265/35R20

Auto Bild Sportscars 2021: Summer Tire Test ZR20

A new Bridgestone model showed that it could easily push the leaders of the UHP segment, and two cheap tires were pronounced as «thoroughly not recommended».

List of models tested:

The German magazine Auto Bild Sportscars tested nine models of 20-inch sports tires; the test lineup included a new model 2021 — Bridgestone Potenza Sport — which ultimately made a clean sweep of the competition, pushing the acclaimed leaders of the Ultra-High Performance segment.

The second line of the tournament bracket was shared by the Continental SportContact 6 and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S, which allowed themselves a few weaknesses in certain disciplines, while the Bridgestone model demonstrated a consistently efficient performance in any conditions, which scored it the ultimate victory (we are very curious to see whether this newcomer will be able to hold its title when the Continental SportContact 7 kicks into play).

«It’s just amazing how quickly the performance of tires from the sports league has been improving in the recent years — the AB experts noted after the test. — The most vivid example is their braking performance. Today, the wet braking distance can be as short as 10 years it could only be on dry pavement. The level of driving safety has increased significantly, which was made possible by both new materials and new production processes.»

It was not without a couple of negative moments: when tested on wet pavement, both budget tires included in the test — Landsail (produced by China’s Sentury) and Berlin (private brand of Germany’s Keskin Europa GmbH) — not only could not come even close to more expensive tires, but were incapable of ensuring any acceptable level of safety, due to which the experts returned the «not recommended» verdict.

1st place: Bridgestone / Potenza Sport
Quick Take
83 68

Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Price/Quality Dry Performance Handling Wet Performance Treadwear Comfort
  • This tire replaced Bridgestone / Potenza S001
  • Available Sizes in Line: 87
  • Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
    • • Lamborghini Huracan Facelift [2019 .. 2023]
    • • Ferrari Roma [2020 .. 2023]
    • • Maserati MC20 [2020 .. 2024]
    • • Maserati Grecale [2022 .. 2024]
    • • Fisker Ocean [2022 .. 2024]
  • Recommended Tire by Tests
  • Year Released: 2021
  • Regions for sale: North America, Europe, Russia+, China, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Oceania
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
  • Excellent handling response and a very short stopping distance on wet and dry pavement alike
  • Precise steering response
  • Good hydroplaning resistance
  • Exemplary/Winner of the test
2nd place: Continental / SportContact 6
Quick Take
80 55

Continental SportContact 6

Dry Performance Handling Wet Performance Comfort Price/Quality Treadwear
  • This tire has been replaced by Continental / SportContact 7
  • This tire replaced Continental / ContiSportContact 5
  • Available Sizes in Line: 173
  • Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
    • • Audi A4 B9 [2015 .. 2020]
    • • Audi A4 B8 Facelift [2011 .. 2016]
    • • Audi R8 42 [2007 .. 2016]
    • • Audi R8 4S [2015 .. 2018]
    • • Honda Civic IX (FB/FG) [2011 .. 2016]
    • • Honda Civic X (FC) [2016 .. 2019]
    • • Mercedes-Benz E-Class Br212 Facelift [2013 .. 2016]
    • • Mercedes-Benz E-Class Br213 [2017 .. 2020]
    • • Honda Civic Type R
    • • Audi SQ8 4MN [2019 .. 2023]
    • • Audi TT 8S Facelift [2019 .. 2023]
    • • Audi Q8 4MN [2018 .. 2023]
    • • Mazda CX-5 KF [2016 .. 2023]
    • • BMW 3 Series VII (G20/G21) [2018 .. 2023]
    • • Mercedes-Benz A-Class AMG W177 [2018 .. 2023]
    • • Audi RS Q3 F3 [2019 .. 2023]
    • • Mercedes-Benz C-Class Br205 [2015 .. 2021]
    • • Audi RS5 F5 [2017 .. 2019]
    • • Volvo S60 III [2019 .. 2023]
    • • Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace AD/BW [2017 .. 2021]
    • • Opel Insignia B Facelift [2020 .. 2023]
    • • BMW M2 F87 Facelift [2017 .. 2021]
    • • Skoda Octavia Mk3 A7 (5E) Facelift [2017 .. 2020]
    • • Porsche Boxster III (981) [2012 .. 2017]
    • • Audi RS3 8V [2015 .. 2016]
    • • BMW M4 G82/G83 [2021 .. 2023]
    • • Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Br190 [2014 .. 2023]
  • Recommended Tire by Tests
  • Year Released: 2015
  • Regions for sale: North America, Central & South America, Europe, Russia+, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Oceania
Continental SportContact 6
  • Great handling response in the wet
  • Short braking distance on wet and dry pavement
  • Great riding comfort
  • Low rolling resistance
  • Increased noise
  • Exemplary
3rd place: Michelin / Pilot Sport 4S
Quick Take
86 74

Michelin Pilot Sport 4S

Price/Quality Wet Performance Handling Dry Performance Comfort Treadwear Snow/Ice Performance
  • This tire has been replaced by Michelin / Pilot Sport S 5
  • This tire replaced Michelin / Pilot Super Sport
  • Available Sizes in Line: 229
  • Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
    • • Ferrari GTC4Lusso [2016 .. 2020]
    • • Porsche 911
    • • Porsche Boxster
    • • BMW X3 M F97 [2019 .. 2021]
    • • BMW X4 M F98 [2019 .. 2021]
    • • Cadillac CT4-V GM Alpha [2020 .. 2023]
    • • Cadillac CT5-V GM Alpha [2020 .. 2023]
    • • Honda Civic Type R FK8 [2017 .. 2023]
  • Recommended Tire by Tests
  • Year Released: 2017
  • Regions for sale: North America, Central & South America, Europe, Russia+, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Africa, Oceania
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
  • Good handling response in the dry
  • Precise steering response
  • Short braking distance on wet and dry pavement
  • Low rolling resistance
  • High price
  • Exemplary
4th place: Goodyear / Eagle F1 SuperSport
Quick Take
84 68

Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport

Dry Performance Handling Wet Performance Comfort Treadwear
  • Available Sizes in Line: 116
  • Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
    • • Cupra Formentor [2020 .. 2023]
    • • Porsche 911 IX (992) [2019 .. 2023]
    • • Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk8 (CD1) [2020 .. 2023]
    • • Lotus
    • • Maserati GranTurismo [2007 .. 2016]
  • Recommended Tire by Tests
  • Year Released: 2018
  • Regions for sale: USA+, Canada, Europe, Russia+, Japan, China, Southeast Asia, Middle East, South Africa, Oceania
Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport
  • Great handling response in the wet
  • Short braking distance on dry pavement
  • Great riding comfort
  • High price
  • Good
5th place: Vredestein / Ultrac Vorti R
Quick Take
78 15

Vredestein Ultrac Vorti R

Dry Performance Handling Comfort Treadwear Wet Performance
  • Year Released: 2013
  • Regions for sale: USA+, Canada, Europe, Russia+
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti R
  • Good price/quality ratio
  • Precise steering response
  • Short braking distance on dry pavement
  • Relatively long braking distance on wet pavement
  • Increased rolling resistance
  • Good
6th place: Hankook / Ventus S1 evo3 K127
Quick Take
81 56

Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 K127

Price/Quality Dry Performance Wet Performance Handling Comfort Treadwear
  • This tire has been replaced by Hankook / Ventus S1 evo3 EV K127E
  • This tire replaced Hankook / Ventus S1 evo2 K117
  • Available Sizes in Line: 213
  • Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
    • • Audi RS6 C8 [2019 .. 2023]
    • • Audi RS7 C8 [2019 .. 2023]
    • • BMW 3 Series VII (G20/G21) [2018 .. 2023]
    • • BMW Z4 III (G29) [2018 .. 2023]
    • • Audi S3 8V [2013 .. 2016]
    • • Audi S3 8V Facelift [2016 .. 2020]
    • • Audi S3 8Y [2020 .. 2023]
    • • Tesla Model 3 [2017 .. 2023]
    • • BMW 2 Series F44 [2019 .. 2023]
    • • Porsche Boxster III (981) [2012 .. 2017]
    • • Porsche Cayman II (981) [2013 .. 2016]
    • • MINI Cooper F55/F56 [2014 .. 2021]
    • • MINI Cooper F55/F56 Facelift II [2021 .. 2023]
    • • BMW 2 Series Active Tourer F45 Facelift [2018 .. 2021]
    • • BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer F46 Facelift [2018 .. 2023]
    • • BMW 5 Series VII (G30/G31) [2016 .. 2020]
    • • Audi A1 citycarver GB [2019 .. 2023]
    • • Volkswagen Golf Mk8 (CD1) [2019 .. 2023]
    • • Mercedes-Benz S-Class W223 [2020 .. 2023]
    • • Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk8 (CD1) [2020 .. 2023]
    • • Volkswagen Golf R Mk8 (CD1) [2020 .. 2023]
    • • BMW i4 G26 [2021 .. 2023]
    • • BMW 4 Series G22/G23/G26 [2020 .. 2024]
  • Recommended Tire by Tests
  • Year Released: 2019
  • Regions for sale: North America, Central & South America, Europe, Russia+, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Oceania
Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 K127
  • Good handling response and a short stopping distance on wet and dry pavement alike
  • Precise steering response
  • Relatively low hydroplaning resistance
  • Increased noise
  • Good
7th place: Falken / Azenis FK510
Quick Take
80 63
Price/Quality Wet Performance Dry Performance Comfort Treadwear Handling Snow/Ice Performance
  • This tire has been replaced by Falken / Azenis FK520
  • This tire has run-flat model:
  • Available Sizes in Line: 205
  • Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
    • • Audi A1 GB [2018 .. 2023]
    • • Toyota Mirai II [2020 .. 2023]
  • Recommended Tire by Tests
  • Year Released: 2016
  • Regions for sale: North America, Central & South America, Europe, Russia+, Japan, South Korea, Middle East, Africa, Oceania
Falken Azenis FK510
  • Good hydroplaning resistance
  • Great handling response in the wet
  • Relatively long braking distance on wet pavement
  • Prone to understeer on dry pavement
  • Satisfactory
8th place: Landsail / LS588 UHP
Quick Take
76 28
Price/Quality Dry Performance Comfort Handling Wet Performance Snow/Ice Performance Treadwear
  • Available Sizes in Line: 72
  • Year Released: 2013
  • Regions for sale: USA+, Canada, Europe, Russia+, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East
Landsail LS588 UHP
  • Very low rolling resistance
  • Low price
  • Long braking distance on wet and dry pavements
  • Prone to understeer and unbalanced behavior in any conditions
  • Low hydroplaning resistance
  • Not recommended
9th place: Berlin / Summer UHP 1
Quick Take
N/A 28
  • Available Sizes in Line: 84
  • Year Released: 2019
  • Regions for sale: Europe
Berlin Summer UHP 1
  • Low noise emission
  • Low price
  • Very poor results on wet pavement
  • Dangerously long braking distance on wet and dry pavements
  • Fuzzy steering response
  • Inadequate handling response in any weather conditions
  • Not recommended

Price