Auto Bild Sportscars tested summer tires of different sizes
The new test performed by the German motoring publication involved sports summer tires with a 19-inch rim diameter.
List of models tested:
- Continental SportContact 6
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport
- Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 K117
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
- Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
- Nankang Sportnex NS-20
- Toyo Proxes Sport
- Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
- Yokohama ADVAN Sport V105
Yet another summer tire test by Germany’s Auto Bild Sportscars magazine was conducted on the testing track in Uvalde, Texas, USA, used for tire testing by motoring publications from all over the world. This time around, the test involved sports tires in two sizes — 245/35 R19 and 265/35 R19 — designed to be installed respectively on the front and rear axes of sports cars, such as Mercedes C63 AMG, which was used as a test car.
The lineup of tires was rather standard, and one could easily see from the list of competitors that the victory would be disputed by three leaders in this segment — Continental SportContact 6, Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport, and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S. At the same time, there is always a possibility that there will be a «dark horse» that will challenge the competition leaders, and this time around one could expect this, for example, from Hankook Ventus S1 evo2, Falcon Azenis FK510, or Vredestein Ultrac Vorti. There was also one cheap model involved in the test — Nankang NS-20 — because it will never hurt to remind the audience about the consequence of saving up on tires; there was also a set of semi-slick tires Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 that performed out of competition.
Ultimately, no miracles happened, and the first three places were scored by Continental, Michelin and Goodyear. The first two tires were praised, among other things, for crisp steering response and excellent handling feedback, and the experts said that they were quite safe to make the «elk maneuver» at high speeds. On dry pavement, the only tires that came close to the leaders were the semi-slicks, engineered specifically for these conditions.
On the wet track, the semi-slick Michelin tires predictably ran into problems, while the last place was just as predictably scored by the Nankang tire, the cheapest one on test. This Asian-made tire demonstrated very poor traction and long stopping distances, scoring a «Not recommended» overall verdict.
Summing up the results, AB noted that the best choice for sports cars would be Continental and Michelin, which, at the same time, will probably be the most expensive option. Also, high scores were received by Goodyear, Hankook, and Vredestein, and, if you need a maximum speed at the racing track, you may well go for special semi-slick tires. We can also add that the three Japanese brands — Falken, Yokohama, and Toyo — scored quite modest places, not being able to keep up with their European rivals this time.
| Place | Model | Wet Performance | Dry Performance | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Continental SportContact 6 | 2+ | 1- | Exemplary/Winner of the test |
| 2 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | 2+ | 1- | Exemplary/Winner of the test |
| 3 | Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport | 2+ | 2 | Good |
| 4 | Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 K117 | 2 | 2 | Good |
| 5 | Vredestein Ultrac Vorti | 2 | 2 | Good |
| 6 | Falken Azenis FK510 | 1- | 2- | Satisfactory |
| 7 | Yokohama ADVAN Sport V105 | 2- | 2 | Satisfactory |
| 8 | Toyo Proxes Sport | 2- | 2- | Satisfactory |
| 9 | Nankang Sportnex NS-20 | 4+ | 3- | Not recommended |
| - | Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 | 3- | 1- | Conditionally Recommended |
1st place — Continental SportContact 6
Quick TakeContinental SportContact 6
- This tire replaced Continental ContiSportContact 5
- Available Sizes in Line: 149
- Year Released: 2015
- Regions for sale: Asia, Americas, Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Oceania
- Precise steering response
- Good handling response and a short stopping distance on dry pavement
- Excellent lateral stability in the wet
- Excellent hydroplaning resistance
- Average riding comfort
- High price
1st place — Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
Quick TakeMichelin Pilot Sport 4 S
- This tire replaced Michelin Pilot Super Sport
- Available Sizes in Line: 183
- Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
- • BMW
- • Mercedes-Benz
- • Porsche
- • Ferrari
- Year Released: 2017
- Regions for sale: Americas, Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Oceania
- Great handling in the wet and in the dry
- Precise steering response, efficient braking, and excellent handling feedback
- Good hydroplaning resistance.
