Mar 02, 2017
German magazine Gute Fahrt conducted tests of size 215/55 R17 tires, which were mounted on a VW Passat; in addition to the tests involved two Passat with OE tires, Pirelli Cinturato P7 size 235/45 R18 and 235/40 R19, to demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of 18/19-inch tires in comparison with the 17-inch size.
Three out of ten 17-inch tires, and Pirelli tires as original equipment, are self-sealing. One of them, Continental PremiumContact 5, has been named the winner of the test, although its advantage over the majority of competitors who received lower scores were not significant.
The tests took place at the Pirelli test track in Italy, in the municipality of Vizzola. Tires participated in the tests on dry and wet roads, as well as tested for rolling resistance and noise levels when driving. Installed on the car tires were inflated to 2.3 bar, which is below the recommended level by the manufacturer is 2.6 bar, however experts Gute Fahrt noted that low pressure will only lead to a very small additional cost fuel, but it will significantly increase driving comfort.
As a result of Continental tires were rated 'very good', only slightly surpassing four other models (or six, if you count the original equipment tires), which earned over a small minus for his 'very good'. We are talking about tires Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance, Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2, Hankook Ventus Prime 2 and Pirelli Cinturato P7.
Vredestein Ultrac Satin tires were rated 'good +', but just 'good' models went Maxxis Premitra HP5 and Toyo Proxes Sport. Tires Cooper Zeon CS8 completed tests with the final assessment 'good -'. At last the final table Firestone Firehawk TZ 300a - the only tires, valued only as "satisfactory" because not enough good handling in the wet and braking on wet and dry surfaces.
As for the tires Pirelli 18/19-inch size, Gute Fahrt notes that these tires can be safely put on the Passat - they are slightly reduced motion comfort, but at the same time provide excellent handling and short braking distances on wet road surfaces. Indeed, the 18- and 19-inch version of the Pirelli Cinturato P7 showed the shortest stopping distance in the wet of all the participants, and on a dry track when braking from 100 km / h of the braking distance was at 20 cm shorter than the best of the 17- inch participants, Vredestein Ultrac Satin.