After a long break, the German tire experts Auto Bild are back with a fresh trackday tire test.
Testing 225/45 R18 semi slicks on a VW Golf GTI, Auto Bild eschewed their usual thorough testing of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) and concentrated on the only important factors required from a track day tire; grip and feedback. Awarding 80% of the overall result to dry grip, Auto Bild have ensured the best tire here, will be the best tire on track.
For good measure, Auto Bild also included a slick, and normal UHP summer road tire in the test. Unsurprisingly, the slick won all the dry handling tests, and was consistently poor in the wet tests, but the best semi slicks got extremely close in dry braking and dry cornering speed. In the wet, the Continental Force Contact edged out the UHP summer tire during aquaplaning, and a number of the semi slicks beat the road tire in the wet handling tests, proving a track tire doesn't have to be bad in the wet. Auto Bild did note however, the semi slicks snapped into over steer much more quickly, which required more driver skill to keep the car on track.
Results
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup
225/45 R18
All discipline results (2)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 8 |
| Wet | 5 |
Total: 13
Dunlop Direzza 03G
225/45 R18
All discipline results (2)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 7 |
| Wet | 5 |
Total: 12
Pirelli P Zero Trofeo
225/45 R18
All discipline results (2)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 6 |
| Wet | 7 |
Total: 13
Continental ContiForceContact
225/45 R18
All discipline results (2)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 5 |
| Wet | 7 |
Total: 12
Kumho V70a
225/45 R18
All discipline results (2)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 5 |
| Wet | 3 |
Total: 8
Toyo R888
225/45 R18
All discipline results (2)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 5 |
| Wet | 1 |
Total: 6
Very strange, the PSC is for me very weak on the wall even w light cars. Not enough rigid, the shoulder structure appears quickly after being track'ed. All That confirmed by other drivers. This tire worth only if bargain IMHO...