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2019 Auto Bild Sports Car Tyre Test

Jonathan Benson
Data analyzed and reviewed by Jonathan Benson
6 min read Updated
Contents
  1. Introduction
  2. Dry
  3. Wet
  4. Environment
  5. Results
  6. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
  7. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
  8. Continental Premium Contact 6
  9. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
  10. Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
  11. Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
  12. Nokian PowerProof
  13. Bridgestone Turanza T005
  14. Maxxis Premitra HP5
  15. Toyo Proxes Sport
  16. Fulda SportControl 2

Test Publication:
245/45 R18 11 tyres 4 categories
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Images courtesy of Auto Bild Sportscars
Test Publication:
Auto Bild Sportscars
https://www.autobild.de/ratgeber/reifen/
Images courtesy of Auto Bild Sportscars
Test Size: 245/45 R18
Tyres Tested: 11 tyres
Test Categories:
4 categories (9 tests)
Similar Tests
Auto Bild's second summer tyre test of 2019 has tested eleven 245/45 R18 tyre patterns using a BMW 5 Series. This tyre and vehicle combination isn't an often tested setup, and has yielded some interesting results!

The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 (Sports Car variant) dominated the testing, with the shortest dry and wet braking, fastest wet handling lap and second fastest dry handling lap.

With the Pirelli dominating, that left the usual top three trio battling out for second place overall, which went in favour of the new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5, whos only draw back was a mid table rolling resistance score. The last of the podium spots went to the Continental PremiumContact 6 which proved to be a little noisy compared to the best.

The fan favourite, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4, had to settle for a joint fourth place overall with the Vredestein Ultrac Vorti.

Dry

The Pirelli P Zero SC had a huge dry braking advantage, 0.6 meters ahead of the next best.

Dry Braking

Spread: 2.40 M (6.8%)|Avg: 36.22 M
Dry braking in meters (Lower is better)
Dry Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tyre

The Vredestein Ultrac Vorti took its regular spot at the top of the dry handling testing, with the P Zero a close second.

Dry Handling

Spread: 3.30 Km/H (3.3%)|Avg: 98.52 Km/H
Dry Handling Average Speed (Higher is better)
  1. Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
    100.00 Km/H
  2. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    99.80 Km/H
  3. Continental Premium Contact 6
    99.20 Km/H
  4. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    99.20 Km/H
  5. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    99.00 Km/H
  6. Toyo Proxes Sport
    98.40 Km/H
  7. Nokian PowerProof
    98.30 Km/H
  8. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    98.20 Km/H
  9. Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
    97.70 Km/H
  10. Fulda SportControl 2
    97.20 Km/H
  11. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    96.70 Km/H

Wet

The Pirelli once again proved its braking dominance, stopping 2 meters shorter than the second placed Asymmetric 5.

Wet Braking

Spread: 9.50 M (20.3%)|Avg: 52.60 M
Wet braking in meters (Lower is better)
Wet Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tyre

This time the Pirelli carried through the performance advantage to wet handling, as the fastest tyre on test.

Wet Handling

Spread: 8.30 Km/H (9.4%)|Avg: 83.48 Km/H
Wet Handling Average Speed (Higher is better)
  1. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    88.10 Km/H
  2. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    87.70 Km/H
  3. Continental Premium Contact 6
    85.50 Km/H
  4. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    85.40 Km/H
  5. Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
    85.00 Km/H
  6. Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
    82.50 Km/H
  7. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    82.30 Km/H
  8. Nokian PowerProof
    80.90 Km/H
  9. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    80.80 Km/H
  10. Fulda SportControl 2
    80.30 Km/H
  11. Toyo Proxes Sport
    79.80 Km/H

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 took its first win of the test during straight aquaplaning testing.

Straight Aqua

Spread: 5.10 Km/H (5.5%)|Avg: 89.48 Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
  1. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    92.10 Km/H
  2. Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
    91.20 Km/H
  3. Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
    91.00 Km/H
  4. Toyo Proxes Sport
    90.80 Km/H
  5. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    89.40 Km/H
  6. Continental Premium Contact 6
    89.40 Km/H
  7. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    88.90 Km/H
  8. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    88.60 Km/H
  9. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    88.30 Km/H
  10. Nokian PowerProof
    87.60 Km/H
  11. Fulda SportControl 2
    87.00 Km/H

Environment

Three tyres proved to be the most comfortable subjectively.

