It's rare you find tyre tests specifically scoring subjective handling qualities as it's a very difficult thing for tyre testers to quantify, but this latest tyre test from the Finish publication Test World scores the tyres subjective behaviour out of a possible ten points in both the dry and wet. This is particularly interesting if you're not worried about that final 0.1 seconds of dry lap time, but do rate the subjective qualities of a tyre such as steering feel, feedback and car balance.
This test covers sixteen 225/45 R17 UHP tyre patterns using an Audi A3 - perhaps not the last word in dynamic handling but it is still an insight to the tyres we don't usually get.
Dry
Strangely Test World didn't publish dry handling lap times, instead looking at dry braking from 90 km/h and subjective points. Continental, Hankook and Michelin all scored well in the dry tests, offering short dry braking and good subjective handling.
Dry Braking
Spread: 3.20 M (10.1%)|Avg: 33.02 M
Dry braking in meters (Lower is better)
Dry Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tyre
Subj. Dry Handling
Spread: 7.00 Points (70%)|Avg: 6.69 Points
Subjective Dry Handling Score (Higher is better)
Continental Premium Contact 6
10.00 Points
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
9.00 Points
Nokian Hakka Black 2
9.00 Points
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
8.00 Points
Falken Azenis FK510
8.00 Points
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
7.00 Points
Kumho Ecsta PS71
7.00 Points
Pirelli CINTURATO P7
6.00 Points
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
6.00 Points
Yokohama Advan Sport V105
6.00 Points
Triangle Sportex TSH11
6.00 Points
Cooper Zeon CS8
6.00 Points
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
6.00 Points
Bridgestone Turanza T005
6.00 Points
Nankang Sportnex AS2 Plus
4.00 Points
Gislaved Ultra Speed
3.00 Points
Wet
In the wet, Test World added wet handling and an aquaplaning test. As we've previously seen in 2018, the new Falken dominated wet braking, and was 0.4 seconds off during the wet handling lap.
Wet Braking
Spread: 2.30 M (8.6%)|Avg: 27.97 M
Wet braking in meters (Lower is better)
Wet Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tyre
Wet Handling
Spread: 1.70 s (6.2%)|Avg: 27.83 s
Wet handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
27.30 s
Bridgestone Turanza T005
27.30 s
Nokian Hakka Black 2
27.40 s
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
27.50 s
Continental Premium Contact 6
27.50 s
Nankang Sportnex AS2 Plus
27.60 s
Falken Azenis FK510
27.70 s
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
27.80 s
Kumho Ecsta PS71
27.80 s
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
27.90 s
Yokohama Advan Sport V105
28.00 s
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
28.00 s
Triangle Sportex TSH11
28.00 s
Pirelli CINTURATO P7
28.10 s
Cooper Zeon CS8
28.40 s
Gislaved Ultra Speed
29.00 s
Straight Aqua
Spread: 7.50 Km/H (8.5%)|Avg: 84.74 Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
88.50 Km/H
Nankang Sportnex AS2 Plus
87.20 Km/H
Kumho Ecsta PS71
86.50 Km/H
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
86.40 Km/H
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
86.20 Km/H
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
86.20 Km/H
Falken Azenis FK510
85.10 Km/H
Nokian Hakka Black 2
84.50 Km/H
Yokohama Advan Sport V105
84.20 Km/H
Cooper Zeon CS8
84.20 Km/H
Bridgestone Turanza T005
84.00 Km/H
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
83.80 Km/H
Continental Premium Contact 6
83.50 Km/H
Pirelli CINTURATO P7
83.00 Km/H
Triangle Sportex TSH11
81.60 Km/H
Gislaved Ultra Speed
81.00 Km/H
Subj. Wet Handling
Spread: 7.00 Points (70%)|Avg: 7.56 Points
Subjective Wet Handling Score (Higher is better)
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
10.00 Points
Bridgestone Turanza T005
10.00 Points
Nokian Hakka Black 2
10.00 Points
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
9.00 Points
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
9.00 Points
Continental Premium Contact 6
9.00 Points
Pirelli CINTURATO P7
8.00 Points
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
8.00 Points
Yokohama Advan Sport V105
8.00 Points
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
8.00 Points
Falken Azenis FK510
8.00 Points
Nankang Sportnex AS2 Plus
6.00 Points
Kumho Ecsta PS71
6.00 Points
Cooper Zeon CS8
5.00 Points
Triangle Sportex TSH11
4.00 Points
Gislaved Ultra Speed
3.00 Points
Environment
Test world published the rolling resistance scoring as a percentage difference from the best tyre on test. The Bridgestone had the lowest rolling resistance so was the 100% reference, Pirelli was mid pack using 2.6% more fuel than the Bridgestone, and the Yokohama tyre finished last but still only 5.7% more fuel use than the winning tyre.
