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2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test

Jonathan Benson
Data analyzed and reviewed by Jonathan Benson
8 min read Updated
Contents
  1. Introduction
  2. Dry
  3. Wet
  4. Snow
  5. Environment
  6. Results
  7. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
  8. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
  9. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
  10. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
  11. Dunlop Winter Sport 5
  12. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+
  13. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
  14. BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
  15. Falken Eurowinter HS01
  16. Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
  17. Toyo Snowprox S954
  18. Nankang SV2
  19. Vredestein Quatrac Pro
  20. Reference Summer

Test Publication:
245/40 R18 14 tyres 5 categories
Similar Tests
Images courtesy of Auto Bild Sportscars
Test Publication:
Auto Bild Sportscars
https://www.autobild.de/ratgeber/reifen/
Images courtesy of Auto Bild Sportscars
Test Size: 245/40 R18
Tyres Tested: 14 tyres
Test Categories:
5 categories (14 tests)
Similar Tests
The 2021 Auto Bild Sportscars winter tyre test has tested twelve of the best winter tyres in 245/40 R18 size using a Mercedes C Class, AND have included a summer and all season tyre as reference.

This is exceptionally useful for those of us wondering whether to fit winter or all season tyres for the bigger while size, and for a change Auto Bild named the all season tyre used, it's the Vredestein Quatrac Pro. 

There are however some drawbacks to the single reference tyre. The Quatrac Pro is an older patter now, and certainly not the best all season tyre on the market anymore. This means while it was good in the dry, it didn't beat all the winter tyres as you'd expect (the Michelin CrossClimate 2 certainly would have), it struggled in the wet, and if you'd expected it to come last in a group of winter tyres in the snow tests, you're also in for a surprise.

Sadly Auto Bild didn't name the summer reference tyre, but this was unusually good in aquaplaning, and one of the best in the dry and wet.

There were also some nice synergies between this test and the Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test, with the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 and Hankook Winter Icept Evo 3 performing amongst the best in both tests, and the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 being the wet specialist of the group.

Dry

As in the Tyre Reviews test, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was the best in both dry tests, beating even the all season tyre, but still significantly weaker than the summer reference which was nearly four meters ahead.

Dry Braking

Spread: 8.10 M (22.2%)|Avg: 42.91 M
Dry braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
Dry Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tyre

The order of results was also the same in dry handling, with the reference summer tyre leading Michelin and the all season Vredestein Quatrac Pro, with the Toyo SnowProx S954 in fourth.

Dry Handling

Spread: 6.00 Km/H (5.7%)|Avg: 101.14 Km/H
Dry Handling Average Speed (Higher is better)
  1. Reference Summer
    105.00 Km/H
  2. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    102.90 Km/H
  3. Vredestein Quatrac Pro
    102.50 Km/H
  4. Toyo Snowprox S954
    101.70 Km/H
  5. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    101.60 Km/H
  6. Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
    101.40 Km/H
  7. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    101.00 Km/H
  8. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
    100.90 Km/H
  9. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    100.80 Km/H
  10. Nankang SV2
    100.10 Km/H
  11. Falken Eurowinter HS01
    100.10 Km/H
  12. BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
    99.70 Km/H
  13. Dunlop Winter Sport 5
    99.30 Km/H
  14. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
    99.00 Km/H

Wet

Wet braking retained the summer tyres advantage, but this time the gap was closer at two meters shorter stopping distance. The difference between the best and worst winter tyre was fifteen meters from 100kph (62mph) which is a vast difference.

Wet Braking

Spread: 18.30 M (38.9%)|Avg: 52.39 M
Wet braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
Wet Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tyre

The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 managed to edge out the summer tyre around the wet handling lap.

Wet Handling

Spread: 10.20 Km/H (14%)|Avg: 70.29 Km/H
Wet Handling Average Speed (Higher is better)
  1. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    72.90 Km/H
  2. Reference Summer
    72.40 Km/H
  3. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    72.00 Km/H
  4. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
    71.90 Km/H
  5. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    71.90 Km/H
  6. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    71.70 Km/H
  7. Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
    70.50 Km/H
  8. Dunlop Winter Sport 5
    70.30 Km/H
  9. Vredestein Quatrac Pro
    70.30 Km/H
  10. Toyo Snowprox S954
    70.10 Km/H
  11. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
    69.90 Km/H
  12. BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
    69.20 Km/H
  13. Falken Eurowinter HS01
    68.20 Km/H
  14. Nankang SV2
    62.70 Km/H

The summer tyre regained its lead to be the best in straight aquaplaning, leading the best winter tyre by quite a margin.

