245/35R19

AutoView 2022: Summer Tire Test R19

Source: autoview.co.kr

The Korean portal AutoView assessed whether tires from the domestic brand of Hankook can hold their own against European competitors.

In its next test, the Korean portal AutoView compared four UHP tire models — the Continental SportContact 7, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S, Pirelli P Zero, and the Hankook Ventus S1 evo Z from the main domestic tire maker. There are other tire models of this category available on the market, such as Goodyear from the Eagle F1 Asymmetric series, Kumho Ecsta PS91, Bridgestone Potenza Sport, and others, but the AV experts explained that the Goodyear is relatively little known in Korea, the PS91 model was originally developed for the Porsche 991 (and this year it celebrates its 10th anniversary), which means that this tire is likely to be inferior to newer models, and, as for the Bridgestone model, at the time of the test, it was not yet imported to Korea.

The tire models that the experts selected for the test also had their peculiarities. For example, the Michelin model was once homologated for the Mercedes-AMG, and, possibly, this tire had an edge in the test because the test car was an AMG A 45 4Matic+. Originally, the experts wanted to test the version designed for the aftermarket, but they did not find it on sale, and the Michelin Korea is not planning to import it (and, by the way, according to the AV intelligence, a newer model — Michelin Pilot Sport 5 S — will be introduced as early as this year). Thus, only tires homologated for the AMG or Hyundai Avante N are available to local drivers, or they need to order tires in Europe, which will increase costs from 800 thousand to 1 million won.

The tires were tested using Mercedes AMG A 45 4Matic+.
The tires were tested using Mercedes AMG A 45 4Matic+. Source: autoview.co.kr

The tested Pirelli P Zero model was also designed for the OE sector, specifically for the Lamborghini Huracan, and the experts were unable to find an aftermarket version of this tire either. As for the Continental model, its import to Korea was supposed to start in May 2022, yet its launch was rescheduled to June, and even after that the tires were for a certain time supplied in limited quantities. Predictably, the Hankook set of tires could be purchased with no problem, and the industry representatives stated before the AV test that this tire stood a fair chance of success compared to its European rivals.

For the test, the size of 245/35 R19 was chosen because, even though it was originally planned to test 18-inch tires, it turned out later that some of the participants were only manufactured in the size with a 19-inch fitting diameter. Before the test, the tires were weighed, and the lightest turned out to be the Continental model (10.3 kg), while Michelin was 100 grams heavier. Pirelli’s weight varied from 10.4 to 19.7 kg, which came as a little bit of a surprise, considering the prestigious status of this brand, while the heaviest tires were Hankook (10.7 kg). The weight of the tires was considered in the combined score, and the Pirelli model received the lowest grade to the varying weight.

The experts also measured the tread depth, and the deepest grooves were found in the Pirelli tire, while the shallowest ones in Hankook. The AV experts noted that sometimes this figure can be considered to be a hint at the tire’s future tread life, but, since all the tread compounds are different, there is, of course, no direct dependency. Another parameter that was measured was tread stiffness, and the stiffest turned out to be the Hankook model, the softest being Continental. Generally speaking, stiff tread is often considered to indicate long tread life, while soft tread may spell increased ride comfort.

Noise

Test discipline: noise.
Test discipline: noise. Source: autoview.co.kr

Even though the tires chosen for the test refer to the UHP category, its noise emission also matters because they may be used for both everyday driving and long trips as well. The noise was measured in two sections — on usual tarmac and on special pavement, on which the tires undergo certification tests. On regular tarmac, the lowest noise emission was demonstrated by Continental and Michelin, while the loudest tire was Pirelli. The Hankook was also pretty noisy, but it was still quieter than the P Zero. On the special pavement, all the tires were much quieter, but even here the Pirelli model «distinguished itself» with the noisiest ride.

Noise

Continental
63.7
Michelin
63.8
Hankook
64.9
Pirelli
65.3

Info! The noise level at a speed 80 km/h, db(A).


