A 444bhp Mustang Boss 302 might not be the last word in car dynamics, but it's what the Russian magazine Auto Review have chosen to use for their 2014 Max Performance tire test. Wearing massive 255/40 R19 front tires, and 285/35 R19 rears, this was never going to be an "ordinary" tire test, and the inclusion of a drifting test only highlighted the testers were out to have fun driving while getting their data.
After the clinical nature of German tire tests, this is a great way of being different, and could put a different spin on the overall results. But it didn't.
The Continental still won thanks to a commanding wet performance, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport was still excellent in the dry and wear tests but lacked a little in the wet, the new Hankook had another a strong all round performance and the Goodyear was still a great all round tire... other than aquaplaning, which has never been a problem in smaller sizes.
The Results
Continental ContiSportContact 5 P
255/40 R19
In 2011 the 5P won our tire test on a Focus RS and Scirocco R, and the Continental is equally good on a Mustang! On the wet track the car has good grip, and starts to slide smoothly and predictably. In the dry, the tire doesn't quite have the control accuracy as the Michelin or Pirelli, but it has a good time none the less. No problems with wear, and good comfort make for a lovely tire for everyday use on high speed cars.
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 28 |
| Wet | 46 |
| Comfort | 8 |
| Noise | 8 |
| Wear | 9 |
Total: 99
Michelin Pilot Super Sport
255/40 R19
The Michelin Pilot Super Sport has been created using technology from the 24 hour race at Le Mans, and you can tell on the track! It’s one of the best tires on the track and road in the dry, and even after drifting the tread shows very little sign of wear. In the wet, the tires prove slightly worse. Resistance to aquaplaning raises no objections, but on the road the driver is forced to work harder than with other tires once on the limit. Perfect for those who want to enjoy the fast ride.
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 29 |
| Wet | 42 |
| Comfort | 9 |
| Noise | 9 |
| Wear | 10 |
Total: 99
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
255/40 R19
The new Hankook S1 Evo 2 have a near flawless performance in the wet. They grip well and are backed by predictable behavior on a winding road. Though the laps are slightly slower than Goodyear and Conti, the tire has excellent control, with an excellence resistance to aquaplaning rounding out the wet performance. Slightly weaker in the dry, the performance is average, with good grip ruined by a snappy on-the-limit style and comparatively high noise and low comfort. An excellent choice for those who gives priority to safety on a wet road.
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 26 |
| Wet | 47 |
| Comfort | 7 |
| Noise | 7 |
| Wear | 9 |
Total: 96
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2
255/40 R19
Last year the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 won the 17 inch UHP tire test, and they've proven to be excellent in 19†too - short braking distances, fastest time on the winding road test, and very nice to drift on too! The main drawback of these tires is puddles, where unlike their 17 inch counterparts, these seem to aquaplane earlier than the other tires on test, but subjectively they're a little number than the Michelin and Pirelli in the dry too. They're a quiet tire, with medium ride comfort, and while they wore slightly more than the best while drifting, the higher starting tread depth meant total cost is fine. Great tires overall, but beware of puddles with tires over 255 wide.
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 26 |
| Wet | 46 |
| Comfort | 8 |
| Noise | 9 |
| Wear | 9 |
Total: 98
Bridgestone Potenza S001
255/40 R19
The Bridgestone S001 has a surprisingly poor subjective score, feeling numb in both the wet and dry and with only average grip, not feeling that sporty. Excellent wear and extremely comfortable makes it look like Bridgestone have taken this tire too far away from the sporty feel they often enjoy. Good tires for everyday driving, but for track days is better to choose something else.
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 25 |
| Wet | 42 |
| Comfort | 9 |
| Noise | 9 |
| Wear | 10 |
Total: 95
Pirelli P Zero Corsa
255/40 R19
The Pirelli P Zero would have been the correct tire to have in this test, however as it’s not made in the sizes required, Pirelli opted to send the Corsa System, which is more an extreme performance / trackday combination of tires. The combination of a directional front and asymmetric rear just gave the tire the edge in the dry over the Michelin, but it struggled in the wet with braking, cornering and aquaplaning. Low comfort and high wear make these good track tires, but for everyday use is better to use more versatile tire.
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 30 |
| Wet | 36 |
| Comfort | 7 |
| Noise | 9 |
| Wear | 6 |
Total: 88
Kumho Ecsta KU31
255/40 R19
The Kumho KU31 looks smart, but unfortunately doesn't deliver in test. On wet roads the performance is mediocre with plenty of understeer and poor aquaplaning performance, and in the dry the braking distance from 62 mph is almost 13 feet longer than the best on test, which means when the Continental had stopped, the car would still be travelling at near 20 mph! Not the best option for road or track.
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 21 |
| Wet | 35 |
| Comfort | 8 |
| Noise | 8 |
| Wear | 9 |
Total: 81
How did the Goodyears come fourth when they had the third highest score?
We didn't include the full breakdown of scoring, check out the Auto Review article for full details :)