In the next AB test, two new models from Continental and Goodyear were confronted with each other.
List of models tested:
- Bridgestone Potenza Sport
- Continental SportContact 7
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
- Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 K127
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Nexen N’Fera Sport SU2
- Star Performer UHP 3
- Vredestein Ultrac Vorti+
Germany’s Auto Bild magazine tested 10 models of summer tires in size 245/40 R19, including two hot newcomers of the season — Continental SportContact 7 and Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 — which hitherto were not spotted together in independent tests.
It was also decided to cover all price categories, and, in addition to premium products, the test involved inexpensive Nexen and Falken tires, as well as a budget Star Performer model, which predictably came last, including due to the fact that its wet braking distance when braking from 100 km/h was 21 meters longer than that of the best tire in this discipline — Hankook Ventus S1 evo3. AB also ran additional tests evaluating wet braking performance of one unspecified tire model from the OEM segment created with an emphasis on fuel efficiency. The results turned out to be «disconcerting» because the braking distance demonstrated by the eco-tire was almost 15 meters longer than that of the leader’s, and this, as the experts calculated, considering the fact that the potential fuel economy can amount to mere 3%.
The first place in the final standings was scored by the new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, which is winning in a second test running (soon to come up against the Michelin Pilot Sport 5) thanks to excellent handling response, short braking distance in any conditions, and generally well-balanced performance. The second place was shared by the Continental SportContact 7 and Hankook Ventus S1 evo3, which performed very well in all of the disciplines, but delivered less-than-perfect ride comfort; then came the Michelin Pilot Sport 4, which did not have any issues at all, but was offered at a prohibitively high price, and the Maxxis Victra Sport 5, which was quite democratically priced, and, hence, rated as «best value for the money». At the same time, the Maxxis model was a bit slow to respond to the driver’s actions on dry pavement.
The Bridgestone Potenza Sport, whose overall score was spoiled by a relatively long wet braking distance, came only sixth; this was also the case with the Vredestein Ultrac Vorti+, which came seventh. Still lower lines in the tournament bracket were occupied by the Nexen N’Fera Sport and Falken Azenis FK510, prone to oversteer. The Falken tire also lost points because of a long wet braking distance and generally weak wet grip. And the last line in the final standings, as was already said, was scored by the cheap Star Performer UHP-3, which was incapable of ensuring an acceptable level of safety in rainy weather.
1st place: Goodyear / Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
- Excellently balanced performance
- Excellent hydroplaning resistance
- Good handling response and a short stopping distance on wet and dry pavement alike
- Low rolling resistance
- High price
- Exemplary
2nd place: Continental / SportContact 7
Continental SportContact 7
- Excellent handling performance on dry pavement
- Excellent hydroplaning resistance
- Excellent braking performance
- Great handling response in the wet
- Moderate ride comfort
- Exemplary
2nd place: Hankook / Ventus S1 evo3 K127
Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 K127
- Great handling response on wet pavement
- Good handling response in the dry
- Short wet and dry braking distances
- Moderate ride comfort
- Exemplary
4th place: Michelin / Pilot Sport 4
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Well-balanced performance
- Good handling response in the dry
- Optimum hydroplaning resistance
- Precise steering response
- Low rolling resistance
- High price
- Exemplary
5th place: Maxxis / Victra Sport 5 VS5
Maxxis Victra Sport 5 VS5
- Good results on dry and wet pavement
- Excellent hydroplaning resistance
- Very good price/quality ratio
- Delayed steering response on dry pavement
- Good
6th place: Bridgestone / Potenza Sport
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
- Good hydroplaning resistance
- Good handling performance and crisp steering response
- Relatively long braking distance on wet pavement
- Good
7th place: Vredestein / Ultrac Vorti+
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti+
- Well-balanced performance
- Great handling response in the wet
- Excellent hydroplaning resistance
- Great riding comfort
- Fair price
- Relatively long braking distance on wet pavement
- Good
8th place: Nexen / N Fera Sport
Nexen N Fera Sport
- Excellent hydroplaning resistance
- Short braking distance on dry pavement
- Low noise emission
- Prone to oversteer on dry pavement
- Satisfactory
9th place: Falken / Azenis FK510
Falken Azenis FK510
- Excellent hydroplaning resistance
- Great riding comfort
- Long braking distance and generally weak grip on wet pavement
- Prone to oversteer
- Satisfactory
10th place: Star Performer / UHP 3
Star Performer UHP 3
- Good hydroplaning resistance
- Low price
- Low rolling resistance
- Lack of grip and a dangerously long wet braking distance
- Delayed and fuzzy steering response
- Not recommended