2026 Autobild Sports Cars Summer Tyre Test

Auto Bild Sportscars tested eight summer tyres in 255/35 R19 and 275/35 R19 - a staggered fitment used on cars like the BMW Z4, BMW Supra, and F series BMW M3/M4 models. Testing took place at the Wachauring circuit in Austria, covering wet and dry handling, braking, aquaplaning, skidpad grip, noise, and rolling resistance. The BMW Z4 served as the test car. The field includes Continental, Bridgestone, Pirelli, Vredestein, Kumho, Michelin, Hankook, and Goodyear.

Aquaplaning balance with staggered fitments

The aquaplaning results highlight a challenge specific to staggered tyre setups. Wider rear tyres act more like surfboards in standing water, so they tend to lose contact with the road before the narrower fronts. The Michelin is the most extreme example: its front tyre holds grip up to 90.2 km/h - the best in the test - but the rear floats at just 83.4 km/h, the worst. That means there's a window where the front axle is still steering normally but the rear has already lost grip, which can cause sudden oversteer in heavy rain. The Hankook is the opposite case, with both axles floating at exactly 87.9 km/h. Auto Bild Sportscars' advice is simple: back off the throttle in heavy rain, regardless of which tyre you're running.

The Goodyear result

The Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport's last-place finish is worth some context. It lost over 15 km/h to the Continental on the wet handling course and needed 51.5 m to stop from 100 km/h in the wet - over 9 m more than the best. The testers attribute this not to the tyre being fundamentally poor, but to a mismatch with the BMW Z4 in this specific staggered size combination. 

I tested it myself a number of years ago using a Supra, and found it was tricky; yet in a more recent test with a VW Golf the Supra Sport was excellent in the wet. Sometimes there are just difficult sizes. 

Dry Braking

The Continental stops shortest at 34.2 m, with the Bridgestone just 20 cm behind. The midfield is tightly packed, but Michelin, Goodyear, and Pirelli all exceed 36 m - notably, these are three established premium brands occupying the bottom three positions.

Dry Handling

The Continental leads again at 108.4 km/h average, with Michelin second - both work well as a mixed-size setup with the Z4's chassis, turning in sharply and staying controllable at the limit. Vredestein, Bridgestone, and Hankook form a tight group in the middle. The Goodyear is a clear outlier at 103.1 km/h, over 5 km/h off the pace and described as unbalanced in its driving feel.

Wet

Wet Braking

The Continental leads the wet braking test as well, stopping from 100 km/h in 42.4 m. The Goodyear needs 51.5 m - at the point where the Continental has already stopped, a car on Goodyears would still be travelling at nearly 40 km/h. The gap between first and last is far larger here than in the dry test, where the field was much closer together.

Wet Handling

The Continental dominates the wet handling course at nearly 79 km/h average, offering precise turn-in and sharp feedback. Pirelli and Bridgestone follow with a clear gap. The Goodyear loses over 15 km/h to the leader - a very large deficit that matches its poor wet braking result and confirms it struggles in all wet-grip tests on this car.

Wet Circle

Bridgestone and Continental build the highest lateral forces and keep the Z4 neutral longest. Pirelli is close behind. From Vredestein downwards the gaps grow, with Kumho and Hankook producing identical results. The Michelin - the most expensive tyre in the test - lands second to last, while the Goodyear is again at the bottom.

Straight Aquaplaning

The Michelin front tyre resists aquaplaning longest, holding contact to 90.2 km/h - but the rear floats at just 83.4 km/h, giving it the largest front-to-rear imbalance in the field. The Hankook is the most balanced, with both axles floating at exactly 87.9 km/h. This test highlights how difficult mixed-size fitments are to get right: if the rear loses grip before the front, the car can oversteer without warning in heavy rain.

