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)
Straight Aqua (Km/H)
Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
Comfort Performance Overview
Noise (dB)
External noise in dB (Lower is better)
Value Performance Overview
Price
Price in local currency (Lower is better)
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 Cup 2 | 0% | |
| 2 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | 0% |
| 3 | Continental Sport Contact 6 | 0% |
| 4 | Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R | 0% |
| 5 | Toyo R888 | 0% |
| 6 | Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 | 0% |
| 7 | Falken Azenis FK510 | 0% |
| 8 | Toyo Proxes Sport | 0% |
| 9 | Nankang Noble Sport NS20 | 0% |
These tests are all over the place, I've seen 5 tests and they all say different things. Also users rate Contact 6 as unbelievable in the wet and I can testify to that, they stick like shit to fur and I have a 700Hp car.
why are the wet braking numbers lower than the dry? are the starting speeds the same?
That's how Sport Auto scored it, check out their website for the full test
Not a good idea to mix UHP and track tyre results.
Btw, hard to believe the R888 measured most 'quiet'. The lowest drive-by noise, while internally it was the loudest in the cabin? This is at least highly misleading. I had a set of these it was no less than unbearable. It wouldn't recommend using it on a daily.
Drive By noise is largely generated by tread pattern moving air, so it makes sense the semi slicks with less tread pattern are quieter for drive by testing. Internal noise is much worse due to hard construction.
I see this test did not include many popular track day tires such as proxes r800r, nankang ar-1, or yokohama advan series.
How do these tires compare to the always mentioned cup 2's as the go to tire?
Are there any tests which put the major track day tires against each other?
I'm not sure how they compare as no one has done it, but I'm going to try my best to find out :)
Hats down for the proper test with all the major track day tires compared
Is there a particular tire which works better when starting from the go, like a short hill climb, or a slalom event (autocross in US) ?
We have many events where there's not enough time for the tire to heat up. So even though the cup 2 is apparently the best tire on TRACK, it's not an optimal tire from the start as it haven't got the time to reach it's optimum temperature.
I know in US they have Potenza RE-71R which dominates American autocross events, but I do struggle to find information about equivalent tires available in Europe?
How should I approach this? Ask manufacturers for the equivalent in europe?
As far as I understand the RE71R takes a little while to warm in too. I've been super impressed with the Pilot Sport 4S warm up time, so it might be worth looking at that. That said, even with a small amount of warm up time the Cup 2 would be stronger, so if the runs are over 1 minute the Cup2 might still be the better tyre.
Would looking for a tire with the lowest UTQG rating be a good start?
Pirelli P ZERO TROFEO R is 60, and CUP 2 is 180 so even though these numbers are not hard and fast rule, it could be a good indication I suppose?
We don't really pay any attention to the UTQG ratings in Europe so I'm not educated enough to answer. Treadwear rating and warm up time would be a logical link, but there's so much else happening in a tyre it is no way a direct correlation
Simply amazing that in all these UHP tyre tests 2017 and so far 2018 that the Pirelli's new P-Zero Corsa hasn't been included....esp against the Michelin PS4S.....maybe it doesn't exist...a well used PR tactic
I can't speak with certainty for the European tyre tests, but usually the testing magazine invites the tyre manufacturer to submit a tyre pattern in the size they want to test, so it's likely the lack of the tyre being tested is down to Pirelli.