2017 Auto Bild Sports Cars Tyre Test

Test Summary
Wet BrakingContinental Sport Contact 6
Dry BrakingDunlop SportMaxx RT 2
Rolling ResistancePirelli P Zero PZ4
Firestone Firehawk SZ90
Rotalla RU01 S Pace
NoiseDunlop SportMaxx RT 2
Snow HandlingRotalla RU01 S Pace
The Auto Bild sports cars test is usually one of our favourite tests of the year, and this year looks to be no different.

Testing nine 235/35 R19 maximum performance tyres using a Focus ST, Auto Bild have focused on the raw performance of these tyres, weighting the score heavily in favour of wet and dry handling.

The Top Three

Sadly, the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is missing from this test, which means it was a fairly easy win for the Continental Sport Contact 6. The Continental dominated in both dry braking and dry handling, won the wet handling test, but could only manage mid pack for wet braking. The testers also noted the Continental gave them the most driving pleasure from all tyres on test, something which is important from a performance tyre.

Second place was awarded to the Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 2 K117. Like the Continental, it proves to be a very balanced tyre, with just a little understeer in the wet the only negative point. The top three were rounded out by the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 which is again a very balanced tyre, with a hint of understeer in the wet.

The Rest

Falken will be pleased with fourth place, beating the more expensive Dunlop tyre in fifth. The Falken FK510 proved to have short wet braking and good dry braking and handling characteristics, but when compared to the best on test the rolling resistance was high, comfort low and the steering was slightly sluggish. The Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 won the aquaplaning tests, which were combined with excellent wet and dry braking results, but had a poor dry handling score leaving it in fifth overall.

Sixth to last place all had their individual issues which can be seen in the full results below. Only two tyres on test, the mid-range Firestone and budget Rotalla were deemed to be "not recommended", both due to poor wet performances.

The Results

Dry score weighting - 60% dry handling, 40% dry braking.

Wet score weighting - 15% longitudinal aquaplaning, 5% cross aquaplaning, 40% wet handling, 10% lateral stability, 30% wet braking

1st: Continental Sport Contact 6

Continental Sport Contact 6
  • 235/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 34
  2. Dry: 9
  3. Wet: 7
  4. Comfort: 6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 6
  6. Noise: 6
Outstanding handling on dry and wet surfaces, fast, accurate steering response, pleasurable fun driving experience
High rolling resistance
Exemplary / Test Winner

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2nd: Hankook Ventus S1 evo2

Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
  • 235/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 31
  2. Dry: 7
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Comfort: 6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 6
  6. Noise: 6
Good handling on dry surfaces, well priced
A tendency to understeer on wet surfaces
Exemplary

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3rd: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
  • 235/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 31
  2. Dry: 7
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Comfort: 6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 6
  6. Noise: 6
Good controllability, precise steering response and short braking distances on dry roads, high resistance to aquaplaning
Understeer on wet roads
Exemplary

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4th: Falken Azenis FK510

Falken Azenis FK510
  • 235/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 28
  2. Dry: 7
  3. Wet: 7
  4. Comfort: 4
  5. Rolling Resistance: 4
  6. Noise: 6
Short braking distances on wet surfaces, good handling and steering feel in the dry and wet, attractive price
Slightly slower steering than the best on test, low level of comfort, high rolling resistance
Recommended

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5th: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
  • 235/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 33
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 8
  4. Comfort: 7
  5. Rolling Resistance: 6
  6. Noise: 6
The highest resistance to aquaplaning, good handling on wet surfaces, short braking distances on dry and wet roads
Slow response to steering and relatively poor grip on dry roads
Satisfactory

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6th: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Pirelli P Zero PZ4
  • 235/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 32
  2. Dry: 7
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Comfort: 6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7
  6. Noise: 6
High lateral stability and good handling on wet surfaces, good steering feel and short braking distances on dry roads, low rolling resistance
Relatively long braking distance on wet surfaces, low resistance to aquaplaning
Satisfactory

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7th: Kumho Ecsta PS91

Kumho Ecsta PS91
  • 235/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 25
  2. Dry: 5
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Comfort: 4
  5. Rolling Resistance: 4
  6. Noise: 6
Good resistance to aquaplaning, short braking distances on dry roads, well priced
Low lateral stability and strong understeer on wet roads, slow response to steering and relatively poor grip on dry surfaces, increased rolling resistance
Satisfactory

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8th: Firestone Firehawk SZ90

Firestone Firehawk SZ90
  • 235/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 24
  2. Dry: 5
  3. Wet: 3
  4. Comfort: 6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7
  6. Noise: 3
Good resistance to aquaplaning, low rolling resistance, cheap
Low lateral stability, strong understeer and long braking distances on wet surfaces, slow response to steering and unbalanced behavior on dry surfaces
Not recommended

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9th: Rotalla RU01 S Pace

Rotalla RU01 S Pace
  • 235/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 25
  2. Dry: 4
  3. Wet: 1
  4. Comfort: 6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7
  6. Noise: 7
Low rolling resistance, low noise level, very low price
Dangerously long wet braking distances, strong understeer and unbalanced behavior on wet surfaces, weak grip and sluggish steering response on dry surfaces
Not recommended

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