Comfort

Subjective Comfort

Noise

The Vredestein is the quietest tyre at 70.9 dB - worth noting in an open roadster where road noise is always present. Continental and Hankook share second place at 72.0 dB. The Goodyear and Bridgestone are the loudest at over 74 dB, more than 3 dB above the Vredestein, which is a clearly audible difference.

Value

Rolling Resistance

Hankook and Vredestein achieve the best average rolling resistance across both axle sizes. All eight tyres are relatively close in this test - there are no major outliers. Interestingly, the narrower front tyres do not automatically roll more easily for every brand; the ranking changes between the 255 and 275 sizes depending on the manufacturer.

Results

The Continental SportContact 7 wins the test with strong leads in braking and handling on both wet and dry surfaces. The Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo is a close second. Seven of eight tyres score "good" or better, which is a strong overall field. Budget options from Vredestein, Kumho, and Hankook perform well for the money.

1^st

Continental SportContact 7

255/35 R19 100Y

• EU Label: D/A/73
• Weight: 11.58 kgs
• Price: 840.00

The Continental SportContact 7 is the clear test winner and dominates across nearly every category. On the wet handling course it sets the benchmark with precise turn-in and sharp feedback from the steering. Dry handling is equally strong - the tyre works well as a mixed-size setup with the Z4's chassis, turning in crisply and remaining controllable at the limit. Braking performance leads the field in both wet and dry conditions. The only downside is a slightly higher rolling resistance.

Dry

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	1st	34.2 M			100%
Dry Handling	1st	108.4 Km/H			100%

Wet

99.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	1st	42.4 M			100%
Wet Handling	1st	78.9 Km/H			100%
Wet Circle	2nd	12.6 s	12.5 s	+0.1 s	99.21%
Straight Aqua	7th	87.5 Km/H	90.2 Km/H	-2.7 Km/H	97.01%

Comfort

99.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Comfort	1st	8.7 Points			100%
Noise	2nd	72 dB	70.9 dB	+1.1 dB	98.47%

Value

86.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	5th	9.59 kg / t	8.29 kg / t	+1.3 kg / t	86.44%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

2^nd

Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo

255/35 R19 100Y

• EU Label: D/A/73
• Weight: 12.79 kgs
• Price: 880.00

The Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo takes second place overall and is a strong performer in the wet, building high lateral forces on the skidpad and keeping the Z4 neutral on course. Steering feel is precise and the dry handling character is sporty, sitting in a tight midfield group. Dry braking is excellent, just 20 cm behind the Continental. On the negative side, pass-by noise and rolling resistance are both slightly elevated.

Dry

99.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	2nd	34.4 M	34.2 M	+0.2 M	99.42%
Dry Handling	4th	107 Km/H	108.4 Km/H	-1.4 Km/H	98.71%

Wet

97.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	2nd	43.9 M	42.4 M	+1.5 M	96.58%
Wet Handling	3rd	75.1 Km/H	78.9 Km/H	-3.8 Km/H	95.18%
Wet Circle	1st	12.5 s			100%
Straight Aqua	8th	87.4 Km/H	90.2 Km/H	-2.8 Km/H	96.9%

Comfort

97.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Comfort	1st	8.7 Points			100%
Noise	7th	74 dB	70.9 dB	+3.1 dB	95.81%

Value

90%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	4th	9.21 kg / t	8.29 kg / t	+0.92 kg / t	90.01%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

3^rd

Pirelli P Zero PZ5

255/35 R19 100Y

• EU Label: C/A/72
• Weight: 10.87 kgs
• Price: 800.00

The Pirelli P Zero PZ5 is a wet-weather specialist with good aquaplaning resistance on both axles. Wet handling is dynamic and it generates strong lateral grip on the skidpad. However, braking distances are somewhat longer in both wet and dry conditions, and dry handling is a weaker area - it sits toward the back of the pack on the dry circuit. Overall a solid safety-oriented choice but not the sharpest tool on a dry road.

