2018 AMS Summer UHP Tyre Test

Test Summary
Wet BrakingMichelin Pilot Sport 4
Dry BrakingMichelin Pilot Sport 4
WearMichelin Pilot Sport 4
Rolling ResistanceGiti GitiSport S1
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
NoiseNankang AS2
Snow HandlingPirelli P Zero PZ4
Snow HandlingToyo Proxes Sport
Falken Azenis FK510
Nankang AS2
Giti GitiSport S1
Ice HandlingMichelin Pilot Sport 4
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
The 2018 Auto Motor Und Sport (AMS) summer tyre test uses an Audi A3 to test eleven 225/45 R17 tyre patterns.

As in previous years, AMS have included subjective handling data in their testing, which is important to help us understand how a tyre feels. Even with this extra element of testing, the winning tyre was no surprise - the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 takes its eighth win out of eight tests thanks to a dominant performance in the dry and wet.

Second place was tied between the new Continental Premium Contact 6 and Falken FK510, which both had very balanced results.

Full data and details below.

Dry

The test winning Michelin had a significant advantage during dry braking, with the rival Continental tyre excelling during dry handling. Interestingly, the budget Giti tyre managed the second fastest dry lap time, which impressive for the cheapest tyre on test.

Subjectively, Pirelli led the pack, with Continental a close second place.

Wet

During the wet testing, the Michelin once again asserted its dominance, winning both wet braking and handling testing, and finishing third in the straight aquaplaning tests.

Subjectively, the Michelin was again the best on test.

Environment

The rolling resistance testing was close between the top six tyres on test, with only the Nankang having a standout poor result.

Surprisingly, the Continental Premium Contact 6 was the loudest tyre on test.

Results

Full results below, as always check out the AMS website for all the extra details.

1st: Michelin Pilot Sport 4

Michelin Pilot Sport 4
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 82.5
  2. Dry: 9.3
  3. Wet: 9.8
  4. Subjective: 18
  5. Wet Subjective: 10
  6. Comfort: 9
  7. Rolling Resistance: 8
  8. Noise: 9
  9. Overall: 9.4
A very balanced tyre with excellent dry and wet braking.
None mentioned.
Highly recommended.

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2nd: Continental Premium Contact 6

Continental Premium Contact 6
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 76.7
  2. Dry: 8.7
  3. Wet: 8.5
  4. Subjective: 19
  5. Wet Subjective: 9
  6. Comfort: 7
  7. Rolling Resistance: 8
  8. Noise: 8
  9. Overall: 8.5
Good handling in the wet, precise reaction to steering and good grip in the dry.
Average ride comfort.
Recommended

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2nd: Falken Azenis FK510

Falken Azenis FK510
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 71.2
  2. Dry: 7.5
  3. Wet: 9.2
  4. Subjective: 14
  5. Wet Subjective: 8
  6. Comfort: 6
  7. Rolling Resistance: 8
  8. Noise: 10
  9. Overall: 8.5
Good handling in the wet, short braking distances in the wet and dry.
Slower steering response in the dry.
Recommended.

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4th: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Pirelli P Zero PZ4
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 76.4
  2. Dry: 8.6
  3. Wet: 8.5
  4. Subjective: 20
  5. Wet Subjective: 10
  6. Comfort: 8
  7. Rolling Resistance: 5
  8. Noise: 8
  9. Overall: 8.3
Good grip in the dry and wet, accurate steering and good balance.
Nervous at the limit during weight transfer, relatively weak resistance to aquaplaning, high rolling resistance.
Recommended.

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5th: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 75.9
  2. Dry: 8.3
  3. Wet: 7.6
  4. Subjective: 18
  5. Wet Subjective: 8
  6. Comfort: 8
  7. Rolling Resistance: 10
  8. Noise: 8
  9. Overall: 8
Good handling in the dry and wet, very safe handling balance.
Relatively long wet braking.
Recommended.

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6th: Nokian Line

Nokian Line
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 68.1
  2. Dry: 7.3
  3. Wet: 8
  4. Subjective: 13
  5. Wet Subjective: 8
  6. Comfort: 6
  7. Rolling Resistance: 9
  8. Noise: 9
  9. Overall: 7.8
Good in the wet.
High levels of understeer in the dry, low comfort and high noise.
Conditionally recommended.

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7th: Giti GitiSport S1

GiTi GitiSport S1
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 72.1
  2. Dry: 7.6
  3. Wet: 6.3
  4. Subjective: 16
  5. Wet Subjective: 7
  6. Comfort: 8
  7. Rolling Resistance: 10
  8. Noise: 10
  9. Overall: 7.2
Very good stability and handling in the dry, low rolling resistance, good levels of comfort, low noise level.
Weak wet grip, understeer and oversteer.
Conditionally recommended.

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8th: Cooper Zeon CS8

Cooper Zeon CS8
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 65.4
  2. Dry: 7.2
  3. Wet: 7.1
  4. Subjective: 14
  5. Wet Subjective: 7
  6. Comfort: 8
  7. Rolling Resistance: 6
  8. Noise: 9
  9. Overall: 7.1
Predictable handling, good comfort.
Understeer in the dry and wet.
Conditionally recommended.

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8th: Nankang AS2

Nankang AS2
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 65.8
  2. Dry: 7.2
  3. Wet: 7.5
  4. Subjective: 15
  5. Wet Subjective: 7
  6. Comfort: 10
  7. Rolling Resistance: 2
  8. Noise: 10
  9. Overall: 7.1
Best resistance to aquaplaning, good comfort, acceptable in the dry.
Long braking distances and poor handling in the wet, very high rolling resistance.
Conditionally recommended.

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8th: Toyo Proxes Sport

Toyo Proxes Sport
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 67.7
  2. Dry: 7
  3. Wet: 7.6
  4. Subjective: 16
  5. Wet Subjective: 8
  6. Comfort: 8
  7. Rolling Resistance: 4
  8. Noise: 10
  9. Overall: 7.1
Acceptable in the dry and wet.
Very high rolling resistance, strong understeer in the wet, poor steering response.
Conditionally recommended.

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11th: Vredestein Ultrac Vorti

Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 65.2
  2. Dry: 7.7
  3. Wet: 6.6
  4. Subjective: 17
  5. Wet Subjective: 7
  6. Comfort: 7
  7. Rolling Resistance: 4
  8. Noise: 9
  9. Overall: 6.9
In general a predictable balance.
Long braking distances in the wet, weak resistance to aquaplaning, high rolling resistance, low ride comfort.
Conditionally recommended.

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