Straight Aqua

Spread: 11.10 Km/H (10.9%)|Avg: 95.28 Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
  1. Reference Summer
    101.50 Km/H
  2. BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
    97.50 Km/H
  3. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    97.50 Km/H
  4. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    97.40 Km/H
  5. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    97.20 Km/H
  6. Nankang SV2
    96.80 Km/H
  7. Falken Eurowinter HS01
    96.60 Km/H
  8. Toyo Snowprox S954
    96.10 Km/H
  9. Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
    94.70 Km/H
  10. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
    94.10 Km/H
  11. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
    93.60 Km/H
  12. Nissan 350z
    92.50 Km/H
  13. Vredestein Quatrac Pro
    92.50 Km/H
  14. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    90.80 Km/H
  15. Dunlop Winter Sport 5
    90.40 Km/H

Snow

Snow braking once again had the BF Goodrich gForce Winter being the best winter tyre on snow, leading the consistent Hankook Winter Icept evo 3 and Dunlop WinterSport 5.

Snow Braking

Spread: 26.50 M (86.3%)|Avg: 34.65 M
Snow braking in meters (50 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
Snow Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tyre

BFGoodrich continued its advantage during the snow traction test.

Snow Traction

Spread: 2265.00 N (76.1%)|Avg: 2521.43 N
Pulling Force in Newtons (Higher is better)
  1. BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
    2975.00 N
  2. Dunlop Winter Sport 5
    2824.00 N
  3. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    2800.00 N
  4. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
    2789.00 N
  5. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
    2727.00 N
  6. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    2705.00 N
  7. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    2688.00 N
  8. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    2687.00 N
  9. Falken Eurowinter HS01
    2684.00 N
  10. Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
    2575.00 N
  11. Vredestein Quatrac Pro
    2419.00 N
  12. Nankang SV2
    2364.00 N
  13. Toyo Snowprox S954
    2353.00 N
  14. Reference Summer
    710.00 N

Snow handling rounded out the trio of wins for BFGoodrich, while the Nankang SV2 and Toyo Snowprox S954 continued to perform poorly in all snow tests.

Snow Handling

Spread: 5.40 Km/H (12.1%)|Avg: 42.79 Km/H
Snow handling average speed (Higher is better)
  1. BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
    44.70 Km/H
  2. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    44.60 Km/H
  3. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    44.30 Km/H
  4. Dunlop Winter Sport 5
    44.10 Km/H
  5. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    44.00 Km/H
  6. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
    44.00 Km/H
  7. Falken Eurowinter HS01
    43.70 Km/H
  8. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    43.00 Km/H
  9. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
    42.70 Km/H
  10. Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
    41.30 Km/H
  11. Vredestein Quatrac Pro
    40.70 Km/H
  12. Nankang SV2
    39.90 Km/H
  13. Toyo Snowprox S954
    39.30 Km/H

Environment

The BFGoodrich was also the quietest tyre on test, with the Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 following closely. In this test, every winter and all season tyre were quieter than the summer tyre.

Noise

Spread: 3.10 dB (4.3%)|Avg: 73.87 dB
External noise in dB (Lower is better)
  1. BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
    72.40 dB
  2. Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
    72.50 dB
  3. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    72.80 dB
  4. Nankang SV2
    72.90 dB
  5. Vredestein Quatrac Pro
    73.30 dB
  6. Toyo Snowprox S954
    73.40 dB
  7. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    73.40 dB
  8. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
    73.90 dB
  9. Falken Eurowinter HS01
    74.30 dB
  10. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    74.60 dB
  11. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    74.70 dB
  12. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
    75.10 dB
  13. Dunlop Winter Sport 5
    75.40 dB
  14. Reference Summer
    75.50 dB

The Bridgestone had the lowest rolling resistance on test, beating the summer tyre. The all season tyre finished midpack.

