It was the first time we worked at this test site and, to be honest, we feared for the success of the enterprise. Firstly, Italians, as you know, are not famous for punctuality, and secondly, it was ... crowded at the training ground! It is located on the territory of the Ticino National Park - and therefore cannot grow. The tracks are arranged tightly, and sometimes we had to share the road with other testers. And yet - every now and then to diverge from the car, which was dragging a trailer with Formula 1 tires installed on it! There is not enough space here to conduct "natural" tests of racing tires, and we found "laboratory work" on the study of the contact patch of "formula" tires.
And yet we did everything we planned, and on time! Our "test" car is the Audi A3 Sedan.
In general, the test program is standard, and, as usual, we paid the main attention to safety on wet asphalt - the most dangerous summer surface.
However, the braking distance from a speed of 100 km / h on half of the test tires turned out to be less than 40 meters. This, of course, is the merit of the perfectly tuned ABS of our car, but the main thing is the quality of the tires. Particularly pleased with ContiSportContact 5: the car freezes after 37.6 meters! But it must be recalled once again that the measurement technique is somewhat different from that which we use in the course of our comparative tests of cars: there the driver starts braking from a speed of 101-102 km/h, and the result is affected by delays in the actuation of the brake drive, and during tests tire deceleration starts from 110 km/h, at 100 km/h the device starts counting the distance to the stop - and as a result it turns out to be a couple of meters shorter. Anyway, great results! More precisely, they were excellent until Dunlop SP Sport LM704 tires were installed on the car. At the very first braking, Uncle Vanya did not have enough length of the wet track - and the car slipped onto dry asphalt. I had to move the braking start point, and the result was 55.5 meters! Wet road and really treacherous ...
Needless to say, with what apprehension I taxied onto the wet handling track? The track is small, the safety zones are narrow ... I turn off the stabilization system - and go ahead. On a high-speed arc, the car accelerates to 90 km / h, in turns it slides with all four wheels, and it is not difficult to control the slip. Especially on Continental or Michelin tires.
There were no incidents on the Dunlop tires, although I had to go slower.
And on the track, flooded with a layer of water 7 mm thick, Dunlop tires pulled themselves up to other test participants. It is not so much the composition of the rubber compound that is important here, with which Dunlop tires are clearly in trouble, but the drainage properties of the tread.
After a series of measurements, in which the speed of the start of slipping of the driving wheels is fixed, it turned out that Hankook tires provide the best drainage, and the same Dunlop tires close the protocol.
The test program on dry asphalt was reduced to braking from a speed of 100 km / h and a rearrangement maneuver that simulates a detour around an unexpected obstacle.
In the first exercise, Continental and Michelin tires were in the lead, in the second, by a fair margin, Pirelli P Zero tires, but they are out of the standings, since they are the top Pirelli model chosen for the role of a kind of standard, and in the main classification the tires class, or even two, below. Of these, Continental tires performed better than others on the “rearrangement”.
Now - about comfort. There are several areas with artificial irregularities at the site, there are paving stones, there is asphalt of different roughness. We drove - and came to the conclusion that in terms of acoustic comfort, all tires are very close. Except that the Bridgestone Turanza T001 tires are a little noisier than others on rough pavement.
But the differences in smoothness are more noticeable. Better than others are tires Michelin Primacy 3, Nokian Hakka Blue and Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue. And the Bridgestone Turanza T001, Continental ContiSportContact 5, Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 2 and Pirelli P Zero shake harder.
In conclusion, as usual, "shock tests" - driving through a metal bar 81 mm high. Increasing the speed by 5 km / h with each race, Uncle Vanya did not calm down until the tire finally breathed out.
The most "oak" - in a good way! - Pirelli P Zero off-the-shelf tires that lasted up to 75 km/h. Of the main group, Toyo and Dunlop tires resisted the blows better than others. And worst of all - Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue: they made their way to 55 km / h. Naturally! These tires have the lowest rolling resistance, and this is also achieved by reducing the thickness of the sidewalls. By the way, they weigh less than others. But the prices...
Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue tires are a novelty, and they are sold in Russia already at the “new” euro rate, which is almost 9,000 rubles for a 225/45 R17 tire. By the way, tires of a higher class Pirelli P Zero at the end of February could still be found in online stores for 5800 rubles apiece. Hurry!
According to the results of our tests, the Continental ContiSportContact 5 tires won. Recommended! But it is better to refuse to buy Dunlop SP Sport LM704 tires.
During the day, the weather at the Italian range was perfect - 18-20 degrees Celsius, but the nights were cold, and one day we went to the roads of the range quite early to set up an experiment.
