2019 UHP TYRES COMPARISON TEST BY TYRE REVIEWS: GOODYEAR EAGLE F1 SUPERSPORT TESTED FOR THE FIRST TIME

The Tyre Reviews website has tested and compared 8 UHP tyres on a BMW M2, including the all-new Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport against its competitors.

8 tyres tested

The British Tyre Reviews website has brought together the most popular Ultra High Performance tyres on the market to test them on a BMW M2 with the size 245/35 R19 on the front and 265/35 R19 on the rear.

• Accelera PHI
• Continental SportContact 6
• Falken Azenis FK510
• Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport
• Kumho Ecsta PS91
• Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
• Toyo Proxes Sport
• Vredestein Ultrac Vorti

No Pirelli, Hankook, Yokohama ore Nokian whose tyres were not available in one of the two sizes approved for the M2. Tyre Reviews chose the Uvalde track in Texas to test these tyres. This is no coincidence, since all of these tyres, except the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport are available on the American market.

Budget tyres struggle

If Tyre Reviews chose the Accelera PHI, it is more to demonstrate the difference between budget tyres and recognised UHP tyres. And, the demonstration proves the point. The Accelera PHI requires an additional 17 metres to come to a stop than the second last tyre of this comparison test. It finishes last in almost all tests with extremely long braking distances and low grip in wet conditions. So much so that Tyre Reviews recommends “not to fit this tyre”. 

Toyo / Kumho battle

The Toyo Proxes Sport and Kumho Ecsta PS91 tyres have many similarities, according to Tyre Reviews. Far from being poor, they nevertheless have difficulty in keeping up with the pace imposed by the best tyres. Both are conditionally recommended.

The Kumho Ecsta PS91 has long wet braking distances. During tests, it had a serious tendency to overheat, even in wet conditions, which tended to change the balance of the tyre. However, it was very fast during the first laps of the track in dry conditions, with a good level of comfort.

The Toyo Proxes Sport did not have the same problems as the Kumho tyre despite a similar positioning. Best tyre of the comparison test with the highest aquaplaning resistance, this was confirmed by good performances in wet handling tests. It was not the case in dry handling tests where grip was low compared with the other tyres. 

Comfort or sportiness?

The final scores for the Vredestein Ultrac Vorti and Falken Azenis FK510 tyres are very similar, yet the tyres could not be more different.

The Vredestein Ultrac Vorti test clearly confirms this tyre’s reputation in terms of performance. The Dutch manufacturer’s tyre offers excellent handling for Tyre Reviews who underlines its very high level of grip in both wet and dry conditions. Its wet braking performance remains below its other performances. Nevertheless, Tyre Reviews recommends this tyre, particularly for drivers looking for a premium tyre with a good sporty feel.

The Falken Azenis FK510 offers a very high level of comfort. Indeed, it is the most comfortable tyre according to the Tyre Reviews test. It also obtains very good results in braking tests. It is slightly less efficient in track handling tests where it is slower due to its wider shoulder. In particular, Tyre Reviews recommends this tyre for owners of vehicles with large rims looking for comfort over sportiness.

A trio of UUHP tyres

By launching its new Eagle F1 SuperSport tyre at the end of last year, Goodyear emphasises its UUHP (Ultra Ultra High Performance) positioning. A known expression but officially used for the first time for this tyre. Yet, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and Continental Sport Contact 6 also fall into this category. Due to their price and associated track performances, these tyres are mainly for drivers looking for a sporty feeling.

The Continental SportContact 6 offers an excellent balance whether on wet or dry surfaces. It finishes 2nd in braking tests on both surfaces and is the fastest tyre in the dry. Tyre Reviews also underlines its road handling and very sporty feel. However, the rear of the M2 tends to slide in the wet, preventing it from achieving a good lap time on this surface. The Continental SportContact 6 is highly recommended by Tyre Reviews who consider it as being an excellent all rounder.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S delivers the best performance in terms of braking. It finishes first in each test of the category on wet and dry surfaces. It is also very efficient in dry handling tests, only 0.2 seconds behind the Continental SportContact 6. But like the latter, the Michelin tyre is slightly unbalanced in wet conditions, particularly on the rear. It remains highly recommended by Tyre Reviews who consider it as being the most comfortable tyre.

The Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport obtains the best results in track handling tests. It is the fastest tyre on both wet and dry surfaces but it is also the one providing the most reassuring performances whatever the conditions. Its braking distances are slightly below its competitors but nevertheless, the tyre offers a good level of safety. Technically, the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport is the best tyre of this comparison test, as shown by its final score, the highest. But Tyre Reviews emphasises that its results are close to the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and Continental SportContact 6 where each one has a sporty feel or a high level of comfort depending on the situations. It is up to the driver to make his choice depending on his use, his budget and what he desires.