- Low noise emission
- The highest price among the tested tires
2nd place — Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport
Quick TakeGoodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport
- Available Sizes in Line: 59
- Year Released: 2018
- Regions for sale: Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Oceania
- Excellent lateral stability and handling response on wet pavement
- Precise steering response, and excellent braking performance
- Smooth ride
- High noise emission
Increased rolling resistance
3rd place — Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 K117
Quick TakeHankook Ventus S1 evo2 K117
- This tire has been replaced by Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 K127
- This tire replaced Hankook Ventus S1 evo K107
- This tire has run-flat model:
- Available Sizes in Line: 123
- Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
- • MINI Cooper
- Year Released: 2011
- Regions for sale: Asia, Americas, Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Oceania
- Well-balanced performance
- Great handling in the wet and in the dry
- Low noise emission
- Low rolling resistance
- Compelling price/quality ratio.
- Slightly delayed steering response
4th place — Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
Quick TakeVredestein Ultrac Vorti
- This tire replaced Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta
- Available Sizes in Line: 163
- Year Released: 2012
- Regions for sale: Northern America, Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
- Excellent lateral stability, precise steering response, and generally adequate handling response on wet pavement
- Good handling response and a short stopping distance on dry pavement
- Excellent hydroplaning resistance
- Compelling price/quality ratio
- Increased rolling resistance
5th place Falken Azenis FK510
Quick TakeFalken Azenis FK510
- This tire replaced Falken FK453
- Available Sizes in Line: 199
- Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
- • Audi A1 GB [2018 .. 2021]
- Year Released: 2016
- Regions for sale: Northern America, Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Oceania
- Precise steering response, and generally adequate handling response on wet pavement
- Excellent braking efficiency
- Great riding comfort
- Low price
- Prone to understeer on dry pavement
- Increased rolling resistance
6th place Yokohama ADVAN Sport V105
Quick TakeYokohama ADVAN Sport V105
- Available Sizes in Line: 145
- Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
- • Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG Br213 [2017 .. 2020]
- • BMW X3 III (G01) [2017 .. 2020]
- • Lotus Elise II Facelift [2010 .. 2020]
- • BMW X4 G02 [2018 .. 2020]
- • Subaru WRX STI VA Facelift [2018 .. 2020]
- • Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
- • Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class
- • Porsche Cayenne Typ 9Y0 (PO536) [2017 .. 2021]
- Year Released: 2012
- Regions for sale: Asia, Northern America, Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Oceania
- Great handling in the wet and in the dry
- Short braking distance on dry pavement
- Long braking distance on wet pavement
- Increased rolling resistance
- Average ride
- High price
7th place Toyo Proxes Sport
Quick TakeToyo Proxes Sport
- This tire has been replaced by Toyo Proxes Sport A
- This tire replaced Toyo Proxes T1 Sport
- Available Sizes in Line: 165
- Year Released: 2016
- Regions for sale: Asia, Northern America, Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Oceania
- Good hydroplaning resistance.
- Short braking distance on dry pavement
- Acceptable price
- Average traction and prone to understeer in the wet and in the dry
- Delayed steering response
- Average riding comfort
8th place Nankang Sportnex NS-20
Quick TakeNankang NS-20
- This tire replaced Nankang NS-ll
- Available Sizes in Line: 216
- Year Released: 2009
- Regions for sale: Eastern Asia, Northern America, Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Oceania
- Good hydroplaning resistance.
- Low price
- Dangerously long braking distance on wet and dry pavements
- Poor handling and delayed steering response
- High rolling resistance
- Not recommended
9th place Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
Quick TakeMichelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
- This tire has been replaced by Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R
- Available Sizes in Line: 44
- Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
- • Ferrari 488 Pista [2018 .. 2020]
- • BMW
- • Aston Martin
- • Audi
- • Ford
- • Porsche 911 Typ 991 [2011 .. 2015]
- • Porsche 918 I [2013 .. 2015]
- • Mercedes-Benz SLS-Class AMG
- • Ferrari 458 Speciale [2013 .. 2016]
- Year Released: 2013
- Regions for sale: Americas, Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Oceania
- Great handling response, precise steering response on dry pavement
- Poor results on wet pavement
- Poor hydroplaning resistance
- Conditionally Recommended