It was seven degrees Celsius - at this temperature it is already recommended to change summer tires to winter ones. But Uncle Vanya does not do this, but drives out on Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue tires on a wet track to measure the braking distance again. A dozen brakes - and mechanics change these tires for Pirelli P Zero. The task is to understand how the grip properties of tires of different classes decrease with decreasing temperature. So, if at 20 degrees the braking distance on the Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue tires was 39.9 meters, then when the temperature drops to plus seven, it increases to 42.8 meters. Almost three meters difference. Remember? And in the case of Pirelli P Zero tires, the braking distance at low temperatures has already increased by five meters - and this is definitely something you should not forget!
This, according to Pirelli Tire Development Specialist Stefan Küster, is a general pattern, and it doesn't just apply to Pirelli tyres. The compounds used to produce UHP sports tires are designed specifically for high temperatures to provide the best traction for temperamental driving, including racetrack races. And at low temperatures, such tires "tan" more strongly.
We made the same measurements on "regular" tires of the HP class - Continental and Dunlop. At first, the braking distance increased by two meters, but the temperature had almost no effect on the braking properties of Dunlop tires: it remained as bad as it was.
| Continental ContiSportContact 5 | Overall score: 9.15 | ||||||||||||||||||
Tires Continental again pleased with the grip on wet pavement. The shortest braking distance, and on the handling track - the best time! True, on the “big water” the tires float earlier than the leading Hankook or Nokian tires in this standings. There were suspicions that such outstanding "water" performance would cause increased wear and mediocre grip on dry pavement. But after a series of “rearrangements” and driving in circles with maximum lateral accelerations, the Continental tires were no more battered than the competition. By the way, on dry pavement - the shortest braking distance and second place when performing a "rearrangement". Of the side effects, we note only increased rigidity when driving through asphalt joints. But when hitting large bumps, the sidewalls of these tires resist breakdowns well. |
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| Michelin Primacy 3 | Overall score: 8.80 | ||||||||||||||||||
It seems that the designers did not take an active part in the development of the tread of these tires - there are only four longitudinal grooves and parallel, slightly curved notches. But the gap from the leader of the test is minimal, and in terms of reliability of control on wet pavement, it does not exist at all. But on a dry surface on the “rearrangement”, sluggish reactions prevented the maneuver at high speed. Although on braking, the gap from the leader was reduced to a vanishingly small ten centimeters. Asphalt joints and pebbles rolled into the coating do not seem to be noticed by these tires, and even in impact tests, the Michelin tires performed better than usual, taking a place in the middle of the protocol. Well balanced in terms of safety and comfort tires with low rolling resistance. Recommended. |
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| Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 2 | Overall score: 8.65 | ||||||||||||||||||
From test to test, Hankook tires climb higher and higher in our rankings. The specialists of the Korean company are working more and more closely with car manufacturers - and now these tires are supplied to the primary equipment of many European models, including even the Mercedes-Benz S-class. The Ventus S1 Evo 2 tires performed confidently on both wet and dry pavement, and were especially successful on high water. On dry pavement, the balance of qualities is shifted in favor of safety: the car brakes well and performs high-speed maneuvers, but comfort is not at the highest level. As well as impact resistance and rolling resistance. It is too early to talk about leadership in the overall standings, but claims, and quite justified ones, are already evident. And at the same time - a divine price. |
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| Nokian Hakka Blue | Overall score: 8.60 | ||||||||||||||||||
In terms of hydroplaning resistance, Nokian tires are second only to Hankook tires in our test. And the grip on wet asphalt does not cause concern - both in the longitudinal and transverse directions. But on dry surfaces, Nokian tires lose ground: the braking distance is too long, and during high-speed maneuvering, the reactions become smeared. But good smoothness. Impact resistance is average, as is rolling resistance. But in general - another option for relatively affordable tires with an emphasis on safety on wet roads. |
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| Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue | Overall score: 8.35 | ||||||||||||||||||
Tires are distinguished by minimal rolling losses, and the braking distance on wet pavement did not cause concern. On the track of "wet" handling, the car rides well on the verge of slips, but breakdowns are sometimes harsh. In puddles, the problems are already more noticeable: the car pops up already at a speed of 74.4 km / h (only Dunlop is worse). On dry pavement, grip and handling are average. Comfort is at a high level, but the strength of the sidewalls is a problem: already at a speed of 55 km / h, the test tire has expired. Decent tires for good roads - no deep puddles and potholes. |