Rolling Resistance

Spread: 2.31 kg / t (29.2%)|Avg: 8.77 kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)
  1. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    7.91 kg / t
  2. Reference Summer
    8.03 kg / t
  3. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    8.43 kg / t
  4. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
    8.46 kg / t
  5. Dunlop Winter Sport 5
    8.51 kg / t
  6. BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
    8.58 kg / t
  7. Vredestein Quatrac Pro
    8.73 kg / t
  8. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    8.74 kg / t
  9. Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
    8.84 kg / t
  10. Nankang SV2
    8.91 kg / t
  11. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
    8.91 kg / t
  12. Toyo Snowprox S954
    9.18 kg / t
  13. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    9.38 kg / t
  14. Falken Eurowinter HS01
    10.22 kg / t
19,000 km
£1.45/L
--
Annual Difference
--
Lifetime Savings
--
Extra Fuel/Energy
--
Extra CO2

Estimates based on typical driving conditions. Rolling resistance accounts for approximately 20% of IC vehicle fuel consumption and 25% of EV energy consumption. Actual savings vary based on driving style, vehicle weight, road conditions, and tyre age. For comparative purposes only. Lifetime savings based on a 40,000km / 25,000 mile tread life.

There was a difference of 270 euros between the cheapest and most expensive tyres, and as always, the cheapest were amongst the worst performing on test.

Price

Spread: 270.00 (62.8%)|Avg: 553.85
Price in local currency (Lower is better)
  1. Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
    430.00
  2. Nankang SV2
    450.00
  3. Falken Eurowinter HS01
    475.00
  4. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    495.00
  5. Toyo Snowprox S954
    525.00
  6. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    535.00
  7. Vredestein Quatrac Pro
    535.00
  8. BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
    560.00
  9. Dunlop Winter Sport 5
    590.00
  10. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
    590.00
  11. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    615.00
  12. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
    700.00
  13. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    700.00

Results

1st

Hankook Winter i cept evo3

245/40 R18 97V
Hankook Winter i cept evo3
  • EU Label: C/B/72
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 9th 43.9 M 36.5 M +7.4 M 83.14%
Dry Handling 7th 101 Km/H 105 Km/H -4 Km/H 96.19%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 3rd 49.7 M 47.1 M +2.6 M 94.77%
Wet Handling 4th 71.9 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -1 Km/H 98.63%
Wet Circle 6th 12.65 s 12.18 s +0.47 s 96.28%
Straight Aqua 4th 97.4 Km/H 101.5 Km/H -4.1 Km/H 95.96%
Curved Aquaplaning 1st 4.22 m/sec2 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 2nd 31.7 M 30.7 M +1 M 96.85%
Snow Traction 3rd 2800 N 2975 N -175 N 94.12%
Snow Handling 2nd 44.6 Km/H 44.7 Km/H -0.1 Km/H 99.78%
Snow Slalom 5th 3.73 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -0.16 m/sec2 95.89%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 11th 74.7 dB 72.4 dB +2.3 dB 96.92%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 4th 495 430 +65 86.87%
Rolling Resistance 8th 8.74 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +0.83 kg / t 90.5%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
1st

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

245/40 R18 97V
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
  • EU Label: D/B/70
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 2nd 41.4 M 36.5 M +4.9 M 88.16%
Dry Handling 2nd 102.9 Km/H 105 Km/H -2.1 Km/H 98%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 4th 49.8 M 47.1 M +2.7 M 94.58%
Wet Handling 3rd 72 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 98.77%
Wet Circle 5th 12.57 s 12.18 s +0.39 s 96.9%
Straight Aqua 2nd 97.5 Km/H 101.5 Km/H -4 Km/H 96.06%
Curved Aquaplaning 5th 3.82 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -0.4 m/sec2 90.52%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 5th 32 M 30.7 M +1.3 M 95.94%
Snow Traction 8th 2687 N 2975 N -288 N 90.32%
Snow Handling 3rd 44.3 Km/H 44.7 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.11%
Snow Slalom 1st 3.89 m/sec2 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 3rd 72.8 dB 72.4 dB +0.4 dB 99.45%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 12th 700 430 +270 61.43%
Rolling Resistance 3rd 8.43 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +0.52 kg / t 93.83%
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3rd

