At the start of last year we predicted it would be the year of the all season tyre, and with six new all season tyres launched from nearly all the premium manufacturers, we're happy to report we were correct.
While all season tyres are interesting technically, and with the new Michelin CrossClimate moving the goalposts for how an all season tyre should perform, they're not exciting tyres to read about. Fortunately, 2016 is gearing up to be the year of the maximum performance tyre!
What's coming from the premiums?
It's been a while since a manufacturer has launched a really exciting performance tyre, and with best tyres on the market such as the Michelin Pilot SuperSport and Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 being four and six years old respectively, it's time something new appeared.
First to be launched, and technically launched to press and dealers in December 2015 is the Continental Sport Contact 6. We've already written our first thoughts which you can read here, and it looks to be a very good improvement on the Sport Contact 5!
Next up will be the replacement for the TyreReviews user reviews favourite, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3. We're not sure when the press launch will, so we don't know when we'll be driving it, but you can be sure as soon as we do we'll be giving our thoughts and it's already available in a few selected sizes.
Also pencilled in for the early part of 2016 is the Michelin Pilot Sport 4. While this replaces the Pilot Sport 3, which hasn't always been regarded as a UHP tyre, Michelin have renewed the "sport" focus for the Pilot Sport 4, and integrated lessons and technology learnt from the Pilot SuperSport. It should be a fine rival for the new Goodyear, and we've already been lucky enough to write our first impressoins of the tyre which will be online in the next few days.
Quarter two of 2016 should see Dunlop replace the Sport Maxx RT, with the creatively titled Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2. We've not had any concrete information through on this tyre, but expect it to be an even sportier version of the Asymmetric 3, which can't be a bad thing.
There are murmerings of a new UHP tyre from Pirelli, keen to capitalise on their Formula 1 sucsess, but we won't have any concrete information for until Febuaray and March.
Which just leaves Bridgestone. At time of writing we're on a flight to Monaco, where Bridgestone are launching a "game changing tyre". We're not entirely sure what this tyre is, but we expect some sort of extended mobility solution to replace runflat, and if they're targeting the BMW market there should be a sporty variant.
What's due from the rest of the market?
With the big six all launching performance products this year, you can expect a few of the smaller brands to follow suit. Sadly, the smaller tyre manufacturers aren't quite as proactive with their plans, but one up and coming manufacturer, GT Radial, have a big UHP tyre launch with the GT Radial SportActive launch in March. GT Radial tyres are quickly troubling the mid range manufacturers in terms of quality, so a new UHP launch from them should be extremely interesting for the market!
Sadly Yokohama have no new tyre due this year, but we expect new products, or product updates from the likes of Hankook, Falken, Toyo, Avon, Fulda and Kumho.
Be sure to keep an eye on TyreReviews for all the new product information as and when it's announced, and feel free to ask any questions or make comments below!
Hi, i'm a little bit confused about tire choice for my W210 Benz with 235/40/18 tire size (300+ HP).
My choice between Vredestein Ultrac Vorti, Pirelli PZero Nero GT, Vredestein weight 12.4KG per tire (a bit heavy IMO), but Nero GT wear according to reviews is awful, maybe something from new tires??
What do you recommend?? Driving style is aggressive, rims Tomason TN1 (11.4KG), 100% street dry/wet summer driving, thanks for advance! :)
The new Asymmetric 3 is available in your size, and should be priced competitively.
http://www.tyrereviews.co.u...
"Driving style is aggressive". Ah, so you're a prick then? Prob a kid in his first "big" car. Keep it up. Oh, you need Arrowspeeds from Kwik-Fit ;)
Hello :)
I'm from Poland and I love this site :).
Now it's time to search and purchase some new summer tyres.
My car is bmw 530d from 2009. But it's not a normal... I have 380hp and 800 nm.
So the new tires must be a best one's for optimal driving.
The wheels is: front 20x8,5inch, rear: 20x10inch.
So the question is: what tyres?
Semi slick or UHP?
90% will be street and 10% track days.
I just looking Continental SC6, Michelin PSS, Michelin PSC2 or maybe Continental ForceContact?
Maybe U Guy's give some proposition? Maybe I just wait for the competition from other manufacturers?
Thx for advice :).
For a diesel with that much torque, driven mostly on the street we'd ignore the track day tyres. When it's cold and wet you'll struggle for traction!
Wear will be a big issue with all that power too, which is why we'd be inclined to go for the Michelin Pilot Super Sports until the Conti or Goodyear have been proven with wear.
Yes, I agree, but there is some semi slick tyres that can drive good on wet track, like Continental ForceContact, but this tires it's not much popular like others (Michelin PSC2 or Toyo r888). When I search some reviews about CFC, there is only good opinions. It's little worsted that PCS2 on dry, but on wet is much better. I think the CFC is something between UHP and semi slick. There is another think, that CFC is a good choice in semi - new have a 7mm, not like others, like PCS2 or TrofeoR, or R888 that new have only 5-5,5mm.
It's very difficult to tell without testing the tyres back to back, but the Conti Force Contact will likely be slightly better in the dry, but the Michelin Pilot Super Sport better in the wet, and when cold, and wear better.
We certainly wouldn't look at a PCS2 or Trofeo R type tyre for 90% road driving, there's too much compromise for what is essentially only a few seconds a lap advantage
So maybe the Continental ForceContact is a best choice for me? Hmmm... I'm confused, I think I chose from the CFC and PSS... Very Thx for Your answers :D
If you only use your car in the dry and during the summer, yes!