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| Toyo Proxes CF2 | Overall score: 8.25 | ||||||||||||||||||
On wet pavement, Toyo tires lose a little to all European models. On the control track, once I even had to “step in” over the curb ... On dry pavement - good braking, but when performing a "rearrangement" the accuracy of the reactions is low. Small irregularities are damped well, but on short waves of asphalt, the “ball effect” is already felt. When hitting a curb, Toyo tires lose their tightness at a speed of 70 km / h - only Pirelli P Zero tires, which performed outside the standings, are stronger. Toyo tires are quite suitable for the Russian hinterland - the roads are worse there, and the salaries are lower. |
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| Bridgestone Turanza T001 | Overall score: 7.80 | ||||||||||||||||||
The reputation of Bridgestone Turanza T001 tires was saved by Dunlop tires. If not for them, then in most tests, Bridgestone tires would have been underdogs. More or less worthy, they look only in the aquaplaning sector, but on wet pavement they glide stronger than competitors. It's good at least that at the same time they maintain a good balance between drift and skid. On a dry surface - the maximum braking distance, although the result is better on a “rearrangement”: before the start of slips, the car responds very well to the steering wheel, but then it “freezes” in demolitions and skids. Tires are hard and noisy. It was hoped that, like in the old days, Bridgestone tires would be the most durable when hitting a curb. But the breakdown happened already at a speed of 65 km / h. It is difficult to attribute the price to competitive advantages, and therefore - a well-deserved penultimate place. |
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| Dunlop SP Sport LM704 | Overall score: 5.75 | ||||||||||||||||||
This is a new model for our market, presented on the Dunlop website as a tire "for the widest range of modern cars that require not only excellent handling, but also a high level of comfort, economy, and long service life." On dry pavement, everything is really good. But on a wet road, tires become simply dangerous: the braking distance from a speed of 100 km / h increases by 18 meters! In corners, any careless pressing on the gas pedal turns into slipping of the drive wheels and a protracted slip. The impression is that a thirty-year-old rubber compound was poured into a modern mold at a factory in Thailand. A possible area of application is extremely arid regions, where precipitation occurs a couple of times a year. Driving in the rain - no, no! |
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| Pirelli P Zero | Overall score: 9.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
The Pirelli P Zero tires, chosen as a kind of standard, were supposed to demonstrate the differences between UHP (Ultra High Performance) tires and HP (High Performance) tires. However, not in all disciplines the “standard” turned out to be preferable. On wet pavement, the Pirelli P Zero couldn't get away from the ContiSportContact 5 tires, and hydroplaning resistance turned out to be weak at all. But if we included driving on the ring track, then the minimum time would be behind the Pirelli P Zero tires. This is also evidenced by the speed of the “rearrangement”: the gap from the best test tires is 3 km / h. Reactions to the steering wheel are instantaneous, slips are minimal. Payback for handling - unimportant comfort: the tires "notice" all the small bumps. But they are the most resistant to breakdown. |
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| Tire models | ||||||||||
| Options | The weight of the indicator | Bridgestone | Continental | Dunlop | Hankook | Michelin | Nokian | Pirelli | Toyo | Pirelli P Zero |
| Wet asphalt | 50% | |||||||||
| ABS braking | 20 % | 7 | 10 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 |
| Hydroplaning resistance in corners | 10% | 9 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| Lateral traction (lap time) | 5% | 8 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
| Handling (winding time) | 10% | 8 | 10 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
| Control Reliability | 10% | 8 | 10 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 10 |
| dry asphalt | 20 % | |||||||||
| ABS braking | 10% | 8 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Controllability (speed of "rearrangement") | 10% | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 10 |
| Comfort and economy | 25 % | |||||||||
| Smooth running | 10% | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Impact resistance | 10% | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 10 |
| rolling resistance | 5 % | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Overall score | 100% | 7,80 | 9,15 | 5,75 | 8,65 | 8,80 | 8,60 | 8,35 | 8,25 | 9,0 |
The Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 is a premium performance summer tire with an asymmetric tread pattern for sports cars. Released to replace the previous model - .
Country of manufacture: Germany, Japan, Poland, Slovenia.
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx RT2 test by German Auto Motor und Sport in 2017
In 2017 experts of the German publication Auto Motor und Sport have tested Dunlop Sport Max PT2 at size 245/45 R18 and compared it with nine similar mid-range and premium summer tyres.
Test results
The Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 placed ninth overall in the test and was rated “restrictedly recommended” by the peer reviewer. The tire performed moderately on dry pavement and showed the worst braking distance and hydroplaning resistance on wet pavement.
