Sport auto tests W speed rated winter tyres

Yet another test win for Continental. The tyre maker has topped the tables in the comparative evaluation of seven size 235/35 R19 winter tyres carried out by German publication sport auto. Using a VW Golf R as test vehicle, the W rated tyres (approved for speeds of up to 270 km/h) were subject to the usual challenges; the Continental WinterContact TS 850P finished first with a ‘highly recommended’ rating. Second-placed tyre the Michelin Pilot Alpin also gained this rating and was followed by three ‘recommended’ tyres, the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, Vredestein Wintrac Extreme S and Nokian WR D4. The Star Performer SPTS AS was deemed only ‘conditionally recommended’ by the sport auto testers, while the Nankang Winter Activa SV-55 was rated ‘not recommended’ after being marked down for its performance on snow covered and wet road surfaces and due to a lack of stability at high speeds. Detailed results can be found in the Tyrepress.com tyre test database.