2017 Auto Bild Sports Cars Tyre Test

Testing nine 235/35 R19 maximum performance tyres using a Focus ST, Auto Bild have focused on the raw performance of these tyres, weighting the score heavily in favour of wet and dry handling.

The Top Three

Sadly, the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is missing from this test, which means it was a fairly easy win for the Continental Sport Contact 6. The Continental dominated in both dry braking and dry handling, won the wet handling test, but could only manage mid pack for wet braking. The testers also noted the Continental gave them the most driving pleasure from all tyres on test, something which is important from a performance tyre.

Second place was awarded to the Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 2 K117. Like the Continental, it proves to be a very balanced tyre, with just a little understeer in the wet the only negative point. The top three were rounded out by the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 which is again a very balanced tyre, with a hint of understeer in the wet.

The Rest

Falken will be pleased with fourth place, beating the more expensive Dunlop tyre in fifth. The Falken FK510 proved to have short wet braking and good dry braking and handling characteristics, but when compared to the best on test the rolling resistance was high, comfort low and the steering was slightly sluggish. The Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 won the aquaplaning tests, which were combined with excellent wet and dry braking results, but had a poor dry handling score leaving it in fifth overall.

Sixth to last place all had their individual issues which can be seen in the full results below. Only two tyres on test, the mid-range Firestone and budget Rotalla were deemed to be "not recommended", both due to poor wet performances.

The Results

Dry score weighting - 60% dry handling, 40% dry braking.

Wet score weighting - 15% longitudinal aquaplaning, 5% cross aquaplaning, 40% wet handling, 10% lateral stability, 30% wet braking

1^st

Continental Sport Contact 6

235/35 R19

• 3PMSF: no

Outstanding handling on dry and wet surfaces, fast, accurate steering response, pleasurable fun driving experience

High rolling resistance

Exemplary / Test Winner

Total: 34

Dry 9

Wet 7

Comfort 6

Rolling Resistance 6

Noise 6

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2^nd

Hankook Ventus S1 evo2

235/35 R19

• 3PMSF: no

Good handling on dry surfaces, well priced

A tendency to understeer on wet surfaces

Exemplary

Total: 31

Dry 7

Wet 6

Comfort 6

Rolling Resistance 6

Noise 6

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3^rd

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3

235/35 R19

• 3PMSF: no

Good controllability, precise steering response and short braking distances on dry roads, high resistance to aquaplaning

Understeer on wet roads

Exemplary

Total: 31

Dry 7

Wet 6

Comfort 6

Rolling Resistance 6

Noise 6

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4^th

Falken Azenis FK510

235/35 R19

• 3PMSF: no

Short braking distances on wet surfaces, good handling and steering feel in the dry and wet, attractive price

Slightly slower steering than the best on test, low level of comfort, high rolling resistance

Recommended

Total: 28

Dry 7

Wet 7

Comfort 4

Rolling Resistance 4

Noise 6

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5^th

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

235/35 R19

• 3PMSF: no

The highest resistance to aquaplaning, good handling on wet surfaces, short braking distances on dry and wet roads

Slow response to steering and relatively poor grip on dry roads

Satisfactory

Total: 33

Dry 6

Wet 8

Comfort 7

Rolling Resistance 6

Noise 6

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6^th

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

235/35 R19

• 3PMSF: no

High lateral stability and good handling on wet surfaces, good steering feel and short braking distances on dry roads, low rolling resistance

Relatively long braking distance on wet surfaces, low resistance to aquaplaning

Satisfactory

Total: 32

Dry 7

Wet 6

Comfort 6

Rolling Resistance 7

Noise 6

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7^th

Kumho Ecsta PS91

235/35 R19

• 3PMSF: no

Good resistance to aquaplaning, short braking distances on dry roads, well priced

Low lateral stability and strong understeer on wet roads, slow response to steering and relatively poor grip on dry surfaces, increased rolling resistance

Satisfactory

Total: 25

Dry 5

Wet 6

Comfort 4

Rolling Resistance 4

Noise 6

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8^th

Firestone Firehawk SZ90

235/35 R19

• 3PMSF: no

Good resistance to aquaplaning, low rolling resistance, cheap

Low lateral stability, strong understeer and long braking distances on wet surfaces, slow response to steering and unbalanced behavior on dry surfaces

Not recommended

Total: 24

Dry 5

Wet 3

Comfort 6

Rolling Resistance 7

Noise 3

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9^th

Rotalla RU01 S Pace

235/35 R19

• 3PMSF: no

Low rolling resistance, low noise level, very low price

Dangerously long wet braking distances, strong understeer and unbalanced behavior on wet surfaces, weak grip and sluggish steering response on dry surfaces

Not recommended

Total: 25

Dry 4

Wet 1

Comfort 6

Rolling Resistance 7

Noise 7

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