Performance Overview
This radar chart shows relative performance across all test categories, with 100% representing the best performance in each category. Reference tires may have gaps where data is not available.
Dry Performance Overview
Dry Braking (M)
Dry braking in meters (Lower is better)
Dry Handling (Km/H)
Dry Handling Average Speed (Higher is better)
Wet Performance Overview
Wet Braking (M)
Wet braking in meters (Lower is better)
Wet Handling (Km/H)
Wet Handling Average Speed (Higher is better)
Comfort Performance Overview
Noise (dB)
External noise in dB (Lower is better)
Value Performance Overview
Rolling Resistance (kg / t)
Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)
Overall Findings
Based on the weighted scoring from all tests, here are the overall results:
| Position | Tyre | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | 0% | |
| 2 | Vredestein Ultrac Vorti | 0% |
| 3 | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 | 0% |
| 4 | Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 | 0% |
| 5 | Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 | 0% |
| 6 | Nokian zLine | 0% |
| 7 | Falken Azenis FK510 | 0% |
| 8 | Continental Sport Contact 5 | 0% |
| 9 | Firestone Firehawk SZ90 | 0% |
Just a question. The Dunlop SportMaxx RT gets better results in the wet handling and wet braking than the Goodyear Assymetric 3, yet in the final result for wet it scores the same. Looking at the scores in each of the other catagories it appears to be a better balanced tyre, yet it is ranked lower overall. The reason I ask is that I will be choosing one of these two tyres for my next set.
We haven't listed the aquaplaning scores, where the Dunlop must have lost out to the Goodyear.
What is absolutely astonishing is how the Conti SC5 has gone from being an across-the-board test winner & wet specialist to being beaten by just about everything. Such is progress.
There's progress, and then there's this. The wet performance of the CSC5 is so low I feel like they might have tested an OE version. The CSC5 was always best in wet braking, progress hasn't moved things on this much!
What do you mean by OE version?
Car manufacturers can specify versions of tyres meeting their own preferred balance of performance. What this means is that compared to the normal off the shelf tyre, an oe approved/marked variation may, for example, be reconfigured to give a significant improvement in economy vs the tyre brands original parameters, the trade off of this is usually a loss of wet grip...
Tyre performance is about striking a balance, so whilst a tyre brand may make what they consider to be the optimum balance, in order to supply both car manufacturer and aftermarket sales for that brand (warranty requirements etc) they need to meet type approval, thus, reformulate to meet the manufacturers own particular bias.
Exactly what Andy said. But it's very unlikely.
It could just be a "bad" size for the CSC5!
I have to admit I've always really liked the Vredestein tyres, first the Sessanta and then the Vorti, the grip was very very good in all conditions and they last pretty well.
But it's very interesting to see in your tests, you can FEEL the Vorti especially had a very high rolling resistance, economy was a good 3-5mpg down compared to my previous tyres (Goodyear Eagle F1 asy2) but they handled so well it made up for it.
They feel like a track tyre in the respect of having a very stiff sidewall and great feedback.
However I run Michelin PS4 now (on the same car) and it is a better all round tyre, however if you are planning on track use I would stick with the Vorti as it handles slightly better and feels that little bit stiffer, if you don't want to take the compromise in wet grip by moving to a Pilot Sport Cup 2.
But for a road car the PS4 is such an amazing tyre.
What I don't understand is why the Vredestein Ultrac Vorti is now performing well, when it never did well in previous tests...
It's not unusual for tyres to go through mid-life compound or construction updates, keeping the same name but if you looked at the part code you'd find they had a new part code.
Thank you for the reply. But how do we know if a tyre went through a mid life update? If yes, how do we find the code to buy the new updated version? What I'm worried about is if I buy the tyre online, they will send me the old stock...
It's a bit of a minefield! The only way of being sure is to write to Vredestein and get the updated part number (if there is one.)
Alternatively you can try and get your tyre garage to get the newest DOT codes possible which will ensure the tyre is new stock and should in theory have the updated compound. If there even is one!
I find the conti SC5 245/40 R18 on my MK 3 TT sport set up a nasty resonance on rough surfaces which seem to be on most motorways in my area! This is a surprise since I have always run continentals on previous TT's without this sort of problem. When I test drove this model of TT it was on Hankook's and they were definitely quieter. I notice tests on noise are always external when it would seem more relevant to get internal noise ratings for driver comfort. Does anyone have the same problem and is there anyone who does internal noise ratings?
The comfort score on the user reviews here are a mix of internal noise and comfort. Certain magazines also test both internal and external noise.