2022 AMS Winter Tyre Test

The first winter tyre test for 2022 is here, and it's the Auto Motor Und Sport UHP winter tyre test! This year AMS tested eight patterns in 245/45 R19 using an Audi A6 test vehicle.

Dry BrakingMichelin Pilot Alpin 5: 43.5 MUniroyal WinterExpert: 49 M
Dry HandlingContinental WinterContact TS 870 P: 120.5 Km/HCooper Discoverer Winter: 118.6 Km/H
Wet BrakingVredestein Wintrac Pro: 31.8 MUniroyal WinterExpert: 39.5 M
Wet HandlingVredestein Wintrac Pro: 75.2 Km/HUniroyal WinterExpert: 69.5 Km/H
Straight AquaFalken Eurowinter HS01: 78.9 Km/HContinental WinterContact TS 870 P: 73 Km/H
Curved AquaplaningFalken Eurowinter HS01: 2.79 m/sec2Firestone Winterhawk 4: 2.24 m/sec2
Snow BrakingFirestone Winterhawk 4: 24.9 MFalken Eurowinter HS01: 30 M
Snow TractionMichelin Pilot Alpin 5: 3.69 NFalken Eurowinter HS01: 3 N
Snow HandlingContinental WinterContact TS 870 P: 52.9 Km/HFalken Eurowinter HS01: 48.2 Km/H
Snow CircleFalken Eurowinter HS01: 3.13 SFirestone Winterhawk 4: 4.1 S
NoiseCooper Discoverer Winter: 69.5 dBFalken Eurowinter HS01: 71.6 dB
PriceFirestone Winterhawk 4: 196 Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 309
Rolling ResistanceContinental WinterContact TS 870 P: 7.6 kg / tFalken Eurowinter HS01: 9.9 kg / t

There's almost nothing surprising about this test, it's nice when a test makes sense. At the front we have the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 and Continental WinterContact TS870P (two of Tyre Reviews favorite UHP Winter tyres), with the wet masters Vredestein and Bridgestone following them up in third and fourth places overall.

Falken will likely be disappointed with last place, however the replacement to the HS01, the HS02, is now new to market so we expect this new tyre to be vastly improved.

Read on for the full data!

Dry

Michelin winter tyres always perform well in the dry, and this test was no exception with the Pilot Alpin 5 having a significant lead in dry braking over the second placed Continental, which in turn had a significant lead over the rest of the group.

Dry handling put the Continental back on top, with the Falken edging out the Michelin to second place.

Wet

The Vredestein Wintrac Pro had a 1.3 meter advantage during the wet braking test! Cooper and in particular Uniroyal struggled.

Vredestein held its lead in wet handling and Falken once again jumped up to second place, this time ahead of the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 in third.

Falken also had a large lead in the aquaplaning result.

Snow

Snow braking was led by the new Firestone WinterHawk 4, with Vredestein once again proving it's ability at slowing the test car.

Snow traction (figures in ms/2 not newtons) was led by Michelin, with Vredestein and Continental also performing well.

Continental and Michelin led the group during the snow handling testing with Falken continuing to struggle.

Environment

The Cooper Discoverer Winter claimed its first test win during external noise measuring.

Impressively the Conti had the lowest rolling resistance, with Falken once again struggling.

The Falken was however one of the cheapest tyres of the test.

Results

1st: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
  • 245/45 R19 102V
  • EU Label: C/B/72
  • Weight: 11.51kgs
  • Tread: 7.9mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st43.5 M100%
Dry Handling3rd119.6 Km/H120.5 Km/H-0.9 Km/H99.25%
Wet Braking4th34.6 M31.8 M+2.8 M91.91%
Wet Handling5th73.1 Km/H75.2 Km/H-2.1 Km/H97.21%
Straight Aqua5th74.9 Km/H78.9 Km/H-4 Km/H94.93%
Curved Aquaplaning7th2.48 m/sec22.79 m/sec2-0.31 m/sec288.89%
Snow Braking3rd25.7 M24.9 M+0.8 M96.89%
Snow Traction1st3.69 N100%
Snow Handling2nd52.5 Km/H52.9 Km/H-0.4 Km/H99.24%
Snow Circle7th4.08 S3.13 S+0.95 S76.72%
Noise2nd69.8 dB69.5 dB+0.3 dB99.57%
Price8th309 196 +113 63.43%
Rolling Resistance6th8.1 kg / t7.6 kg / t+0.5 kg / t93.83%
Excellent driving dynamics with direct steering response, high level of grip and the best balance on snow. Shortest braking distances, high cornering stability and great steering precision on dry roads.
Deficits when braking in the wet, low aquaplaning resistance, faintly audible noise when cornering.
Very Good.

