2011 Tirerack Max Performance Summer Tyre Test

The amazing American tyre retailer tirerack.com has just published it's latest tyre test, "Clash of the Titans: Testing Two New Max Performance Summer Heavy Hitters".

On test are 4 of the leading brands. Bridgestone is represented by the brand new S04 Pole Position, Continental has the ExtremeContact DW, Michelin brings the new Pilot Super Sport and Pirelli puts the P Zero to test.

As always, tirerack do an extremely thorough job of testing the tyres. Not only do the tyres get a hard workout on their test track, the tyres cover over 500 miles on a real world road route consisting of A roads, motorways and county roads to enable tirerack to accurately judge the fuel consumption, comfort and noise levels.

Predictably the results are extremely close, such is the level of engineering across the top brands.

Results

	1st: Michelin Pilot Super Sport Total: 37.9 / Dry: 8.6 / Wet: 7.7 / Subjective: 7.9 / Comfort: 6.8 / Noise: 6.9 Positive: "Wow" handling and ultimate traction Negative: We'd soften the ride just a little on big bumps to make everyday commuting more civilized Overall: This is the new super star in the Max Performance Summer category
	2nd: Bridgestone Potenza S04 Pole Position Total: 37.2 / Dry: 8.5 / Wet: 7.4 / Subjective: 7.7 / Comfort: 6.8 / Noise: 6.8 Positive: Responsive steering and confidence-inspiring handling Negative: We'd like a little more ultimate grip in the dry and wet Overall: A capable tire that feels great from behind the wheel
	3rd: Continental ExtremeContact DW Total: 36.8 / Dry: 7.9 / Wet: 7.6 / Subjective: 7.3 / Comfort: 7 / Noise: 7 Positive: Comfortable road manners Negative: We'd sharpen steering response and handling precision Overall: Plenty of ultimate grip with very good ride quality
	4th: Pirelli P Zero Total: 36.7 / Dry: 8.4 / Wet: 7.4 / Subjective: 7.6 / Comfort: 6.7 / Noise: 6.6 Positive: Composed road manners and handling Negative: We'd reduce the tread noise somewhat Overall: An older but still capable tire that can't quite match the capability of newer tires

Be sure to visit tirerack for the full writeup!


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