| Discipline | Place | A comment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braking on dry pavement | 6 | The braking distance is 1.3 meters longer than that of the test leader. | |
| Handling on dry pavement | 7 | The average speed of passing the route is 3.1 km/h less than that of the test leader. | |
| Braking on wet pavement | 10 | Worst result. The braking distance is 5 meters longer than that of the test leader. | |
| Handling on wet pavement | 4-5 | The lap time is 0.9 seconds less than that of the test leader. | |
| Lateral stability on wet pavement | 7-8 | The maximum lateral acceleration a is 0.57 m/s2 less than that of the test leader. | |
| Longitudinal hydroplaning resistance | 9-10 | The speed of the "ascent" of the car is 1.2 km / h less than that of the leader of the test. | |
| Resistance to transverse hydroplaning | 3 | The maximum lateral acceleration when hitting a puddle is 0.26 m/s2 less than that of the test leader. | |
 | Economy | 3 | The rolling resistance coefficient is 0.9 kg/t less than the test leader. |
| Noise | 6-10 | The second result in terms of noise level. | |
Feedback from experts who conducted the test:
On dry pavement, clear and precise reactions to steering turns, excellent handling. On wet pavement, poor lateral stability, a long braking distance, and a tendency to low understeer.
List of tires tested:
Official information:
When developing the Dunlop SP Sport 01 model, DUNLOP engineers sought to combine all the basic elements: speed, safety, noiselessness. The asymmetric tread design made it possible to divide the tread into three zones according to three main requirements: speed, safety and quietness.
The innovative three-segment tread design provides a smooth ride and a high level of safety, and ensures optimal vehicle behavior on the road, regardless of the road surface and road conditions. This makes this model ideal for upper middle class cars as well as luxury sedans.
This tire is used as original equipment for such cars as Mercedes-Benz S, E and C classes, BMW 7 and 5 series, Jaguar XF and others.
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Tire size (pr-in) |
Price (for 1 tire) |
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205/60R16 92W (Germany) |
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235/55R17 99V (Germany) |
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225/60R18 100H (Japan) |
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255/55R18 109V ROF (Germany) |
Test
After testing winter tires Michelin X-Ice North XIN2 (215/60R16) on a front-wheel drive Skoda Yeti with 1.2 TSI and DSG-7 (Winter tires Michelin X-Ice North XIN2 (215/60R16)), summer tires from the Japanese brand Dunlop were tested. A few weeks later, it was not spring, but immediately summer. Therefore, Dunlop SP Sport 01 tires were tested not on a spring day, but on a summer day. The test Yeti with all-wheel drive, a 1.8TSI engine and a DSG-6 shifter was made in the most expensive Elegance configuration, so 17-inch alloy wheels were installed on the car by default, which were shod in Dunlop SP Sport 01 with a dimension of 225 / 50R17.
It is noteworthy that on the official website of Dunlop in Russia, the SP Sport 01 tire is presented in only four dimensions (given in the table above), although Dunlop SP Sport 01 is found in a much wider range of sizes in auto shops and tire dealerships in the country, starting from 185 /60R14 and ending with 265/45R21. No test size 225/50R17 found on Dunlop website.
The official press release from the Japanese tire manufacturer says that when developing the Dunlop SP Sport 01, the company's engineers sought to make the tire as fast, safe and quiet as possible. To achieve their goals, they used a tread with an asymmetric pattern, dividing the contact patch into three zones, in accordance with three main requirements. But today, an asymmetric tread pattern is used in an extremely large number of tires. Hankook Ventus Prime 2, Nokian Hakka Blue, Pirelli Cinturato P7, Continental ContiPremiumContact 5, Michelin Pilot Sport 3, Goodyear EfficientGrip and many other tires have the same construction. And they all behave very decently on the road, although there are a couple of exceptions to this. So an asymmetrical pattern is the right choice?
Yes, definitely! But on the other hand, there are tires with a directional pattern that hold the road no worse than asymmetric tires. For example, Vredestein Sportrac 3. The fact is that the most important component of the design of any modern tire is rubber compounds. Using the right compounds, in the right combination, makes a tire extremely compliant, safe and predictable. A strong manufacturer, a strong tire concern independently develops the necessary mixtures. To do this is incredibly expensive, costly and difficult. Therefore, secrets about mixtures have to be guarded.
Well, how well did Dunlop's engineers manage to use blends, coupled with an asymmetric pattern, in the SP Sport 01 model? The correct answer is very, very well. Especially on asphalt. On smooth, hard surfaces, the car, shod in Dunlop SP Sport 01, rides smoothly, clearly and quietly. At high speed steering responses are precise, fast and timely. The braking distance is encouraging.
But there is no need to poke your nose into liquid mud on the Dunlop SP Sport 01! Even if they are wearing an all-wheel drive SUV. Japanese tires are clearly not made for gullies. Their habitat is a city or a highway, and preferably foreign ones, where there are no holes, joints and bumps on the road ...
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Size |
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Speed |
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Season |
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Price/1 piece |
8000 - 11000 rub. |
Text and photo: Roman Kharitonov
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This time we have collected tires for the test, which almost all manufacturers present as the most balanced in all characteristics. The highest price bar is set by a very fresh model Continental Premium Contact 6, "boiled" in Mexico. Another novelty - which is made (pay attention!) In Russia.
