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.

Test Publication:

245/45 R19 8 tyres 5 categories

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Images courtesy of Auto Motor Und Sport

Test Publication:

https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/verkehr/reifen/

Images courtesy of Auto Motor Und Sport

Test Size: 245/45 R19

Tyres Tested: 8 tyres

Test Categories:
5 categories (13 tests)

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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

1^st

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

245/45 R19 102V

• EU Label: C/B/72
• Weight: 11.51 kgs
• Tread: 7.9 mm

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.

Dry

99.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	1st	43.5 M			100%
Dry Handling	3rd	119.6 Km/H	120.5 Km/H	-0.9 Km/H	99.25%

Wet

93.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	4th	34.6 M	31.8 M	+2.8 M	91.91%
Wet Handling	5th	73.1 Km/H	75.2 Km/H	-2.1 Km/H	97.21%
Straight Aqua	5th	74.9 Km/H	78.9 Km/H	-4 Km/H	94.93%
Curved Aquaplaning	7th	2.48 m/sec2	2.79 m/sec2	-0.31 m/sec2	88.89%

Snow

93.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	3rd	25.7 M	24.9 M	+0.8 M	96.89%
Snow Traction	1st	3.69 N			100%
Snow Handling	2nd	52.5 Km/H	52.9 Km/H	-0.4 Km/H	99.24%
Snow Circle	7th	4.08 S	3.13 S	+0.95 S	76.72%

Comfort

99.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	2nd	69.8 dB	69.5 dB	+0.3 dB	99.57%

Value

78.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	8th	309	196	+113	63.43%
Rolling Resistance	6th	8.1 kg / t	7.6 kg / t	+0.5 kg / t	93.83%

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1^st

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P

245/45 R19 102V

• EU Label: C/B/71
• Weight: 10.81 kgs
• Tread: 8.6 mm

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.

Dry

99.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	2nd	44.2 M	43.5 M	+0.7 M	98.42%
Dry Handling	1st	120.5 Km/H			100%

Wet

94.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	6th	35.4 M	31.8 M	+3.6 M	89.83%
Wet Handling	4th	73.8 Km/H	75.2 Km/H	-1.4 Km/H	98.14%
Straight Aqua	8th	73 Km/H	78.9 Km/H	-5.9 Km/H	92.52%
Curved Aquaplaning	3rd	2.76 m/sec2	2.79 m/sec2	-0.03 m/sec2	98.92%

Snow

94.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	3rd	25.7 M	24.9 M	+0.8 M	96.89%
Snow Traction	3rd	3.59 N	3.69 N	-0.1 N	97.29%
Snow Handling	1st	52.9 Km/H			100%
Snow Circle	4th	3.81 S	3.13 S	+0.68 S	82.15%

Comfort

98.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	6th	70.6 dB	69.5 dB	+1.1 dB	98.44%

Value

86.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	7th	270	196	+74	72.59%
Rolling Resistance	1st	7.6 kg / t			100%

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3^rd

Vredestein Wintrac Pro

245/45 R19 102W

• EU Label: D/B/72
• Weight: 12.46 kgs
• Tread: 8.6 mm

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.

Dry

95.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	6th	47.3 M	43.5 M	+3.8 M	91.97%
Dry Handling	7th	118.7 Km/H	120.5 Km/H	-1.8 Km/H	98.51%

Wet

97.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	1st	31.8 M			100%
Wet Handling	1st	75.2 Km/H			100%
Straight Aqua	4th	75.1 Km/H	78.9 Km/H	-3.8 Km/H	95.18%
Curved Aquaplaning	6th	2.64 m/sec2	2.79 m/sec2	-0.15 m/sec2	94.62%

Snow

93.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	2nd	25.4 M	24.9 M	+0.5 M	98.03%
Snow Traction	2nd	3.62 N	3.69 N	-0.07 N	98.1%
Snow Handling	7th	50.8 Km/H	52.9 Km/H	-2.1 Km/H	96.03%
Snow Circle	4th	3.81 S	3.13 S	+0.68 S	82.15%

Comfort

99.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	2nd	69.8 dB	69.5 dB	+0.3 dB	99.57%

Value

92%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	5th	223	196	+27	87.89%
Rolling Resistance	2nd	7.9 kg / t	7.6 kg / t	+0.3 kg / t	96.2%

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4^th

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

245/45 R19 102V

• EU Label: C/A/72
• Weight: 11.94 kgs
• Tread: 8.0 mm

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.

Dry

96.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	5th	46.6 M	43.5 M	+3.1 M	93.35%
Dry Handling	4th	119.4 Km/H	120.5 Km/H	-1.1 Km/H	99.09%

Wet

97.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	2nd	33.1 M	31.8 M	+1.3 M	96.07%
Wet Handling	3rd	73.9 Km/H	75.2 Km/H	-1.3 Km/H	98.27%
Straight Aqua	3rd	76.2 Km/H	78.9 Km/H	-2.7 Km/H	96.58%
Curved Aquaplaning	4th	2.75 m/sec2	2.79 m/sec2	-0.04 m/sec2	98.57%

Snow

92.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	5th	26 M	24.9 M	+1.1 M	95.77%
Snow Traction	5th	3.54 N	3.69 N	-0.15 N	95.93%
Snow Handling	4th	51.5 Km/H	52.9 Km/H	-1.4 Km/H	97.35%
Snow Circle	6th	3.95 S	3.13 S	+0.82 S	79.24%

Comfort

98.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	7th	70.7 dB	69.5 dB	+1.2 dB	98.3%

Value

86.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	6th	257	196	+61	76.26%
Rolling Resistance	2nd	7.9 kg / t	7.6 kg / t	+0.3 kg / t	96.2%

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5^th

Firestone Winterhawk 4

245/45 R19 102V

• EU Label: C/B/71
• Weight: 11.92 kgs
• Tread: 7.9 mm

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.

