2012 Auto Bild SUV and 4x4 Winter Tyre Test

While it's true that SUVs, 4x4s and four wheel drive vehicles can offer improved traction in the snow over their two wheel drive counterparts, they sadly don't offer any advantages under braking and steering, meaning if you want to keep mobile in all conditions, winter tyres can help.

This year Auto Bild tested seven different tyres in 235/55 R17, fitted to an Audi A6 All Road. Below are the results.

The Results

	1st: Continental WinterContact TS 830 P Total: 39 / Dry: 6 / Wet: 6 / Snow: 8 / Rolling Resistance: 7 / Comfort: 7 / Noise: 5 Positive: Very good on snow, very well balanced and strong in the wet and dry Negative: Expensive, slightly increased noise Overall: Exemplary
	2nd: Pirelli Scorpion Winter Total: 40 / Dry: 6 / Wet: 6 / Snow: 8 / Rolling Resistance: 8 / Comfort: 6 / Noise: 6 Positive: Very good on snow, low rolling resistance, good in the wet and dry Negative: Average comfort Overall: Ideal
	3rd: Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D Total: 37 / Dry: 5 / Wet: 5 / Snow: 9 / Rolling Resistance: 5 / Comfort: 7 / Noise: 6 Positive: Very good on snow, high resistance to aquaplaning, good lateral grip in the wet Negative: Expensive, average rolling resistance, average in the wet Overall: Good
	4th: Bridgestone Blizzak LM80 Total: 42 / Dry: 7 / Wet: 5 / Snow: 6 / Rolling Resistance: 9 / Comfort: 8 / Noise: 7 Positive: Very quiet winter tyres, short braking distance on snow, low rolling resistance Negative: Average aquaplaning, poor cornering on snow, average wet braking Overall: Good
	5th: Nokian WR A3 Total: 35 / Dry: 6 / Wet: 5 / Snow: 6 / Rolling Resistance: 7 / Comfort: 5 / Noise: 6 Positive: Very good in the dry, short braking distance on dry roads, low price Negative: Reduced lateral grip in snow, average wet braking Overall: Good
	6th: Cooper Discoverer MS Sport Total: 21 / Dry: 4 / Wet: 2 / Snow: 4 / Rolling Resistance: 4 / Comfort: 4 / Noise: 3 Positive: Reasonably good price, good in aquaplaning tests, acceptable stopping distance in dry conditions Negative: Long wet braking distance, moderate snow and wet performance, high noise and rolling resistance Overall: Poor
	7th: Marangoni Meteo HP SUV Total: 25 / Dry: 3 / Wet: 2 / Snow: 6 / Rolling Resistance: 3 / Comfort: 5 / Noise: 6 Positive: Cheap, good on snow, quiet and comfortable enough for winter tires Negative: Long braking distance on wet and dry, little grip in wet cornering, high rolling resistance Overall: Not recommended

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