2022 Sports Car UHP Winter Tire Test

The 2022 Auto Bild Sports Car UHP Winter Tire Test has tested nine popular performance winter tires in the large 245/40 R19 size using a Cupra Formenta.

Dry

As usual, the reference summer tire was the best in the dry, however it seems that in these larger tire sizes the summer tire has a bigger than usual lead, stopping the car nearly 5 meters shorter than the best winter tire, which was budget Minerva IcePlus S210. There was a 2.1 meter spread between the best and the worst winter tire.

The summer tire kept the advantage during the dry handling test, with the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 being the best of the winter tires.

Wet

The summer tires advantage remained during the wet braking test, leading the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 by 3.1 meters.

Wet handing was led by the Vredestein Wintrac Pro, which is a tire which usually does well during the wet handling tests.

Aquaplaning was again led by the summer tire.

Snow

Naturally the summer tire had no ability in any of the snow tests. The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 led the way in snow braking, closely followed by the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005.

The snow traction testing was also led by Michelin.

Rounding out the "best in snow" performance, the Pilot Alpin 5 was also the fastest around snow handling.

Environment

The Cooper Discoverer Winter had the lowest external noise on test.

The Continental WinterContact TS870P had the lowest rolling resistance.

As we've come to expect, the Michelin and Continental were the most expensive tires on test.

