2011 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test

In 2011, the excellent German Auto Zeitung have tested 14 winter tyres throughout Europe. Running the popular 205/55 R16, fitted to a BMW 3 Series, the tyres have been thoroughly tested on snow, wet roads and in dry conditions.

The Results

	1st: Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Total: 381 / Dry: 116 / Wet: 136 / Snow: 129 Dry: Very stable, strong braking. Average rolling resistance. Wet: Strongest tyre in the wet with class leading grip and braking. Snow: Flawless in the snow makes the Goodyear an extremely safe tyre with great balance. Overall: The new Goodyear Ultragrip 8 is convincing in every respect, and confidently wins the test.
	2nd: Semperit Speed Grip 2 Total: 374 / Dry: 127 / Wet: 129 / Snow: 118 Dry: Lowest rolling resistance, short braking distances and good steering precision. Wet: Super precise turn in, very stable, good grip. Slightly weakness with aquaplaning. Snow: Very good traction and braking. Overall: The new Semperit Speed Grip 2 has impeccable precision meaning a strong 2nd place.
	3rd: Nokian WR D3 Total: 365 / Dry: 112 / Wet: 111 / Snow: 142 Dry: One of the strongest tyres under dry braking, excellent load change reactions. Wet: Fast times and high levels of security when driving in the wet. Average aquaplaning. Snow: If it's snowing the WR D3 leaves them all behind. Best grip and good neutral balance. Overall: Excellent handling on snow and good overall handling characteristics leave the Nokian WR D3 in a strong 3rd.
	4th: Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D Total: 363 / Dry: 118 / Wet: 130 / Snow: 115 Dry: Lots of feedback, good handling. Average rolling resistance value. Wet: Good wet grip. Snow: Good values for traction, braking and handling. Dynamic tyre with high safety reserves. Overall: The new Dunlop Winter Sport 4d runs well under all conditions and is always safe and sporty.
	5th: Continental WinterContact TS830 Total: 359 / Dry: 123 / Wet: 135 / Snow: 101 Dry: Good driving safety in the dry, low noise. Wet: Neutral handling, fast and safe. Snow: Slightly weak traction. Overall: Due to be replaced soon, the Continental WinterContact TS830 is still a leading winter tyre.
	6th: Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3 Total: 351 / Dry: 113 / Wet: 118 / Snow: 120 Dry: Good rolling resistance values, lots of front grip, slightly sluggish on the rear axle. Wet: High degree of driving safety, but only average aquaplaning properties. Snow: Good on slush, strong braking. Overall: Compared to the predecessor, the Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3 is a better all round tyre.
	7th: Michelin Alpin A4 Total: 350 / Dry: 114 / Wet: 120 / Snow: 116 Dry: High pass by noise, but very stable and precise. Wet: Leading aquaplaning results, excellent braking. Snow: Even on a RWD car the A4 is a safe stable tyre. Average slush performance. Overall: The Michelin Alpine A4 shows a good all round performance.
	8th: Vredestein Snowtrac 3 Total: 336 / Dry: 108 / Wet: 111 / Snow: 117 Dry: Fast times in handling and slalom, largely smooth ride. Average rolling resistance. Wet: Good braking performance and agile handling. A little oversteer on the limit. Snow: Average slush performance, otherwise clear feedback. Overall: The Vredestein Snowtrac 3 is a good all round performer.
	9th: Sava eskimo hp Total: 321 / Dry: 93 / Wet: 111 / Snow: 117 Dry: Average dry performance. Wet: Not sport tyres, but a good level of grip for safe driving. Well balanced road holding. Snow: Good snow performance, in particular braking and feedback. Overall: The Sava Eskimo HP is a well balanced winter tyre.
	10th: Bridgestone Blizzak LM32 Total: 304 / Dry: 97 / Wet: 104 / Snow: 103 Dry: Good dynamically, good ride comfort. Average rolling resistance. Wet: Slight aquaplaning weakness, slightly numb feeling. Snow: Good slush control, good braking, below average traction. Overall: The Bridgestone Blizzak LM32 has excellent slush control, slightly let down by its rolling resistance.
	11th: Fulda Kristall Control HP Total: 296 / Dry: 100 / Wet: 96 / Snow: 100 Dry: A little sluggish but otherwise a good safe performance in the dry. High noise. Wet: Tendency to understeer leaves the Fulda feeling sluggish, however once sliding it's very predictable. Snow: Good grip but slightly unbalanced. Overall: The Fulda Kirstall Control HP is unremarkable in any category, but no major weaknesses.
	12th: Firestone Winterhawk 2 EVO Total: 290 / Dry: 98 / Wet: 83 / Snow: 109 Dry: Fast slalom and quick handling, sometimes too quick resulting in oversteer. Wet: Poor aquaplaning and long braking. Snow: Good braking and excellent in slush. Moderate traction. Overall: The Winterhalk 2 EVO is good in the snow, not enough wet grip leaves the Firestone 12th.
	13th: Apollo Acelere Winter Total: 276 / Dry: 114 / Wet: 77 / Snow: 85 Dry: Surprisingly strong dry braking. Average rolling resistance. Wet: Good traction, however poor aquaplaning and nervous cornering. Snow: Long braking distances and random violent oversteer. Overall: Other than an excellent dry braking performance, the Apollo Acelere leaves a lot to be desired.
	14th: GT Radial Champiro Winterpro Total: 243 / Dry: 97 / Wet: 63 / Snow: 83 Dry: Long stopping distances and poor balance. Wet: Traction and cornering are the weak points of the GT Radial. Poor aquaplaning results. Snow: Poor balance leaving the car often unpredictable. Overall: Poor snow and wet grip leave the GT Radial in last place.

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