2017 AMS Summer UHP Tyre Test

This test is the first time the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 and Continental Premium Contact 6 have appeared in the same test, which should give us some interesting data about the two big rivals.

Wet

Over the previous few years, Continental  have been the masters of the wet testing, but this time the wet tests were largely dominated by Michelin. The French manufacturer won the all important wet braking and wet handling tests, scored well in the wet circle and straight aquaplaning tests, but showed weakness in the curved aquaplaning test, finishing ninth of ten.

The new Continental could only manage third overall in wet braking, and sixth overall in wet handling. Like the Michelin, the Continental struggled in aquaplaning tests, finishing last overall in curved aquaplaning.

Dry

Pirelli and Michelin traded first and third position for the two key dry tests. Michelin won the dry braking, with Pirelli in third, and Pirelli posted the fastest dry lap time, with Michelin third.

Continental comparatively struggled again, fourth in dry braking, and could only match its wet handling result, finishing sixth fastest in dry handling.

Under rolling resistance testing, the Continental proved best, a long way ahead of second place Vredestein. Michelin could only take seventh in this test, leading the testers to hypothesise Continental have traded too much rolling resistance in improved tread wear for wet grip.

The full results are below. Auto Motor und Sport weight the scores 50% wet, 40% dry and 10% rolling resistance / noise.

Results

1^st

Michelin Pilot Sport 4

245/45 R18

• 3PMSF: no

Excellent handling on dry and wet surfaces, precise steering response and predictable behavior under all conditions

Poor resistance to lateral hydroplaning

Highly recommended

Total: 53.7

Dry 9.8

Wet 9.5

Comfort 9

Rolling Resistance 6

Noise 10

Overall 9.4

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2^nd

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

245/45 R18

• 3PMSF: no

Very good handling and precise steering response on dry roads, good levels of comfort

Relatively long stopping distances on wet surfaces, poor resistance to lateral aquaplaning, increased noise

Recommended

Total: 51

Dry 9.9

Wet 8.3

Comfort 10

Rolling Resistance 7

Noise 7

Overall 8.8

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3^rd

Continental Premium Contact 6

245/45 R18

• 3PMSF: no

Good handling on dry roads

Relatively weak lateral stability and tendency to understeer in the wet

Recommended

Total: 51.3

Dry 8.8

Wet 8.1

Comfort 9

Rolling Resistance 10

Noise 7

Overall 8.4

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4^th

Hankook Ventus S1 evo2

245/45 R18

• 3PMSF: no

Balanced performance, low noise level

Doesn't feel sporty when compared to the best

Recommended

Total: 49.1

Dry 8.5

Wet 8.4

Comfort 9

Rolling Resistance 5

Noise 10

Overall 8.2

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5^th

Falken Azenis FK510

245/45 R18

• 3PMSF: no

Short braking distances and good handling on wet roads, comfortable

Slow steering during emergency maneuvers on dry surfaces

Recommended

Total: 47.4

Dry 7.7

Wet 8.7

Comfort 8

Rolling Resistance 5

Noise 10

Overall 8

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6^th

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3

245/45 R18

• 3PMSF: no

Good handling and short braking distances on dry roads, good running comfort

Long braking distances and poor handling on wet roads

Conditionally recommended

Total: 49

Dry 9

Wet 7.1

Comfort 8

Rolling Resistance 7

Noise 10

Overall 7.9

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7^th

Toyo Proxes Sport

245/45 R18

• 3PMSF: no

Short braking distances and high overall wet traction, good handling in high-speed cornering on dry surfaces

Poor grip on wet surfaces, relatively low resistance to lateral aquaplaning, long braking distance on dry roads

Conditionally recommended

Total: 47.6

Dry 8.4

Wet 7.4

Comfort 8

Rolling Resistance 6

Noise 10

Overall 7.8

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8^th

Vredestein Ultrac Satin

245/45 R18

• 3PMSF: no

Acceptable handling and short braking distances on dry roads

Slow response to steering and a tendency to understeer on wet surfaces, poor resistance to aquaplaning

Conditionally recommended

Total: 44.3

Dry 7.9

Wet 7.7

Comfort 7

Rolling Resistance 7

Noise 7

Overall 7.7

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9^th

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

245/45 R18

• 3PMSF: no

Very good handling and precise steering response on dry roads

Long braking distance, poor lateral stability and a tendency to understeer on wet surfaces

Conditionally recommended

Total: 43.5

Dry 8.4

Wet 7.1

Comfort 7

Rolling Resistance 7

Noise 7

Overall 7

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10^th

Maxxis Premitra HP5

245/45 R18

• 3PMSF: no

Short braking distances in the dry

Imprecise steering response on dry roads, long braking distances and a strong tendency to understeer on wet roads, high level of noise

Conditionally recommended

Total: 40

Dry 7.4

Wet 6.7

Comfort 6

Rolling Resistance 6

Noise 7

Overall 6.9

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