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1st: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
  • 245/45 R19 102V
  • EU Label: C/B/71
  • Weight: 10.81kgs
  • Tread: 8.6mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd44.2 M43.5 M+0.7 M98.42%
Dry Handling1st120.5 Km/H100%
Wet Braking6th35.4 M31.8 M+3.6 M89.83%
Wet Handling4th73.8 Km/H75.2 Km/H-1.4 Km/H98.14%
Straight Aqua8th73 Km/H78.9 Km/H-5.9 Km/H92.52%
Curved Aquaplaning3rd2.76 m/sec22.79 m/sec2-0.03 m/sec298.92%
Snow Braking3rd25.7 M24.9 M+0.8 M96.89%
Snow Traction3rd3.59 N3.69 N-0.1 N97.29%
Snow Handling1st52.9 Km/H100%
Snow Circle4th3.81 S3.13 S+0.68 S82.15%
Noise6th70.6 dB69.5 dB+1.1 dB98.44%
Price7th270 196 +74 72.59%
Rolling Resistance1st7.6 kg / t100%
Despite small deficits in cornering grip, very easy to control handling on snow with wide reserves. Balanced in the wet, short braking distances, neutral and precise grip on dry roads.
Comparatively weak on wet roads with limited braking, low aquaplaning resistance and reduced grip in curves.
Very Good.

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3rd: Vredestein Wintrac Pro

Vredestein Wintrac Pro
  • 245/45 R19 102W
  • EU Label: D/B/72
  • Weight: 12.46kgs
  • Tread: 8.6mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking6th47.3 M43.5 M+3.8 M91.97%
Dry Handling7th118.7 Km/H120.5 Km/H-1.8 Km/H98.51%
Wet Braking1st31.8 M100%
Wet Handling1st75.2 Km/H100%
Straight Aqua4th75.1 Km/H78.9 Km/H-3.8 Km/H95.18%
Curved Aquaplaning6th2.64 m/sec22.79 m/sec2-0.15 m/sec294.62%
Snow Braking2nd25.4 M24.9 M+0.5 M98.03%
Snow Traction2nd3.62 N3.69 N-0.07 N98.1%
Snow Handling7th50.8 Km/H52.9 Km/H-2.1 Km/H96.03%
Snow Circle4th3.81 S3.13 S+0.68 S82.15%
Noise2nd69.8 dB69.5 dB+0.3 dB99.57%
Price5th223 196 +27 87.89%
Rolling Resistance2nd7.9 kg / t7.6 kg / t+0.3 kg / t96.2%
Very good traction and braking on snow. Quite balanced wet properties, safe lane changes.
Unexpectedly low lateral grip on snow. Limited controllability in the wet at the limit of grip. Long dry braking with sensitive handling and lower grip during dry handling. Disturbing noise when cornering.
Very Good.

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4th: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
  • 245/45 R19 102V
  • EU Label: C/A/72
  • Weight: 11.94kgs
  • Tread: 8.0mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking5th46.6 M43.5 M+3.1 M93.35%
Dry Handling4th119.4 Km/H120.5 Km/H-1.1 Km/H99.09%
Wet Braking2nd33.1 M31.8 M+1.3 M96.07%
Wet Handling3rd73.9 Km/H75.2 Km/H-1.3 Km/H98.27%
Straight Aqua3rd76.2 Km/H78.9 Km/H-2.7 Km/H96.58%
Curved Aquaplaning4th2.75 m/sec22.79 m/sec2-0.04 m/sec298.57%
Snow Braking5th26 M24.9 M+1.1 M95.77%
Snow Traction5th3.54 N3.69 N-0.15 N95.93%
Snow Handling4th51.5 Km/H52.9 Km/H-1.4 Km/H97.35%
Snow Circle6th3.95 S3.13 S+0.82 S79.24%
Noise7th70.7 dB69.5 dB+1.2 dB98.3%
Price6th257 196 +61 76.26%
Rolling Resistance2nd7.9 kg / t7.6 kg / t+0.3 kg / t96.2%
Very balanced, reliable and easy to control on snow. Very short braking distances thanks to very good grip in the wet. Dynamic, spontaneous steering and agile on dry roads.
Longer dry braking distances, oversteer balance when driving fast in the dry.
Very Good.

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5th: Firestone Winterhawk 4

Firestone Winterhawk 4
  • 245/45 R19 102V
  • EU Label: C/B/71
  • Weight: 11.92kgs
  • Tread: 7.9mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking7th48.5 M43.5 M+5 M89.69%
Dry Handling5th119.2 Km/H120.5 Km/H-1.3 Km/H98.92%
Wet Braking5th34.7 M31.8 M+2.9 M91.64%
Wet Handling6th72.6 Km/H75.2 Km/H-2.6 Km/H96.54%
Straight Aqua6th73.2 Km/H78.9 Km/H-5.7 Km/H92.78%
Curved Aquaplaning8th2.24 m/sec22.79 m/sec2-0.55 m/sec280.29%
Snow Braking1st24.9 M100%
Snow Traction4th3.58 N3.69 N-0.11 N97.02%
Snow Handling3rd52.4 Km/H52.9 Km/H-0.5 Km/H99.05%
Snow Circle8th4.1 S3.13 S+0.97 S76.34%
Noise4th70.1 dB69.5 dB+0.6 dB99.14%
Price1st196 100%
Rolling Resistance5th8 kg / t7.6 kg / t+0.4 kg / t95%
Easy to control with very good driving dynamics, high level of grip and generous reserves on snow. Balanced cornering dynamics dry at a reduced level.
Weak braking and limited liability reserves, plus sensitive to load changes in the wet, increased risk of aquaplaning. Long braking distances even on dry tracks. Audible internal noise and low levels of comfort.
Good.

