With many of the major big brands introducing new winter tires for the 2011 season, winter tire tests have never seen so interesting. This year, Auto-mobile Club Europe [ACE] tested 8 winter tires in the popular 205/55 R16 91H size on a VW Golf.
Five of the tires on tests were all new for 2011, with the Dunlop Winter Sport 4d, Goodyear Ultra Grip 8, Nokian WR D3, Pirelli Snowcontrol Serie3 and Semperit Speed Grip 2 all having their first test outings. They were joined by the Continental Winter Contract TS830, Fulda Kristall Control HP, and Michelin Aplin A4.
ACE grouped their test results into 4 major sections - Snow, Wet and Dry performances were each in their own group with the usual braking, traction and steering tests, and 'Cost / Comfort' was given its own section which took into consideration pass by noise, rolling resistance and approx retail price (listed as 'Misc' below).
The Results
Goodyear UltraGrip 8
205/55 r16
Top scores in the snow, best dry braking and a good subjective feel means the Goodyear Ultra Grip 8 wins overall.
All discipline results (6)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 45 |
| Wet | 72 |
| Snow | 80 |
| Rolling Resistance | 14 |
| Noise | 9 |
| Misc | 5 |
Total: 225
Semperit Speed Grip 2
205/55 r16
Surprisingly strong in the wet and snow, the Semperit Speed Grip 2 is only slightly let down by its dry performance. As the cheapest tire on test with the lowest rolling resistance it scores very well in the 'comfort' section.
All discipline results (6)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 43 |
| Wet | 72 |
| Snow | 70 |
| Rolling Resistance | 20 |
| Noise | 9 |
| Misc | 9 |
Total: 223
Continental WinterContact TS830
205/55 r16
Slightly let down by its snow performance, the Continental Winter Contact TS830 wins the wet and dry tests by scoring top in each subjective test
All discipline results (6)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 47 |
| Wet | 75 |
| Snow | 68 |
| Rolling Resistance | 15 |
| Noise | 9 |
| Misc | 4 |
Total: 218
Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D
205/55 r16
The new Dunlop Winter Sport 4D places a strong 4th, only slightly let down by its curved aquaplaning properties
All discipline results (6)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 45 |
| Wet | 66 |
| Snow | 77 |
| Rolling Resistance | 14 |
| Noise | 9 |
| Misc | 4 |
Total: 215
Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3
205/55 r16
The new Pirelli Winter Snow Control Serie3 has a good all round performance, only slightly let down by its snow braking and price
All discipline results (6)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 45 |
| Wet | 67 |
| Snow | 72 |
| Rolling Resistance | 17 |
| Noise | 9 |
| Misc | 5 |
Total: 215
Nokian WR D3
205/55 r16
As with most Nokians aimed at the European market, the Nokian WR D3 scores well in the wet and dry tests but is a little let down by its snow handling. Top marks in subjective dry handling indicates this will be an excellent cold weather tire for the less snowy areas
All discipline results (6)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 46 |
| Wet | 56 |
| Snow | 68 |
| Rolling Resistance | 18 |
| Noise | 9 |
| Misc | 8 |
Total: 205
Michelin Alpin A4
205/55 r16
While the Michelin Alpin A4 finished 7th, there was no single area the tire was weak in. The position was more a reflection of how far the competition had come with their new patterns.
All discipline results (6)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 45 |
| Wet | 56 |
| Snow | 66 |
| Rolling Resistance | 15 |
| Noise | 8 |
| Misc | 3 |
Total: 193
Fulda Kristall Control HP
205/55 r16
Rounding out the test was the Fulda Kristall Control HP. The Fulda struggled with both wet and dry grip, and scored poorly subjectively in all tests.
All discipline results (6)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 37 |
| Wet | 50 |
| Snow | 56 |
| Rolling Resistance | 13 |
| Noise | 8 |
| Misc | 7 |
Total: 171
I don't mind shelling out additional cash for reliable snow tires. I'd rather feel the pain in my wallet than on the road when my tires give out.