet braking, the extra rear grip it had over its rivals meant it finished the second fastest time, and it was a similar story for Toyo. Continental and Michelin were fourth and fifth, and while they both had excellent grip, both struggling more at the rear than the Goodyear to get the power down. The Falken was another tenth of a second slower, and the Kumho and the budget struggle in the wet with a lack of grip.

There was no issue with rear grip during wet braking, which highlighted the Contnental and Michelins raw grip in shallow water.

During aquaplaning testing, the Michelin showed the best balance betwen braking and aquaplaning results.

Environment

The Continental offered an excellent low rolling resistance result in the 265 fitment.

The subjective comfort of all tyres on test was incredibly close, however there were a couple of patterns at the extremities of the results. The Falken proved to be the most comfortable tyre on test, appearing to transmit the least amount of tyre noise into the cabin, and round off the bumps and road imperfections in a way other tyres couldn't match. The Michelin, Continental and Toyo all had good levels of comfort, while the Goodyear and Vredestein transmitted slightly more noise, and higher levels of discomfort when hitting obstacles such as potholes.

The Continental proved to be quietest during drive by noise testing in the rear 265 fitment.

There was an interesting correlation between tyre weight, and the overall results.

Results

Score weighting - dry 55%, wet 40%, comfort and env 5%

1st: Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport

Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport
  • 265/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking3rd35.8 M35 M+0.8 M97.77%
Dry Handling3rd60.6 s60.3 s+0.3 s99.5%
Subj. Dry Handling3rd8.7 Points9 Points-0.3 Points96.67%
Wet Braking4th48.6 M46.3 M+2.3 M95.27%
Wet Handling1st70.37 s100%
Subj. Wet Handling1st9 Points100%
Straight Aqua5th84.7 Km/H86.9 Km/H-2.2 Km/H97.47%
Subj. Comfort6th7 Points9.8 Points-2.8 Points71.43%
Noise8th73.8 dB72.1 dB+1.7 dB97.7%
Tyre Weight1st43.5 Kg100%
Rolling Resistance5th9.04 kg / t8.18 kg / t+0.86 kg / t90.49%
Excellent in the key dry and wet handling testing, with great steering feel and balance whatever the conditions. No lap time drop during dry handling testing.
Slightly weak wet braking, lower than average comfort and noise levels.
The new Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport brings the competition to the Michelin and Goodyear rivals, finding itself close to them in all key areas, and excelling during wet handling.
Highly Recommended.

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2nd: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
  • 265/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st35 M100%
Dry Handling2nd60.5 s60.3 s+0.2 s99.67%
Subj. Dry Handling4th8.3 Points9 Points-0.7 Points92.22%
Wet Braking1st46.3 M100%
Wet Handling5th73.4 s70.37 s+3.03 s95.87%
Subj. Wet Handling5th6.5 Points9 Points-2.5 Points72.22%
Straight Aqua2nd86.7 Km/H86.9 Km/H-0.2 Km/H99.77%
Subj. Comfort2nd8.5 Points9.8 Points-1.3 Points86.73%
Noise3rd72.4 dB72.1 dB+0.3 dB99.59%
Tyre Weight3rd45.2 Kg43.5 Kg+1.7 Kg96.24%
Rolling Resistance3rd8.7 kg / t8.18 kg / t+0.52 kg / t94.02%
Shortest braking distances in both the dry and wet, excellent dry handling and good levels of comfort.
Oversteer balance in wet handling meant only 5th fastest time. Not quite as sharp as the Continental on the front axle.
The Pilot Sport 4S continues to offer a near unrivaled mix of performance, comfort and low rolling resistance.
Highly Recommended.

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3rd: Continental Sport Contact 6

Continental Sport Contact 6
  • 265/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd35.4 M35 M+0.4 M98.87%
Dry Handling1st60.3 s100%
Subj. Dry Handling1st9 Points100%
Wet Braking2nd46.9 M46.3 M+0.6 M98.72%
Wet Handling4th73.36 s70.37 s+2.99 s95.92%
Subj. Wet Handling6th6 Points9 Points-3 Points66.67%
Straight Aqua4th85.8 Km/H86.9 Km/H-1.1 Km/H98.73%
Subj. Comfort3rd8 Points9.8 Points-1.8 Points81.63%
Noise1st72.1 dB100%
Tyre Weight2nd44.1 Kg43.5 Kg+0.6 Kg98.64%
Rolling Resistance1st8.18 kg / t100%
Excellent wet and dry braking, fastest tyre in the dry with the best steering speed, feel and balance. Retained good levels of comfort and a low rolling resistance. No drop in lap time.
Oversteer balance in the wet made it difficult to extract a good lap time, in spite of the best front end grip.
An excellent all round tyre which excels in steering feel and dry grip. The sportiest feeling tyre on test.
Highly Recommended.

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4th: Falken Azenis FK510

Falken Azenis FK510
  • 265/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking4th37.4 M35 M+2.4 M93.58%
Dry Handling5th61.1 s60.3 s+0.8 s98.69%
Subj. Dry Handling7th6.6 Points9 Points-2.4 Points73.33%
Wet Braking3rd48.4 M46.3 M+2.1 M95.66%
Wet Handling6th73.54 s70.37 s+3.17 s95.69%
Subj. Wet Handling3rd7 Points9 Points-2 Points77.78%
Straight Aqua3rd85.9 Km/H86.9 Km/H-1 Km/H98.85%
Subj. Comfort1st9.8 Points100%
Noise5th72.9 dB72.1 dB+0.8 dB98.9%
Tyre Weight5th47.8 Kg43.5 Kg+4.3 Kg91%
Rolling Resistance6th9.1 kg / t8.18 kg / t+0.92 kg / t89.89%
Good wet braking result, high levels of comfort.
Poor subjective steering feel due to a high amount of sidewall roll.
The Falken FK510 is a great tyre for a driver / car combination which values comfort over outright steering feel.
Recommended.