Again, the in-cabin noise levels were very close, with the best and worst tyres on test less than 2 dB apart.
Short braking distances in the dry and wet, excellent handling in all conditions, excellent balance during emergency maneuvers, excellent feedback in all conditions.
Uh… I have tried both the Advan Sport V105 and Cinturato P7 on my 2019 STi, and this report is not accurate regarding the Advan.
The Advan is a much more confident tire than the P7, especially in the wet. I get ESC lights frequently when trying to corner in rain at speeds like 50-70kph with the P7 on, almost crossing the lane and crashing into oncoming traffic once when doing a hairpin on a local hill in light rain because somehow the car's rear bolted free. (It shouldn't!) Fortunately I was quick enough to countersteer, but the guy in the car on the other lane must have been scared shitless. The Advan has much more grip, but they are rated the same for wet performance? And even below the P7 for dry performance? Seriously? Makes me think if they've mistaken the P Zero for the P7…
I fully agree with the inclusion of subjective data - as "feel" and confidence play a big part in making driving relaxed and enjoyable.
On another subject, I do think it would be helpful to list when and where these various tests were performed: the temperature sensistivity of tyres seems to vary quite a bit, and there can be a world of difference between Ladoux in July and the A7 on an October morning!
I agree, test temperatures would be a huge plus, but very few magazines include it, even in all season and winter tests where temperature is a key factor.
The problem with testing is you need it to be dry so you can do the dry testing, then you can wet the track to do wet testing. That means most of the tracks we use are in south Europe and super warm :/
I can see the problem, but given a bit of time and effort I wouldn't have thought the difficulties are insurmountable. If you study weather a bit, there are places that are cool & reasonably dry in spring, Madrid and central/eastern Poland spring to mind, though if you were to venture further afield there would be better places around the globe I'm sure. Even Norfolk (Snetterton?) might fit the bill given a normal winter. However I guess the issue as per always would be making it financially worthwhile.....
Renting somewhere like snetterton for the day is upwards of £10,000, and you risk wasting that money if it's wet (which lets face it in the UK is anyone's guess.)
Most tyre tests happen on tyre manufacturers test tracks for free, and their test facilities are usually in the best places for the longest possible year round testing!
There is what seems to be an increasing weight/bias being put on this 'subjective' feel concept which by definition cannot be measured and has appeared in tyre tests since the launch of the Michelin PS4 and Conti Premium Contact 6. What it does is allow magazines to award top marks to a tyre that really didn't get 'top marks' by data. EVO's 2017 tyre test (and others) is an example of this , the PZ4 wins 3 out the 4 criteria yet loses the test to the PS4??? Crikey... undoing the whole point of the data and hard data is why tyre tests were invented. I've got to the point of ignoring the test winner and looking only at the measured data.
Many tests still only look at objective data, but I think it's a good thing others are looking at subjective handling. I've experienced tyres which can be very fast over a wet handling lap, but you have to be absolutely on it to extract that speed, which isn't always safe or fun on the road.
EVO does place a high importance on subjective, but its sister publication Auto Express places almost none so there's balance.
With the gap between the best tyres on test almost nothing, I feel like it's important to consider both criteria.
Trouble with that though is it allows greater scope for 'opinion' over fact...1 tester may prefer tyre A another tester tyre B. So when subjective 'feel' adds to or detracts from a tyre's score (as opposed to being a 'test note' which they used to be and welcomed) then overall scoring a hence final result can be manipulated in any direction and historically some have been caught out before (Nokian) and others even admitting to test specific tyres (Continental). Aside from this its interesting that according to TUV SUD tyre test (report# 713112819) that the Turanza T005 was 8% better in wet braking than the Cinturato P7 which is at odds with the above result albeit in a different size (205/55 R16). Ultimately tyre sales are king and favourable/unfavourable reviews transfer millions of currency.
A couple of unusual tyre selections included in this test (Bridgestone's Turanza T005 and the Pirelli Cinturato P7.) Both of which I thought belonged in the premium touring tyre segment rather than the UHP one? Either way it demonstrates just what a good job Bridgestone has made of the T005. Whilst the P7 looks to be showing it's age.
Strange you saying that..... as they are supposed to be bought on the open market for any objective tyre test and they're availabel on the open market.
The tyre manufacturers still tell the magazines what version (or DOT) of the tyre they want them to buy on the open market. The tyre magazines recovers the cost of tyres from the manufacturer so if the manufacturer doesn't want to be part of it, they generally can't afford to buy the tyres without the rebate.