Comfort

The «comfort» discipline involved evaluating the tire’s ability to absorb shock and vibration, and the best performance in this area was demonstrated by the Continental model, which, as we remember, had the softest tread compound on test. The Michelin tire also received a high score, but some slight vibrations at high speeds — 150 km/h and higher — were recorded, while in the case of Pirelli the shaking began already at 140 km/h, and Hankook’s shock-absorbing performance was even poorer.

Wet Braking

In Europe, effective wet braking is commonly considered to be the most important characteristic of summer tires, but in Korea this performance area is not given as much attention, while the local manufacturers work on improving this particular parameter of their tires just to make sure that they meet European standards. The AV experts noted that the Nexen tires, for example, used to have very poor wet performance, but recently the technologists purposefully improved it.

Wet Braking

Hankook
29.43
Continental
29.96
Pirelli
31.00
Michelin
31.77

Info! Wet braking from 80 to 0 km/h, m.


The braking distance was measured at 80 km/h on a surface with decreased traction coefficient, and the first place was scored by the Hankook model, which was ultimately able to surpass its major contenders, and, even more importantly, in the key discipline. Next-placed were Continental, Pirelli, and Michelin, the Pilot Sport’s braking distance being 2.3 meters longer than that of the leader’s, which is quite a lot.

Wet Handling

In the wet handling test, the Hankook tire again surpassed its rivals. At the same time, the AV experts noted that the proving ground of the KATRI research institute is not really suited for handling tests, for which usually a specially designated section is built, but, one way or another, the Hankook model scored one point higher than the other tires, «generally behaving very much like the Ventis S1 evo Z».

Dry Braking

While in Europe the drivers pay attention first of all to the tires’ wet performance, the Korean motorists, especially if they drive a sports car, first of all value the tires’ dry performance. The best dry braking was demonstrated by Continental, followed by Pirelli, its braking distance being a meter longer, which is crucial in such conditions.

Dry Braking

Continental
36.37
Pirelli
37.51
Hankook
37.76
Michelin
37.79

Info! Dry braking from 100 to 0 km/h, m.


Slalom

In the slalom section, the best results were again shown by Continental, which reliably maintained grip, keeping the car from going into a skid; second-placed was Pirelli, which was commended for tackling the loads when the driver pressed the gas pedal. The Michelin tires, on the other hand, did start slipping during acceleration, even though they had a good lateral grip, while the Hankook model fell behind the competitors because its grip on the rear axle noticeably deteriorated after a few runs. The AV experts noted that the Hankook always had such issues, and the manufacturer still did not address them.

Test discipline: slalom
Test discipline: slalom. Source: autoview.co.kr

Dry Handling

To conduct the dry handling tests, the experts set out for the Taebaek racing circuit, and the car was driven by the professional racer Jung Eui Chul, who used to be one of Kumho’s test pilots. Eventually, the best lap time was shown by the Michelin tire, which confidently handled all the loads in any situation. «The PS 4S warms up faster than the rest, and has the highest level of grip, which is something that gives it an edge in the test» — Jung said.

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Test discipline: dry handling. Source: autoview.co.kr

The second place was scored by Continental, even though it must be said it was a mere 0.1 second behind Michelin; third-placed was Pirelli, and Hankook’s result was rated as a «disappointment», and the problem was again the quick deterioration of grip.

Dry Handling

Michelin
64.45
Continental
64.54
Pirelli
64.77
Hankook
64.91

Info! Lap time, sec.


Treadwear

After the racetrack tests, the experts assessed the tire wear, and the tire that was most intact was the Michelin. The wear of Continental was a little more prominent, and Pirelli was less worn than Hankook, but at the same time the experts found that a few pieces of the tread were missing. The Hankook tire was worn more than the rest, but it did not have the problem of missing fragments, and if the tire’s state had been taken into consideration in the final standings, it would have been Pirelli that would have received the lowest scores.

Tires in the test
Tires in the test

In the final standings, first place was scored by the Continental SportContact 7, which performs admirably in any conditions. You may read more about the tires’ performance in the summary table. In all the disciplines, the tires could score up to 10 points for the sole exception of the dry handling test, where the maximum number of points was doubled.