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2018 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test

Jonathan Benson
Data analyzed and reviewed by Jonathan Benson
4 min read Updated
Below are all the data points for the 2018 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test, displaying how each tyre performed across all test categories. The spider chart below provides a complete overview of performance, where one hundred percent represents the best performance in each category. The larger the area covered by each tyre's plot, the better its overall performance.
How to read these charts: For each test category, data is presented relative to the best performing tire. The direction indicates whether lower or higher values are better - pay close attention to this when interpreting results.

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.

Nankang Noble Sport NS20
Toyo Proxes Sport
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
Falken Azenis FK510
Continental Sport Contact 6

Quick Navigation

Dry Performance Overview

Dry Braking (M)

Spread: 3.40 M (9.6%) | Avg: 36.70 M

Dry braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental Sport Contact 6 with a result of 35.4 M. The difference between best and worst was 8.8%.
  1. Continental Sport Contact 6
    35.4 M
  2. Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
    35.9 M
  3. Falken Azenis FK510
    35.9 M
  4. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
    36 M
  5. Toyo Proxes Sport
    38.2 M
  6. Nankang Noble Sport NS20
    38.8 M

Dry Handling (Km/H)

Spread: 7.20 Km/H (5.8%) | Avg: 120.25 Km/H

Dry Handling Average Speed (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental Sport Contact 6 with a result of 123.1 Km/H. The difference between best and worst was 5.8%.
  1. Continental Sport Contact 6
    123.1 Km/H
  2. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
    122.7 Km/H
  3. Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
    121.4 Km/H
  4. Falken Azenis FK510
    120 Km/H
  5. Toyo Proxes Sport
    118.4 Km/H
  6. Nankang Noble Sport NS20
    115.9 Km/H

Wet Performance Overview

Wet Braking (M)

Spread: 12.80 M (27.4%) | Avg: 50.23 M

Wet braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Falken Azenis FK510 with a result of 46.7 M. The difference between best and worst was 21.5%.
  1. Falken Azenis FK510
    46.7 M
  2. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
    47.3 M
  3. Continental Sport Contact 6
    48.1 M
  4. Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
    48.2 M
  5. Toyo Proxes Sport
    51.6 M
  6. Nankang Noble Sport NS20
    59.5 M

Wet Handling (Km/H)

Spread: 7.00 Km/H (8.6%) | Avg: 79.58 Km/H

Wet Handling Average Speed (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Falken Azenis FK510 with a result of 81.7 Km/H. The difference between best and worst was 8.6%.
  1. Falken Azenis FK510
    81.7 Km/H
  2. Continental Sport Contact 6
    81.3 Km/H
  3. Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
    80.7 Km/H
  4. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
    79.9 Km/H
  5. Toyo Proxes Sport
    79.2 Km/H
  6. Nankang Noble Sport NS20
    74.7 Km/H

Straight Aqua (Km/H)

Spread: 7.40 Km/H (8%) | Avg: 87.63 Km/H

Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Nankang Noble Sport NS20 with a result of 92.8 Km/H. The difference between best and worst was 8%.
  1. Nankang Noble Sport NS20
    92.8 Km/H
  2. Toyo Proxes Sport
    88.4 Km/H
  3. Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
    86.9 Km/H
  4. Falken Azenis FK510
    86.7 Km/H
  5. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
    85.6 Km/H
  6. Continental Sport Contact 6
    85.4 Km/H

Comfort Performance Overview

Noise (dB)

Spread: 1.00 dB (1.4%) | Avg: 74.08 dB

External noise in dB (Lower is better)

Key Insight: All the tyres in the noise test finished less than 3% apart.
  1. Toyo Proxes Sport
    73.6 dB
  2. Continental Sport Contact 6
    73.6 dB
  3. Nankang Noble Sport NS20
    74.1 dB
  4. Falken Azenis FK510
    74.2 dB
  5. Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
    74.4 dB
  6. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
    74.6 dB

Value Performance Overview

Price

Spread: 640.00 (152.4%) | Avg: 705.00

Price in local currency (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Nankang Noble Sport NS20. The difference between best and worst was 60.4%.
  1. Nankang Noble Sport NS20
    420
  2. Toyo Proxes Sport
    590
  3. Falken Azenis FK510
    590
  4. Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
    690
  5. Continental Sport Contact 6
    880
  6. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
    1060

Rolling Resistance (kg / t)

