2011 Auto Zeitung Max Performance Tyre Test

Auto Zeitung always put on a good tyre test, and this year they’ve tested 14 different 225/45 r17 tyres on an Audi A3, including new tyres from Goodyear, Pirelli, Sava, Nexen and Firestone.

The results are closer than ever, with both the dry and wet performance scores hotly contested. Overall, the new Pirelli P Zero wins thanks to it’s incredibly high wet grip and strong scores in every category. The new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 places second thanks to it's class leading braking and low rolling resistance, while the Goodyears sister tyre, Dunlop Sport Maxx TT rounded out the top 3 due to it’s sporty handling and excellent grip throughout.

As always with Auto Zeitung, the scores are bias towards wet performance, and subjective feel of the tyres isn't judged.

Full results

	1st: Pirelli P Zero Total: 257 / Dry: 102 / Wet: 138 / Rolling Resistance: 11 / Comfort: 6 Dry: On dry asphalt the Pirelli is outstanding, with excellent handing and great stablility Wet: Fastest tyre on the wet lap and best wet braking performance. Only average in curved aquaplaning Overall: Outstanding in the wet and great in the dry, the sport P Zero convinces and deserves to win the test
	2nd: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 Total: 252 / Dry: 99 / Wet: 125 / Rolling Resistance: 20 / Comfort: 8 Dry: Shortest dry stopping and lowest rolling resistance Wet: The revised Goodyear is an extremely stable tyre with netural balance and clear feedback Overall: Extremely strong under braking and always a safe tyre offering precise feedback and low fuel consumption
	3rd: Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT Total: 248 / Dry: 103 / Wet: 126 / Rolling Resistance: 12 / Comfort: 7 Dry: In the dry the Dunlop is strong on the brakes and offers excellent feedback. Only let down by a relatively high rolling resistance Wet: Fantastic wet handling with good feedback, exact steering and exemplary balance Overall: The agile Sport Maxx TT speaks to the sporty driver
	4th: Hankook Ventus S1 evo Total: 241 / Dry: 93 / Wet: 126 / Rolling Resistance: 15 / Comfort: 7 Dry: Strong grip and a good neutral balance, let down by a slight lack of feedback Wet: Excellent wet grip and handling Overall: The S1 EVO's strong wet performance places it a respectable 4th
	5th: Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 Total: 237 / Dry: 96 / Wet: 121 / Rolling Resistance: 12 / Comfort: 8 Dry: Excellent dry handling let down by a slightly high rolling resistance Wet: Secure in the wet with slight understeer at the limit Overall: A slight trade off of rolling resistance for an excellent wet performance
	6th: Continental Sport Contact 3 Total: 235 / Dry: 101 / Wet: 113 / Rolling Resistance: 15 / Comfort: 6 Dry: Very stable in the dry, offering fantastic braking and a fast lap time Wet: Very fast wet lap, but demanded a lot of driver skill Overall: Even with the new Sport Contact 5P available, the 3 still performs extremely well
	7th: Bridgestone Potenza S001 Total: 234 / Dry: 108 / Wet: 107 / Rolling Resistance: 13 / Comfort: 6 Dry: The fastest tyre in the dry Wet: The wet tests indicated Bridgestone has chosen to concentrate more on the dry performance of the tyre Overall: Bridgestone have traded wet performance for improved dry grip, where it sets the benchmark
	8th: Nokian Z G2 Total: 232 / Dry: 92 / Wet: 120 / Rolling Resistance: 14 / Comfort: 6 Dry: Good natured dry performance with no real weakness Wet: The Nokian forgives driving errors with a neutral balance in the wet Overall: The combination of the A3 and Z G2 is a good combination and shows the Nokian to have no significant weakness
	9th: Fulda SportControl Total: 225 / Dry: 85 / Wet: 115 / Rolling Resistance: 18 / Comfort: 7 Dry: Excellent rolling resistance and low noise. Under hard dry cornering the Fulda looses a little accuracy Wet: High steering precision and good wet grip Overall: The Fulda SportControl is the best of the cheaper tyres
	10th: Sava intensa uhp Total: 218 / Dry: 85 / Wet: 110 / Rolling Resistance: 17 / Comfort: 6 Dry: Again the Intensa UHP has a little oversteer, but quick dry lap times Wet: The Sava performs a lot like the Fulda in the wet, however offers a little more oversteer Overall: The new Sava is an alternative for bargain hunters
	11th: Vredestein Ultrac Cento Total: 210 / Dry: 87 / Wet: 102 / Rolling Resistance: 13 / Comfort: 8 Dry: A comfortable tyre in the dry, the Ultrac Cento reaches it's limit of grip earlier than other tyres Wet: Excellent aquaplaning results but let down by it's long wet braking performance Overall: Good comfort but long wet braking leave the Vredestein 11th
	12th: BFGoodrich g Force Profiler Total: 203 / Dry: 84 / Wet: 97 / Rolling Resistance: 15 / Comfort: 7 Dry: Reasonable grip but poor turn in Wet: Easy wet handling but sensitive on curved aquaplaning Overall: Despite the V profile, the BF Goodrich has problems with aquaplaning and only average dry qualities
	13th: Nexen N8000 Total: 201 / Dry: 84 / Wet: 106 / Rolling Resistance: 5 / Comfort: 6 Dry: Poor dry braking and high rolling resistance Wet: The N8000 scores extremely well in the aquaplaning tests, but has only average wet lap time Overall: Aquaplaning is the largest strength of the Nexen, longest dry braking and highest rolling resistance costs it valuable points
	14th: Firestone Firehawk SZ90 Total: 174 / Dry: 78 / Wet: 80 / Rolling Resistance: 10 / Comfort: 6 Dry: Slowest dry lap and slowest in the slalom Wet: Average aquaplaning and join slowest wet lap time Overall: While the Firestones unusual profile makes the tyre look quick, it's unconvincing in both the wet and dry

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