Vredestein Wintrac Pro

245/40 R18 97V
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
  • EU Label: D/B/72
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 6th 43.2 M 36.5 M +6.7 M 84.49%
Dry Handling 9th 100.8 Km/H 105 Km/H -4.2 Km/H 96%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 7th 51 M 47.1 M +3.9 M 92.35%
Wet Handling 6th 71.7 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 98.35%
Wet Circle 7th 12.67 s 12.18 s +0.49 s 96.13%
Straight Aqua 5th 97.2 Km/H 101.5 Km/H -4.3 Km/H 95.76%
Curved Aquaplaning 2nd 4.04 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -0.18 m/sec2 95.73%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 8th 32.3 M 30.7 M +1.6 M 95.05%
Snow Traction 6th 2705 N 2975 N -270 N 90.92%
Snow Handling 5th 44 Km/H 44.7 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 98.43%
Snow Slalom 3rd 3.81 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -0.08 m/sec2 97.94%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 10th 74.6 dB 72.4 dB +2.2 dB 97.05%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 6th 535 430 +105 80.37%
Rolling Resistance 13th 9.38 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +1.47 kg / t 84.33%
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4th

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

245/40 R18 97V
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
  • EU Label: C/A/72
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 5th 43.1 M 36.5 M +6.6 M 84.69%
Dry Handling 5th 101.6 Km/H 105 Km/H -3.4 Km/H 96.76%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 2nd 49 M 47.1 M +1.9 M 96.12%
Wet Handling 1st 72.9 Km/H 100%
Wet Circle 2nd 12.41 s 12.18 s +0.23 s 98.15%
Straight Aqua 13th 90.8 Km/H 101.5 Km/H -10.7 Km/H 89.46%
Curved Aquaplaning 9th 3.73 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -0.49 m/sec2 88.39%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 7th 32.2 M 30.7 M +1.5 M 95.34%
Snow Traction 7th 2688 N 2975 N -287 N 90.35%
Snow Handling 8th 43 Km/H 44.7 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 96.2%
Snow Slalom 6th 3.72 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -0.17 m/sec2 95.63%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 6th 73.4 dB 72.4 dB +1 dB 98.64%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 11th 615 430 +185 69.92%
Rolling Resistance 1st 7.91 kg / t 100%
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5th

Dunlop Winter Sport 5

245/40 R18 97V
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
  • EU Label: C/B/72
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 8th 43.6 M 36.5 M +7.1 M 83.72%
Dry Handling 13th 99.3 Km/H 105 Km/H -5.7 Km/H 94.57%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 10th 52.4 M 47.1 M +5.3 M 89.89%
Wet Handling 8th 70.3 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -2.6 Km/H 96.43%
Wet Circle 9th 12.73 s 12.18 s +0.55 s 95.68%
Straight Aqua 14th 90.4 Km/H 101.5 Km/H -11.1 Km/H 89.06%
Curved Aquaplaning 4th 3.84 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -0.38 m/sec2 91%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 3rd 31.8 M 30.7 M +1.1 M 96.54%
Snow Traction 2nd 2824 N 2975 N -151 N 94.92%
Snow Handling 4th 44.1 Km/H 44.7 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 98.66%
Snow Slalom 7th 3.71 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -0.18 m/sec2 95.37%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 13th 75.4 dB 72.4 dB +3 dB 96.02%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 9th 590 430 +160 72.88%
Rolling Resistance 5th 8.51 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +0.6 kg / t 92.95%
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5th

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+

245/40 R18 97V
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus
  • EU Label: D/C/72
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 7th 43.5 M 36.5 M +7 M 83.91%
Dry Handling 14th 99 Km/H 105 Km/H -6 Km/H 94.29%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 9th 52.1 M 47.1 M +5 M 90.4%
Wet Handling 11th 69.9 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -3 Km/H 95.88%
Wet Circle 8th 12.7 s 12.18 s +0.52 s 95.91%
Straight Aqua 10th 94.1 Km/H 101.5 Km/H -7.4 Km/H 92.71%
Curved Aquaplaning 3rd 3.92 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -0.3 m/sec2 92.89%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 6th 32.1 M 30.7 M +1.4 M 95.64%
Snow Traction 4th 2789 N 2975 N -186 N 93.75%
Snow Handling 5th 44 Km/H 44.7 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 98.43%
Snow Slalom 8th 3.66 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -0.23 m/sec2 94.09%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 12th 75.1 dB 72.4 dB +2.7 dB 96.4%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 9th 590 430 +160 72.88%
Rolling Resistance 4th 8.46 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +0.55 kg / t 93.5%
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7th