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6th: Cooper Discoverer Winter

Cooper Discoverer Winter
  • 245/45 R19 102V
  • EU Label: C/B/71
  • Weight: 11.75kgs
  • Tread: 7.9mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking4th45.2 M43.5 M+1.7 M96.24%
Dry Handling8th118.6 Km/H120.5 Km/H-1.9 Km/H98.42%
Wet Braking7th38.5 M31.8 M+6.7 M82.6%
Wet Handling7th72.1 Km/H75.2 Km/H-3.1 Km/H95.88%
Straight Aqua2nd76.7 Km/H78.9 Km/H-2.2 Km/H97.21%
Curved Aquaplaning2nd2.78 m/sec22.79 m/sec2-0.01 m/sec299.64%
Snow Braking7th27 M24.9 M+2.1 M92.22%
Snow Traction7th3.4 N3.69 N-0.29 N92.14%
Snow Handling5th51.1 Km/H52.9 Km/H-1.8 Km/H96.6%
Snow Circle2nd3.23 S3.13 S+0.1 S96.9%
Noise1st69.5 dB100%
Price3rd203 196 +7 96.55%
Rolling Resistance7th8.7 kg / t7.6 kg / t+1.1 kg / t87.36%
Still decent braking and traction on snow. Very quiet and quite comfortable tyre.
Unexpectedly low cornering on snow with respectable traction and braking grip. Poor performance with risk of oversteer in the wet and less secure balance in dry corners. High rolling resistance.
Sufficient.

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6th: Uniroyal WinterExpert

Uniroyal WinterExpert
  • 245/45 R19 102V
  • EU Label: C/C/72
  • Weight: 12.46kgs
  • Tread: 8.8mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking8th49 M43.5 M+5.5 M88.78%
Dry Handling5th119.2 Km/H120.5 Km/H-1.3 Km/H98.92%
Wet Braking8th39.5 M31.8 M+7.7 M80.51%
Wet Handling8th69.5 Km/H75.2 Km/H-5.7 Km/H92.42%
Straight Aqua6th73.2 Km/H78.9 Km/H-5.7 Km/H92.78%
Curved Aquaplaning5th2.7 m/sec22.79 m/sec2-0.09 m/sec296.77%
Snow Braking6th26.4 M24.9 M+1.5 M94.32%
Snow Traction6th3.49 N3.69 N-0.2 N94.58%
Snow Handling6th51 Km/H52.9 Km/H-1.9 Km/H96.41%
Snow Circle3rd3.72 S3.13 S+0.59 S84.14%
Noise5th70.5 dB69.5 dB+1 dB98.58%
Price4th220 196 +24 89.09%
Rolling Resistance2nd7.9 kg / t7.6 kg / t+0.3 kg / t96.2%
Still decent traction in snow, good cornering ability on dry asphalt.
Poor driving stability and poor grip in the wet. Too long braking distances on wet and dry asphalt. Sensitive to load changes in fast corners. Audible rolling noises in the interior when cornering.
Sufficient.

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6th: Falken Eurowinter HS01

Falken Eurowinter HS01
  • 245/45 R19 102V
  • EU Label: D/B/72
  • Weight: 13.84kgs
  • Tread: 8.9mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking3rd45.1 M43.5 M+1.6 M96.45%
Dry Handling2nd119.8 Km/H120.5 Km/H-0.7 Km/H99.42%
Wet Braking3rd34 M31.8 M+2.2 M93.53%
Wet Handling2nd74.5 Km/H75.2 Km/H-0.7 Km/H99.07%
Straight Aqua1st78.9 Km/H100%
Curved Aquaplaning1st2.79 m/sec2100%
Snow Braking8th30 M24.9 M+5.1 M83%
Snow Traction8th3 N3.69 N-0.69 N81.3%
Snow Handling8th48.2 Km/H52.9 Km/H-4.7 Km/H91.12%
Snow Circle1st3.13 S100%
Noise8th71.6 dB69.5 dB+2.1 dB97.07%
Price2nd197 196 +1 99.49%
Rolling Resistance8th9.9 kg / t7.6 kg / t+2.3 kg / t76.77%
Very decent wet performance with superior aquaplaning resistance but small limitations in cornering grip. Safe, understeering, reliable driving dynamics on dry roads, high levels of comfort.
Long braking distances, sluggish steering response and little grip on snow. Disturbing rolling noise in curves.
Sufficient.

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