2020 EVO UHP Summer Tire Test

Dry BrakingMichelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 33.6 MVredestein Ultrac Vorti: 36.1 M
Dry HandlingMichelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 52.15 sDunlop SportMaxx RT 2: 53.1 s
Subj. Dry HandlingMichelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 63 PointsVredestein Ultrac Vorti: 53.5 Points
Wet BrakingMichelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 26 MDunlop SportMaxx RT 2: 30.1 M
Wet HandlingPirelli P Zero PZ4: 46 sContinental Sport Contact 6: 48.5 s
Subj. Wet HandlingPirelli P Zero PZ4: 62 PointsMichelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 54.5 Points
Wet CircleMichelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 12.39 sVredestein Ultrac Vorti: 12.71 s
Straight AquaDunlop SportMaxx RT 2: 74.4 Km/HContinental Sport Contact 6: 71.5 Km/H
Subj. ComfortMichelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 25 PointsVredestein Ultrac Vorti: 22 Points
PriceNokian PowerProof: 110 Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2: 150
Rolling ResistanceContinental Sport Contact 6: 0.831 kg / tPirelli P Zero PZ4: 1.017 kg / t
Every year, the British publication EVO Magazine conduct a UHP summer tire test, with this years test covering the hugely popular 235/35 R19 tire size, on a VW Golf GTI. This year, due to travel restrictions, the handling testing was conducted at MIRA in the UK, rather than the Continental facility in Germany.

The EVO summer tire tests are particularly interesting as they're one of the few publications to really dig into the subjective handling of each tire on test, as what good is a fast tire if it's no fun to drive? This means, much like our own tests, the EVO test can help you understand which tire will give you not just the best grip, but the most driving enjoyment too.

As always, head over to the EVO website or locate EVO issue Dec 1st, pages 119-126 for the full details, or carry on reading to our summary below.

Dry

As usual, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S had a dry braking advantage, stopping the Golf in a slightly shorter distance than the second placed Continental SportContact 6.

Michelin carried this advantage through to dry handling, where it tied first with the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

The Michelin also had the best subjective handling and made the lap feel easy, whereas the Pirelli felt great on lap one, but lost its edge on the second lap.

Wet

Michelin once again dominated wet braking, with a significant advantage over the group from 80 km/h.

Pirelli was fastest by nearly a second over the short wet handling lap, with Continental finishing last with the SportContact 6.

The Pirelli was also  the best subjective tire during wet handling, offering the best of everything, with good grip and balance.

The Michelin Pilot Sport PS4 S took another win in the wet circle test, posting the fastest time around the round track.

 The tires that struggled during the wet handling lap were also the tires with the lowest aquaplaning resistance, which isn't uncommon for MIRA.

Environment

Interestingly, the tire with the best subjective dry handling was also awarded the best subjective comfort. These are usually opposing design requirements.

The Contiental SportContact 6 had the lowest rolling resistance on test, in a very close group. Strangely, the Continental is one of "E" rated tires for the EU tire label rolling resistance category, beating all of the "C" rated.

Ignoring the strange price for the Dunlop, the Michelin took its usual position as the most expensive tire on test. Sadly, EVO didn't conduct any wear testing which is a category Michelin usually excels in, but in recent years Continental and Goodyear have caught up in.

Results

1st: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
  • 235/35 R19
  • EU Label: C/A/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st33.6 M100%
Dry Handling1st52.15 s100%
Subj. Dry Handling1st63 Points100%
Wet Braking1st26 M100%
Wet Handling4th46.8 s46 s+0.8 s98.29%
Subj. Wet Handling7th54.5 Points62 Points-7.5 Points87.9%
Wet Circle1st12.39 s100%
Straight Aqua3rd72 Km/H74.4 Km/H-2.4 Km/H96.77%
Subj. Comfort1st25 Points100%
Price6th142 110 +32 77.46%
Rolling Resistance3rd0.873 kg / t0.831 kg / t+0.04 kg / t95.19%
The Pilot Sport 4 S was good in the wet and outstanding in the dry, setting the fastest dry lap time and topping our subjective ratings on track and on the road route, where it impressed with superb steering feel and feedback and ride comfort. A great tire that will improve the feel of your performance car.

Read Reviews    Buy from £165.68

2nd: Continental Sport Contact 6

Continental Sport Contact 6
  • 235/35 R19
  • EU Label: E/A/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd33.8 M33.6 M+0.2 M99.41%
Dry Handling5th52.65 s52.15 s+0.5 s99.05%
Subj. Dry Handling2nd61.5 Points63 Points-1.5 Points97.62%
Wet Braking2nd27.7 M26 M+1.7 M93.86%
Wet Handling7th48.5 s46 s+2.5 s94.85%
Subj. Wet Handling4th56 Points62 Points-6 Points90.32%
Wet Circle6th12.6 s12.39 s+0.21 s98.33%
Straight Aqua7th71.5 Km/H74.4 Km/H-2.9 Km/H96.1%
Subj. Comfort2nd24.5 Points25 Points-0.5 Points98%
Price5th133 110 +23 82.71%
Rolling Resistance1st0.831 kg / t100%
The SportContact 6 lacked corner traction in the wet, as is reflected in its slowest wet handling time and bottom-of-the-table aquaplaning results, but it was good elsewhere and subjectively was highly rated in the dry and on the road route for its steering feel, calm poise and decent refinement.