Uh… I have tried both the Advan Sport V105 and Cinturato P7 on my 2019 STi, and this report is not accurate regarding the Advan.
The Advan is a much more confident tire than the P7, especially in the wet. I get ESC lights frequently when trying to corner in rain at speeds like 50-70kph with the P7 on, almost crossing the lane and crashing into oncoming traffic once when doing a hairpin on a local hill in light rain because somehow the car's rear bolted free. (It shouldn't!) Fortunately I was quick enough to countersteer, but the guy in the car on the other lane must have been scared shitless. The Advan has much more grip, but they are rated the same for wet performance? And even below the P7 for dry performance? Seriously? Makes me think if they've mistaken the P Zero for the P7…
I fully agree with the inclusion of subjective data - as "feel" and confidence play a big part in making driving relaxed and enjoyable.
On another subject, I do think it would be helpful to list when and where these various tests were performed: the temperature sensistivity of tyres seems to vary quite a bit, and there can be a world of difference between Ladoux in July and the A7 on an October morning!
I agree, test temperatures would be a huge plus, but very few magazines include it, even in all season and winter tests where temperature is a key factor.
Maybe TyreReviews should organise a UK tyre test done under typical British conditions i.e. damp and not too warm!
BTW, thanks for the site, very useful :-)
The problem with testing is you need it to be dry so you can do the dry testing, then you can wet the track to do wet testing. That means most of the tracks we use are in south Europe and super warm :/
I can see the problem, but given a bit of time and effort I wouldn't have thought the difficulties are insurmountable. If you study weather a bit, there are places that are cool & reasonably dry in spring, Madrid and central/eastern Poland spring to mind, though if you were to venture further afield there would be better places around the globe I'm sure. Even Norfolk (Snetterton?) might fit the bill given a normal winter. However I guess the issue as per always would be making it financially worthwhile.....
Renting somewhere like snetterton for the day is upwards of £10,000, and you risk wasting that money if it's wet (which lets face it in the UK is anyone's guess.)
Most tyre tests happen on tyre manufacturers test tracks for free, and their test facilities are usually in the best places for the longest possible year round testing!
There is what seems to be an increasing weight/bias being put on this 'subjective' feel concept which by definition cannot be measured and has appeared in tyre tests since the launch of the Michelin PS4 and Conti Premium Contact 6. What it does is allow magazines to award top marks to a tyre that really didn't get 'top marks' by data. EVO's 2017 tyre test (and others) is an example of this , the PZ4 wins 3 out the 4 criteria yet loses the test to the PS4??? Crikey... undoing the whole point of the data and hard data is why tyre tests were invented. I've got to the point of ignoring the test winner and looking only at the measured data.
Many tests still only look at objective data, but I think it's a good thing others are looking at subjective handling. I've experienced tyres which can be very fast over a wet handling lap, but you have to be absolutely on it to extract that speed, which isn't always safe or fun on the road.
EVO does place a high importance on subjective, but its sister publication Auto Express places almost none so there's balance.
With the gap between the best tyres on test almost nothing, I feel like it's important to consider both criteria.
Trouble with that though is it allows greater scope for 'opinion' over fact...1 tester may prefer tyre A another tester tyre B. So when subjective 'feel' adds to or detracts from a tyre's score (as opposed to being a 'test note' which they used to be and welcomed) then overall scoring a hence final result can be manipulated in any direction and historically some have been caught out before (Nokian) and others even admitting to test specific tyres (Continental).
Aside from this its interesting that according to TUV SUD tyre test (report# 713112819) that the Turanza T005 was 8% better in wet braking than the Cinturato P7 which is at odds with the above result albeit in a different size (205/55 R16).
Ultimately tyre sales are king and favourable/unfavourable reviews transfer millions of currency.
A couple of unusual tyre selections included in this test (Bridgestone's Turanza T005 and the Pirelli Cinturato P7.) Both of which I thought belonged in the premium touring tyre segment rather than the UHP one?
Either way it demonstrates just what a good job Bridgestone has made of the T005. Whilst the P7 looks to be showing it's age.
It also shows how little confidence Bridgestone have in their S001 product!
very true Gary....the PS4 should be put up against the P Zero PZ4 and not the Cinturato P7 apples and oranges
I believe there's an internal update for the PZ4 P Zero coming so Pirelli aren't submitting the current tyre to tests.
Strange you saying that..... as they are supposed to be bought on the open market for any objective tyre test and they're availabel on the open market.
The tyre manufacturers still tell the magazines what version (or DOT) of the tyre they want them to buy on the open market. The tyre magazines recovers the cost of tyres from the manufacturer so if the manufacturer doesn't want to be part of it, they generally can't afford to buy the tyres without the rebate.