2013 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test

This years 2013 Auto Zeitung tyre test included twelve 215/55 R16 summer premium touring tyres. As ever, read the comments attached to the results for the full story!

The Results

1st: Dunlop Sport BluResponse

Dunlop Sport BluResponse
  • 215/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 262
  2. Dry: 127
  3. Wet: 135
Dry:Shortest dry braking and fastest lap time due to extremely high grip. Excellent steering precision and cornering stability
Wet:Excellent braking, high lateral grip and second fastest wet lap time
A well balanced tyre, extremely strong in both the wet and dry means the new Dunlop Sport BluResponse is the test winner

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2nd: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
  • 215/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 255
  2. Dry: 121
  3. Wet: 134
Dry:Close to the Dunlops dry lap time, the Goodyear has a good dry balance and high grip. Low rolling resistance.
Wet:Like the Dunlop, the Goodyear is extremely stable with good wet grip. Only a slightly longer wet braking distance drops it a point
As with all Goodyear products, the new EfficientGrip Performance shines with its safety related qualities, taking second in this test

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3rd: Continental Premium Contact 5

Continental Premium Contact 5
  • 215/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 241
  2. Dry: 119
  3. Wet: 122
Dry:Stabling handling in the dry, good braking and a very low rolling resistance
Wet:Strong wet braking. Not the fastest wet lap time, but extremely safe in the wet
While the Premium Contact 5 isn't the fastest tyre in the dry or wet, it does provide a good all round ability with an extremely low rolling resistance

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4th: Vredestein Sportrac 5

Vredestein Sportrac 5
  • 215/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 237
  2. Dry: 121
  3. Wet: 116
Dry:Excellent dry braking and a very fast dry lap time. Low rolling resistance
Wet:Wet braking not on par with the top 3, but a quick wet lap with balanced grip
Good in the wet and excellent in the dry, the new Sportrac 5 gets a commendable fourth place

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5th: Bridgestone Turanza T001

Bridgestone Turanza T001
  • 215/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 234
  2. Dry: 116
  3. Wet: 118
Dry:Very quite and low rolling resistance, short braking distances and well balanced handling
Wet:Excellent aquaplaning properties, lacking a little traction in the wet lap
The Turanza T001 is a very well balanced tyre and very close to the Vredestein

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6th: Nokian Line

Nokian Line
  • 215/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 224
  2. Dry: 106
  3. Wet: 118
Dry:Good dry braking and a very comfortable tyre. Not the quickest dry lap due to slightly snappy handling
Wet:A fast wet lap, but fairly unstable at the limit, losing traction quickly
Good overall grip for the Nokian Line but let down by the tyres stability at the limit

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7th: Uniroyal RainExpert

Uniroyal RainExpert
  • 215/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 223
  2. Dry: 95
  3. Wet: 128
Dry:The RainExpert is known as a wet weather tyre, and it shows here with a slow dry laptime and average dry braking
Wet:Best longitudinal aquaplaning, excellent load change results, very safe to drive in the wet
Living up to its name, the Uniroyal is one of the best tyres in the wet, only to be let down by its dry performance

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8th: Michelin Primacy 3

Michelin Primacy 3
  • 215/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 218
  2. Dry: 121
  3. Wet: 97
Dry:In the dry the Michelin is fast and safe
Wet:The Michelin Primacy 3 has a relatively weak wet performance needing large steering angles to turn the car
As a near opposite to the Universal, the Michelin is extremely strong in the dry, only to be let down by clumsy wet performance

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9th: Apollo Alnac 4g

Apollo Alnac 4g
  • 215/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 218
  2. Dry: 108
  3. Wet: 110
Dry:High rolling resistance, but strong on the brakes. Slight lack of grip in the long corners, average lap time
Wet:Excellent aquaplaning results and well balanced handling
A good start for the new Apollo Alnac 4G, high rolling resistance and slightly slow wet lap time leave it in ninth

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10th: Hankook Ventus Prime2

Hankook Ventus Prime2
  • 215/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 215
  2. Dry: 106
  3. Wet: 109
Dry:A fast lap time, but highest rolling resistance and understeer in the fast corners
Wet:Average braking and a large steering angle needed in the wet
Strong braking, but the handling and stability of the tyre suffers

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11th: Pirelli CINTURATO P7

Pirelli CINTURATO P7
  • 215/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 208
  2. Dry: 107
  3. Wet: 101
Dry:Average braking in the dry, but a good balance on the handling course. High rolling resistance
Wet:Good aquaplaning but long wet braking distances. Poor wet traction
Except in aquaplaning, the Pirelli doesn't really shine in any category

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12th: Falken ZIEX ZE914 EcoRun

Falken ZIEX ZE914 EcoRun
  • 215/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 176
  2. Dry: 102
  3. Wet: 74
Dry:Quick dry steering but only average braking and a slow lap time
Wet:Oversteer at the limit, a lack of traction on the drive axle, long braking and a slow turn-in make the Falken ZE914 Ecorun poor in the wet
Poor braking in both the wet and dry, and average lap times make the Falken a non-recommended tyre

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