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3rd: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Pirelli P Zero PZ4
  • 235/35 R19
  • EU Label: E/A/71
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking3rd34.1 M33.6 M+0.5 M98.53%
Dry Handling1st52.15 s100%
Subj. Dry Handling4th57 Points63 Points-6 Points90.48%
Wet Braking4th28.7 M26 M+2.7 M90.59%
Wet Handling1st46 s100%
Subj. Wet Handling1st62 Points100%
Wet Circle2nd12.42 s12.39 s+0.03 s99.76%
Straight Aqua2nd72.2 Km/H74.4 Km/H-2.2 Km/H97.04%
Subj. Comfort4th22.5 Points25 Points-2.5 Points90%
Price3rd124 110 +14 88.71%
Rolling Resistance7th1.017 kg / t0.831 kg / t+0.19 kg / t81.71%
The ‘PZ4’ P Zero was outstanding in the wet, setting the fastest time and feeling the most connected and grippy on the wet circuit, which it backed up with strong aquaplaning performances. It lacked the steering feel and feedback of the best but was good in the dry too, setting the equal fastest lap time.

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4th: Nokian PowerProof

Nokian PowerProof
  • 235/35 R19
  • EU Label: C/A/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking5th35.5 M33.6 M+1.9 M94.65%
Dry Handling6th52.95 s52.15 s+0.8 s98.49%
Subj. Dry Handling5th56 Points63 Points-7 Points88.89%
Wet Braking5th28.8 M26 M+2.8 M90.28%
Wet Handling2nd46.7 s46 s+0.7 s98.5%
Subj. Wet Handling3rd56.5 Points62 Points-5.5 Points91.13%
Wet Circle4th12.54 s12.39 s+0.15 s98.8%
Straight Aqua4th71.8 Km/H74.4 Km/H-2.6 Km/H96.51%
Subj. Comfort3rd23.5 Points25 Points-1.5 Points94%
Price1st110 100%
Rolling Resistance4th0.894 kg / t0.831 kg / t+0.06 kg / t92.95%
A great result for the Powerproof. It’s not the most tactile or the sharpest steering here but it delivered strong performances in the wet, including equal second fastest on the wet track and good aquaplaning resistance. This it combines with decent everyday refinement and good value.

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5th: Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport

Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport
  • 235/35 R19
  • EU Label: E/A/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking4th34.7 M33.6 M+1.1 M96.83%
Dry Handling3rd52.5 s52.15 s+0.35 s99.33%
Subj. Dry Handling3rd59 Points63 Points-4 Points93.65%
Wet Braking3rd28 M26 M+2 M92.86%
Wet Handling2nd46.7 s46 s+0.7 s98.5%
Subj. Wet Handling5th55.5 Points62 Points-6.5 Points89.52%
Wet Circle2nd12.42 s12.39 s+0.03 s99.76%
Straight Aqua6th71.6 Km/H74.4 Km/H-2.8 Km/H96.24%
Subj. Comfort6th22 Points25 Points-3 Points88%
Price4th129 110 +19 85.27%
Rolling Resistance5th0.917 kg / t0.831 kg / t+0.09 kg / t90.62%
The Eagle F1 SuperSport had steering feel and feedback as good as the best, helping it achieve strong dry results. It delivered good objective wet performances too, but while its steering was outstanding its refinement was less good: on poor surfaces it was noisy and bumpy.

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6th: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
  • 235/35 R19
  • EU Label: C/A/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking6th35.6 M33.6 M+2 M94.38%
Dry Handling7th53.1 s52.15 s+0.95 s98.21%
Subj. Dry Handling5th56 Points63 Points-7 Points88.89%
Wet Braking7th30.1 M26 M+4.1 M86.38%
Wet Handling5th47.2 s46 s+1.2 s97.46%
Subj. Wet Handling2nd58.5 Points62 Points-3.5 Points94.35%
Wet Circle4th12.54 s12.39 s+0.15 s98.8%
Straight Aqua1st74.4 Km/H100%
Subj. Comfort4th22.5 Points25 Points-2.5 Points90%
Price7th150 110 +40 73.33%
Rolling Resistance2nd0.84 kg / t0.831 kg / t+0.01 kg / t98.93%
By far the best in aquaplaning, the Sport Maxx RT2 was also highly rated on the wet handling circuit. It wasn’t as impressive in the dry though, being marginally the slowest on track and middle-ranked subjectively, and also marked down on the road for a lack of feel and refinement.

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7th: Vredestein Ultrac Vorti

Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
  • 235/35 R19
  • EU Label: E/B/70
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking7th36.1 M33.6 M+2.5 M93.07%
Dry Handling3rd52.5 s52.15 s+0.35 s99.33%
Subj. Dry Handling7th53.5 Points63 Points-9.5 Points84.92%
Wet Braking6th29.6 M26 M+3.6 M87.84%
Wet Handling6th48 s46 s+2 s95.83%
Subj. Wet Handling6th55 Points62 Points-7 Points88.71%
Wet Circle7th12.71 s12.39 s+0.32 s97.48%
Straight Aqua5th71.7 Km/H74.4 Km/H-2.7 Km/H96.37%
Subj. Comfort6th22 Points25 Points-3 Points88%
Price2nd119 110 +9 92.44%
Rolling Resistance6th0.977 kg / t0.831 kg / t+0.15 kg / t85.06%
The Ultra Vorti is a decent tire that showed well in the aquaplaning tests and set a good lap time on the dry circuit too. It was at or near the bottom of the table in many tests, though, and subjectively was noisy and lacked the connection of the best. It’s worth noting that an updated version is due in the new year.

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