Subj. Comfort

Spread: 3.00 Points (42.9%)|Avg: 5.82 Points
Subjective Comfort Score (Higher is better)
  1. Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
    7.00 Points
  2. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    7.00 Points
  3. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    7.00 Points
  4. Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
    6.00 Points
  5. Continental Premium Contact 6
    6.00 Points
  6. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    6.00 Points
  7. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    6.00 Points
  8. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    5.00 Points
  9. Fulda SportControl 2
    5.00 Points
  10. Nokian PowerProof
    5.00 Points
  11. Toyo Proxes Sport
    4.00 Points

The Bridgestone continued its run of extremely low rolling resistance scores by having the lowest fuel use on test.

Rolling Resistance

Spread: 2.38 kg / t (32.6%)|Avg: 8.49 kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)
  1. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    7.31 kg / t
  2. Fulda SportControl 2
    7.63 kg / t
  3. Continental Premium Contact 6
    8.01 kg / t
  4. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    8.09 kg / t
  5. Nokian PowerProof
    8.09 kg / t
  6. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    8.30 kg / t
  7. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    8.74 kg / t
  8. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    8.95 kg / t
  9. Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
    9.04 kg / t
  10. Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
    9.54 kg / t
  11. Toyo Proxes Sport
    9.69 kg / t
19,000 km
£1.45/L
--
Annual Difference
--
Lifetime Savings
--
Extra Fuel/Energy
--
Extra CO2

Estimates based on typical driving conditions. Rolling resistance accounts for approximately 20% of IC vehicle fuel consumption and 25% of EV energy consumption. Actual savings vary based on driving style, vehicle weight, road conditions, and tyre age. For comparative purposes only. Lifetime savings based on a 40,000km / 25,000 mile tread life.

The Maxxis had the quietest internal noise.

Noise

Spread: 2.30 dB (3.2%)|Avg: 72.53 dB
External noise in dB (Lower is better)
  1. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    71.60 dB
  2. Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
    71.70 dB
  3. Fulda SportControl 2
    71.80 dB
  4. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    72.10 dB
  5. Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
    72.40 dB
  6. Toyo Proxes Sport
    72.40 dB
  7. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    72.90 dB
  8. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    72.90 dB
  9. Nokian PowerProof
    72.90 dB
  10. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    73.20 dB
  11. Continental Premium Contact 6
    73.90 dB

The Maxxis was also the cheapest tyre on test.

Price

Spread: 215.00 (46.7%)|Avg: 545.45
Price in local currency (Lower is better)
  1. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    460.00
  2. Toyo Proxes Sport
    470.00
  3. Fulda SportControl 2
    495.00
  4. Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
    510.00
  5. Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
    535.00
  6. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    560.00
  7. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    560.00
  8. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    560.00
  9. Nokian PowerProof
    585.00
  10. Continental Premium Contact 6
    590.00
  11. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    675.00

Results

1st

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

245/45 R18
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 1st 35.1 M 100%
Dry Handling 2nd 99.8 Km/H 100 Km/H -0.2 Km/H 99.8%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 1st 46.7 M 100%
Wet Handling 1st 88.1 Km/H 100%
Straight Aqua 8th 88.6 Km/H 92.1 Km/H -3.5 Km/H 96.2%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 4th 6 Points 7 Points -1 Points 85.71%
Noise 7th 72.9 dB 71.6 dB +1.3 dB 98.22%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 6th 560 460 +100 82.14%
Rolling Resistance 7th 8.74 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +1.43 kg / t 83.64%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
2nd

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5

245/45 R18
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 6th 36 M 35.1 M +0.9 M 97.5%
Dry Handling 3rd 99.2 Km/H 100 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.2%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 2nd 48.7 M 46.7 M +2 M 95.89%
Wet Handling 2nd 87.7 Km/H 88.1 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.55%
Straight Aqua 7th 88.9 Km/H 92.1 Km/H -3.2 Km/H 96.53%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 4th 6 Points 7 Points -1 Points 85.71%
Noise 10th 73.2 dB 71.6 dB +1.6 dB 97.81%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 6th 560 460 +100 82.14%
Rolling Resistance 8th 8.95 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +1.64 kg / t 81.68%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
3rd