Warm up the appetite
Without stopping after a ten-kilometer run (even a short stop will allow the tires and drivetrain components to cool, which will negatively affect the results), we proceed to the assessment. In the suburban mode (90 km/h), five test subjects took the lead - Continental, Cordiant, Firestone, Michelin and Toyo. The success of the Cordiant was especially surprising, since the previous model (Comfort of the first release) was very voracious. Skoda spent the most gasoline on Viatti tires.
At urban 60 km/h, the mentioned five turned into a top three - only Firestone, Michelin and Toyo retained their leading positions. Viatti showed insatiability here too.
Who is the loudest in the world
We move to other roads, full of cracks, potholes and even pits. Here the tires are noisy, buzzing, shaking, transmitting shocks to the body and seats, and some are stronger, others are weaker.
Experts gave the highest marks for acoustic comfort to Continental, Cordiant, Hankook, Nokian and Nordman tires. Michelin tires also do not make loud sounds when rolling, however, they are distinguished from the top five by a change in the tone of noise on surfaces of different quality - they are not so much melodious as dissonant on patches of heterogeneous asphalt traditional for Russian roads. That's why we lowered the Michelin tires by half a point.
The noise record was set by Kumho. Noisy, booming rolling, scoring coverage and road bumps. They also turned out to be the toughest, actively transmitting shocks and vibrations to the body floor, seat and controls. They itch especially unpleasantly on microroughnesses and rough asphalt. The best results in terms of smoothness were “brought” by Hankook and Cordiant: the Octavia rolls softly and comfortably on them.
Let's run through the countryside
On an unpaved 12 percent rise, we evaluate the loyalty of tires to unpaved roads. Starting uphill with “gas” and “without gas” and trying to accelerate intensively allow you to find out which tires cling well to the ground, how much and how sharply they contribute to the loss of traction during slipping. The traction control system, of course, is turned off.
Viatti behave more confidently than others on a dirt slope. No wonder! Pay attention to - all the checkers are finely chopped, as if on M + S tires intended only for country roads.
And more than others, Continental tires sin with a tendency to slip and insufficient traction - we rated their “ground” abilities at four points. Do not leave hard roads!
The results are quite natural: it is impossible to make a tire that will be the best both on asphalt and on the ground.
On the brakes!
In the wet, Hankook beats everyone. Continental and Nokian with the same braking distances breathe into the back of his head. In the lagging behind - Firestone, losing almost seven (!) Meters to the leader. In the penultimate position - Viatti with a gap of 4.3 meters.
On dry pavement, the Octavia brakes best on Michelin tires. The second result is shown by Continental, losing only 30 cm to the leader. The trailers in this exercise are the same, only now behind all Viatti, and in front of him is Firestone.
On wet pavement, Conti, Nokian and Kumho have the most stable results: the spread is no more than 20 cm. The maximum difference in the results obtained in different attempts was a little more than a meter - Firestone and Pirelli excelled. In the dry, Michelin provided the most stable braking: only half a meter of difference in six approaches. But Firestone, Nordman, Pirelli and Viatti showed the maximum dispersion - more than two meters.
On rearrangement
We carry out this test to evaluate the behavior of tires during extreme maneuvering. Skoda, moving at a constant speed in fourth (direct) gear, abruptly (at a distance of 12 meters) changes lanes to the adjacent lane. The tester starts the exercise with a low, obviously passing speed and each time increases it by 1–2 km/h. In addition, he exposes an expert assessment based on the recorded comments on the behavior of the car and the ability to drive it.
Skoda showed the highest speed (69.3 km/h) when rearranging on wet pavement on Nokian tires. And the most modest result (63.7 km / h) gave her Firestone.
Nokian tires retained their leadership, the speed limit on them increased to 71.2 km/h. Firestone remained the most modest, it could not rise above the “67.5 km / h” mark when performing an extreme maneuver.
And Skoda is the most pleasant to drive on Nokian tires, both on dry pavement and on wet. The testers noted clear reactions, adequate turning angles of the steering wheel and its sufficient information content. The balance of handling is close to neutral.
Firestone tires made me sweat on wet pavement. The low speed is due to the early onset of slips, which, translated into a common language, means insufficient grip. In addition, the almost complete lack of information content on the steering wheel does not allow you to choose the required angles of its rotation in order to make the car move along the desired trajectory.
On dry surfaces, the same Firestone remained in the lagging behind in behavior, but already in the company with Toyo. The Octavia on Firestone tires has such large steering angles and delays in reactions that the driver does not have time to turn the steering wheel to the required angle. The situation is complicated by the changeable nature - the car slides with its muzzle out at the entrance to the first corridor, demonstrating understeer, which, when the car stabilizes in the adjacent lane, turns into oversteer, forcing Skoda to “revenge with its tail”.