Dry

96.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	6th	36 M	34.2 M	+1.8 M	95%
Dry Handling	7th	106 Km/H	108.4 Km/H	-2.4 Km/H	97.79%

Wet

96.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	5th	46.7 M	42.4 M	+4.3 M	90.79%
Wet Handling	2nd	76.5 Km/H	78.9 Km/H	-2.4 Km/H	96.96%
Wet Circle	3rd	12.7 s	12.5 s	+0.2 s	98.43%
Straight Aqua	2nd	88.9 Km/H	90.2 Km/H	-1.3 Km/H	98.56%

Comfort

90.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Comfort	6th	7.3 Points	8.7 Points	-1.4 Points	83.91%
Noise	4th	72.6 dB	70.9 dB	+1.7 dB	97.66%

Value

85.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	7th	9.73 kg / t	8.29 kg / t	+1.44 kg / t	85.2%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

3^rd

Vredestein Ultrac Pro

255/35 R19 100Y

• EU Label: C/A/72
• Weight: 12.50 kgs
• Price: 740.00

The Vredestein Ultrac Pro is a dry-road expert with a balanced, predictable driving character. It sits in the tight midfield group for dry handling and posts a short dry braking distance. It is the quietest tyre in the test at 70.9 dB and also delivers good fuel-saving potential through low rolling resistance. The trade-off is that it doesn't stand out in any single area - a consistent all-rounder rather than a class leader. At around 740 euros per set it also offers good value.

Dry

98.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	3rd	35 M	34.2 M	+0.8 M	97.71%
Dry Handling	3rd	107.1 Km/H	108.4 Km/H	-1.3 Km/H	98.8%

Wet

94.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	4th	46.2 M	42.4 M	+3.8 M	91.77%
Wet Handling	4th	73.3 Km/H	78.9 Km/H	-5.6 Km/H	92.9%
Wet Circle	4th	13.3 s	12.5 s	+0.8 s	93.98%
Straight Aqua	3rd	88.5 Km/H	90.2 Km/H	-1.7 Km/H	98.12%

Comfort

96%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Comfort	3rd	8 Points	8.7 Points	-0.7 Points	91.95%
Noise	1st	70.9 dB			100%

Value

95.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	3rd	8.69 kg / t	8.29 kg / t	+0.4 kg / t	95.4%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

5^th

Kumho Ecsta Sport S PS72

255/35 R19 100Y

• EU Label: C/A/72
• Weight: 12.15 kgs
• Price: 660.00

The Kumho Ecsta Sport S PS72 is the cheapest tyre in the test and delivers decent overall performance without any serious weaknesses. Wet skidpad grip matches the Hankook exactly, and dry braking is solid at 35.4 m. Dry handling is a step behind the leaders, and wet braking distances are slightly longer. For the price, it represents a sensible budget option that doesn't compromise safety in a meaningful way.

Dry

97.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	4th	35.4 M	34.2 M	+1.2 M	96.61%
Dry Handling	6th	106.1 Km/H	108.4 Km/H	-2.3 Km/H	97.88%

Wet

92.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	6th	47 M	42.4 M	+4.6 M	90.21%
Wet Handling	5th	72 Km/H	78.9 Km/H	-6.9 Km/H	91.25%
Wet Circle	5th	14 s	12.5 s	+1.5 s	89.29%
Straight Aqua	4th	88.3 Km/H	90.2 Km/H	-1.9 Km/H	97.89%

Comfort

94.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Comfort	3rd	8 Points	8.7 Points	-0.7 Points	91.95%
Noise	6th	73.4 dB	70.9 dB	+2.5 dB	96.59%

Value

85.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	6th	9.65 kg / t	8.29 kg / t	+1.36 kg / t	85.91%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

5^th

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

255/35 R19 100Y

• EU Label: C/A/71
• Weight: 12.59 kgs
• Price: 1020.00

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is strong on dry roads, posting the second-fastest dry handling lap with good turn-in and controllability at the limit. It also leads the aquaplaning test on the front axle at 90.2 km/h, but the rear floats much earlier at 83.4 km/h - the largest front-to-rear imbalance in the test. Wet handling and wet braking are below average for this field. At roughly 1020 euros per set it is by far the most expensive tyre tested, and the price-to-performance ratio doesn't add up.

