The 2018 Auto Motor Und Sport (AMS) summer tire test uses an Audi A3 to test eleven 225/45 R17 tire patterns.
As in previous years, AMS have included subjective handling data in their testing, which is important to help us understand how a tire feels. Even with this extra element of testing, the winning tire was no surprise - the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 takes its eighth win out of eight tests thanks to a dominant performance in the dry and wet.
Second place was tied between the new Continental Premium Contact 6 and Falken FK510, which both had very balanced results.
Full data and details below.
Dry
The test winning Michelin had a significant advantage during dry braking, with the rival Continental tire excelling during dry handling. Interestingly, the budget Giti tire managed the second fastest dry lap time, which impressive for the cheapest tire on test.
Dry Braking
Dry braking in feet
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 96 % | |
| 96 % | |
| 96 % | |
| 94 % | |
| 94 % | |
| 93 % | |
| 92 % |
The difference between best and worst was 8%.
Dry Handling
Dry Handling Average Speed
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 100 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 97 % |
All the tires in the Dry Handling test finished less than 3% apart.
Subjectively, Pirelli led the pack, with Continental a close second place.
Subj. Dry Handling
Subjective Dry Handling Score
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 95 % | |
| 90 % | |
| 90 % | |
| 85 % | |
| 80 % | |
| 80 % | |
| 75 % | |
| 70 % | |
| 70 % | |
| 65 % |
The difference between best and worst was 35%.
Wet
During the wet testing, the Michelin once again asserted its dominance, winning both wet braking and handling testing, and finishing third in the straight aquaplaning tests.
Wet Braking
Wet braking in feet
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 96 % | |
| 96 % | |
| 93 % | |
| 93 % | |
| 93 % | |
| 90 % | |
| 89 % | |
| 89 % | |
| 87 % |
The difference between best and worst was 13%.
Wet Handling
Wet Handling Average Speed
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 100 % | |
| 100 % | |
| 100 % | |
| 100 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 96 % | |
| 95 % |
The difference between best and worst was 5%.
Straight Aqua
Float Speed in mph
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 100 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 95 % | |
| 95 % |
The difference between best and worst was 5%.
Subjectively, the Michelin was again the best on test.
Subj. Wet Handling
Subjective Wet Handling Score
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 100 % | |
| 90 % | |
| 80 % | |
| 80 % | |
| 80 % | |
| 80 % | |
| 70 % | |
| 70 % | |
| 70 % | |
| 70 % |
The difference between best and worst was 30%.
Environment
The rolling resistance testing was close between the top six tires on test, with only the Nankang having a standout poor result.
Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance in kg t
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 100 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 94 % | |
| 92 % | |
| 87 % | |
| 86 % | |
| 79 % |
The difference between best and worst was 21%.
Surprisingly, the Continental Premium Contact 6 was the loudest tire on test.
Noise
External noise in dB
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 100 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 97 % |
All the tires in the Noise test finished less than 3% apart.
Results
Full results below, as always check out the AMS website for all the extra details.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
225/45 R17
All discipline results (8)
| Test | % |
|---|---|
| Dry | — |
| Wet | — |
| Subjective | — |
| Wet Subjective | — |
| Comfort | — |
| Rolling Resistance | — |
| Noise | — |
| Overall | — |
Continental Premium Contact 6
225/45 R17
All discipline results (8)
| Test | % |
|---|---|
| Dry | — |
| Wet | — |
| Subjective | — |
| Wet Subjective | — |
| Comfort | — |
| Rolling Resistance | — |
| Noise | — |
| Overall | — |
Falken Azenis FK510
225/45 R17
All discipline results (8)
| Test | % |
|---|---|
| Dry | — |
| Wet | — |
| Subjective | — |
| Wet Subjective | — |
| Comfort | — |
| Rolling Resistance | — |
| Noise | — |
| Overall | — |
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
225/45 R17
All discipline results (8)
| Test | % |
|---|---|
| Dry | — |
| Wet | — |
| Subjective | — |
| Wet Subjective | — |
| Comfort | — |
| Rolling Resistance | — |
| Noise | — |
| Overall | — |
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
225/45 R17
All discipline results (8)
| Test | % |
|---|---|
| Dry | — |
| Wet | — |
| Subjective | — |
| Wet Subjective | — |
| Comfort | — |
| Rolling Resistance | — |
| Noise | — |
| Overall | — |
Nokian Line
225/45 R17
All discipline results (8)
| Test | % |
|---|---|
| Dry | — |
| Wet | — |
| Subjective | — |
| Wet Subjective | — |
| Comfort | — |
| Rolling Resistance | — |
| Noise | — |
| Overall | — |
Giti GitiSport S1
225/45 R17
All discipline results (8)
| Test | % |
|---|---|
| Dry | — |
| Wet | — |
| Subjective | — |
| Wet Subjective | — |
| Comfort | — |
| Rolling Resistance | — |
| Noise | — |
| Overall | — |
Cooper Zeon CS8
225/45 R17
All discipline results (8)
| Test | % |
|---|---|
| Dry | — |
| Wet | — |
| Subjective | — |
| Wet Subjective | — |
| Comfort | — |
| Rolling Resistance | — |
| Noise | — |
| Overall | — |
Nankang AS2
225/45 R17
All discipline results (8)
| Test | % |
|---|---|
| Dry | — |
| Wet | — |
| Subjective | — |
| Wet Subjective | — |
| Comfort | — |
| Rolling Resistance | — |
| Noise | — |
| Overall | — |
Toyo Proxes Sport
225/45 R17
All discipline results (8)
| Test | % |
|---|---|
| Dry | — |
| Wet | — |
| Subjective | — |
| Wet Subjective | — |
| Comfort | — |
| Rolling Resistance | — |
| Noise | — |
| Overall | — |
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
225/45 R17
All discipline results (8)
| Test | % |
|---|---|
| Dry | — |
| Wet | — |
| Subjective | — |
| Wet Subjective | — |
| Comfort | — |
| Rolling Resistance | — |
| Noise | — |
| Overall | — |
In this size it´s the old P Zero, not PZ4
Thanks for the note, I'll look into this :)