2014 AMS Winter Tyre Test

Test Summary
Wet BrakingPirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3
Dry BrakingContinental WinterContact TS 850
Wet HandlingGoodyear UltraGrip 9
Rolling ResistanceContinental WinterContact TS 850
Snow HandlingWestlake SW 608
The 2014 Auto Motor Und Sport tyre test was carried out in Sweden and Germany, and covered ten winter tyres in 205/55 R16.

As usual, the emphasis of this test was placed on snow performance, with the results of the test weighted accordingly. This means for climates which see less snow, it’s worth breaking down the results yourself to take into account the balance of dry, wet and snow grip.

Results

1st: Continental WinterContact TS 850

Continental WinterContact TS 850
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 45.2
  2. Dry: 8.7
  3. Wet: 9.5
  4. Snow: 9
  5. Rolling Resistance: 10
  6. Noise: 8
Very balanced tyres, Good performance on snow, excellent performance in the wet, low rolling resistance
None listed

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2nd: Goodyear UltraGrip 9

Goodyear UltraGrip 9
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 42.7
  2. Dry: 8.1
  3. Wet: 8.8
  4. Snow: 9.8
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7
  6. Noise: 9
Very short stopping distances and high lateral stability in the snow, good grip in the wet and dry, low noise
Slightly long braking distances in the wet

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3rd: Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D

Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 42.4
  2. Dry: 8.1
  3. Wet: 8.3
  4. Snow: 9
  5. Rolling Resistance: 8
  6. Noise: 9
Good handling, short braking and good cornering in the snow, wet and dry
Relatively high rolling resistance, noise

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4th: Michelin Alpin 5

Michelin Alpin 5
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 41.4
  2. Dry: 7.8
  3. Wet: 9.2
  4. Snow: 9.4
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7
  6. Noise: 8
Good handling in the snow, short braking distance in the wet, high resistance to aquaplaning, good comfort
Relatively poor performance in the dry, relatively high rolling resistance

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5th: Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3

Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 40.3
  2. Dry: 9.1
  3. Wet: 8.8
  4. Snow: 8.4
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7
  6. Noise: 7
Show braking distances and good handling in the snow, very good grip in the dry and wet
Low resistance to aquaplaning, high rolling resistance

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6th: Nokian WR D3

Nokian WR D3
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 40.8
  2. Dry: 9
  3. Wet: 8
  4. Snow: 8.8
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7
  6. Noise: 8
Excellent all round grip in the snow, good cornering in the dry, high resistance to aquaplaning, good all round performance in the dry
Relatively long braking distances in the wet, high rolling resistance

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7th: Bridgestone Blizzak LM32

Bridgestone Blizzak LM32
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 39.6
  2. Dry: 9
  3. Wet: 8.2
  4. Snow: 7.4
  5. Rolling Resistance: 6
  6. Noise: 9
Great grip and handling in the dry
Poor grip in snow, high rolling resistance

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8th: Hankook Winter i cept RS

Hankook Winter i cept RS
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 39.8
  2. Dry: 8.6
  3. Wet: 6.8
  4. Snow: 8.4
  5. Rolling Resistance: 9
  6. Noise: 7
Short braking distances and good traction on snow, good resistance to aquaplaning, precise steering response and excellent grip in the dry, low rolling resistance
Relatively weak lateral stability and understeer in the snow and on dry roads

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9th: Toyo Snowprox S943

Toyo Snowprox S943
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 38.6
  2. Dry: 8.9
  3. Wet: 6.7
  4. Snow: 8
  5. Rolling Resistance: 8
  6. Noise: 7
Good traction and short braking in the snow and dry roads, good handling in the dry, low rolling resistance
Weak lateral stability in the snow, long braking distance and poor grip in the wet, low resistance to aquaplaning

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10th: Westlake SW 608

Westlake SW 608
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 38.4
  2. Dry: 7.6
  3. Wet: 6.8
  4. Snow: 7
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7
  6. Noise: 10
Acceptable braking on snow and dry roads, good handling in the dry, low noise
Weak lateral stability and traction in the snow. Low grip and slow steering in the wet, high risk of aquaplaning, high rolling resistance

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