Initial reactions are good on Toyo tires, but as speed increases, the Octavia begins to suddenly break into a skid, which is very difficult to control. At the same time, the steering wheel becomes so “empty”, as if it was disconnected from the wheels.
Putting in place
In thirteenth place in our ranking, having earned only 796 points and falling into the category of "Weak tires". Failure by modern standards results in the nominations "Safety" and "Behavior". Strengths - the average level of comfort and high, on a par with the Michelin, fuel efficiency. Possible application - unhurried, careful driving with the stabilization system constantly on.
In twelfth place Viatti Strada Asimmetrico V‑130. Only 835 total points put them in the "Mediocre tyres" category. Weak braking, worse results in fuel efficiency, comfort level is close to average. Surprisingly complaisant in manageability. Suitable for leisurely driving on hard roads, including unpaved ones.
The tenth and eleventh places are shared by and . Despite the equal number of points scored, they are completely different in character. “Koreans” are frankly a failure in terms of comfort, however, in the “Safety” nomination, they are ahead of Toyo and even the superior Cordiant and Nordman. The "Japanese" are a little better in behavior, besides, they will please the driver with high fuel efficiency, comparable to Michelin. Both are suitable for driving without fanaticism.
| 13th place | 12th place | 10th–11th place | 10th–11th place |
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| 796 | 835 | 871 | 871 |
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| brand, model | | | | |
| 3645 | 3155 | 3675 | 3475 |
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| 19 (-) | 5 (+) | 6 (+) |
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| Country of manufacture | Russia | Russia | Malaysia | Korea |
| Load and speed index | ||||
| n.a. | n.a. | |||
| Tire weight, kg | ||||
| PROS | Good handling on dry surfaces with extreme maneuvering; satisfactory directional stability | The most economical; satisfactory level of internal noise | Braking is above average on both dry and wet roads; high speed when rearranging on dry pavement |
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| MINUSES | Worst "wet" braking; problematic directional stability and handling during extreme maneuvers on wet pavement | Worst braking on dry pavement; the highest fuel consumption; notes on comfort | Difficult handling during extreme maneuvers on dry pavement; notes on smoothness | The most uncomfortable complex directional stability and handling during extreme maneuvers on wet pavement |
On the ninth line. Hey Taiwan! Maxxis is a fairly young company, but rapidly progressing. Premitra HP5 outperformed more famous Japanese and Korean rivals. These are not the best tires for aggressive driving due to the difficult behavior during extreme maneuvers. But they are suitable for everyday calm driving, and they will provide higher safety than those standing higher in the final rating Cordiant, Nordman and Dunlop. Close to the middle peasants in terms of comfort and efficiency.
On the eighth step -. The new model has significantly added relative to the representative of the first generation. Now it justifies its name and rightfully won the title of the most comfortable tire (albeit in company with Hankook). Another achievement - these tires are among the most economical at "suburban" speed. A noticeable minus is difficult handling during extreme maneuvers on dry surfaces. These tires are not designed for aggressive driving, but are quite suitable for every day use.
Russian with 889 points prints out the "Good Tires" group. A strong middle peasant in all objective indicators, the only exception is “dry” braking, in which he gave a slight slack. But in the nomination "Behavior" competes with tops,- Michelin and Hankook are even slightly inferior to him.
9th place | 8th place | 7th place |
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The sum of points scored in the test | 889 |
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brand, model | |||
Average price in online stores at the time of preparation of the material, rub. | |||
Savings (+)* / overpayment (-)*, % | |||
Country of manufacture | |||
Load and speed index | |||
Wear index (Treadwear) | |||
Drawing depth in width, mm | |||
Shore hardness of rubber, units | |||
Tire weight, kg | |||
PROS | Very good braking on wet roads; satisfactory running smoothness | The most comfortable; braking on wet pavement is above average | The most economical at a speed of 90 km / h; the quietest high speed when rearranging on dry pavement |
MINUSES | Difficult handling during extreme maneuvers on wet pavement; remarks regarding interior noise | Difficult handling during extreme maneuvers on dry roads | Dry braking is worse than average |
* The difference between the fair price and the average price of tires for a particular model, expressed as a percentage of the average price.
: the sixth place in the final standings and the last position in the category "Excellent tires" is an undoubted success. These tires are comparable to Pirelli in performance and character. According to indicators such as handling, comfort and economy, they go head to head.
The fifth line in accordance with the position of the brand in the top five global tire manufacturers is occupied by Pirelli with model Cinturato P1 Verde. A few years ago, tires under the Pirelli brand stood out for their driving inclinations. Now the palm in terms of handling has been intercepted by Nokian, but Pirelli has not given up the leadership in directional stability. And therefore this best tires for long trips- if you can put up with the increased noise level in the cabin and the rigidity of the ride.
