2018/2019 AUTOBILD UHP WINTER TYRE TEST: 10 TYRES COMPARED BY AUTO BILD

Auto Bild has tested and compared 10 UHP winter tyres in the size 245/45 R18 for high performance sports cars.

10 UHP winter tyres compared

For the “Ultra High Performance” edition of its winter tyre comparison test, Auto Bild has tested 10 tyres in the size 245/45 R18 on a BMW M5. 3 tyres are considered “exemplary” while one tyre does not impress and obtains the “not recommended” rating:

• Bridgestone Blizzak LM001
• Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
• Dunlop Winter Sport 5
• Falken Eurowinter HS01
• Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen-1
• Kleber Krisalp HP 3
• Nexen Winguard Sport 2
• Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
• Sunny Snowmaster SN 3830
• Vredestein Wintrac Pro

On a high performance vehicle, cheap isn’t good

Auto Bild usually invites a budget tyre to take part in its comparison test. If the experience was more than conclusive for SUV tyres, it is clearly not the case for UHP tyres. On the price side, a set of 4 Sunny Snowmaster SN 3830 tyres costs 360€. This is almost half the price of the high performance tyres taking part in this test. Admittedly the saving is tempting, but is it worth it? Not for Auto Bild who notes serious shortcomings for this tyre. If it manages to deliver correct performances in dry and snowy conditions, it is dangerous in the wet. By far the last in the aquaplaning test, it is also last in wet handling tests. On this surface, it needs almost 11 metres more to come to a standstill than the weakest tyre of this comparison test. For this reason, it is the only tyre the German magazine has given the “not recommended” rating.

The other tyres handle well in all conditions

In general, Auto Bild recommends an all seasons tyre as an alternative. But for high performance vehicles, the German magazine says “don’t even think about it”. In this size, which is quite large, drivers found them a bit sluggish with reduced dynamic handling. But for winter tyres, the opposite is true. Even tyres that are not ranked at the top of this comparison test are interesting possibilities and guarantee optimum safety in tough winter conditions.

The Nexen Winguard Sport 2 provides balanced handling in the snow and on dry roads. On snow, its braking distances are amongst the shortest and it achieves good results in dry handling tests. It is also the cheapest tyre (445€ for 4) if we exclude the Sunny tyre. It is just below the performance of its peers, especially for aquaplaning resistance.

The Falken Eurowinter HS01 tyre may be slightly noisy with a high rolling resistance, for Auto Bild it is a balanced tyre. Otherwise, this cheap tyre provides good all round performances. Its braking distances are short in the snow and the wet, and especially in dry conditions. The magazine also noted its particularly comfortable handling.

The Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 has the shortest braking distance in the dry. It is also very efficient when driving on this type of surface offering dynamic and sporty handling. It has the lowest rolling resistance of this comparison test, but is also the most expensive tyre. In the wet, it is less efficient but maintains good safety performance.

The Bridgestone Blizzak LM001, despite slightly long braking distances in dry conditions, where it is the weakest of the tyres compared, it delivers balanced performances for Auto Bild. It offers dynamic handling in the snow and wet while ensuring good safety, particularly against aquaplaning.

The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen-1 is a premium tyre offering excellent performances in the snow and wet according to Auto Bild. Its good handling, dynamic character and short braking distances justify its relatively high price. It has a few weaknesses on dry surfaces with average grip and a slow steering response.

The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 is the best of the tyres tested on snow. It has the shortest braking distance and also provides efficient handling on this surface. Economical thanks to a low rolling resistance, it slips back into the pack in the wet. Even if it is slightly behind in aquaplaning tests, it nevertheless offers a precise steering response and good feedback.

An unexpected podium

The Kleber Krisalp HP3 has the best performances on snow, just ahead of the Dunlop tyre and stands out with its excellent handling on this surface. Precise steering and good handling, it also stands out with its high level of safety, particularly for aquaplaning resistance. It is considered to be “exemplary” by Auto Bild.

Difficult to separate with the Kleber tyre, the Continental WinterContact TS 850P reveals its full potential with balanced winter performances. This tyre has the shortest wet braking distances and is not far behind in the snow and dry. It is considered “exemplary” by Auto Bild who only regrets its slightly high price. 

The surprise winner of this comparison test, the Vredestein Wintrac Pro has all the qualities required for an UHP winter tyre for high performance vehicles. “Exemplary” according to Auto Bild, it is particularly at ease in wet conditions but also on snow. It is not far behind in the dry where it is always one of the 3 best tyres in each test. In short, it is a complete, well balanced, comfortable tyre with dynamic handling that is the overall winner of the 2018 Auto Bild UHP winter tyre test.