2015 AZ 225/40 R18 Summer Tyre Test

Test Summary
Wet BrakingPirelli P Zero
Dry BrakingPirelli P Zero
Rolling ResistanceGoodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2
NoiseGoodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2
Continental Sport Contact 5
Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3
Snow HandlingGoodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2
Kumho Ecsta PS91
Falken FK453
Westlake SA 07
Dunlop SportMaxx RT
The 2015 Auto Zeitung summer ultra high performance tyre test is here, and once again the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 is back on the top step!

This year AZ have tested fourteen tyre patterns in the popular 225/40 R18 tyre size. During the testing they covered over 1,200km of dry and wet testing, and weighted the scores in favour of the wet results.

There were no real surprises in the top six places, with Bridgestone the only premium brand being edged out by Nokian. None the less, this is a strong result for the Bridgestone Turanza T001 which seems to have come good in the last six months of testing, normally Bridgestone would have submitted the Potenza S001 in this size, so there's obviously an upgrade to the range happening.

Vredestein ended up in a disappointing 11th with the Vorti. The Ultrac Sessanta was always well regarded for its wet performance, however the Vorti seems to have taken a step back when compared to its other midrange rivals such as Falken, Kumho and Nokian.

As always, the test was concluded with a budget tyre. The Westlake had some of the best rolling resistance on test, but had extremely long wet braking distances, and a tendency to snap oversteer in the wet, combined with early understeer in the dry.

Results

1st: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2
  • 225/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 269
  2. Dry: 99
  3. Wet: 129
  4. Comfort: 8
  5. Rolling Resistance: 25
  6. Noise: 8
High traction, good lateral support and braking on wet surfaces, short braking distances and high level of safety in the dry, low rolling resistance

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2nd: Pirelli P Zero

Pirelli P Zero
  • 225/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 263
  2. Dry: 102
  3. Wet: 134
  4. Comfort: 7
  5. Rolling Resistance: 13
  6. Noise: 7
Very short braking distances, excellent handling and predictable behavior at the limit of grip on wet surfaces, Good handling and safe execution of the emergency maneuver in the dry

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3rd: Continental Sport Contact 5

Continental Sport Contact 5
  • 225/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 253
  2. Dry: 96
  3. Wet: 130
  4. Comfort: 8
  5. Rolling Resistance: 14
  6. Noise: 5
Good handling when cornering on wet surface, High resistance to aquaplaning, Low rolling resistance, Good results in the dry
Longer braking on wet surfaces, high noise levels

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4th: Dunlop SportMaxx RT

Dunlop SportMaxx RT
  • 225/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 246
  2. Dry: 94
  3. Wet: 113
  4. Comfort: 7
  5. Rolling Resistance: 24
  6. Noise: 8
Short braking distances on wet surfaces, short braking distance on dry roads, low rolling resistance
Slow response to steering and a tendency to understeer in the dry

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5th: Nokian zLine

Nokian zLine
  • 225/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 246
  2. Dry: 93
  3. Wet: 116
  4. Comfort: 7
  5. Rolling Resistance: 23
  6. Noise: 7
Good braking on dry and wet surfaces, low rolling resistance
Lack of agility and lateral stability in the wet, tendency to oversteer in the dry

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6th: Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3

Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3
  • 225/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 245
  2. Dry: 92
  3. Wet: 121
  4. Comfort: 8
  5. Rolling Resistance: 17
  6. Noise: 7
Predictable behavior with a tendency to understeer in the wet, effective braking on wet surface, good handling on dry roads, best time slalom in the dry

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7th: Bridgestone Turanza T001

Bridgestone Turanza T001
  • 225/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 244
  2. Dry: 96
  3. Wet: 114
  4. Comfort: 7
  5. Rolling Resistance: 20
  6. Noise: 7
Good traction on wet roads, high speed, good security and straight steering response on dry road, low rolling resistance
Relatively long braking distances on wet surfaces

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8th: Yokohama Advan Sport V105

Yokohama Advan Sport V105
  • 225/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 236
  2. Dry: 98
  3. Wet: 115
  4. Comfort: 7
  5. Rolling Resistance: 10
  6. Noise: 6
Balanced behavior, good lateral stability of the front wheels and acceptable braking properties on wet surface, good lap time and high grip on dry surfaces
High rolling resistance

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9th: Falken FK453

Falken FK453
  • 225/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 233
  2. Dry: 96
  3. Wet: 110
  4. Comfort: 6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 13
  6. Noise: 8
Good resistance to aquaplaning, good lateral stability and late transition to understeer in the wet, stable handling on dry roads
Relatively long braking distances on wet surfaces, high rolling resistance

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10th: Kumho Ecsta PS91

Kumho Ecsta PS91
  • 225/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 223
  2. Dry: 92
  3. Wet: 100
  4. Comfort: 7
  5. Rolling Resistance: 16
  6. Noise: 8
Good dry braking, low rolling resistance
Poor handling and a relatively long braking distances on wet surfaces, tendency to oversteer in the dry

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11th: Vredestein Ultrac Vorti

Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
  • 225/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 216
  2. Dry: 94
  3. Wet: 93
  4. Comfort: 7
  5. Rolling Resistance: 15
  6. Noise: 7
Good lateral grip on the front axle on a dry surface, short braking distance on dry roads
Nervous behavior and long braking distances on wet roads, tendency to oversteer in the dry

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12th: Fulda SportControl

Fulda SportControl
  • 225/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 201
  2. Dry: 86
  3. Wet: 81
  4. Comfort: 6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 21
  6. Noise: 7
Low rolling resistance
Long braking distances on wet surfaces - a clear tendency to understeer and long braking distances on dry roads

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13th: Cooper Zeon CS Sport

Cooper Zeon CS Sport
  • 225/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 190
  2. Dry: 84
  3. Wet: 79
  4. Comfort: 6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 14
  6. Noise: 7
Long stopping distances, remarkable tendency to oversteer and low speed cornering on wet surfaces, low traction and braking in the dry

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14th: Westlake SA 07

Westlake SA 07
  • 225/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 171
  2. Dry: 75
  3. Wet: 60
  4. Comfort: 7
  5. Rolling Resistance: 21
  6. Noise: 8
Low rolling resistance
Nervous handling on the rear axle, and the longest braking distances on wet surfaces, poor resistance to aquaplaning, long braking distances and very early transition to understeer in the dry

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