Sometimes a tyre test resembles a day with the mean kids at school, with a low-priced budget tyre invited to hang out – only to be later mocked as vastly inferior to its peers. But not the latest comparative evaluation from European motoring associations ACE, ARBÖ and GTÜ – while everybody doesn’t win a prize, all present are commended for one characteristic or another.
Campervans based upon vehicles such as the VW Transporter are a popular choice for those wishing to see more of the countryside, and Auto Bild gave them some deserved attention in a recent tyre test. The publication looked at 12 all-season tyres in size 235/55 R17. It fitted these to a VW T6 and then found out how the tyres performed in dry, wet and snowy conditions. Three products gained the top ‘exemplary’ rating and Auto Bild opined that they, along with four ‘good’ rated tyres, are well-suited to the task at hand.
The electric vehicle tyre market is evolving quickly, with manufacturers adding EV-appropriate technologies to existing ranges and in some cases launching new lines of specialist products. These products have several goals, most notably offering range-maximising fuel economy, increased resistance to wear, reducing noise, and the ability to carry heavier loads, all while demonstrating greater sustainability and continuing to offer a high level of safety performance. Naturally these characteristics require technological advancements in order to reconcile contradictory demands; for example, making lower-weight tyres that consume fewer materials while also increasing ruggedness to reduce wear and tyre emissions. With tyres specified for electric vehicles now appearing on the European aftermarket in greater numbers, the need for independent scrutiny is becoming greater, and German magazine Auto Motor und Sport has responded by comparing three of the newest EV-specified products with current flagships, fitted to comparable Kia EV and internal combustion engine (ICE) models.
In recent test results published by the Swiss Touring Club (TCS) Kenda Tire Europe’s KR210 Kenetica Pro tyre beat some of the biggest names in the business in certain test criteria on the way to achieving a three star ‘recommended’ rating. The reason? Kenda “firmly attributes” this success to its ongoing investment in its research and development centre.
Auto Bild has published the second-round results of its size 225/45 R18 summer 2023 tyre test, and thanks to cost factors contributing 20% to the final score, participating tyres gained an opportunity to demonstrate their price-performance ratio. This year’s winner is the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, a tyre that not only impressed the publication’s test team in wet and dry conditions – its purchase price and mileage potential ensured a second victory as economy champion.
For its summer 2023 test, Auto Bild Sportscars lined up a baker’s dozen of size 225/40 R18 tyres and fitted them to a Toyota GR Yaris, a car that highlighted “both the sporting qualities and the weak points” of each and every candidate after “just a few bends” of track. When the dust & water spray had settled, five tyres proudly wore Auto Bild Sportscars’ top ‘exemplary’ rating.
ADAC has published the results of a golden anniversary tyre test in which it evaluates one product for each year since entering the tyre testing game. It looked at 205/55 R16 V – currently the most popular dimension. In readiness for the next 50 years and as a nod to the increasing significance of environmental & sustainability issues, the motoring organisation also overhauled its system of scoring.
Congratulations to Hankook for its table-topping performance during the preliminary wet & dry braking component of Auto Bild’s 2023 summer tyre test, and well done to the other 19 finalists that also progress to the second and main round of testing. But what about the 30 tyres that didn’t make the grade – how well or poorly did they perform?
German motoring association ADAC will soon publish its 50th anniversary tyre test together with partner clubs in Europe. To honour the occasion, it has tested 50 tyres in two sizes instead of the usual 30 or so. The half-century milestone is also accompanied by a shift in focus: In addition to safety-relevant driving qualities, in future it will place a greater emphasis upon each tyre’s environmental and sustainability characteristics.
As in other years, Auto Bild is divvying up its 2023 summer tyre test into two parts, a preliminary round of stopping distances on wet & dry surfaces and, for those making the grade, a more thorough evaluation of performance, comfort and environmental characteristics. This year Auto Bild looks at size 225/45 R18 95Y and began proceedings with 50 tyres. Just 20 roll into the second round.
Gute Fahrt’s 2023 summer tyre test brings good news for Continental and Pirelli, for these manufacturers’ products respectively occupy first and second place in this evaluation of size 235/35 R19 tyres. Last-placed contender Falken is likely less thrilled with its wooden spoon, but on balance, it has nothing to be ashamed of.
With so many all-season and winter tyres now available for the colder months, it is essential these products deliver what they promise. Comparative tests are an invaluable tool for discovering a tyre’s particular strengths and weaknesses, and we’ve ranked the best from this year’s European and UK testing.
The tyre boffins at Auto Bild have been busy of late, evaluating no fewer than 56 products for their 2022 winter test. After looking at the size 255/55 R17 tyres’ braking performance in wet and snowy conditions, Auto Bild selected the 20 with the shortest average stopping distances and subjected these to further testing on dry, wet and snow-covered surfaces and also examined their comfort, noise, mileage and rolling resistance. The motoring publication declared two tyres joint test winners and gave five products the highest ‘exemplary’ rating.
It’s not every day that Michelin finishes last in a tyre test, but this was the case when Auto Express recently examined half a dozen winter tyres. But tester Kim Adams assures that the Alpin 6 is by no means a poor performer – instead, the result reflects the high standards amongst the tyres featured in this year’s test.
The winter tyre tests conducted by European motoring associations this year include several recommendable, solidly performing products, as well as a few poor results. Testers looked at 33 tyres in the small car size 185/65 R15 and SUV fitment 215/60 R16. Reporting the results, they particularly encourage buyers to “take a close look at braking distances and wear” before choosing a tyre.
Kenda