Mar 17, 2017
German magazine Sport auto presented the results of its tests of summer tires, in which seven premium models of size 225/40 R18Y and three public sports half-allowed for public roads (the latter, incidentally, were placed separately in the final table). All tires were fitted to the Toyota GT86.
In the UHP category, the magazine experts tested Bridgestone tires Turanza T001, Continental SportContact 5, Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3, Kumho Ecsta PS91, Michelin Pilot Sport 4, Pirelli P Zero and Toyo Proxes Sport, and among the tested half-breeds were Michelin Sport Cup 2, Pirelli P Zero Trofeo and Toyo R888 R.
The undisputed winner in the first category is the Michelin Pilot Sport 4, offering, according to sport auto, a "fantastic response" and stable grip characteristics, as well as excellent braking performance on a dry and wet road surface. The only drawback of the model experts called a slightly increased noise level when driving, but this did not prevent the tires from getting 9.3 points (out of 10 maximum) and the rating of 'highly recommended'.
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 tires (8.9 points) took second place. They showed the accuracy of control and maneuverability on the wet road, as well as a short braking distance on wet asphalt. Weaknesses of the model called the publication the reaction to the change in the load on the wet road and "moderate-sport handling on the dry track." As a result, the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 tires were rated as 'recommended'.
The same estimate was received by four more tire models, two of which - Bridgestone Turanza T001 and Continental SportContact 5 - finished with 8.6 points each. The Bridgestone tire performed well on the wet road and showed an excellent steering response, but did not perform well in the steering response tests on dry roads and longitudinal aquaplaning. The Continental tires excelled in the precision of control and safety on the wet road surface, showed a short stopping distance on the dry road and perfectly balanced and precise handling, but at the same time their driving comfort and noise level left much to be desired.
Tires Pirelli P Zero completed the tests, receiving 8.5 points. Experts sport auto appreciated the short braking distance of tires on dry roads and the accuracy of control when entering the turn. However, the Pirelli tires performed quite poorly in braking tests on wet roads and shifts in load.
Toyo Proxes Sport tires received 8.2 points and were criticized for "mediocre behavior on wet and dry roads" and for insufficiently confident grip when turning on a wet surface. At the same time Proxes Sport showed the shortest braking distance on the wet road from all seven participants and demonstrated good grip and confident resistance to aquaplaning.
In seventh place (7.7 points) were the tires Kumho Ecsta PS91, which, according to the experts of the German magazine, showed insufficiently accurate handling on the wet road and some instability on the dry road, but at the same time distinguished themselves by a well balanced performance on the dry track and successfully performed In the tests for aquaplaning. As a result, the tires Kumho received only an estimate of 'conditionally recommended'.
As for half-breds, sport auto tests have clearly shown that these tires are not designed for wet roads, but those qualities that make them unsuitable for wet surfaces provide them with excellent sports performance on dry roads. The highest score in this category went to the P Zero Trofeo tires, providing an accurate and fast steering response, confident grip and the shortest lap time. The second place was occupied by tires Toyo R 888 R, which had the shortest braking distance on the wet track, and the third - the tires Michelin Sport Cup 2.