Continental WinterContact TS 850 P

245/40 R18 97V
Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
  • EU Label: C/A/72
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 14th 44.6 M 36.5 M +8.1 M 81.84%
Dry Handling 8th 100.9 Km/H 105 Km/H -4.1 Km/H 96.1%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 5th 50.2 M 47.1 M +3.1 M 93.82%
Wet Handling 4th 71.9 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -1 Km/H 98.63%
Wet Circle 3rd 12.44 s 12.18 s +0.26 s 97.91%
Straight Aqua 11th 93.6 Km/H 101.5 Km/H -7.9 Km/H 92.22%
Curved Aquaplaning 12th 3.62 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -0.6 m/sec2 85.78%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 9th 32.7 M 30.7 M +2 M 93.88%
Snow Traction 5th 2727 N 2975 N -248 N 91.66%
Snow Handling 9th 42.7 Km/H 44.7 Km/H -2 Km/H 95.53%
Snow Slalom 9th 3.46 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -0.43 m/sec2 88.95%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 8th 73.9 dB 72.4 dB +1.5 dB 97.97%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 12th 700 430 +270 61.43%
Rolling Resistance 10th 8.91 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +1 kg / t 88.78%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
8th

BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2

245/40 R18 97V
BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
  • EU Label: C/B/69
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 11th 44 M 36.5 M +7.5 M 82.95%
Dry Handling 12th 99.7 Km/H 105 Km/H -5.3 Km/H 94.95%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 12th 55.5 M 47.1 M +8.4 M 84.86%
Wet Handling 12th 69.2 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -3.7 Km/H 94.92%
Wet Circle 12th 13.05 s 12.18 s +0.87 s 93.33%
Straight Aqua 2nd 97.5 Km/H 101.5 Km/H -4 Km/H 96.06%
Curved Aquaplaning 10th 3.68 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -0.54 m/sec2 87.2%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 1st 30.7 M 100%
Snow Traction 1st 2975 N 100%
Snow Handling 1st 44.7 Km/H 100%
Snow Slalom 2nd 3.85 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -0.04 m/sec2 98.97%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 1st 72.4 dB 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 8th 560 430 +130 76.79%
Rolling Resistance 6th 8.58 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +0.67 kg / t 92.19%
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9th

Falken Eurowinter HS01

245/40 R18 97V
Falken Eurowinter HS01
  • EU Label: E/B/72
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 9th 43.9 M 36.5 M +7.4 M 83.14%
Dry Handling 10th 100.1 Km/H 105 Km/H -4.9 Km/H 95.33%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 8th 51.4 M 47.1 M +4.3 M 91.63%
Wet Handling 13th 68.2 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -4.7 Km/H 93.55%
Wet Circle 13th 13.23 s 12.18 s +1.05 s 92.06%
Straight Aqua 7th 96.6 Km/H 101.5 Km/H -4.9 Km/H 95.17%
Curved Aquaplaning 11th 3.63 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -0.59 m/sec2 86.02%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 4th 31.9 M 30.7 M +1.2 M 96.24%
Snow Traction 9th 2684 N 2975 N -291 N 90.22%
Snow Handling 7th 43.7 Km/H 44.7 Km/H -1 Km/H 97.76%
Snow Slalom 4th 3.79 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -0.1 m/sec2 97.43%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 9th 74.3 dB 72.4 dB +1.9 dB 97.44%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 3rd 475 430 +45 90.53%
Rolling Resistance 14th 10.22 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +2.31 kg / t 77.4%
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10th

Nexen WinGuard Sport 2

245/40 R18 97V
Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
  • EU Label: D/B/71
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 13th 44.2 M 36.5 M +7.7 M 82.58%
Dry Handling 6th 101.4 Km/H 105 Km/H -3.6 Km/H 96.57%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 13th 56.7 M 47.1 M +9.6 M 83.07%
Wet Handling 7th 70.5 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -2.4 Km/H 96.71%
Wet Circle 11th 12.87 s 12.18 s +0.69 s 94.64%
Straight Aqua 9th 94.7 Km/H 101.5 Km/H -6.8 Km/H 93.3%
Curved Aquaplaning 13th 3.43 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -0.79 m/sec2 81.28%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 10th 33.5 M 30.7 M +2.8 M 91.64%
Snow Traction 10th 2575 N 2975 N -400 N 86.55%
Snow Handling 10th 41.3 Km/H 44.7 Km/H -3.4 Km/H 92.39%
Snow Slalom 11th 3.27 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -0.62 m/sec2 84.06%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 2nd 72.5 dB 72.4 dB +0.1 dB 99.86%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 1st 430 100%
Rolling Resistance 9th 8.84 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +0.93 kg / t 89.48%
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11th

