2017 AMS Summer UHP Tyre Test

Test Summary
Wet BrakingPirelli P Zero PZ4
Dry BrakingMichelin Pilot Sport 4
WearMichelin Pilot Sport 4
Rolling ResistanceContinental Premium Contact 6
NoisePirelli P Zero PZ4
Snow HandlingMichelin Pilot Sport 4
Toyo Proxes Sport
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
Falken Azenis FK510
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
For 2017, Auto Motor und Sport have tested ten 245/45 R18 ultra high performance tyres using a BMW 3 Series Estate.

This test is the first time the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 and Continental Premium Contact 6 have appeared in the same test, which should give us some interesting data about the two big rivals.

Wet

Over the previous few years, Continental  have been the masters of the wet testing, but this time the wet tests were largely dominated by Michelin. The French manufacturer won the all important wet braking and wet handling tests, scored well in the wet circle and straight aquaplaning tests, but showed weakness in the curved aquaplaning test, finishing ninth of ten.

The new Continental could only manage third overall in wet braking, and sixth overall in wet handling. Like the Michelin, the Continental struggled in aquaplaning tests, finishing last overall in curved aquaplaning.

Dry

Pirelli and Michelin traded first and third position for the two key dry tests. Michelin won the dry braking, with Pirelli in third, and Pirelli posted the fastest dry lap time, with Michelin third.

Continental comparatively struggled again, fourth in dry braking, and could only match its wet handling result, finishing sixth fastest in dry handling.

Under rolling resistance testing, the Continental proved best, a long way ahead of second place Vredestein. Michelin could only take seventh in this test, leading the testers to hypothesise Continental have traded too much rolling resistance in improved tread wear for wet grip.

The full results are below. Auto Motor und Sport weight the scores 50% wet, 40% dry and 10% rolling resistance / noise.

Results

1st: Michelin Pilot Sport 4

Michelin Pilot Sport 4
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 53.7
  2. Dry: 9.8
  3. Wet: 9.5
  4. Comfort: 9
  5. Rolling Resistance: 6
  6. Noise: 10
  7. Overall: 9.4
Excellent handling on dry and wet surfaces, precise steering response and predictable behavior under all conditions
Poor resistance to lateral hydroplaning
Highly recommended

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2nd: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Pirelli P Zero PZ4
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 51
  2. Dry: 9.9
  3. Wet: 8.3
  4. Comfort: 10
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7
  6. Noise: 7
  7. Overall: 8.8
Very good handling and precise steering response on dry roads, good levels of comfort
Relatively long stopping distances on wet surfaces, poor resistance to lateral aquaplaning, increased noise
Recommended

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3rd: Continental Premium Contact 6

Continental Premium Contact 6
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 51.3
  2. Dry: 8.8
  3. Wet: 8.1
  4. Comfort: 9
  5. Rolling Resistance: 10
  6. Noise: 7
  7. Overall: 8.4
Good handling on dry roads
Relatively weak lateral stability and tendency to understeer in the wet
Recommended

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4th: Hankook Ventus S1 evo2

Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 49.1
  2. Dry: 8.5
  3. Wet: 8.4
  4. Comfort: 9
  5. Rolling Resistance: 5
  6. Noise: 10
  7. Overall: 8.2
Balanced performance, low noise level
Doesn't feel sporty when compared to the best
Recommended

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5th: Falken Azenis FK510

Falken Azenis FK510
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 47.4
  2. Dry: 7.7
  3. Wet: 8.7
  4. Comfort: 8
  5. Rolling Resistance: 5
  6. Noise: 10
  7. Overall: 8
Short braking distances and good handling on wet roads, comfortable
Slow steering during emergency maneuvers on dry surfaces
Recommended

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6th: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 49
  2. Dry: 9
  3. Wet: 7.1
  4. Comfort: 8
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7
  6. Noise: 10
  7. Overall: 7.9
Good handling and short braking distances on dry roads, good running comfort
Long braking distances and poor handling on wet roads
Conditionally recommended

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7th: Toyo Proxes Sport

Toyo Proxes Sport
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 47.6
  2. Dry: 8.4
  3. Wet: 7.4
  4. Comfort: 8
  5. Rolling Resistance: 6
  6. Noise: 10
  7. Overall: 7.8
Short braking distances and high overall wet traction, good handling in high-speed cornering on dry surfaces
Poor grip on wet surfaces, relatively low resistance to lateral aquaplaning, long braking distance on dry roads
Conditionally recommended

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8th: Vredestein Ultrac Satin

Vredestein Ultrac Satin
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 44.3
  2. Dry: 7.9
  3. Wet: 7.7
  4. Comfort: 7
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7
  6. Noise: 7
  7. Overall: 7.7
Acceptable handling and short braking distances on dry roads
Slow response to steering and a tendency to understeer on wet surfaces, poor resistance to aquaplaning
Conditionally recommended

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9th: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 43.5
  2. Dry: 8.4
  3. Wet: 7.1
  4. Comfort: 7
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7
  6. Noise: 7
  7. Overall: 7
Very good handling and precise steering response on dry roads
Long braking distance, poor lateral stability and a tendency to understeer on wet surfaces
Conditionally recommended

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10th: Maxxis Premitra HP5

Maxxis Premitra HP5
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 40
  2. Dry: 7.4
  3. Wet: 6.7
  4. Comfort: 6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 6
  6. Noise: 7
  7. Overall: 6.9
Short braking distances in the dry
Imprecise steering response on dry roads, long braking distances and a strong tendency to understeer on wet roads, high level of noise
Conditionally recommended

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