The 2015 Auto Zeitung summer ultra high performance tire test is here, and once again the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 is back on the top step!
This year AZ have tested fourteen tire patterns in the popular 225/40 R18 tire size. During the testing they covered over 1,200km of dry and wet testing, and weighted the scores in favour of the wet results.
There were no real surprises in the top six places, with Bridgestone the only premium brand being edged out by Nokian. None the less, this is a strong result for the Bridgestone Turanza T001 which seems to have come good in the last six months of testing, normally Bridgestone would have submitted the Potenza S001 in this size, so there's obviously an upgrade to the range happening.
Vredestein ended up in a disappointing 11th with the Vorti. The Ultrac Sessanta was always well regarded for its wet performance, however the Vorti seems to have taken a step back when compared to its other midrange rivals such as Falken, Kumho and Nokian.
As always, the test was concluded with a budget tire. The Westlake had some of the best rolling resistance on test, but had extremely long wet braking distances, and a tendency to snap oversteer in the wet, combined with early understeer in the dry.
Very short braking distances, excellent handling and predictable behavior at the limit of grip on wet surfaces, Good handling and safe execution of the emergency maneuver in the dry
Predictable behavior with a tendency to understeer in the wet, effective braking on wet surface, good handling on dry roads, best time slalom in the dry
Balanced behavior, good lateral stability of the front wheels and acceptable braking properties on wet surface, good lap time and high grip on dry surfaces
Nervous handling on the rear axle, and the longest braking distances on wet surfaces, poor resistance to aquaplaning, long braking distances and very early transition to understeer in the dry