Toyo Snowprox S954

245/40 R18 97V
Toyo Snowprox S954
  • EU Label: D/B/71
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 4th 43 M 36.5 M +6.5 M 84.88%
Dry Handling 4th 101.7 Km/H 105 Km/H -3.3 Km/H 96.86%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 6th 50.5 M 47.1 M +3.4 M 93.27%
Wet Handling 10th 70.1 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -2.8 Km/H 96.16%
Wet Circle 10th 12.81 s 12.18 s +0.63 s 95.08%
Straight Aqua 8th 96.1 Km/H 101.5 Km/H -5.4 Km/H 94.68%
Curved Aquaplaning 8th 3.74 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -0.48 m/sec2 88.63%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 12th 35.4 M 30.7 M +4.7 M 86.72%
Snow Traction 13th 2353 N 2975 N -622 N 79.09%
Snow Handling 13th 39.3 Km/H 44.7 Km/H -5.4 Km/H 87.92%
Snow Slalom 10th 3.29 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -0.6 m/sec2 84.58%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 6th 73.4 dB 72.4 dB +1 dB 98.64%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 5th 525 430 +95 81.9%
Rolling Resistance 12th 9.18 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +1.27 kg / t 86.17%
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12th

Nankang SV2

245/40 R18 97V
Nankang SV2
  • EU Label: E/C/71
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 11th 44 M 36.5 M +7.5 M 82.95%
Dry Handling 10th 100.1 Km/H 105 Km/H -4.9 Km/H 95.33%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 14th 65.4 M 47.1 M +18.3 M 72.02%
Wet Handling 14th 62.7 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -10.2 Km/H 86.01%
Wet Circle 14th 13.53 s 12.18 s +1.35 s 90.02%
Straight Aqua 6th 96.8 Km/H 101.5 Km/H -4.7 Km/H 95.37%
Curved Aquaplaning 7th 3.79 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -0.43 m/sec2 89.81%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 13th 36.9 M 30.7 M +6.2 M 83.2%
Snow Traction 12th 2364 N 2975 N -611 N 79.46%
Snow Handling 12th 39.9 Km/H 44.7 Km/H -4.8 Km/H 89.26%
Snow Slalom 11th 3.27 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -0.62 m/sec2 84.06%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 4th 72.9 dB 72.4 dB +0.5 dB 99.31%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 2nd 450 430 +20 95.56%
Rolling Resistance 10th 8.91 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +1 kg / t 88.78%
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13th

Vredestein Quatrac Pro

245/40 R18 97Y
Vredestein Quatrac Pro
  • EU Label: D/B/71
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 3rd 41.9 M 36.5 M +5.4 M 87.11%
Dry Handling 3rd 102.5 Km/H 105 Km/H -2.5 Km/H 97.62%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 11th 52.6 M 47.1 M +5.5 M 89.54%
Wet Handling 8th 70.3 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -2.6 Km/H 96.43%
Wet Circle 4th 12.51 s 12.18 s +0.33 s 97.36%
Straight Aqua 12th 92.5 Km/H 101.5 Km/H -9 Km/H 91.13%
Curved Aquaplaning 14th 3.13 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -1.09 m/sec2 74.17%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 11th 34.7 M 30.7 M +4 M 88.47%
Snow Traction 11th 2419 N 2975 N -556 N 81.31%
Snow Handling 11th 40.7 Km/H 44.7 Km/H -4 Km/H 91.05%
Snow Slalom 13th 3.26 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -0.63 m/sec2 83.8%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 5th 73.3 dB 72.4 dB +0.9 dB 98.77%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 6th 535 430 +105 80.37%
Rolling Resistance 7th 8.73 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +0.82 kg / t 90.61%
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13th

