For the first time ever, the AMS test involved a new summer tire from Goodyear.
List of models tested:
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Continental PremiumContact 6
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
- GT Radial SportActive 2
- Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 K127
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Nexen N’Fera Sport SU2
- Nokian Powerproof
The next Auto Motor und Sport test involved nine summer tires in size 245/45 R19, designed for the aftermarket, as well as the Continental PremiumContact 6 tire bearing an AO sign, which indicates that this model was developed in collaboration with Audi as the original equipment for the cars of this German brand (AO stands for Audi Original). The test car was an Audi A6, which could create additional advantages for the Continental tire. Another tire that aroused much interest was the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 — the newcomer of the season that debuted in independent tests. In Germany, the tires selected for the test are priced from 130 to 209 Euro per tire.
Braking is one of the key performance areas of the tires, and, while during the dry braking test, which was done from 100 km/h, the difference in stopping distance between the best and the worst tires (Goodyear and GT Radial respectively) was mere 3 meters, on wet pavement this figure increased to 5 meters (the best being Hankook, the worst again GT Radial), even though this time the braking was done from 80 km/h so as to avoid a possible hydroplaning effect.
Dry braking
- Goodyear
- Hankook
- Nokian
- Bridgestone
- Nexen
- Continental
- Michelin
- Maxxis
- Falken
- GT Radial
Info! Dry braking in meters. (100-0 km/h)
The handling tests at once demonstrated that the Continental model was indeed designed for Audi — so obvious was the synergy between the tires and all the other systems of the car. One way or another, technologies keep on developing, and the best wet and dry performance was demonstrated by the new Goodyear model that surpassed all of its rivals and eventually scored first place in the final standings. Following the stunning debut by Goodyear, the second line of the tournament bracket was occupied by the Bridgestone Turanza T005, which also demonstrated excellent wet performance. Third place was scored by the Hankook Ventus S1 evo3, which quickly stopped the car in any conditions but fell short of the leaders’ performance in terms of handling response and hydroplaning resistance.
A place surprisingly high in the tournament bracket was occupied by the Nexen N’Fera Sport tire, which not only surpassed Nokian Powerproof that demonstrated a couple of weaknesses, but also outperformed the significantly more expensive Michelin Pilot Sport 4 model, which this year will be replaced by the new Michelin Pilot Sport 5. As for the relatively less expensive Maxxis, Falken, and GT Radial tires, they all failed to ensure handling response on a level with that of the models that scored higher places. At the same time, the Falken model demonstrated adequate braking performance, while Maxxis and particularly GT Radial had obvious issues in this discipline both on wet and dry pavement.
Wet braking
- Hankook
- Bridgestone
- Nexen
- Goodyear
- Nokian
- Continental
- Falken
- Michelin
- Maxxis
- GT Radial
Info! Wet braking in meters. (80-0 km/h)
The test also involved subjective evaluations of ride comfort, both mechanical and acoustic — quite expectedly, the best results were demonstrated by the Continental model, which not only was developed in collaboration with Audi but also was manufactured with the use of the ContiSilent technology (the tire has an extra noise suppressing ply on the inside) and the ContiSeal technology (the tire is capable of independently repairing minor punctures). According to the experts, the tires felt very responsive, comfortable, and quiet, thanks to which they earned high subjective rankings.
Verdict:
When asked which tires would be the best choice for the upcoming summer, the AMS experts replied that the new Continental model ensures maximum ride comfort and has a rather impressive handling performance (but does not come cheap either), the Bridgestone model will probably be the safest option for rainy weather, and the best-balanced tire, which guarantees a consistent handling response, is the test’s debutant — the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6.
1st place: Goodyear / Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
- Excellent traction, short braking distance, optimum lateral stability, and smooth handling response on dry pavement
- Good handling response and high safety level on wet pavement
- Relatively low hydroplaning resistance
- Exemplary
2nd place: Bridgestone / Turanza T005
Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Very short braking distance and all but outstanding results on wet pavement (minor gripes about hydroplaning resistance)
- Well-balanced performance on dry pavement
- Relatively weak straight hydroplaning resistance
- Very good
3rd place: Hankook / Ventus S1 evo3 K127
Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 K127
- Short braking distance and good handling response on wet pavement
- Poor hydroplaning resistance
- Limited lateral stability and delayed steering response on dry pavement
- Increased noise emission
- Very good
4th place: Continental / PremiumContact 6
Continental PremiumContact 6
- Good handling response in the dry
- Great riding comfort
- Relatively weak results on wet pavement
- Very good
5th place: Nexen / N Fera Sport
Nexen N Fera Sport
- Short braking distance on wet pavement
- Good hydroplaning resistance
- Good handling response in the dry
- Great riding comfort
- Poor lateral stability on wet pavement
- Good
6th place: Michelin / Pilot Sport 4
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Good handling response in the dry
- Poor riding comfort
- Grip threshold on wet pavement achieved too soon
- Good
6th place: Nokian / Powerproof
Nokian Powerproof
- Good handling response in the dry
- Poor hydroplaning resistance
- Increased noise emission
- Good
8th place: Falken / Azenis FK510
Falken Azenis FK510
- Acceptable braking performance on wet pavement
- Good wet and dry traction
- Poor hydroplaning resistance
- Long braking distance on dry pavement
- Good
9th place: Maxxis / Victra Sport 5 VS5
Maxxis Victra Sport 5 VS5
- Great handling response in the wet
- Long braking distance on wet pavement (devalued the overall score)
- Inaccurate steering response on dry pavement
- Low riding comfort
- Satisfactory
10th place: GT Radial / SportActive 2
GT Radial SportActive 2
- Good hydroplaning resistance
- Good handling response in the dry
- Very long braking distance on wet and dry pavement (devalued the overall score)
- Poor lateral stability on wet pavement
- Possibly, will perform better on lighter and less powerful cars
- Average