For 2019, the German publication Gute Fahrt has tested ten 225/40 R18 summer tyre patterns using a VW Golf, but unlike in 2018 where they included all season tyres in the test, this year they've included a 17 and 19 inch comparison tyre.
Unfortunately, like the 2018 test, this tyre test is a little peculiar.
Firstly, while the magazine seems to have tested the tyres in dry and wet handling tests, it hasn't given us any lap times. Instead, it opted to subjectively rate the tyres, but only out of five points, which is nearly meaningless so we've left it out.
Secondly, while the inclusion of a 17 and 19 inch wheel and tyre combination is a good benchmark (we wonder where they got that idea from), it would have made more sense to use one of the patterns in the 18 inch test. Instead, they used the old P Zero, which in 17 inch fitment has beaten the new and improved P Zero PZ4 in 18 inches.
Thirdly, their rolling resistance results are quoted in BHP gained or lost, which is a first, and finally, every tyre in the test was recommended, with the ninth place overall tyre having no negative comments!
In short, don't put too much weight on these results, as a lot of the data is strange, but it's nice to see two of the tyre we expect to be at the top, at the top.
Dry
Dry Braking
Dry braking in meters
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 34.1 m | Best | |
| 34.7 m | +0.60 m | |
| 34.7 m | +0.60 m | |
| 34.8 m | +0.70 m | |
| 34.9 m | +0.80 m | |
RefReference Summer 19 inch |
34.9 m | +0.80 m |
| 35 m | +0.90 m | |
RefReference Summer 17 inch |
35.1 m | +1.00 m |
| 35.4 m | +1.30 m | |
| 35.5 m | +1.40 m | |
| 35.8 m | +1.70 m | |
| 35.9 m | +1.80 m |
The difference between best and worst was 5.3% (1.8 m ≈ 0.4 Car Lengths).
Wet
Wet Braking
Wet braking in meters
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 43.5 m | Best | |
| 43.6 m | +0.10 m | |
| 43.6 m | +0.10 m | |
| 43.9 m | +0.40 m | |
| 44.1 m | +0.60 m | |
| 44.2 m | +0.70 m | |
RefReference Summer 17 inch |
44.5 m | +1.00 m |
| 44.8 m | +1.30 m | |
| 45.1 m | +1.60 m | |
RefReference Summer 19 inch |
45.6 m | +2.10 m |
| 45.9 m | +2.40 m | |
| 46.1 m | +2.60 m |
The difference between best and worst was 6% (2.6 m ≈ 0.6 Car Lengths).
Straight Aqua
Float Speed in Km/H
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 77.7 km/h | Best | |
| 76.9 km/h | -0.80 km/h | |
| 76.3 km/h | -1.40 km/h | |
| 75.7 km/h | -2.00 km/h | |
| 74 km/h | -3.70 km/h | |
| 73.8 km/h | -3.90 km/h | |
| 73.2 km/h | -4.50 km/h | |
| 72.1 km/h | -5.60 km/h | |
RefReference Summer 17 inch |
72.1 km/h | -5.60 km/h |
| 71.9 km/h | -5.80 km/h | |
| 71.8 km/h | -5.90 km/h | |
RefReference Summer 19 inch |
70 km/h | -7.70 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 9.9% (7.7 Km/H).
Price
Results
Continental Premium Contact 6
225/40 R18
- Price
- 404.00
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
225/40 R18
- Price
- 380.00
Reference Summer 17 inch
225/40 R18
- Price
- 376.00
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
225/40 R18
- Price
- 360.00
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
225/40 R18
- Price
- 344.00
Nokian PowerProof
225/40 R18
- Price
- 360.00
Bridgestone Turanza T005
225/40 R18
- Price
- 388.00
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
225/40 R18
- Price
- 392.00
Apollo Aspire XP
225/40 R18
- Price
- 316.00
Falken Azenis FK510
225/40 R18
- Price
- 312.00
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
225/40 R18
- Price
- 364.00
Reference Summer 19 inch
225/40 R18- Price
- 572.00
You just gotta love the name of this German publication. ;-)