The 2015 Auto Zeitung summer ultra high performance tyre test is here, and once again the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 is back on the top step!
This year AZ have tested fourteen tyre patterns in the popular 225/40 R18 tyre size. During the testing they covered over 1,200km of dry and wet testing, and weighted the scores in favour of the wet results.
There were no real surprises in the top six places, with Bridgestone the only premium brand being edged out by Nokian. None the less, this is a strong result for the Bridgestone Turanza T001 which seems to have come good in the last six months of testing, normally Bridgestone would have submitted the Potenza S001 in this size, so there's obviously an upgrade to the range happening.
Vredestein ended up in a disappointing 11th with the Vorti. The Ultrac Sessanta was always well regarded for its wet performance, however the Vorti seems to have taken a step back when compared to its other midrange rivals such as Falken, Kumho and Nokian.
As always, the test was concluded with a budget tyre. The Westlake had some of the best rolling resistance on test, but had extremely long wet braking distances, and a tendency to snap oversteer in the wet, combined with early understeer in the dry.
Results
High traction, good lateral support and braking on wet surfaces, short braking distances and high level of safety in the dry, low rolling resistance
Total: 269
Dry
99
Wet
129
Comfort
8
Rolling Resistance
25
Noise
8
Very short braking distances, excellent handling and predictable behavior at the limit of grip on wet surfaces, Good handling and safe execution of the emergency maneuver in the dry
Total: 263
Dry
102
Wet
134
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
13
Noise
7
Good handling when cornering on wet surface, High resistance to aquaplaning, Low rolling resistance, Good results in the dry
Longer braking on wet surfaces, high noise levels
Total: 253
Dry
96
Wet
130
Comfort
8
Rolling Resistance
14
Noise
5
Short braking distances on wet surfaces, short braking distance on dry roads, low rolling resistance
Slow response to steering and a tendency to understeer in the dry
Total: 246
Dry
94
Wet
113
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
24
Noise
8
Good braking on dry and wet surfaces, low rolling resistance
Lack of agility and lateral stability in the wet, tendency to oversteer in the dry
Total: 246
Dry
93
Wet
116
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
23
Noise
7
Predictable behavior with a tendency to understeer in the wet, effective braking on wet surface, good handling on dry roads, best time slalom in the dry
Total: 245
Dry
92
Wet
121
Comfort
8
Rolling Resistance
17
Noise
7
Good traction on wet roads, high speed, good security and straight steering response on dry road, low rolling resistance
Relatively long braking distances on wet surfaces
Total: 244
Dry
96
Wet
114
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
20
Noise
7
Balanced behavior, good lateral stability of the front wheels and acceptable braking properties on wet surface, good lap time and high grip on dry surfaces
High rolling resistance
Total: 236
Dry
98
Wet
115
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
10
Noise
6
Good resistance to aquaplaning, good lateral stability and late transition to understeer in the wet, stable handling on dry roads
Relatively long braking distances on wet surfaces, high rolling resistance
Total: 233
Dry
96
Wet
110
Comfort
6
Rolling Resistance
13
Noise
8
Good dry braking, low rolling resistance
Poor handling and a relatively long braking distances on wet surfaces, tendency to oversteer in the dry
Total: 223
Dry
92
Wet
100
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
16
Noise
8
Good lateral grip on the front axle on a dry surface, short braking distance on dry roads
Nervous behavior and long braking distances on wet roads, tendency to oversteer in the dry
Total: 216
Dry
94
Wet
93
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
15
Noise
7
Low rolling resistance
Long braking distances on wet surfaces - a clear tendency to understeer and long braking distances on dry roads
Total: 201
Dry
86
Wet
81
Comfort
6
Rolling Resistance
21
Noise
7
Long stopping distances, remarkable tendency to oversteer and low speed cornering on wet surfaces, low traction and braking in the dry
Total: 190
Dry
84
Wet
79
Comfort
6
Rolling Resistance
14
Noise
7
Low rolling resistance
Nervous handling on the rear axle, and the longest braking distances on wet surfaces, poor resistance to aquaplaning, long braking distances and very early transition to understeer in the dry
Total: 171
Dry
75
Wet
60
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
21
Noise
8
which to put on my Freelander 2. Do not do much off road but mainly main roads and country lanes with lots of debris after bad weather.
At the moment I have dealership fitted Pirelli Zero but thinking about the Pirelli Verde
18" wheels so which do folks recommend please?
Hi Gary,
We suggest having a read of the following:
http://www.tyrereviews.co.u...
Fitted Eagle F1 asymmetric 2 (215/47 r17 mfs xl) just few days ago on Mazda 6 sport. Looks amazing so far - excellent grip and braking preformance, very little noise and suprisingly very comfy. Even rolling resistance seems very low. Very happy so far! :)
Glad you're happy, feel free to leave a full review once you've put some miles on them!
Falken 453 is also an excellent tyre on wet...
Glad I have just had P Zeros fitted in 235/40 18 to my VW CC today!
Let us know how you get on with them :)