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5th: Vredestein Ultrac Vorti

Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
  • 265/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking5th37.7 M35 M+2.7 M92.84%
Dry Handling4th60.9 s60.3 s+0.6 s99.01%
Subj. Dry Handling2nd8.9 Points9 Points-0.1 Points98.89%
Wet Braking6th53.8 M46.3 M+7.5 M86.06%
Wet Handling2nd72.78 s70.37 s+2.41 s96.69%
Subj. Wet Handling2nd8 Points9 Points-1 Points88.89%
Straight Aqua6th83.8 Km/H86.9 Km/H-3.1 Km/H96.43%
Subj. Comfort8th6.5 Points9.8 Points-3.3 Points66.33%
Noise7th73.4 dB72.1 dB+1.3 dB98.23%
Tyre Weight8th51.3 Kg43.5 Kg+7.8 Kg84.8%
Rolling Resistance7th9.31 kg / t8.18 kg / t+1.13 kg / t87.86%
Excellent dry grip and handling, with one of the best steering feel on test. The balance remained in the wet, making for good wet handling times. Very small time drop off during dry handling.
Weak wet braking, high rolling resistance, low levels of comfort. Heaviest tyre on test.
The Ultrac Vorti again proved itself as an excellent handling tyre, offering great steering feel and balance in all conditions. Weak braking results cost the tyre a higher result.
Recommended.

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6th: Toyo Proxes Sport

Toyo Proxes Sport
  • 265/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking7th38.8 M35 M+3.8 M90.21%
Dry Handling7th62.2 s60.3 s+1.9 s96.95%
Subj. Dry Handling5th7.6 Points9 Points-1.4 Points84.44%
Wet Braking5th49.9 M46.3 M+3.6 M92.79%
Wet Handling3rd73.17 s70.37 s+2.8 s96.17%
Subj. Wet Handling3rd7 Points9 Points-2 Points77.78%
Straight Aqua1st86.9 Km/H100%
Subj. Comfort3rd8 Points9.8 Points-1.8 Points81.63%
Noise6th73.3 dB72.1 dB+1.2 dB98.36%
Tyre Weight4th45.3 Kg43.5 Kg+1.8 Kg96.03%
Rolling Resistance4th8.91 kg / t8.18 kg / t+0.73 kg / t91.81%
Good wet handling with highest aquaplaning resistance on test. Good levels of comfort and nice steering feel.
Average wet braking, poor dry braking, significant dry handling lap time drop.
The Toyo had good steering feel and balance in the dry and wet, but lower levels of grip than the best tyres on test.
Conditionally Recommended.

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7th: Kumho Ecsta PS91

Kumho Ecsta PS91
  • 265/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking5th37.7 M35 M+2.7 M92.84%
Dry Handling6th61.2 s60.3 s+0.9 s98.53%
Subj. Dry Handling6th7.5 Points9 Points-1.5 Points83.33%
Wet Braking7th56.8 M46.3 M+10.5 M81.51%
Wet Handling7th74.83 s70.37 s+4.46 s94.04%
Subj. Wet Handling6th6 Points9 Points-3 Points66.67%
Straight Aqua7th83.6 Km/H86.9 Km/H-3.3 Km/H96.2%
Subj. Comfort6th7 Points9.8 Points-2.8 Points71.43%
Noise4th72.5 dB72.1 dB+0.4 dB99.45%
Tyre Weight7th50.1 Kg43.5 Kg+6.6 Kg86.83%
Rolling Resistance8th9.41 kg / t8.18 kg / t+1.23 kg / t86.93%
Very quick on first dry handling lap, with good steering feel and car balance.
Tyre overheated very quickly in both dry and wet handling, which changed the balance to high levels of oversteer. Very poor wet braking. Average levels of comfort.
The Kumho PS91 initially felt like a strong tyre with good steering and balance, but this soon changed as the tyre heated up, resulting in instability and low levels of grip.
Conditionally Recommended.

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8th: Accelera PHI

Accelera PHI
  • 265/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking8th40.5 M35 M+5.5 M86.42%
Dry Handling8th63.8 s60.3 s+3.5 s94.51%
Subj. Dry Handling8th5.6 Points9 Points-3.4 Points62.22%
Wet Braking8th73.3 M46.3 M+27 M63.17%
Wet Handling8th86.43 s70.37 s+16.06 s81.42%
Subj. Wet Handling8th2 Points9 Points-7 Points22.22%
Straight Aqua8th82.9 Km/H86.9 Km/H-4 Km/H95.4%
Subj. Comfort3rd8 Points9.8 Points-1.8 Points81.63%
Noise2nd72.3 dB72.1 dB+0.2 dB99.72%
Tyre Weight6th47.9 Kg43.5 Kg+4.4 Kg90.81%
Rolling Resistance2nd8.31 kg / t8.18 kg / t+0.13 kg / t98.44%
Low rolling resistance. Low noise.
Very poor wet grip, extremely long wet braking distances, poor dry grip.
The Accelera PHI was extremely low grip in all scenarios. Do not fit this tyre.
Not Recommended

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