2011 Auto Zeitung Max Performance Tyre Test

Auto Zeitung always put on a good tyre test, and this year they’ve tested 14 different 225/45 r17 tyres on an Audi A3, including new tyres from Goodyear, Pirelli, Sava, Nexen and Firestone.

The results are closer than ever, with both the dry and wet performance scores hotly contested. Overall, the new Pirelli P Zero wins thanks to it’s incredibly high wet grip and strong scores in every category. The new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 places second thanks to it's class leading braking and low rolling resistance, while the Goodyears sister tyre, Dunlop Sport Maxx TT rounded out the top 3 due to it’s sporty handling and excellent grip throughout.

As always with Auto Zeitung, the scores are bias towards wet performance, and subjective feel of the tyres isn't judged.

Full results

1st: Pirelli P Zero

Pirelli P Zero
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 257
  2. Dry: 102
  3. Wet: 138
  4. Comfort: 6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 11
Dry:On dry asphalt the Pirelli is outstanding, with excellent handing and great stablility
Wet:Fastest tyre on the wet lap and best wet braking performance. Only average in curved aquaplaning
Outstanding in the wet and great in the dry, the sport P Zero convinces and deserves to win the test

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2nd: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 252
  2. Dry: 99
  3. Wet: 125
  4. Comfort: 8
  5. Rolling Resistance: 20
Dry:Shortest dry stopping and lowest rolling resistance
Wet:The revised Goodyear is an extremely stable tyre with netural balance and clear feedback
Extremely strong under braking and always a safe tyre offering precise feedback and low fuel consumption

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3rd: Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT

Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 248
  2. Dry: 103
  3. Wet: 126
  4. Comfort: 7
  5. Rolling Resistance: 12
Dry:In the dry the Dunlop is strong on the brakes and offers excellent feedback. Only let down by a relatively high rolling resistance
Wet:Fantastic wet handling with good feedback, exact steering and exemplary balance
The agile Sport Maxx TT speaks to the sporty driver

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4th: Hankook Ventus S1 evo

Hankook Ventus S1 evo
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 241
  2. Dry: 93
  3. Wet: 126
  4. Comfort: 7
  5. Rolling Resistance: 15
Dry:Strong grip and a good neutral balance, let down by a slight lack of feedback
Wet:Excellent wet grip and handling
The S1 EVO's strong wet performance places it a respectable 4th

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5th: Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3

Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 237
  2. Dry: 96
  3. Wet: 121
  4. Comfort: 8
  5. Rolling Resistance: 12
Dry:Excellent dry handling let down by a slightly high rolling resistance
Wet:Secure in the wet with slight understeer at the limit
A slight trade off of rolling resistance for an excellent wet performance

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6th: Continental Sport Contact 3

Continental Sport Contact 3
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 235
  2. Dry: 101
  3. Wet: 113
  4. Comfort: 6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 15
Dry:Very stable in the dry, offering fantastic braking and a fast lap time
Wet:Very fast wet lap, but demanded a lot of driver skill
Even with the new Sport Contact 5P available, the 3 still performs extremely well

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7th: Bridgestone Potenza S001

Bridgestone Potenza S001
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 234
  2. Dry: 108
  3. Wet: 107
  4. Comfort: 6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 13
Dry:The fastest tyre in the dry
Wet:The wet tests indicated Bridgestone has chosen to concentrate more on the dry performance of the tyre
Bridgestone have traded wet performance for improved dry grip, where it sets the benchmark

Read Reviews    Buy from £102.50

8th: Nokian Z G2

Nokian Z G2
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 232
  2. Dry: 92
  3. Wet: 120
  4. Comfort: 6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 14
Dry:Good natured dry performance with no real weakness
Wet:The Nokian forgives driving errors with a neutral balance in the wet
The combination of the A3 and Z G2 is a good combination and shows the Nokian to have no significant weakness

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9th: Fulda SportControl

Fulda SportControl
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 225
  2. Dry: 85
  3. Wet: 115
  4. Comfort: 7
  5. Rolling Resistance: 18
Dry:Excellent rolling resistance and low noise. Under hard dry cornering the Fulda looses a little accuracy
Wet:High steering precision and good wet grip
The Fulda SportControl is the best of the cheaper tyres

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10th: Sava intensa uhp

Sava intensa uhp
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 218
  2. Dry: 85
  3. Wet: 110
  4. Comfort: 6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 17
Dry:Again the Intensa UHP has a little oversteer, but quick dry lap times
Wet:The Sava performs a lot like the Fulda in the wet, however offers a little more oversteer
The new Sava is an alternative for bargain hunters

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11th: Vredestein Ultrac Cento

Vredestein Ultrac Cento
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 210
  2. Dry: 87
  3. Wet: 102
  4. Comfort: 8
  5. Rolling Resistance: 13
Dry:A comfortable tyre in the dry, the Ultrac Cento reaches it's limit of grip earlier than other tyres
Wet:Excellent aquaplaning results but let down by it's long wet braking performance
Good comfort but long wet braking leave the Vredestein 11th

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12th: BFGoodrich g Force Profiler

BFGoodrich g Force Profiler
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 203
  2. Dry: 84
  3. Wet: 97
  4. Comfort: 7
  5. Rolling Resistance: 15
Dry:Reasonable grip but poor turn in
Wet:Easy wet handling but sensitive on curved aquaplaning
Despite the V profile, the BF Goodrich has problems with aquaplaning and only average dry qualities

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13th: Nexen N8000

Nexen N8000
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 201
  2. Dry: 84
  3. Wet: 106
  4. Comfort: 6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 5
Dry:Poor dry braking and high rolling resistance
Wet:The N8000 scores extremely well in the aquaplaning tests, but has only average wet lap time
Aquaplaning is the largest strength of the Nexen, longest dry braking and highest rolling resistance costs it valuable points

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14th: Firestone Firehawk SZ90

Firestone Firehawk SZ90
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 174
  2. Dry: 78
  3. Wet: 80
  4. Comfort: 6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 10
Dry:Slowest dry lap and slowest in the slalom
Wet:Average aquaplaning and join slowest wet lap time
While the Firestones unusual profile makes the tyre look quick, it's unconvincing in both the wet and dry

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