Results

1st: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
245/40 R19	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 44 M 42.4 M +1.6 M 96.36% Dry Handling 2nd 106.8 Km/H 107.1 Km/H -0.3 Km/H 99.72% Wet Braking 1st 44.4 M 100% Wet Handling 2nd 86.7 Km/H 86.9 Km/H -0.2 Km/H 99.77% Wet Circle 2nd 15.6 s 15.45 s +0.15 s 99.04% Straight Aqua 6th 80.3 Km/H 84.9 Km/H -4.6 Km/H 94.58% Curved Aquaplaning 4th 3.12 m/sec2 3.36 m/sec2 -0.24 m/sec2 92.86% Snow Braking 2nd 24.6 M 24.4 M +0.2 M 99.19% Snow Traction 3rd 2850 N 2915 N -65 N 97.77% Snow Handling 4th 47.5 Km/H 48.9 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 97.14% Snow Slalom 4th 3.96 m/sec2 4.23 m/sec2 -0.27 m/sec2 93.62% Noise 7th 74 dB 72 dB +2 dB 97.3% Price 7th 950 400 +550 42.11% Rolling Resistance 2nd 7.61 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +0.3 kg / t 96.06% Exemplary premium tires with very good snow qualities, high steering precision, dynamic wet and dry handling, short snow and wet braking distances, good levels of comfort, fuel-saving rolling resistance. Expensive. Exemplary / Test Winner. Read Reviews    Buy from £233.15
1st: Hankook Winter i cept evo3
245/40 R19	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 43.7 M 42.4 M +1.3 M 97.03% Dry Handling 2nd 106.8 Km/H 107.1 Km/H -0.3 Km/H 99.72% Wet Braking 3rd 45.2 M 44.4 M +0.8 M 98.23% Wet Handling 3rd 86.5 Km/H 86.9 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.54% Wet Circle 3rd 15.62 s 15.45 s +0.17 s 98.91% Straight Aqua 3rd 81.8 Km/H 84.9 Km/H -3.1 Km/H 96.35% Curved Aquaplaning 1st 3.36 m/sec2 100% Snow Braking 3rd 24.7 M 24.4 M +0.3 M 98.79% Snow Traction 7th 2800 N 2915 N -115 N 96.05% Snow Handling 3rd 47.7 Km/H 48.9 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 97.55% Snow Slalom 3rd 3.97 m/sec2 4.23 m/sec2 -0.26 m/sec2 93.85% Noise 8th 74.2 dB 72 dB +2.2 dB 97.04% Price 4th 820 400 +420 48.78% Rolling Resistance 3rd 8.19 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +0.88 kg / t 89.26% Convincing all-round talent with balanced performance potential, precise steering behavior, short snow and wet braking distances, dynamic handling properties in all weather conditions, fair price. Average comfort. Exemplary / Test Winner. Read Reviews
3rd: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
245/40 R19	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 43.7 M 42.4 M +1.3 M 97.03% Dry Handling 7th 105.4 Km/H 107.1 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 98.41% Wet Braking 5th 46.4 M 44.4 M +2 M 95.69% Wet Handling 5th 85.7 Km/H 86.9 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 98.62% Wet Circle 4th 15.72 s 15.45 s +0.27 s 98.28% Straight Aqua 7th 79.7 Km/H 84.9 Km/H -5.2 Km/H 93.88% Curved Aquaplaning 2nd 3.34 m/sec2 3.36 m/sec2 -0.02 m/sec2 99.4% Snow Braking 4th 24.9 M 24.4 M +0.5 M 97.99% Snow Traction 2nd 2857 N 2915 N -58 N 98.01% Snow Handling 2nd 48 Km/H 48.9 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 98.16% Snow Slalom 2nd 4.09 m/sec2 4.23 m/sec2 -0.14 m/sec2 96.69% Noise 6th 73.5 dB 72 dB +1.5 dB 97.96% Price 8th 1075 400 +675 37.21% Rolling Resistance 1st 7.31 kg / t 100% Premium tires with stable driving quality in all weather conditions, very good winter properties with short braking distances and sporty, dynamic handling, quiet road noise, fuel-saving rolling resistance. Expensive. Exemplary. Read Reviews
4th: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
245/40 R19	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 42.6 M 42.4 M +0.2 M 99.53% Dry Handling 1st 107.1 Km/H 100% Wet Braking 6th 48.3 M 44.4 M +3.9 M 91.93% Wet Handling 4th 85.8 Km/H 86.9 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 98.73% Wet Circle 6th 16 s 15.45 s +0.55 s 96.56% Straight Aqua 4th 80.7 Km/H 84.9 Km/H -4.2 Km/H 95.05% Curved Aquaplaning 5th 3.02 m/sec2 3.36 m/sec2 -0.34 m/sec2 89.88% Snow Braking 1st 24.4 M 100% Snow Traction 1st 2915 N 100% Snow Handling 1st 48.9 Km/H 100% Snow Slalom 1st 4.23 m/sec2 100% Noise 2nd 72.2 dB 72 dB +0.2 dB 99.72% Price 9th 1090 400 +690 36.7% Rolling Resistance 4th 8.23 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +0.92 kg / t 88.82% The snow king with the best driving performance on ice and snow, precise steering behavior and dynamic driving characteristics on dry slopes, low noise. Expensive, slightly longer wet braking distance. Good. Read Reviews
5th: Falken Eurowinter HS01
