Mar 10, 2017
The German magazine Auto Bild Sportscars has conducted tests of nine models of sports car tires on the market.
The tests involved tires size 235/35 R19.
The first place went to the tire Continental SportContact 6, which the experts of Auto Bild Sportscars considered almost completely devoid of shortcomings, except for "a slight weakness in measuring rolling resistance." As a result of all tests, the Continental tires were rated as "exemplary", as well as two more models - the Hankook Ventus S1 Evo² and the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3. As with Conti, the magazine experts found they had only minor flaws - the Hankook model Showed a "tendency to understeer", and Goodyear - "insignificant understeer on the wet road." Overall, the tires showed a well-balanced performance, with the Ventus S1 Evo² being able to get ahead of the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 in the dry road tests.
Well performed also tires Falken Azenis FK510 - the only model that received a rating of 'recommended'. Although experts at Auto Bild Sportscars drew attention to the somewhat slow steering response and mediocre driving comfort, they described the Falken tire as a balanced model with a short braking distance and good handling on the wet road, accurate entry into the dry turn and attractive price.
Three more tires - Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2, Pirelli P Zero and Kumho Ecsta PS91 - were rated 'satisfactory'. The Dunlop tire showed an inadequate steering reaction and limited grip on a dry road. The biggest problem of Pirelli was the performance on the wet track - the experts of the magazine noted that the braking distance of the tire was longer than expected and that its level of resistance to aquaplaning leaves much to be desired. As for the Kumho model, Auto Bild Sportscars notes "weak lateral steering and insufficient response to the steering wheel on the wet road, mediocre grip and slow steering response on the dry track, and an increased level of rolling resistance." Of the advantages of the Ecsta PS91, experts noted the successful passage of tests for resistance to aquaplaning, a short braking distance on a dry road and an attractive price.
Two of the nine tires were rated as 'not recommended': they are Firestone Firehawk SZ90μ and Rotalla Setula S Race RU01, whose weak point was their characteristics on the wet road surface. Firestone tires showed a lack of response to steering, too much braking distance on the wet road, as well as a mediocre grip level, slow steering response and unbalanced handling on dry roads. Worst of all were the tires Rotalla - experts Auto Bild Sportscars described the model Setula S Race RU01 as "a rabid Chinese bus with a dangerously long braking path on the wet track, significant inadequate handling and slurred traction on dry roads." Of the pluses of Rotalla tires, experts noted reduced rolling resistance and a budget price, while Firestone positively assessed the low noise level and good resistance to aquaplaning.