Reference Summer

245/40 R18
Reference Summer
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 1st 36.5 M 100%
Dry Handling 1st 105 Km/H 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 1st 47.1 M 100%
Wet Handling 2nd 72.4 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 99.31%
Wet Circle 1st 12.18 s 100%
Straight Aqua 1st 101.5 Km/H 100%
Curved Aquaplaning 6th 3.81 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -0.41 m/sec2 90.28%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 14th 57.2 M 30.7 M +26.5 M 53.67%
Snow Traction 14th 710 N 2975 N -2265 N 23.87%
Snow Slalom 14th 2.2 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -1.69 m/sec2 56.56%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 14th 75.5 dB 72.4 dB +3.1 dB 95.89%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 2nd 8.03 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +0.12 kg / t 98.51%
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Discussion

8 comments
  1. Vasilis Machairas archived

    it is the second winter i am having gForce Winter 2 and i am really amazed by his snow performance. It lacks performance at the dry, but what a snow tyre!

    #7775
  2. Marc Valme archived

    Coincidentally, I came here to ask a very similar question, to the question below. I'm really trying to compare the CC2 to the Wintrac Pro for my winter setup. Particularly for wet performance, I assumed that all weather would do better. While there is no direct test, I noticed the Quatrac Pro did better than the CC2 in the wet in autobild all season test. And the Quatrac Pro did worse the the Wintrac pro in the wet in this test. Can I then assume that the Wintrac Pro will do better than the CC2 in the wet?

    However if you saying below that quiet updates ​happen all the time, my assumptions are vulnerable.

    Even more so, the older model performance winters tires we get in North America ( Sotto3, Wintrac Pro, PA4 ). I was using the test data from older European tests to make my decisions. Can I no longer assume that the pilot Alpine PA4 or the wintrac Pro, in the American marketplace are the same as what was available in Europe 5 years ago? Tires are complicated man.

    #7714
    1. TyreReviews Marc Valme archived

      Tyres are complicated, even more so when you start getting to tyres vs tires as the same names can be different tyres (North American CC2 is different from European CC2).

      It's a headache for me.

      #7715
      1. Marc Valme TyreReviews archived

        Indeed, but in the end, selecting a good tire is not difficult, trying to figure out what the best is for your situation is what's difficult so it's not really much of a problem is it.

        "Tyre vs Tire" subtle, clever.

        #7716
  3. Roel archived

    These are some interesting results! In wet braking and wet handling the reference Vredestein Quatrac Pro all-season tyre scores worse than almost every winter tyre. In the all-season test Autobild did earlier, the exact same tyre (Vredestein Quatrac Pro) achieved the best score in wet braking and wet handling beating other all-season tyres and interestingly also beating the (anonymous) reference winter tyre in that test. What would cause that difference? Why is the same tyre in this test worse in wet than the winter tyres and better than a reference winter tyre (and every other all-season tyre) in another test? Would this be because of the size (in this test 18 inch, in the all-season test 17 inch)? Maybe the reference winter tyre in the all-season test was just a shitty tyre? Or the temperatures (22 degrees in the all-season test, unknown in this test)?

    #7708
    1. TyreReviews Roel archived

      That's a good bunch of questions :D

      My guess would be that the 17" in the all season test would have received an update, where as the 18" here hasn't yet. But I'll pass on the question to Vred and see what they say.

      Of course, only auto bild really know the answer.

      #7709
      1. Roel TyreReviews archived

        That's another possibility I didn't think of! But if the Vredestein tyre received such an update that has a significant impact, would Vredestein not called it Quatrac Pro 2, Quatrac Pro S or Quatrac Pro Evo or something? If I had to guess, I'd put my money on difference in temperature. The all-seasons were tested at too high temperatures (22c) and maybe the winter tyres were tested at or below freezing? Maybe I should ask AutoBild.
        Would love to see a test similar to the test you did a few years ago with tyres at different temperatures but then with more tyres. Four of the best tyres in categories of summer, winter and all-season at different temperatures in wet and dry to see when what tyres performance best.

        #7712
        1. TyreReviews Roel archived

          If you do ask Auto Bild let me know if you get a reply!

          I'm not sure why names don't change with updates, but it's not uncommon for tyres to get silently updated a number of times in their life, sometimes they're significant updates too. The only way to tell is that the EAN changes, but that's not usually easy to find data.

          #7713