| Test Summary | |
| Wet Braking |
Pirelli P Zero Corsa |
| Dry Braking |
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 |
| Noise |
Michelin Pilot Super Sport Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Snow Braking |
Michelin Pilot Super Sport Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Snow Handling |
Michelin Pilot Super Sport Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 Bridgestone Potenza S001 Pirelli P Zero Corsa |
After the clinical nature of German tyre tests, this is a great way of being different, and could put a different spin on the overall results. But it didn't.
The Continental still won thanks to a commanding wet performance, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport was still excellent in the dry and wear tests but lacked a little in the wet, the new Hankook had another a strong all round performance and the Goodyear was still a great all round tyre... other than aquaplaning, which has never been a problem in smaller sizes.
The Results
- 3PMSF: no
Braking in the wet and dry, handling in the wet
Low resistance to aquaplaning
In 2011 the 5P won our tyre test on a Focus RS and Scirocco R, and the Continental is equally good on a Mustang! On the wet track the car has good grip, and starts to slide smoothly and predictably. In the dry, the tyre doesn't quite have the control accuracy as the Michelin or Pirelli, but it has a good time none the less. No problems with wear, and good comfort make for a lovely tyre for everyday use on high speed cars.
Total: 99
Dry
28
Wet
46
Comfort
8
Noise
8
Wear
9
- 3PMSF: no
Handling in the dry, comfort, wear
Handling in the wet
The Michelin Pilot Super Sport has been created using technology from the 24 hour race at Le Mans, and you can tell on the track! It’s one of the best tyres on the track and road in the dry, and even after drifting the tread shows very little sign of wear. In the wet, the tyres prove slightly worse. Resistance to aquaplaning raises no objections, but on the road the driver is forced to work harder than with other tyres once on the limit. Perfect for those who want to enjoy the fast ride.
Total: 99
Dry
29
Wet
42
Comfort
9
Noise
9
Wear
10
- 3PMSF: no
Traction on wet roads, handling on wet roads, high resistance to aquaplaning
Noise, low comfort, dry handling
The new Hankook S1 Evo 2 have a near flawless performance in the wet. They grip well and are backed by predictable behavior on a winding road. Though the laps are slightly slower than Goodyear and Conti, the tyre has excellent control, with an excellence resistance to aquaplaning rounding out the wet performance. Slightly weaker in the dry, the performance is average, with good grip ruined by a snappy on-the-limit style and comparatively high noise and low comfort. An excellent choice for those who gives priority to safety on a wet road.
Total: 96
Dry
26
Wet
47
Comfort
7
Noise
7
Wear
9
- 3PMSF: no
Braking in the wet and dry, handling in the wet
Low aquaplaning resistance
Last year the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 won the 17 inch UHP tyre test, and they've proven to be excellent in 19†too - short braking distances, fastest time on the winding road test, and very nice to drift on too! The main drawback of these tyres is puddles, where unlike their 17 inch counterparts, these seem to aquaplane earlier than the other tyres on test, but subjectively they're a little number than the Michelin and Pirelli in the dry too. They're a quiet tyre, with medium ride comfort, and while they wore slightly more than the best while drifting, the higher starting tread depth meant total cost is fine. Great tyres overall, but beware of puddles with tyres over 255 wide.
Total: 98
Dry
26
Wet
46
Comfort
8
Noise
9
Wear
9
- 3PMSF: no
Aquaplaning, high treadwear, comfort
Handling on dry pavement
The Bridgestone S001 has a surprisingly poor subjective score, feeling numb in both the wet and dry and with only average grip, not feeling that sporty. Excellent wear and extremely comfortable makes it look like Bridgestone have taken this tyre too far away from the sporty feel they often enjoy. Good tires for everyday driving, but for track days is better to choose something else.
Total: 95
Dry
25
Wet
42
Comfort
9
Noise
9
Wear
10
- 3PMSF: no
Braking performance on dry pavement, handling on dry pavement
Grip and control on wet pavement, low resistance to aquaplaning, low comfort
The Pirelli P Zero would have been the correct tyre to have in this test, however as it’s not made in the sizes required, Pirelli opted to send the Corsa System, which is more an extreme performance / trackday combination of tyres. The combination of a directional front and asymmetric rear just gave the tyre the edge in the dry over the Michelin, but it struggled in the wet with braking, cornering and aquaplaning. Low comfort and high wear make these good track tyres, but for everyday use is better to use more versatile tyre.
Total: 88
Dry
30
Wet
36
Comfort
7
Noise
9
Wear
6
- 3PMSF: no
Price
Grip and control on wet pavement, low resistance to aquaplaning, grip and handling on dry pavement
The Kumho KU31 looks smart, but unfortunately doesn't deliver in test. On wet roads the performance is mediocre with plenty of understeer and poor aquaplaning performance, and in the dry the braking distance from 62 mph is almost 4 meters longer than the best on test, which means when the Continental had stopped, the car would still be travelling at near 20 mph! Not the best option for road or track.
Total: 81
Dry
21
Wet
35
Comfort
8
Noise
8
Wear
9