Russian tires are symbolically located on the line corresponding to the serial number of the model. Leadership ambitions are supported by the best results in fuel efficiency, as well as in braking on dry pavement. And in wet braking - only the fifth result, which goes against the modern trend. After all, now almost all tire manufacturers are trying to improve braking on wet surfaces as much as possible, since it is considered to be the most dangerous. Nevertheless, the tires are excellent, without restrictions.
| 6th place | 5th place | 4th place |
|
| The sum of points scored in the test | 902 | 910 | 916 |
| brand, model | | | |
| Average price in online stores at the time of preparation of the material, rub. | 4100 | 4085 | 4790 |
| Savings (+)* / overpayment (-)*, % | 3 (-) | 1 (-) | 14 (-) |
| Country of manufacture | Japan | Russia | Russia |
| Load and speed index | |||
| Wear index (Treadwear) | |||
| Drawing depth in width, mm | |||
| Shore hardness of rubber, units | |||
| Tire weight, kg | |||
| PROS | High speed on the rearrangement; good directional stability and handling during extreme maneuvers | Excellent exchange rate stability; braking on dry pavement is above average | Better braking on dry roads; the most economical; strict adherence to a given course |
| MINUSES | Notes on interior noise and ride | Notes on interior noise and ride | Notes on handling during extreme maneuvers on wet pavement |
* The difference between the fair price and the average price of tires for a particular model, expressed as a percentage of the average price.
In third place are tires that lost only two points to Nokian tires. All scores are above average, so Anyone will love these tires. They boast the highest marks in the test for comfort and braking on wet pavement.
In second place is located (924 points). All indicators are top-level, except for the average marks for braking on dry pavement. The skate of this tire is stable handling during extreme maneuvering on any surface. Therefore, we recommend it to those for whom a car is not just a means of transportation, but also a way to enjoy driving.
Test leader - Continental Premium Contact 6, who scored 931 final points. The safest and at the same time the most balanced tires - not all the results are the best, but either excellent or very good, which ultimately resulted in the highest number of points. Bravo!
| 3rd place | 2nd place | 1 place |
|
| The sum of points scored in the test | 922 | 924 | 931 |
| brand, model | |
More than half of the global tire market is owned by giants, one of which is Michelin (“Michelin”). For more than a hundred years, the French concern has been supplying high-quality rubber to Europe, Russia and the rest of the world, which can only be compared with Bridgestone and Goodyear.
However, over the past couple of decades, lesser-known players, but also in demand among consumers, have entered the market. This is the British company Dunlop (“Dunlop”), which sells winter and summer tires for cars. What tire is better? You can answer the question by comparing both brands.
Comparison criteria
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Manufacturers of automotive rubber ensure the quality of goods, paying special attention to three characteristics (criteria):
- Tire grip on wet surfaces.
Reflected in the length of the braking distance on asphalt after rain or snow; tires are rated on a letter scale from A to F, with the former being preferred. The braking distance for a car with an F marking on tires will be 18 m longer.
- fuel efficiency.
It is determined by the minimum rolling resistance of a tire, indicated on a scale from A to G. Rubber marked “A” has the lowest value, so fuel consumption for a car with such tires will be more economical.
- Outside noise.
It is characterized by the volume of contact between the tire and the road while driving. Tires with rolling noise up to 60 dB are considered quiet, and over 74 dB are considered loud.
According to the manufacturers, Michelin and Dunlop are equally good on slippery roads, save a lot of fuel and make little noise when driving. For a more accurate assessment, it is more correct to resort to the reviews of real users and, based on their opinion, draw up a big picture.
The main user parameters of tire quality are:
- mitigation of shocks and shocks transmitted to the suspension;
- the minimum likelihood of skidding on slippery roads when driving at a moderate speed;
- ensuring good handling - the ability of tires to quickly respond to driver signals (steering wheel turns);
- directional and lateral stability (holding the trajectory when driving in a straight line and cornering);
- hydroplaning resistance - the ability of rubber to remove fluid from under the tire's contact patch with a wet road;
- resource (service life);
- kit cost.
We determine the advantages and disadvantages of Michelin and Dunlop brands
Advantages and disadvantages of Michelin summer tires:
Since there are several dozen products of the French concern, it is necessary to separately consider summer and winter tires. 
The classic models for the warm season are:
- the Energy series (Saver, Saver+, XM 2) is a budget option for commercial passenger cars;
- Latitude - models for all-wheel drive vehicles, including high-end SUVs;
- Pilot - an option for sports cars, also used on simple passenger cars in order to increase speed;
- Primacy is the most common model for passenger cars.