Continental Premium Contact 6

245/45 R18
Continental Premium Contact 6
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 6th 36 M 35.1 M +0.9 M 97.5%
Dry Handling 3rd 99.2 Km/H 100 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.2%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 3rd 49.8 M 46.7 M +3.1 M 93.78%
Wet Handling 3rd 85.5 Km/H 88.1 Km/H -2.6 Km/H 97.05%
Straight Aqua 5th 89.4 Km/H 92.1 Km/H -2.7 Km/H 97.07%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 4th 6 Points 7 Points -1 Points 85.71%
Noise 11th 73.9 dB 71.6 dB +2.3 dB 96.89%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 10th 590 460 +130 77.97%
Rolling Resistance 3rd 8.01 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +0.7 kg / t 91.26%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
4th

Michelin Pilot Sport 4

245/45 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 8th 36.6 M 35.1 M +1.5 M 95.9%
Dry Handling 5th 99 Km/H 100 Km/H -1 Km/H 99%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 4th 50.9 M 46.7 M +4.2 M 91.75%
Wet Handling 4th 85.4 Km/H 88.1 Km/H -2.7 Km/H 96.94%
Straight Aqua 1st 92.1 Km/H 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 1st 7 Points 100%
Noise 4th 72.1 dB 71.6 dB +0.5 dB 99.31%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 11th 675 460 +215 68.15%
Rolling Resistance 6th 8.3 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +0.99 kg / t 88.07%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
4th

Vredestein Ultrac Vorti

245/45 R18
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 3rd 35.8 M 35.1 M +0.7 M 98.04%
Dry Handling 1st 100 Km/H 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 5th 52.8 M 46.7 M +6.1 M 88.45%
Wet Handling 5th 85 Km/H 88.1 Km/H -3.1 Km/H 96.48%
Straight Aqua 2nd 91.2 Km/H 92.1 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 99.02%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 1st 7 Points 100%
Noise 5th 72.4 dB 71.6 dB +0.8 dB 98.9%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 5th 535 460 +75 85.98%
Rolling Resistance 10th 9.54 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +2.23 kg / t 76.62%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
6th

Hankook Ventus S1 evo2

245/45 R18
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 8th 36.6 M 35.1 M +1.5 M 95.9%
Dry Handling 9th 97.7 Km/H 100 Km/H -2.3 Km/H 97.7%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 6th 53.4 M 46.7 M +6.7 M 87.45%
Wet Handling 6th 82.5 Km/H 88.1 Km/H -5.6 Km/H 93.64%
Straight Aqua 3rd 91 Km/H 92.1 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 98.81%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 4th 6 Points 7 Points -1 Points 85.71%
Noise 2nd 71.7 dB 71.6 dB +0.1 dB 99.86%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 4th 510 460 +50 90.2%
Rolling Resistance 9th 9.04 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +1.73 kg / t 80.86%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
7th

Nokian PowerProof

245/45 R18
Nokian PowerProof
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 5th 35.9 M 35.1 M +0.8 M 97.77%
Dry Handling 7th 98.3 Km/H 100 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 98.3%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 7th 54.3 M 46.7 M +7.6 M 86%
Wet Handling 8th 80.9 Km/H 88.1 Km/H -7.2 Km/H 91.83%
Straight Aqua 10th 87.6 Km/H 92.1 Km/H -4.5 Km/H 95.11%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 8th 5 Points 7 Points -2 Points 71.43%
Noise 7th 72.9 dB 71.6 dB +1.3 dB 98.22%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 9th 585 460 +125 78.63%
Rolling Resistance 4th 8.09 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +0.78 kg / t 90.36%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
8th

Bridgestone Turanza T005

245/45 R18
Bridgestone Turanza T005
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 3rd 35.8 M 35.1 M +0.7 M 98.04%
Dry Handling 11th 96.7 Km/H 100 Km/H -3.3 Km/H 96.7%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 10th 55.8 M 46.7 M +9.1 M 83.69%
Wet Handling 9th 80.8 Km/H 88.1 Km/H -7.3 Km/H 91.71%
Straight Aqua 9th 88.3 Km/H 92.1 Km/H -3.8 Km/H 95.87%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 1st 7 Points 100%
Noise 7th 72.9 dB 71.6 dB +1.3 dB 98.22%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 6th 560 460 +100 82.14%
Rolling Resistance 1st 7.31 kg / t 100%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
8th

