Autobild Sportcars: Summer Test R19 2026

Autobild Sportcars: Summer Test R19

Auto Bild Sportscars has published a specialized summer tire evaluation for staggered fitments, testing eight premium performance tires in sizes 255/35 R19 and 275/35 R19. This configuration is commonly found on sports cars including the BMW Z4, Toyota Supra, and F-series BMW M3 and M4 models.

Testing was conducted at the Wachauring circuit in Austria using a BMW Z4 as the test vehicle. The comprehensive evaluation covered wet and dry handling, braking, aquaplaning resistance, skidpad grip, noise levels, and rolling resistance. The field includes Continental, Bridgestone, Pirelli, Vredestein, Kumho, Michelin, Hankook, and Goodyear.

  1. Continental SportContact 7 - Winner Recommended
    Continental SportContact 7
    95 62
    · Summer · 2022 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    The Continental SportContact 7 secures a decisive victory, dominating nearly every performance category with benchmark precision. It sets the standard with sharp steering feedback, crisp turn-in, and class-leading braking on both wet and dry surfaces. The tire remains controllable and confidence-inspiring at the limit, making it the top choice for driving enthusiasts. Its only compromises are slightly elevated rolling resistance and mid-pack straight aquaplaning.

    Wet Handling   Wet Circle   Subj. Comfort   Wet Braking   Dry Handling   Dry Braking   Straight Aquaplaning   Rolling Resistance  
    USA+ USA+ · Mexico Mexico · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · East Asia East Asia · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East
    Test Score:
    98.3
  2. Bridgestone Potenza Sport Recommended
    Bridgestone Potenza Sport
    84 64
    · Summer · 2021 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    The Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo claims a strong second-place finish by delivering exceptional wet-road grip and precise, sporty handling. It builds the highest lateral forces on the wet circle, keeping the chassis neutral and controllable, while dry braking trails the leader by mere centimeters. Steering feel is precise, and the dry character is engaging, placing it in a tight midfield group of performers. The trade-offs for this dynamic competence are elevated pass-by noise and slightly higher rolling resistance.

    Steering Response   Wet Circle   Subj. Comfort   Wet Braking   Dry Handling   Dry Braking   Wet Handling   Straight Aquaplaning   Noise   Rolling Resistance  
    North America North America · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · China China · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East · Africa Africa · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    97.2
  3. Vredestein Ultrac Pro
    Vredestein Ultrac Pro
    N/A 29
    · Summer · 2024 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    The Vredestein Ultrac Pro secures third place as a dry-road expert with a balanced, predictable driving character. It posts a short dry braking distance, delivers engaging dry handling, and is the quietest tire in the test while offering good fuel-saving potential through low rolling resistance. At a competitive price, it represents strong value as a consistent all-rounder, though it doesn't lead in any single wet-weather discipline.

    Rolling Resistance   Driving Safety   Price   Dry Handling   Dry Braking   Noise   Wet Handling   Wet Braking   Wet Circle  
    USA+ USA+ · Europe Europe
    Test Score:
    95.5
  4. Pirelli P Zero PZ5
    Pirelli P Zero PZ5
    N/A 41
    · Summer · 2025 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    The Pirelli P Zero PZ5 secures third place as a dedicated wet-weather specialist, delivering dynamic handling and strong aquaplaning resistance in the rain. It generates impressive lateral grip on the wet circle and maintains a neutral, controllable chassis balance. This focus on wet safety comes at the cost of dry-road precision, where handling and braking distances trail the leaders, making it a solid safety-oriented choice rather than the sharpest tool for dry tarmac.

    Wet Handling   Wet Circle   Lateral Aquaplaning   Driving Safety   Straight Aquaplaning   Rolling Resistance   Subj. Comfort   Wet Braking   Dry Handling   Dry Braking  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe
    Test Score:
    94.7
  5. Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z K129
    Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z K129
    N/A 30
    · Summer · 2020 · Passenger - Extreme Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    The Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z finishes seventh, distinguished by the most balanced aquaplaning behavior in the test, with both axles losing grip at identical speeds. It delivers short dry braking and the lowest rolling resistance, making it a reasonably priced option with strong efficiency credentials. The main compromise is wet handling, where it lacks the reserve grip of the front-runners, losing significant time on the wet circuit.

    Rolling Resistance   Driving Safety   Price   Straight Aquaplaning   Dry Braking   Wet Handling   Wet Braking   Wet Circle  
    Canada Canada · Central & South America Central & South America · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · South Korea South Korea · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East
    Test Score:
    94.5
  6. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
    Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
    87 72
    · Summer · 2017 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S finishes fifth, demonstrating outstanding dry-road capability with the second-fastest handling lap and precise turn-in, yet its overall rating is undermined by a critical wet-weather imbalance. It leads the test in front-axle aquaplaning resistance, but the rear axle loses grip significantly earlier—the largest front-to-rear imbalance recorded—creating a potential safety concern in standing water. Wet handling and braking are below average for this field, and at the highest price in the test, the value proposition is difficult to justify.

    Dry Handling   Straight Aquaplaning   Rolling Resistance   Wet Handling   Wet Circle   Driving Safety   Price   Wet Braking  
    North America North America · Central & South America Central & South America · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · Japan Japan · South Korea South Korea · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East · Africa Africa · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    93.5
  7. Kumho Ecsta Sport S PS72
    Kumho Ecsta Sport S PS72
    N/A 29
    · Summer · 2025 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    The Kumho Ecsta Sport S PS72 finishes fifth as the most affordable tire in the test, delivering decent and well-rounded performance without any critical safety weaknesses. It matches the class leaders in wet skidpad grip and posts solid dry braking distances, representing a sensible budget option that doesn't meaningfully compromise safety. The trade-offs for this value are dry handling that lags the front-runners, slightly extended wet braking, and elevated rolling resistance.

    Dry Braking   Driving Safety   Price   Wet Circle   Wet Handling   Wet Circle   Rolling Resistance   Wet Braking   Dry Handling  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe
    Test Score:
    93
  8. Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport
    Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport
    83 64
    · Summer · 2018 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    The Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport finishes last, but its performance appears fundamentally compromised by a severe fitment mismatch with the BMW Z4 rather than an inherent tire deficiency. It loses over 15 km/h to the leader on the wet handling course, posts the slowest dry handling time with unbalanced feel, and requires an additional 9.1 meters to stop from 100 km/h in the wet—meaning it is still traveling at nearly 40 km/h when the Continental has already halted. Aquaplaning resistance is its only relative strength. This result should be viewed as a specific application failure rather than a judgment of the tire's overall capability.

    Straight Aquaplaning   Wet Handling   Rolling Resistance   Subj. Comfort   Driving Safety   Wet Braking   Dry Handling   Dry Braking   Noise  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · Japan Japan · China China · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East · South Africa South Africa · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    87.8
Year
2026
Max Score, points
100
Tire Size
255/35R19
Season
Summer
Auto Type
Passenger
List Type
Professional Tire Test
Region
Europe
Date added
Mar 11, 2026
Date updated
Mar 19, 2026

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