Auto Bild Klassik magazine recently conducted a test of seven classic-style summer tyres in the 205/70 VR 15 size, aiming to improve safety and performance for vintage sports cars. The testers used a Jaguar E-Type Lightweight replica, an iconic 1960s sports car renowned for its powerful 270 PS engine and impressive 240 km/h top speed. I'm very sad this isn't a Tyre Reviews test!
As usual with Auto Bild tests, they've done a proper job. On wet surfaces, the tyres were evaluated for their resistance to aquaplaning, cornering stability, overall handling, and braking efficiency. Dry condition tests focused on handling, braking performance, rolling comfort, and noise levels. Additionally, the tyres' rolling resistance was measured to gauge their efficiency.
The test looked to find out what tyre could best enhance the driving dynamics and safety of a vintage vehicle while maintaining period-correct aesthetics. The test included offerings from major manufacturers like Pirelli, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, as well as lesser-known brands, providing a comprehensive view of the market for classic car enthusiasts seeking to upgrade their vehicles' performance without compromising their authentic look.
In dry conditions, the test revealed small differences among the tyres. The Pirelli Cinturato P5 and Pirelli Cinturato HS CN12 achieved the highest scores in handling tests, with both tyres allowing average speeds of 87.6 km/h and 87.5 km/h respectively. The Dunlop Sport Classic and Radar Dimax Classic followed closely, both reaching 86.8 km/h.
Braking performance from 100 km/h showed the Pirelli Cinturato HS CN12 stopping in the shortest distance at 37.2 meters. The Pirelli Cinturato P5 required 38.0 meters, while the Dunlop Sport Classic needed 38.7 meters to come to a full stop.
The Michelin XWX recorded the lowest average speed in dry handling at 85.5 km/h, indicating less responsive steering and reduced lateral grip compared to its competitors. However, it compensated with a quieter and more comfortable ride.
The Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet, despite its wet-weather oriented name, managed a respectable 86.3 km/h in dry handling. However, it required the longest braking distance of 41.4 meters from 100 km/h.
Comfort factors varied among the tyres. The Vredestein Sprint Classic and Michelin XWX produced the least road noise, measuring 72.6 dB(A) and 72.5 dB(A) respectively at 80 km/h. In contrast, the Pirelli models generated slightly more noise, with the Cinturato P5 measuring 78.0 dB(A).
The test highlighted that while all tyres performed adequately in dry conditions, measurable differences emerged in specific performance areas.
Dry Braking
Spread: 4.20 M (11.3%)|Avg: 39.03 M
Dry braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
Pirelli Cinturato HS CN12
37.20 M
Pirelli Cinturato P5
38.00 M
Dunlop Sport Classic
38.70 M
Radar Dimax Classic
39.10 M
Michelin XWX
39.30 M
Vredestein Sprint Classic
39.50 M
Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet
41.40 M
Dry Handling
Spread: 2.10 Km/H (2.4%)|Avg: 86.67 Km/H
Dry Handling Average Speed (Higher is better)
Pirelli Cinturato P5
87.60 Km/H
Pirelli Cinturato HS CN12
87.50 Km/H
Dunlop Sport Classic
86.80 Km/H
Radar Dimax Classic
86.80 Km/H
Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet
86.30 Km/H
Vredestein Sprint Classic
86.20 Km/H
Michelin XWX
85.50 Km/H
Noise
Spread: 6.40 dB (8.9%)|Avg: 73.71 dB
External noise in dB (Lower is better)
Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet
71.60 dB
Radar Dimax Classic
71.90 dB
Michelin XWX
72.50 dB
Vredestein Sprint Classic
72.60 dB
Dunlop Sport Classic
74.00 dB
Pirelli Cinturato HS CN12
75.40 dB
Pirelli Cinturato P5
78.00 dB
Wet
Wet conditions revealed more significant differences between the tyres. The Pirelli models again stood out, with the Cinturato HS CN12 and Cinturato P5 achieving the highest scores in most wet tests.
Wet braking from 100 km/h saw the Pirelli Cinturato P5 stop in the shortest distance of 49.5 meters. The Dunlop Sport Classic and Pirelli Cinturato HS CN12 followed closely at 50.3 and 50.5 meters. The Radar Dimax Classic required the longest distance at 71.9 meters.