Dry

94.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	7th	48.5 M	43.5 M	+5 M	89.69%
Dry Handling	5th	119.2 Km/H	120.5 Km/H	-1.3 Km/H	98.92%

Wet

90.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	5th	34.7 M	31.8 M	+2.9 M	91.64%
Wet Handling	6th	72.6 Km/H	75.2 Km/H	-2.6 Km/H	96.54%
Straight Aqua	6th	73.2 Km/H	78.9 Km/H	-5.7 Km/H	92.78%
Curved Aquaplaning	8th	2.24 m/sec2	2.79 m/sec2	-0.55 m/sec2	80.29%

Snow

93.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	1st	24.9 M			100%
Snow Traction	4th	3.58 N	3.69 N	-0.11 N	97.02%
Snow Handling	3rd	52.4 Km/H	52.9 Km/H	-0.5 Km/H	99.05%
Snow Circle	8th	4.1 S	3.13 S	+0.97 S	76.34%

Comfort

99.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	4th	70.1 dB	69.5 dB	+0.6 dB	99.14%

Value

97.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	1st	196			100%
Rolling Resistance	5th	8 kg / t	7.6 kg / t	+0.4 kg / t	95%

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6^th

Cooper Discoverer Winter

245/45 R19 102V

• EU Label: C/B/71
• Weight: 11.75 kgs
• Tread: 7.9 mm

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.

Dry

97.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	4th	45.2 M	43.5 M	+1.7 M	96.24%
Dry Handling	8th	118.6 Km/H	120.5 Km/H	-1.9 Km/H	98.42%

Wet

93.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	7th	38.5 M	31.8 M	+6.7 M	82.6%
Wet Handling	7th	72.1 Km/H	75.2 Km/H	-3.1 Km/H	95.88%
Straight Aqua	2nd	76.7 Km/H	78.9 Km/H	-2.2 Km/H	97.21%
Curved Aquaplaning	2nd	2.78 m/sec2	2.79 m/sec2	-0.01 m/sec2	99.64%

Snow

94.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	7th	27 M	24.9 M	+2.1 M	92.22%
Snow Traction	7th	3.4 N	3.69 N	-0.29 N	92.14%
Snow Handling	5th	51.1 Km/H	52.9 Km/H	-1.8 Km/H	96.6%
Snow Circle	2nd	3.23 S	3.13 S	+0.1 S	96.9%

Comfort

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	1st	69.5 dB			100%

Value

92%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	3rd	203	196	+7	96.55%
Rolling Resistance	7th	8.7 kg / t	7.6 kg / t	+1.1 kg / t	87.36%

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6^th

Uniroyal WinterExpert

245/45 R19 102V

• EU Label: C/C/72
• Weight: 12.46 kgs
• Tread: 8.8 mm

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.

Dry

93.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	8th	49 M	43.5 M	+5.5 M	88.78%
Dry Handling	5th	119.2 Km/H	120.5 Km/H	-1.3 Km/H	98.92%

Wet

90.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	8th	39.5 M	31.8 M	+7.7 M	80.51%
Wet Handling	8th	69.5 Km/H	75.2 Km/H	-5.7 Km/H	92.42%
Straight Aqua	6th	73.2 Km/H	78.9 Km/H	-5.7 Km/H	92.78%
Curved Aquaplaning	5th	2.7 m/sec2	2.79 m/sec2	-0.09 m/sec2	96.77%

Snow

92.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	6th	26.4 M	24.9 M	+1.5 M	94.32%
Snow Traction	6th	3.49 N	3.69 N	-0.2 N	94.58%
Snow Handling	6th	51 Km/H	52.9 Km/H	-1.9 Km/H	96.41%
Snow Circle	3rd	3.72 S	3.13 S	+0.59 S	84.14%

Comfort

98.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	5th	70.5 dB	69.5 dB	+1 dB	98.58%

Value

92.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	4th	220	196	+24	89.09%
Rolling Resistance	2nd	7.9 kg / t	7.6 kg / t	+0.3 kg / t	96.2%

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6^th

Falken Eurowinter HS01

245/45 R19 102V

• EU Label: D/B/72
• Weight: 13.84 kgs
• Tread: 8.9 mm

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.

Dry

97.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	3rd	45.1 M	43.5 M	+1.6 M	96.45%
Dry Handling	2nd	119.8 Km/H	120.5 Km/H	-0.7 Km/H	99.42%

Wet

98.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	3rd	34 M	31.8 M	+2.2 M	93.53%
Wet Handling	2nd	74.5 Km/H	75.2 Km/H	-0.7 Km/H	99.07%
Straight Aqua	1st	78.9 Km/H			100%
Curved Aquaplaning	1st	2.79 m/sec2			100%

Snow

88.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	8th	30 M	24.9 M	+5.1 M	83%
Snow Traction	8th	3 N	3.69 N	-0.69 N	81.3%
Snow Handling	8th	48.2 Km/H	52.9 Km/H	-4.7 Km/H	91.12%
Snow Circle	1st	3.13 S			100%

Comfort

97.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	8th	71.6 dB	69.5 dB	+2.1 dB	97.07%

Value

88.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	2nd	197	196	+1	99.49%
Rolling Resistance	8th	9.9 kg / t	7.6 kg / t	+2.3 kg / t	76.77%

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