Every year, the British publication EVO Magazine conduct a UHP summer tyre test, with this years test covering the hugely popular 235/35 R19 tyre size, on a VW Golf GTI. This year, due to travel restrictions, the handling testing was conducted at MIRA in the UK, rather than the Continental facility in Germany.
The EVO summer tyre tests are particularly interesting as they're one of the few publications to really dig into the subjective handling of each tyre on test, as what good is a fast tyre if it's no fun to drive? This means, much like our own tests, the EVO test can help you understand which tyre will give you not just the best grip, but the most driving enjoyment too.
As always, head over to the EVO website or locate EVO issue Dec 1st, pages 119-126 for the full details, or carry on reading to our summary below.
Dry
As usual, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S had a dry braking advantage, stopping the Golf in a slightly shorter distance than the second placed Continental SportContact 6.
Dry Braking
Dry braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
33.60 M
Continental Sport Contact 6
33.80 M
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
34.10 M
Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport
34.70 M
Nokian PowerProof
35.50 M
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
35.60 M
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
36.10 M
Michelin carried this advantage through to dry handling, where it tied first with the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.
Dry Handling
Dry handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
52.15 s
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
52.15 s
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
52.50 s
Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport
52.50 s
Continental Sport Contact 6
52.65 s
Nokian PowerProof
52.95 s
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
53.10 s
The Michelin also had the best subjective handling and made the lap feel easy, whereas the Pirelli felt great on lap one, but lost its edge on the second lap.
Subj. Dry Handling
Subjective Dry Handling Score (Higher is better)
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
63.00 Points
Continental Sport Contact 6
61.50 Points
Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport
59.00 Points
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
57.00 Points
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
56.00 Points
Nokian PowerProof
56.00 Points
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
53.50 Points
Wet
Michelin once again dominated wet braking, with a significant advantage over the group from 80 km/h.
Wet Braking
Wet braking in meters (80 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
26.00 M
Continental Sport Contact 6
27.70 M
Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport
28.00 M
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
28.70 M
Nokian PowerProof
28.80 M
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
29.60 M
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
30.10 M
Pirelli was fastest by nearly a second over the short wet handling lap, with Continental finishing last with the SportContact 6.
Wet Handling
Wet handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
46.00 s
Nokian PowerProof
46.70 s
Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport
46.70 s
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
46.80 s
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
47.20 s
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
48.00 s
Continental Sport Contact 6
48.50 s
The Pirelli was also the best subjective tyre during wet handling, offering the best of everything, with good grip and balance.
Subj. Wet Handling
Subjective Wet Handling Score (Higher is better)
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
62.00 Points
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
58.50 Points
Nokian PowerProof
56.50 Points
Continental Sport Contact 6
56.00 Points
Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport
55.50 Points
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
55.00 Points
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
54.50 Points
The Michelin Pilot Sport PS4 S took another win in the wet circle test, posting the fastest time around the round track.
Wet Circle
Wet Circle Lap Time in seconds (Lower is better)
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
12.39 s
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
12.42 s
Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport
12.42 s
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
12.54 s
Nokian PowerProof
12.54 s
Continental Sport Contact 6
12.60 s
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
12.71 s
The tyres that struggled during the wet handling lap were also the tyres with the lowest aquaplaning resistance, which isn't uncommon for MIRA.
Straight Aqua
Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
74.40 Km/H
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
72.20 Km/H
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
72.00 Km/H
Nokian PowerProof
71.80 Km/H
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
71.70 Km/H
Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport
71.60 Km/H
Continental Sport Contact 6
71.50 Km/H
Environment
Interestingly, the tyre with the best subjective dry handling was also awarded the best subjective comfort. These are usually opposing design requirements.
Subj. Comfort
Subjective Comfort Score (Higher is better)
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
25.00 Points
Continental Sport Contact 6
24.50 Points
Nokian PowerProof
23.50 Points
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
22.50 Points
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
22.50 Points
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
22.00 Points
Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport
22.00 Points
The Contiental SportContact 6 had the lowest rolling resistance on test, in a very close group. Strangely, the Continental is one of "E" rated tyres for the EU tyre label rolling resistance category, beating all of the "C" rated.
Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)
Continental Sport Contact 6
0.83 kg / t
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
0.84 kg / t
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
0.87 kg / t
Nokian PowerProof
0.89 kg / t
Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport
0.92 kg / t
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
0.98 kg / t
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
1.02 kg / t
Ignoring the strange price for the Dunlop, the Michelin took its usual position as the most expensive tyre on test. Sadly, EVO didn't conduct any wear testing which is a category Michelin usually excels in, but in recent years Continental and Goodyear have caught up in.
The Pilot Sport 4 S was good in the wet and outstanding in the dry, setting the fastest dry lap time and topping our subjective ratings on track and on the road route, where it impressed with superb steering feel and feedback and ride comfort. A great tyre that will improve the feel of your performance car.
The SportContact 6 lacked corner traction in the wet, as is reflected in its slowest wet handling time and bottom-of-the-table aquaplaning results, but it was good elsewhere and subjectively was highly rated in the dry and on the road route for its steering feel, calm poise and decent refinement.
The ‘PZ4’ P Zero was outstanding in the wet, setting the fastest time and feeling the most connected and grippy on the wet circuit, which it backed up with strong aquaplaning performances. It lacked the steering feel and feedback of the best but was good in the dry too, setting the equal fastest lap time.
A great result for the Powerproof. It’s not the most tactile or the sharpest steering here but it delivered strong performances in the wet, including equal second fastest on the wet track and good aquaplaning resistance. This it combines with decent everyday refinement and good value.
The Eagle F1 SuperSport had steering feel and feedback as good as the best, helping it achieve strong dry results. It delivered good objective wet performances too, but while its steering was outstanding its refinement was less good: on poor surfaces it was noisy and bumpy.
By far the best in aquaplaning, the Sport Maxx RT2 was also highly rated on the wet handling circuit. It wasn’t as impressive in the dry though, being marginally the slowest on track and middle-ranked subjectively, and also marked down on the road for a lack of feel and refinement.
The Ultra Vorti is a decent tyre that showed well in the aquaplaning tests and set a good lap time on the dry circuit too. It was at or near the bottom of the table in many tests, though, and subjectively was noisy and lacked the connection of the best. It’s worth noting that an updated version is due in the new year.