Maxxis Premitra HP5

245/45 R18
Maxxis Premitra HP5
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 2nd 35.7 M 35.1 M +0.6 M 98.32%
Dry Handling 8th 98.2 Km/H 100 Km/H -1.8 Km/H 98.2%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 9th 55.4 M 46.7 M +8.7 M 84.3%
Wet Handling 7th 82.3 Km/H 88.1 Km/H -5.8 Km/H 93.42%
Straight Aqua 5th 89.4 Km/H 92.1 Km/H -2.7 Km/H 97.07%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 8th 5 Points 7 Points -2 Points 71.43%
Noise 1st 71.6 dB 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 1st 460 100%
Rolling Resistance 4th 8.09 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +0.78 kg / t 90.36%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
8th

Toyo Proxes Sport

245/45 R18
Toyo Proxes Sport
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 11th 37.5 M 35.1 M +2.4 M 93.6%
Dry Handling 6th 98.4 Km/H 100 Km/H -1.6 Km/H 98.4%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 11th 56.2 M 46.7 M +9.5 M 83.1%
Wet Handling 11th 79.8 Km/H 88.1 Km/H -8.3 Km/H 90.58%
Straight Aqua 4th 90.8 Km/H 92.1 Km/H -1.3 Km/H 98.59%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 11th 4 Points 7 Points -3 Points 57.14%
Noise 5th 72.4 dB 71.6 dB +0.8 dB 98.9%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 2nd 470 460 +10 97.87%
Rolling Resistance 11th 9.69 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +2.38 kg / t 75.44%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
11th

Fulda SportControl 2

245/45 R18
Fulda SportControl 2
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 10th 37.4 M 35.1 M +2.3 M 93.85%
Dry Handling 10th 97.2 Km/H 100 Km/H -2.8 Km/H 97.2%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 8th 54.6 M 46.7 M +7.9 M 85.53%
Wet Handling 10th 80.3 Km/H 88.1 Km/H -7.8 Km/H 91.15%
Straight Aqua 11th 87 Km/H 92.1 Km/H -5.1 Km/H 94.46%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 8th 5 Points 7 Points -2 Points 71.43%
Noise 3rd 71.8 dB 71.6 dB +0.2 dB 99.72%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 3rd 495 460 +35 92.93%
Rolling Resistance 2nd 7.63 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +0.32 kg / t 95.81%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

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Discussion

10 comments
  1. 1hp archived

    External noise on the graph, internal on the comment above. Which is it, as there is not much correlation between the two? Wanting to buy the premium contact 6 (PC6) for low INTERNAL noise, autoexpress testing it on a GTI (similar to my car) was good for internal noise and significantly better than PS4, this result makes me wonder...

    When you tested the PC6 recently, did you run it over rough asphalt/concrete? Was it noisy? Thanks!

    (buying 235/40R18 size)

    #4663
    1. TyreReviews 1hp archived

      Internal, our database can only show external at the moment. I'll get that updated.

      If you watch the video NVH is discussed near the end. The Asym 5 was the best internally. The PC6 maybe a tiny bit better than the Asym 3

      #4664
      1. 1hp TyreReviews archived

        Thanks, better to rely on the noise test done with a similar cars and don't get scared off by these very different results... on a very different car. Noise is very difficult overall, so many variables.
        Now taking a gamble with a much more intesting tyre for me, the GYF1SS :)

        #4674
        1. TyreReviews 1hp archived

          Amazing, let me know how you find them! :)

          #4678
  2. Lukica Stipetić archived

    The Autobild sports car has already used the Bmw 5 Series vehicle in the UHP winter tires of the same size:
    http://www.tyrereviews.co.u...

    It is a surprise that the Falken Azenis 510 has not been included in this test. This tire is very popular among Bmw drivers in my homeland.

    #4634
  3. 4cvg archived

    A strange mismatch of summary remarks & graph results at times - ???

    #4599
    1. TyreReviews 4cvg archived

      I'm a little overloaded with work at the moment so rushing but of the smaller tests out, have you examples? I just scanned the article and couldn't see anything obvious.

      #4602
      1. 4cvg TyreReviews archived

        Two examples might suffice:
        1. AS3 & PC6 are described as excellent & good dry handlers respectively. The bar graph scores are identical.
        2. PZ4 & UV are described as excellent & very good dry handlers respectively. The bar graph scores reverse this order.

        #4609
        1. TyreReviews 4cvg archived

          Ah you meant the tyre notes!

          I'll look into this further, I feel like the translation sometimes gets things a little different from the original intent.

          #4614