Based on the feedback from thousands of users who have experienced driving cars with tires of the above brands, the following advantages of Michelin tires stand out:
- the presence on most models of channels (from 1 to 3) through which liquid is discharged;
- significant fuel economy (up to 2.5 liters per 1000 km);
- upgraded models have a better effect on car mileage, increasing it up to 25%;
- the shape of the tread ribs allows you to increase directional stability (longitudinal and transverse);
- confident grip on wet or icy surfaces (also applies to models without studs);
- on average, one set is enough for 30-40 thousand kilometers;
- when driving through puddles, speed characteristics do not decrease, and the behavior of the car on the road does not change;
- effectively contain the impact without transferring it to the suspension;
- almost imperceptible noise.
Alas, even a recognized French brand is not without a number of shortcomings, including:
- increased noise after a run on this rubber from 30 thousand km;
- tire softening after the same run;
- at the first stages of the ride seem quite tough;
- for 2-3 summer seasons wear is observed (up to 1 mm);
- some users noted that summer tires harden immediately at sub-zero temperatures;
- relatively high cost of the kit (on average, from 5 to 8 thousand rubles per tire).
Pros and cons of winter models
Now it’s worth getting acquainted with the benefits of using Michelin winter tires. These include:
- excellent longitudinal and lateral stability;
- braking becomes better, and the stopping distance is shorter;
- gain speed faster when driving on a road heavily covered with snow;
- fuel consumption is practically unchanged compared to summer counterparts;
- wear of studded tires does not accelerate, even if you “shod” the car in advance (2-3 weeks before the icing of the road) and drive it on asphalt;
- the first spikes begin to fall off the rubber only after 30 thousand kilometers.
The disadvantages of winter models of French tires should be considered:
- noise (no way without it, since there are spikes);
- as a result - the susceptibility of rubber to shock (when hitting a stone / hitting a hole);
- also a great price for the set.
In general, the Michelin summer or winter tire collection is worth paying attention to those users who value durability and confident maneuvering of their car on the track at any speed. Also, the models are recommended for car owners with an average income.
Michelin is recognized as one of the best brands. But less famous brands are stepping on her heels, one of which is Dunlop. Read more about the advantages of this rubber - below.
Advantages and disadvantages of Dunlop summer tires
The British brand is represented by several items for the warm season, among which the most in demand are: 
- SP Sport;
- Le Mans;
- Direzza;
- Enasave.
The undoubted advantages are:
- stability on dry roads becomes better;
- moderate softness, providing soft and smooth movement even at speeds over 100 km / h;
- comfortably passes bumps or pits;
- when balancing, a minimum number of weights is required;
- effective braking, however, slightly deteriorating when the ABS is activated;
- good aquaplaning with a quiet ride around the city at speeds up to 60 km / h;
- some models (for example, SP Sport 9000), even being used and having 50% wear, roll back about 50 thousand km;
- almost zero wear even after 2-3 seasons;
- tires are among the most affordable (sets from 10,000 rubles).
Of the shortcomings noted:
Pros and cons of Dunlop winter tires
Models operated at sub-zero temperatures on slippery and snowy surfaces include:
- SP Winter ICE;
- Graspic;
- Ice Touch;
- Winter MAXX.
Pros of winter tires from a British manufacturer:
- durability (tires of the middle price range serve at least 3 seasons);
- ideal tires for a quiet ride in winter;
- the average mileage is 55 thousand km;
- good longitudinal and lateral stability;
- starting and braking on ice is excellent;
- minimal wear even after 2-3 winters;
- availability (the cheapest kits will cost 8-10 thousand rubles).
- when starting from a place uphill behave badly;
- models with spikes lose half of the metal inserts after only 30 thousand kilometers;
- excessive noise audible even with closed windows;
- winter models without spikes during sharp turns can behave disgustingly, driving the car into a skid;
- too soft cord;
- at speeds above 80 km / h, poor traction is clearly felt.
Dunlop vs Michelin Tire Comparison Results
In general, summer and winter products of both manufacturers meet high quality requirements and meet all international standards. A number of publications for motorists ("Behind the wheel", "Autoreview" and others) conducted studies on the suitability of tires for various conditions. It was not possible to determine which one is superior to the other - both received an 8.5 rating on a scale from 0 to 10. This is better than either Toyo or Nokian.
If a car owner needs high-quality summer tires that would perform optimally at speeds up to 100 km / h, be affordable, brake effectively and last at least 2 seasons, you should pay attention to both brands - each of them will be to the driver's liking. Among the winter options, there is no better Michelin - the French manufacturer has collected fewer negative reviews about poor handling, poor grip and inadequate behavior of the vehicle during sharp turns.