245/40 R19	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 42.9 M 42.4 M +0.5 M 98.83% Dry Handling 6th 105.8 Km/H 107.1 Km/H -1.3 Km/H 98.79% Wet Braking 2nd 44.8 M 44.4 M +0.4 M 99.11% Wet Handling 6th 85 Km/H 86.9 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 97.81% Wet Circle 8th 16.1 s 15.45 s +0.65 s 95.96% Straight Aqua 1st 84.9 Km/H 100% Curved Aquaplaning 8th 2.86 m/sec2 3.36 m/sec2 -0.5 m/sec2 85.12% Snow Braking 6th 25.5 M 24.4 M +1.1 M 95.69% Snow Traction 8th 2710 N 2915 N -205 N 92.97% Snow Handling 5th 47 Km/H 48.9 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 96.11% Snow Slalom 7th 3.89 m/sec2 4.23 m/sec2 -0.34 m/sec2 91.96% Noise 4th 72.6 dB 72 dB +0.6 dB 99.17% Price 3rd 815 400 +415 49.08% Rolling Resistance 9th 9.33 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +2.02 kg / t 78.35% Convincingly good winter qualities, short braking distances in any weather, safe aquaplaning properties, stable dry handling, low noise, low price. Slight understeer on wet roads, very high rolling resistance. Good. Read Reviews
6th: Vredestein Wintrac Pro
245/40 R19	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 43.5 M 42.4 M +1.1 M 97.47% Dry Handling 5th 106.1 Km/H 107.1 Km/H -1 Km/H 99.07% Wet Braking 4th 45.9 M 44.4 M +1.5 M 96.73% Wet Handling 1st 86.9 Km/H 100% Wet Circle 1st 15.45 s 100% Straight Aqua 8th 79.5 Km/H 84.9 Km/H -5.4 Km/H 93.64% Curved Aquaplaning 7th 2.89 m/sec2 3.36 m/sec2 -0.47 m/sec2 86.01% Snow Braking 7th 25.6 M 24.4 M +1.2 M 95.31% Snow Traction 5th 2838 N 2915 N -77 N 97.36% Snow Handling 7th 46.6 Km/H 48.9 Km/H -2.3 Km/H 95.3% Snow Slalom 8th 3.77 m/sec2 4.23 m/sec2 -0.46 m/sec2 89.13% Noise 9th 74.5 dB 72 dB +2.5 dB 96.64% Price 5th 865 400 +465 46.24% Rolling Resistance 8th 9.21 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +1.9 kg / t 79.37% High traction and short braking distances on ice and snow, sporty, dynamic handling and precise steering behavior on wet roads, safe dry handling, fair price. Understeering handling on snow, high rolling resistance. Fair. Read Reviews
7th: Cooper Discoverer Winter
245/40 R19	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 44.4 M 42.4 M +2 M 95.5% Dry Handling 8th 105.3 Km/H 107.1 Km/H -1.8 Km/H 98.32% Wet Braking 8th 48.9 M 44.4 M +4.5 M 90.8% Wet Handling 7th 84.8 Km/H 86.9 Km/H -2.1 Km/H 97.58% Wet Circle 5th 15.81 s 15.45 s +0.36 s 97.72% Straight Aqua 5th 80.5 Km/H 84.9 Km/H -4.4 Km/H 94.82% Curved Aquaplaning 3rd 3.15 m/sec2 3.36 m/sec2 -0.21 m/sec2 93.75% Snow Braking 5th 25.1 M 24.4 M +0.7 M 97.21% Snow Traction 4th 2845 N 2915 N -70 N 97.6% Snow Handling 6th 46.8 Km/H 48.9 Km/H -2.1 Km/H 95.71% Snow Slalom 5th 3.94 m/sec2 4.23 m/sec2 -0.29 m/sec2 93.14% Noise 1st 72 dB 100% Price 6th 930 400 +530 43.01% Rolling Resistance 6th 8.9 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +1.59 kg / t 82.13% Winter tire with good driving characteristics on firm snow cover, low pass-by noise, good comfort. Longer wet and dry braking distances, moderate grip and understeering handling on dry roads, increased rolling resistance. Fair. Read Reviews
8th: Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6
245/40 R19	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 9th 44.5 M 42.4 M +2.1 M 95.28% Dry Handling 9th 105.1 Km/H 107.1 Km/H -2 Km/H 98.13% Wet Braking 7th 48.5 M 44.4 M +4.1 M 91.55% Wet Handling 8th 84.6 Km/H 86.9 Km/H -2.3 Km/H 97.35% Wet Circle 7th 16.02 s 15.45 s +0.57 s 96.44% Straight Aqua 2nd 84.8 Km/H 84.9 Km/H -0.1 Km/H 99.88% Curved Aquaplaning 6th 2.94 m/sec2 3.36 m/sec2 -0.42 m/sec2 87.5% Snow Braking 7th 25.6 M 24.4 M +1.2 M 95.31% Snow Traction 6th 2811 N 2915 N -104 N 96.43% Snow Handling 8th 46.5 Km/H 48.9 Km/H -2.4 Km/H 95.09% Snow Slalom 6th 3.91 m/sec2 4.23 m/sec2 -0.32 m/sec2 92.43% Noise 5th 72.7 dB 72 dB +0.7 dB 99.04% Price 2nd 620 400 +220 64.52% Rolling Resistance 7th 9.13 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +1.82 kg / t 80.07% Short snow braking distances, good aquaplaning properties, low price. Only satisfactory handling qualities on snowy and dry roads, slightly longer wet and dry braking distances, high rolling resistance. Fair. Read Reviews
9th: Minerva IcePlus S210
245/40 R19	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 42.4 M 100% Dry Handling 4th 106.3 Km/H 107.1 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.25% Wet Braking 9th 57.1 M 44.4 M +12.7 M 77.76% Wet Handling 9th 79.1 Km/H 86.9 Km/H -7.8 Km/H 91.02% Wet Circle 9th 16.84 s 15.45 s +1.39 s 91.75% Straight Aqua 9th 75.4 Km/H 84.9 Km/H -9.5 Km/H 88.81% Curved Aquaplaning 9th 2.51 m/sec2 3.36 m/sec2 -0.85 m/sec2 74.7% Snow Braking 9th 32.4 M 24.4 M +8 M 75.31% Snow Traction 9th 2118 N 2915 N -797 N 72.66% Snow Handling 9th 42.2 Km/H 48.9 Km/H -6.7 Km/H 86.3% Snow Slalom 9th 3.21 m/sec2 4.23 m/sec2 -1.02 m/sec2 75.89% Noise 3rd 72.3 dB 72 dB +0.3 dB 99.59% Price 1st 400 100% Rolling Resistance 5th 8.8 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +1.49 kg / t 83.07% Cheap tire with stable handling on dry roads and low noise. Significantly limited driving characteristics on snow and wet slopes, dangerously extended snow and wet braking distances, poor steering response, low aquaplaning reserves. Not Recommended. Read Reviews