Spread: 1.42 kg / t (16.6%) | Avg: 9.43 kg / t

Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 with a result of 8.57 kg / t. The difference between best and worst was 14.2%.
  1. Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
    8.57 kg / t
  2. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
    9.21 kg / t
  3. Toyo Proxes Sport
    9.34 kg / t
  4. Falken Azenis FK510
    9.49 kg / t
  5. Continental Sport Contact 6
    9.97 kg / t
  6. Nankang Noble Sport NS20
    9.99 kg / t

Overall Findings

Based on the weighted scoring from all tests, here are the overall results:

Position Tyre Score
Continental Sport Contact 6 0%
2 Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 0%
3 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S 0%
4 Falken Azenis FK510 0%
5 Toyo Proxes Sport 0%
6 Nankang Noble Sport NS20 0%

Discussion

10 comments
  1. Andy venn archived

    I’m looking for replacement tyres for my 2016 Audi A4 3.0 tdi s line it’s on 245 35 19 Hankook Ventus s1 evo at the moment I’m looking for a tyre with low road noise and a smooth ride would the Goodyear f1 3 be my best bet?

    #3653
  2. 1hp archived

    Just noticed today that the Sport Contact 6 is available in one 18 inch size, 235/40R18 which is 'my' size. Does @Tyrereviews recon this is an upgrade in ultimate grip and trackability compared to the PS4 I'm rocking now? My car is a MQB Hot Estate pushing 370hp+ through the front wheels... Realize it is a more expensive tyre because of the quicker wear, but if it puts power down noticeably better and perhaps gives some more steering feel (probably not) it could be worth it..

    #3618
    1. TyreReviews 1hp archived

      Sorry, I can't really answer that as I've not done the test. I think the raw dry and wet grip will be similar, however the SC6 might give you better steering feel. This is based on an assumption so might not be true.

      #3624
      1. 1hp TyreReviews archived

        After careful consideration, I think I'm gonna try the Supersports for their motorsport construction. I'm in it for the fun/feedback, bit like running a cold Cup2 can be fun while being dead slow. But since I do daily the car and carry the whole family a Cup2 would be a notch too far... If I don't like it, I just paid for an early swap, the PS4 can go back on once the PSS wear down. Makes sense to a tyre testing/handling nerd, right? ;)

        #3628
        1. TyreReviews 1hp archived

          I'm on board with that plan :)

          #3632
          1. 1hp TyreReviews archived

            I got the 225/40R18 HN version, the ones that go on the i30N, a similar weight HH. As opposed to the * star BMW version (narrower front axle version?). I do wonder what the HN version entails... You have good contacts at Michelin?

            #3633
            1. TyreReviews 1hp archived

              I have great contacts at Michelin, but often they can't or won't say when it comes to specific details like that sadly.

              #3636
              1. 1hp TyreReviews archived

                Little follow up. Drove the home commute with the PSS, which involves a small back road I know very well. The PS4 were only 1mm down, same weather same road, same car, same tyre pressures, same alignment. PSS already scrubbed in a fair bit. The PSS most definitely gives more feedback up and beyond max grip. And on top of that and to me clearly noticable, more eager to change direction, which is something that I was missing with the PS4. Definitely more enjoyable to drive on my fairly focussed ride, the relative small cold wet grip penalty should be worth it. I'll certainly will have a better idea of grip levels. Aftermarket tpms sensors added will give some tyre temp information there too...

                #3648
                1. TyreReviews 1hp archived

                  Glad you're liking them :)

                  #3649
                  1. 1hp TyreReviews archived

                    Just to be clear, this is entirely your working, from the comparison vid to the SC6 and the PS4S, would have otherwise discounted it as an 'old' tyre... So thank you sir, you saved my very important car-guy relationship!! ;)

                    Subjective impressions are difficult to validate, even more so on different platforms, but from another drive this night, it is uncanny how much a, to most people fairly similar, tyre can make itself felt so clearly even at low speeds. MQB with aftermarket LCA with uniball front and fairly aggresive alignment with max toe rear and max toe out (instead of in) front. First now I really feel the alignment working its magic. And bit surprising that I can still be surprised having extensive experience on other cars with SC3, VEvo2, Asymmetrics, AD08, SC5, RE001, SC5P, PS3*, PS4* and also proper drives with MPSC, V105 and PS4S to name a few... Hope this feedback is helpful to you and others.

                    *with hindsight these two *feel* very similar with reservation for different platforms

                    #3650