Autozeitung summer tyre test backbenches leading brands

Autozeitung recently conducted its summer tyre test for 2024, joining the ranks of evaluations by Auto Bild as well as European motoring clubs ADAC, ÖAMTC and TCS. The German motoring publication looked at nine brands of 225/45 R17 94W/Y XL tyres, mounting them on a BMW 1-Series and subjecting all to a range of tests in wet and dry conditions.

The line-up of tested tyres includes the Bridgestone Turanza 6, Continental PremiumContact 7, Falken Ziex ZE310 Ecorun, Firestone Roadhawk 2, Hankook Ventus S1 Evo³, Maxxis Premitra 5, Michelin Primacy 4+, Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2, and Vredestein Ultrac.

Testing yielded surprising results. With this field of competitors, few would expect to see the two top-selling global tyre makers ending the test in the bottom third of the results table, or that one of these would lose to its own second brand.

But competition was nonetheless fierce: With a total of 300 points up for grabs, just 40 points separate the runner-up and last-placed tyre. Only the test winner is in a league of its own, earning 14 more points than the second-placed tyre.

Strong result for Continental

This winner is the Continental PremiumContact 7, whose 280 points came closest to the maximum possible score of 300. We can primarily attribute this strong result to the tyre’s wet grip properties, as in this sub-discipline it was only five points shy of the potential top score of 150. Autozeitung writes that the PremiumContact 7 “demonstrates how much grip a tyre can offer on wet roads,” with “very good aquaplaning reserves and top performance in all other disciplines” making it the “top of the class in wet weather.” Tester Martin Urbanke’s only grumble is that the tyre lacks “a pinch of liveliness” on wet roads.

In dry conditions, the PremiumContact 7 delivered a score just 15 points short of the potential maximum 150 points, with more than half of these points deducted for rolling resistance performance. Autozeitung commented that the Continental tyre is “not overly energy-efficient” but compensates for this with a focus upon performance. “The shortest braking distance, fastest lap time and smoothest handling make it the test winner.”

Podium tyres highly recommended

As is the case for the winning Continental tyre, Autozeitung awards the runner-up Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 and third-placed Hankook Ventus S1 Evo³ its ‘highly recommended’ rating. This pair respectively earned 266 and 250 points.

The Pirelli tyre impressed with “a good shot of sportiness,” precise steering reactions and a neutral balance. The Hankook’s strengths are a “particularly broadband” design and good balance between dynamics and comfort.

Despite Autozeitung’s high praise, neither tyre crossed the finish line without garnering (slight) criticism: The motoring publication chides the Cinturato P7 C2’s room for improvement when it comes to rolling resistance and comfort, and notes that the Ventus S1 Evo³ is not a particularly energy-efficient tyre. That said, Autozeitung calculated that the Hankook tyre offers the best value for money.

Fifth yes, fourth no

Autozeitung also bestowed its ‘highly recommended’ rating upon the fifth-placed Firestone Roadhawk 2 but withheld this approval from the tyre that finished the test fourth. Why then isn’t the Vredestein Ultrac a ‘highly recommended’ tyre?

Put simply, although the Ultrac delivered convincing all-round performance, providing solid levels of grip, good comfort and high energy efficiency, Autozeitung considered its wet braking stopping distances to be “too long.” When fitted with the Vredestein tyres, the BMW 1-Series needed 44.1 metres to come to a standstill in the wet from 100 km/h, 4.6 metres more when shod with the PremiumContact 7.

The Roadhawk 2 scored a total of 245 points. Its 100 to 0 km/h wet braking distance was, incidentally, 43.1 metres. It also scored additional points in sub-disciplines such as aquaplaning, a result that sufficed for a ‘highly recommended’ rating and Autozeitung’s thumbs-up as an inexpensive all-rounder.

No recommendation for final 4 tyres

None of the remaining quartet of products, each separated by just one point, achieved ‘highly recommended’ status.

The Falken Ziex ZE310 Ecorun finished in sixth place with 229 points. Autozeitung opines that although the tyre is “a little long in the tooth, it still delivers decent results in the safety-relevant tests.” Its rolling resistance was, on the other hand, the highest of all tested tyres.

The Primacy 4+ from Michelin, the tyre manufacturer with the highest global sales, occupied seventh place. The Michelin tyre achieved a good rolling resistance result, but its wet braking distance was too long. Autozeitung’s tester also wished for “more dynamism in dry conditions.”

The Maxxis Premitra 5 came eighth. “Although it doesn’t reveal any glaring weaknesses, it doesn’t set any highlights either and slips-up when it comes to rolling resistance. Overall decent, but not enough for one of the top places,” is Autozeitung’s verdict.

In last place we find the Bridgestone Turanza 6. Although Autozeitung found the Turanza 6 to be energy efficient, its performance on wet roads was “only average.” The Bridgestone tyre thus had to stand aside for its fifth-placed Firestone sibling and make friends with the wooden spoon.