The German motoring magazine tested summer tires, designed for such sports cars as BMW Z4 and Toyota Supra.
List of models tested:
- Bridgestone Potenza Sport
- Continental SportContact 6
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
- Nankang AS-2+
- Toyo Proxes Sport A
For its next tire test, the German publication Sportauto chose summer tires in sizes 255/35ZR19 and 275/35ZR19, the OEM tire sizes for Toyota Supra and BMW Z4. In such a combination of tires, the publication’s experts managed to find only eight options belonging to various price brackets, ranging from the premium Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S to the much more democratically priced Nankang model; the test also involved a new model of the season from Bridgestone named Potenza Sport, which has already scored first place in the 20-inch tire test, conducted by Auto Bild Sportscars magazine.
The Sportauto experts divided the tires into two major categories: the Michelin and Bridgestone models were defined as «super-sports» and referred to the UUHP category, the rest of the tires — designed to deliver not just the best grip and handling response, but also riding comfort and fuel-saving capabilities — being referred to the UHP class. Considering the distribution of the score weight over the disciplines (wet and dry pavement 40/50%, environment 10%), the tires of the first category had an advantage, and this is exactly how it eventually played out.
The main intrigue was, of course, whether the new Bridgestone tire would be able to surpass the Michelin model, a multiple winner of various tests, and on wet pavement it was all but a draw for both of them. Michelin came first in terms of braking performance and lateral stability, and, although it had issues with straight and lateral hydroplaning resistance, Bridgestone performed even worse in these two disciplines — obviously due to shallow tread depth of only 6.7mm. At the same time, the Bridgestone model redeemed itself, getting higher scores for handling response.
One must also mention the fact that in the handling test both Michelin and Bridgestone were outperformed by the relatively inexpensive Falken model, which, according to the experts, ensured very good control of the vehicle. At the same time, the Falken model also demonstrated poor hydroplaning resistance.
Speaking of outsiders, on wet track this title was proudly scored by the Toyo model, which demonstrated the longest braking distance, the worst lateral stability, and came last in the handling test. The Maxxis model failed to show itself to the best advantage, demonstrating the worst hydroplaning resistance on wet and dry pavement alike. One must remember, however, that all sports tires, which generally have a wider profile, have a harder time dispelling water from the contact area, and, as the testers noted, while these tires were losing grip already at 90 km/h, a small minivan on good regular summer tires could have easily driven safely even at 130 km/h.
On dry pavement, both UUHP tires performed at their absolute best, easily surpassing all of their rivals, this time around a small advantage being shown by the Bridgestone model, which behaved more confidently at high speeds, at the same time ensuring excellent riding comfort, and absorbing the road shocks better.
High scores were also received by the Continental and Goodyear models, while Falken and Maxxis showed good braking performance but relatively low lateral stability. Despite its relatively poor grip, the Toyo tire still showed fairly good overall results; the worst was the cheap Nankang model, which had a very long stopping distance.
After the great results that it delivered on dry pavement, one could expect the new Bridgestone model to celebrate a second victory in its debut season, and, although first place was ultimately scored by Michelin, it must be said that this model was able to achieve that due to extremely low rolling resistance, which was hardly a priority during the creation of Potenza Sport, which is evidenced by the E grade on its Euro label.
In the final standings, the «Very good» verdict was also scored by the Goodyear, Continental, and Falken tires; Maxxis earned lower points due to, among other things, poor hydroplaning resistance, while the Nankang and Toyo tires demonstrated average results, scoring last places.
Test results
1st place: Michelin / Pilot Sport 4S
Quick Take
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
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- Very short braking distance and generally high level of grip on both wet and dry pavement
- Accurate steering response on dry pavement
- Very low rolling resistance
- Slightly prone to understeer on wet pavement
- Relatively low riding comfort
- Very good
2nd place: Bridgestone / Potenza Sport
Quick Take
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
- Very high level of grip on dry, and particularly on wet pavement
- Accurate steering response on dry pavement
- Poor hydroplaning resistance
- Increased rolling resistance
- Very good
3rd place: Goodyear / Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
Quick Take
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Great handling response on wet and dry pavement
- Low rolling resistance
- Great riding comfort
- Slightly delayed steering response
- Increased noise
- Very good
4th place: Continental / SportContact 6
Quick Take
Continental SportContact 6
- Inevitably good results in any conditions — not counting the relatively long braking distance on wet pavement
- Low rolling resistance
- Great riding comfort
- Very good
5th place: Falken / Azenis FK510
Quick Take
Falken Azenis FK510
- Good results on wet pavement — not counting the relatively long braking distance on wet pavement
- Delayed steering response and poor lateral stability on dry pavement
- Relatively low riding comfort
- Increased rolling resistance
- Very good
6th place: Maxxis / Victra Sport 5 VS5
Quick Take
Maxxis Victra Sport 5 VS5
- Short braking distance on wet and dry pavement
- Good handling response on dry pavement (although has relatively weak lateral stability and prone to understeer)
- Abrupt loss of grip on wet pavement
- Poor hydroplaning resistance
- Good
7th place: Nankang / AS-2+
Quick Take
Nankang AS-2+
- Excellent hydroplaning resistance
- Low noise emission
- Delayed and fuzzy steering response
- Long braking distance and low lateral stability on wet pavement
- Long braking distance on wet and dry pavement (devalued the score)
- Insufficient handling response in the dry
- Average
8th place: Toyo / Proxes Sport A
Quick Take
Toyo Proxes Sport A
- Well-balanced performance (but the level of grip is lower than that of the leaders)
- Good hydroplaning resistance
- Long braking distance on wet pavement (devalued the score)
- High rolling resistance
- Average
