SUV and 4×4 specialist magazine Auto Bild Allrad has tested seven summer tyres that, given their ‘W’ and ‘Y’ speed ratings, probably won’t spend a lot of time away from the tarmac. The on-road emphasis of these size 235/55 R19 (front) and 255/50 R19 (rear) tyres was underlined by the choice of Porsche Cayenne as test main vehicle, while a Toyota pick-up was used to shed light on their off-road capabilities.
Our temporary and unplanned hiatus in tyre test reportage is over, and it’s time to work through the small backlog of results made public during the past couple of months. We’re starting with the test of eight SUV winter tyres carried out by Germany’s Auto Bild allrad.
Apollo has commented on the recent positive results achieved by its Alnac 4G All Season tyre in the recent Auto Bild Allrad test. The tyre was ranked first in the mass premium category (second overall), offering superior performance and value for money.
Apollo Tyres says the Vredestein Quatrac 5’s victory in the all-season tyre test published by Auto Bild Allrad this month shows the level of research and testing it puts into the development of its products. In its test of six size 215/65 R15 SUV tyres, the German motoring magazine described the Vredestein Quatrac 5 as “outstanding in the snow” while demonstrating “respectable grip on dry and wet roads” and “very low rolling resistance”. With a score of 2618 N (Newton) traction on snow, the Vredestein all-season product was judged to be “virtually on par with genuine winter tyres.”
All-season tyres are presented as an alternative to the fitment of separate summer and winter tyres, and this product segment is gaining popularity with British motorists who don’t consider a dedicated winter solution necessary but nevertheless like the idea of extra security when the mercury drops. Yet, as is the case with many things in life, the situation with all-season tyres isn’t as straightforward as it appears at first glance.
Half a dozen all-season SUV tyres have been evaluated in the latest test published by German magazine Auto Bild Allrad (issue 8/2015). The size 215/65 R16H/V tyres were fitted to a VW Tiguan for testing on dry, wet and snow-covered road surfaces, with equal points given for performance in each of the three criteria.
German tyre maker Continental has shared its view on the comparative test of ten budget SUV tyres conducted by Auto Bild Allrad magazine. The tyre maker sees the test – which used its ContiCrossContact UHP as a reference tyre – as confirmation of its product’s clear superiority. In a press release, Continental comments: “None of the tested models matched the Continental tyre, which was utilised as reference tyre, in safety-relevant performance. Once again, the Far Eastern products possessed significant weaknesses.”
German magazine Auto Bild Allrad has published a summer tyre test for compact SUVs. Ten size 235/55 R17H/V/W tyres were tested on a VW Tiguan, and what sets this test apart from others is that all candidates come from either the People’s Republic of China or Taiwan. While all tested tyres delivered performance below the Continental CrossContact UHP reference tyre, the Goodride SA-37 Sport, Infinity Enviro, Delinte Thunder D7, Sonar SX-9, Star Performer SUV-1 and Nankang NK Comfort NK 605 were all rated ‘satisfactory’.
The Autobild family of publications includes titles for various specific automotive niches. Auto Bild Allrad caters to the 4×4/SUV segment, and its most recent issue included a test of 11 size 215/65 R16 tyres. A Volkswagen Tiguan served as test vehicle.
