The German magazine Sport Auto has tested eight Ultra High Performance tyres on a Honda Civic Type R in the size 245/30 R20. A high performance vehicle which brings out all the qualities of these tyres.
An atypical size
320 hp and 400 Nm of torque on its front axle. Suffice to say that the Honda Civic Type R is not like any other compact car. This is the reason why the German magazine Sport Auto has selected this sports car to test the best sports tyres in the atypical size 245/30 R20:
- Bridgestone Potenza S001
- Continental SportContact 6
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2
- Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
- Toyo Proxes Sport
- Vredestein Ultrac Vorti R
Since the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport was not available at the time of the test, it was the Asymmetric 2 that was put through its paces, despite being several years old.
Although there are tyres approved for Audi in this size, Sport Auto strongly recommends staying away from them. The German magazine says that these tyres are specifically designed to satisfy various Audi requirements and may have an unpredictable behaviour once fitted on a vehicle from another brand.
6 tyres recommended with reservations
Although most of the tyres tested by Sport Auto are relatively efficient, most of them have minor shortcomings. This is why the German magazine can only recommend them with reservations.
If the Toyo Proxes Sport has a high resistance to aquaplaning and offers high comfort, it is well behind the best. It has the longest dry braking distance taking 3 metres more than the best tyre and requires an extra 4 metres than the best tyre in wet conditions. It fares no better for dry handling where it is the worst in speed tests while offering low steering precision in wet conditions and significant understeer.
The Falken Azenis FK510 is very efficient in wet conditions where it finishes 2nd in braking tests and 3rd in handling tests. Despite this, it tends to suddenly oversteer on wet surfaces. It is well below the average of its competitors in dry conditions with long braking distances.
The Vredestein Ultrac Vorti R is very efficient in dry conditions where it finishes 3rd, less than one metre behind the best tyre of the braking test and 2nd in handling tests on this surface. Its dynamic handling makes it a balanced tyre according to Sport Auto. Unfortunately, it does not confirm this performance in wet conditions where it is a little sluggish, and above all, has long braking distances.
The Bridgestone Potenza S001 has the longest wet braking distance taking more than 5.5 metres to come to a standstill than the best tyre. It also has the highest rolling resistance and the highest noise levels of this comparison test. Nevertheless, it makes up ground with its handling performance, its short dry braking distance and an overall feeling of safety.
The Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 offers a very good balance, particularly in braking tests. Although it has the lowest rolling resistance of this comparison test, it failed to convince Sport Auto drivers in handling tests. The drivers noticed a tendency to suddenly oversteer in wet conditions as well as a slow steering response on this surface and a lack of grip.
The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 takes third place on the podium despite its age. It shows a few weaknesses in braking tests with stopping distances a little longer than the best. Its steering response is relatively slow and its lack of precision on dry surfaces is offset by the best results in track tests. It is the fastest tyre in wet conditions and finishes second on a dry track. It also convinced Sport Auto drivers to say that, subjectively, it is the most comfortable tyre providing that it is run in.
No surprises at the top
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is the tyre with the shortest dry braking distance. Sport Auto drivers found handling on this surface reassuring and underline its good ride comfort. Although braking distances are short in wet conditions, it is not enough to close the gap with the winner of this comparison test.
The Continental SportContact 6 is the best 2019 UHP tyre according to Sport Auto. Everything is good with this tyre on the Honda Civic Type R. With this tyre, the Honda Civic Type R has the shortest wet braking distance. In dry conditions, it finishes 2nd only 40 cm behind the best tyre. In track handling tests, the Type R is the fastest on a dry surface with this tyre. The rolling resistance of this tyre is one of the lowest. In handling tests, the Sport Auto drivers found the Continental SportContact 6 precise, stable and dynamic with a fast response at all times. These performances legitimise Honda’s decision to use these tyres as original equipment, according to the German magazine.
| Tyre | Ranking | Remarks |
| Continental SportContact 6 | 1 | The perfect tyre for the Honda Civic Type R |
| Michelin Pilot Sport 4S | 2 | Best dry braking distance, average comfort |
| Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 | 3 | Very good on the track, average braking |
| Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 | 4 | Balanced braking, weak on wet tracks |
| Bridgestone Potenza S001 | 5= | Safe feeling when driving, long wet braking distance |
| Vredestein Ultrac Vorti R | 6 | Short dry braking distance, less efficient in the wet |
| Falken Azenis FK510 | 7 | Good in dry conditions, slow steering response |
| Toyo Proxes Sport | 8 | Good resistance to aquaplaning, long braking distances |