Wet Braking
Spread: 22.40 M (45.3%)|Avg: 56.96 M
Wet braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
Pirelli Cinturato P5
49.50 M
Dunlop Sport Classic
50.30 M
Pirelli Cinturato HS CN12
50.50 M
Vredestein Sprint Classic
53.50 M
Michelin XWX
58.50 M
Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet
64.50 M
Radar Dimax Classic
71.90 M
In wet handling, the Pirelli Cinturato HS CN12 allowed the highest average speed of 78.8 km/h, closely followed by the Cinturato P5 at 78.4 km/h. The Dunlop Sport Classic and Vredestein Sprint Classic followed with 76.1 km/h and 75.2 km/h respectively. The Radar Dimax Classic struggled most in this test, managing only 66.2 km/h.
Wet Handling
Spread: 12.60 Km/H (16%)|Avg: 74.11 Km/H
Wet Handling Average Speed (Higher is better)
Pirelli Cinturato HS CN12
78.80 Km/H
Pirelli Cinturato P5
78.40 Km/H
Dunlop Sport Classic
76.10 Km/H
Vredestein Sprint Classic
75.20 Km/H
Michelin XWX
72.90 Km/H
Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet
71.20 Km/H
Radar Dimax Classic
66.20 Km/H
In the wet circular track test, both Pirelli models completed the circuit in 11.4 seconds, with the Dunlop Sport Classic and Vredestein Sprint Classic following at 11.8 and 11.9 seconds. The Radar Dimax Classic took significantly longer at 13.2 seconds.
Wet Circle
Spread: 1.80 s (15.8%)|Avg: 12.17 s
Wet Circle Lap Time in seconds (Lower is better)
Pirelli Cinturato HS CN12
11.40 s
Pirelli Cinturato P5
11.40 s
Dunlop Sport Classic
11.80 s
Vredestein Sprint Classic
11.90 s
Michelin XWX
12.60 s
Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet
12.90 s
Radar Dimax Classic
13.20 s
Aquaplaning resistance tests showed the Pirelli Cinturato P5 maintaining traction up to 93.3 km/h, with the Vredestein Sprint Classic close behind at 91.5 km/h. The Michelin XWX and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet lost traction earliest, at 73.6 km/h and 73.8 km/h respectively.
Straight Aqua
Spread: 19.70 Km/H (21.1%)|Avg: 83.63 Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
Pirelli Cinturato P5
93.30 Km/H
Vredestein Sprint Classic
91.50 Km/H
Dunlop Sport Classic
87.10 Km/H
Pirelli Cinturato HS CN12
86.10 Km/H
Radar Dimax Classic
80.00 Km/H
Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet
73.80 Km/H
Michelin XWX
73.60 Km/H
Curved Aquaplaning
Spread: 1.79 m/sec2 (45.7%)|Avg: 3.03 m/sec2
Remaining lateral acceleration (Higher is better)
Dunlop Sport Classic
3.92 m/sec2
Pirelli Cinturato P5
3.53 m/sec2
Vredestein Sprint Classic
3.37 m/sec2
Pirelli Cinturato HS CN12
3.21 m/sec2
Radar Dimax Classic
2.73 m/sec2
Michelin XWX
2.35 m/sec2
Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet
2.13 m/sec2
Value
The Dunlop Sport Classic demonstrated the lowest rolling resistance at 9.01 kg/t, suggesting it would be the most energy-efficient option among the tested tyres.
Following closely was the Radar Dimax Classic with a rolling resistance of 9.53 kg/t, and the Michelin XWX at 9.99 kg/t.
In the middle of the pack, the Pirelli Cinturato HS CN12 and Vredestein Sprint Classic showed similar results, with rolling resistances of 10.90 kg/t and 10.91 kg/t respectively.
The Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet had a higher rolling resistance at 11.54 kg/t, suggesting it may be less energy-efficient compared to most of its competitors in this test.
The Pirelli Cinturato P5 recorded the highest rolling resistance at 11.88 kg/t, indicating it might have the largest impact on fuel consumption among the tested tyres.
It's worth noting that while lower rolling resistance is generally beneficial for energy efficiency, it's just one factor in overall tyre performance. Tyres with higher rolling resistance often provide better grip, especially in wet conditions, as seen with the Pirelli models in this test.
Excellent grip on wet roads, precise steering response, sporty-agile handling, short braking distances, good reserves in aquaplaning, good rolling comfort.
Agile handling with very good lateral guidance in wet conditions, balanced handling on dry roads, short braking distances, good aquaplaning reserves, comparatively affordable price.
Poor grip and strongly understeering, unbalanced driving behavior in wet conditions, dangerously long braking distances on wet and dry roads, moderate aquaplaning reserves.
