2012 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test

Usually we summarise an overview of any tyre test we publish, but Auto Expresses new website is so good we're just going to send you there for the full details of the test. Full Test

Here's the low down on the results if you don't fancy reading the full test:

1st: Continental WinterContact TS 850

Continental WinterContact TS 850
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 1085.4
  2. Dry: 199.7
  3. Wet: 388.4
  4. Snow: 398.6
  5. Noise: 98.7
Strong in every category, winning the wet braking, wet handling, dry braking and snow traction tests. A very special winter tyre
Higher cabin noise than some of the other leading winter tyres

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2nd: Goodyear UltraGrip 8

Goodyear UltraGrip 8
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 1079.4
  2. Dry: 196.7
  3. Wet: 394.7
  4. Snow: 388
  5. Noise: 100
Best aquaplaning result, fastest in the dry, good snow performance and a strong wet lap time
Slightly high rolling resistance

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3rd: Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D

Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 1066.6
  2. Dry: 198.4
  3. Wet: 370.2
  4. Snow: 399.2
  5. Noise: 98.8
Best snow braking and handling, second fastest in dry handling
Average noise and aquaplaning resistance scores

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4th: Michelin Alpin A4

Michelin Alpin A4
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 1057.1
  2. Dry: 197.4
  3. Wet: 370.1
  4. Snow: 389.6
  5. Noise: 100
Strong snow handling, joint quietest tyre on test and good wet and dry braking and handling
Poor aquaplaning results and average snow braking

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4th: Nokian WR D3

Nokian WR D3
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 1050.3
  2. Dry: 198.8
  3. Wet: 373.9
  4. Snow: 379
  5. Noise: 98.6
Very strong aquaplaning resistance, keen pricing, good dry performance and good wet handling
Last in the snow tests by a small margin

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6th: Vredestein Snowtrac 3

Vredestein Snowtrac 3
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 1053.9
  2. Dry: 197.6
  3. Wet: 371.9
  4. Snow: 385.8
  5. Noise: 98.6
Good snow braking, strong resistance to aquaplaning and dynamic in the dry
Struggled in snow traction and wet braking and handling. High rolling resistance

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7th: Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3

Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 1030.3
  2. Dry: 196.4
  3. Wet: 352.6
  4. Snow: 382
  5. Noise: 99.3
Nice progressive slide on wet handling, second place in wet braking and good noise and rolling resistance
Not quite as strong in the snow as the leaders, weak aquaplaning results

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8th: Linglong Winter Hero Radial 650

Linglong Winter Hero Radial 650
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 956.5
  2. Dry: 193.1
  3. Wet: 281.9
  4. Snow: 382.5
  5. Noise: 99
Most economical tyre
Extremely poor performances in every wet and dry test. When the Continental had stopped the car in the wet braking test, you'd still be doing 24mph on the LingLong

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