Dry

96.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	8th	36.3 M	34.2 M	+2.1 M	94.21%
Dry Handling	2nd	107.9 Km/H	108.4 Km/H	-0.5 Km/H	99.54%

Wet

91.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	7th	47.3 M	42.4 M	+4.9 M	89.64%
Wet Handling	6th	71.2 Km/H	78.9 Km/H	-7.7 Km/H	90.24%
Wet Circle	7th	14.3 s	12.5 s	+1.8 s	87.41%
Straight Aqua	1st	90.2 Km/H			100%

Comfort

90.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Comfort	6th	7.3 Points	8.7 Points	-1.4 Points	83.91%
Noise	4th	72.6 dB	70.9 dB	+1.7 dB	97.66%

Value

97.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	2nd	8.5 kg / t	8.29 kg / t	+0.21 kg / t	97.53%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

7^th

Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z K129

255/35 R19 100Y

• EU Label: C/A/73
• Weight: 12.80 kgs
• Price: 730.00

The Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z has the most balanced aquaplaning behaviour, with both axles floating at exactly 87.9 km/h. Dry braking is short and rolling resistance is among the lowest in the test. Wet handling is where it loses ground - it has noticeably less reserve on the wet circuit. It sits mid-pack in most other areas. At around 730 euros per set, it's a reasonably priced option with good efficiency credentials.

Dry

97.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	4th	35.4 M	34.2 M	+1.2 M	96.61%
Dry Handling	5th	106.9 Km/H	108.4 Km/H	-1.5 Km/H	98.62%

Wet

92%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	3rd	46 M	42.4 M	+3.6 M	92.17%
Wet Handling	7th	70.4 Km/H	78.9 Km/H	-8.5 Km/H	89.23%
Wet Circle	5th	14 s	12.5 s	+1.5 s	89.29%
Straight Aqua	6th	87.9 Km/H	90.2 Km/H	-2.3 Km/H	97.45%

Comfort

95.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Comfort	3rd	8 Points	8.7 Points	-0.7 Points	91.95%
Noise	2nd	72 dB	70.9 dB	+1.1 dB	98.47%

Value

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	1st	8.29 kg / t			100%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

8^th

Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport

255/35 R19 100Y

• EU Label: D/A/73
• Weight: 12.08 kgs
• Price: 870.00

The Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport finishes last and is clearly out of its depth in this mixed-size fitment on the Z4. It loses over 15 km/h to the Continental on the wet handling course and is also slowest in the dry, where the driving feel is described as unbalanced. Wet braking from 100 km/h takes 51.5 m - meaning it is still travelling at nearly 40 km/h when the Continental has already stopped. Aquaplaning resistance is its only relative strength. The poor results appear to be a fitment mismatch rather than a fundamental tyre deficiency.

Dry

94.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	7th	36.2 M	34.2 M	+2 M	94.48%
Dry Handling	8th	103.1 Km/H	108.4 Km/H	-5.3 Km/H	95.11%

Wet

86.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	8th	51.5 M	42.4 M	+9.1 M	82.33%
Wet Handling	8th	63.5 Km/H	78.9 Km/H	-15.4 Km/H	80.48%
Wet Circle	8th	14.9 s	12.5 s	+2.4 s	83.89%
Straight Aqua	4th	88.3 Km/H	90.2 Km/H	-1.9 Km/H	97.89%

Comfort

89.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Comfort	6th	7.3 Points	8.7 Points	-1.4 Points	83.91%
Noise	8th	74.2 dB	70.9 dB	+3.3 dB	95.55%

Value

80.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	8th	10.31 kg / t	8.29 kg / t	+2.02 kg / t	80.41%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts