With the UK being the largest optional "big wheel" upgrader in Europe, you'd have thought the likes of EVO and Auto Express would test a bigger tire size than the usual 17" size they choose! Fortunately, Germany has the answer, and this year Sport Auto Magazine tested seven patterns in 235/35 R19, the most common 19" tire size on the market, using a VW Golf R.
All tires are now rated by the European standardised labels, which grades the rolling resistance and wet grip on an A-F scale. Currently no manufacturer has the technology to make an A/A rated tire in 235/35 R19, so the best on test were the Dunlop and Continental with a "C/A". The Nokian, Hankook and Pirelli came in with a slightly worse rolling resistance score, at "E/A" and the Bridgestone and Kumho tires graded themselves as "F/B".
The Results
Proving its sporty background, Pirelli won the test with the P Zero. Thanks to a balanced performance with a particularly strong wet result the Pirelli P Zero was the only tire to be "Very recommended".
Second to fifth were all awarded the "Recommended" status, with the Continental Sport Contact 5P narrowly beating the Hankook Ventus S1 Evo2 to second place thanks to a slightly stronger wet performance. Dunlop finished fourth with the SportMaxx RT, interestingly the tire was praised for sharp steering in the wet, but poor steering in the dry which seems to be a confusing mix of qualities, and the Nokian zLine finished in fifth with a balance performance, but slow steering.
In joint sixth were Bridgestone and Kumho. The Bridgestone Potenza S001 had a poor time in the wet, and the Kumho Ecsta PS91 had an even worse time in the wet, but performed slightly better in the dry than the Bridgestone.
We've included the weight measurements in the final result. The Dunlop was the lightest tire at 8.7kgs, and the Nokian the heaviest at 9.9kgs.
The overall score is weighted 40% wet, 50% dry and 10% noise and rolling resistance.
Pirelli P Zero
235/35 R19
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 9.7 |
| Wet | 9.2 |
| Comfort | 9 |
| Rolling Resistance | 8 |
| Noise | 7 |
Total: 42.9
Continental ContiSportContact 5 P
235/35 R19
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 9 |
| Wet | 9 |
| Comfort | 8 |
| Rolling Resistance | 7 |
| Noise | 7 |
Total: 40
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
235/35 R19
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 8.8 |
| Wet | 8.9 |
| Comfort | 8 |
| Rolling Resistance | 7 |
| Noise | 10 |
Total: 42.7
Dunlop SportMaxx RT
235/35 R19
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 8.3 |
| Wet | 7.9 |
| Comfort | 9 |
| Rolling Resistance | 10 |
| Noise | 10 |
Total: 45.2
Nokian zLine
235/35 R19
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 8 |
| Wet | 8.4 |
| Comfort | 8 |
| Rolling Resistance | 9 |
| Noise | 7 |
Total: 40.4
Bridgestone Potenza S001
235/35 R19
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 7.6 |
| Wet | 7.6 |
| Comfort | 6 |
| Rolling Resistance | 7 |
| Noise | 7 |
Total: 35.2
Kumho Ecsta PS91
235/35 R19
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 8.8 |
| Wet | 6 |
| Comfort | 8 |
| Rolling Resistance | 7 |
| Noise | 8 |
Total: 37.8
Pirelli P Zero rate their wet grip as B not A according to the shop:
http://www.oponeo.ie/detail...
Why is this article says Pirelli have A rating?
6th: Bridgestone Potenza S001 Total: 35.2 , 7th: Kumho Ecsta PS91 Total: 37.8 ... does total score mean nothing? still Potenza better?
The score is weighted in favor of wet performance which is where the Potenza gets a better result.
The Germans have complicated scoring!