Auto Bild magazine has tested and compared 9 UHP tyres in the size 265/35 R20 for a Ford Mustang GT and other sporty and high-performance vehicles. What are the best sports tyres for this coming summer?
9 sports tyres compared
After testing 53 summer tyres for city cars and 10 other models for 4×4s and SUVs, it’s now the sports tyres turn to have their Auto Bild comparison test. The German magazine has selected 9 UHP summer tyres in the size 265/35 R20 to be fitted on a Ford Mustang GT V8 with 444 hp.
This size is also approved for sports and high-performance vehicles such as the BMW M5 and M6, Audi A6, A7, A8, S7, S8, Jaguar F-Type, Mercedes E-Class AMG or the Porsche 911 GT3 RS and GT2 RS and many more. Amongst the 9 sports tyres tested, in alphabetical order, we find the new Bridgestone Potenza Sport:
- Berlin Tires Summer UHP 1
- Bridgestone Potenza Sport
- Continental SportContact 6
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport
- Hankook Ventus S1 evo3
- Landsail LS588 UHP
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
- Vredestein Ultrac Vorti R
Sports tyre test: rolling resistance is not the priority
As always, tyre performance is all about balance. But for “sports” tyres; this balance tends to favour safety and radical performances, at the expense of other factors such as rolling resistance or road noise.
Unlike other sports tyre in the comparison test, the Berlin Tires Summer UHP 1 and the Landsail LS588 UHP have a very low rolling resistance, low road noise and a very low price. Not necessarily a priority when driving a sports car with more than 300 hp and costing several tens of thousands of pounds, at least.
In return, these tyres provide very limited wet grip and their braking distances are much longer than the other tyres tested. Their imprecise and irregular handling is the reason why these tyres are not recommended by Auto Bild.
Sports tyre test: UHP ultra high performance tyres
While sports tyres have always proposed a very high level of dry grip, Auto Bild underlines the enormous progress these tyres have made in wet conditions thanks to new materials and manufacturing processes.
Even with the “satisfactory” rating, the Falken Azenis FK510 is good in wet conditions, and in particular, with its aquaplaning resistance. It provides harmonious handling behaviour in wet conditions despite slightly longer braking distances than other tyres on this surface. Although good in dry conditions, it tends to understeer which prevents it from taking a higher place in this sports tyre ranking.
The Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 provides safe handling in both wet and dry conditions. Its direct steering response and short braking distances allows it to obtain a “good” rating from Auto Bild despite a lower aquaplaning resistance than the others and higher rolling noise.
Although the Vredestein Ultrac Vorti R has slightly longer wet braking distances, it provides good handling performances. Its sporty and precise behaviour is more efficient in the dry. Auto Bild also notes its good value for money despite a slightly high rolling resistance.
Apart from its relatively high price tag, the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport delivers a faultless performance. Balanced in both the dry and the wet, it provided dynamic handling and good ride comfort while proposing high safety qualities during the test.
Sports tyre test: a podium of “athletes” on asphalt
Finishing equal, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and Continental SportContact 6 sports tyres offer an excellent performance balance, according to Auto Bild, resulting in the “exemplary” rating in the comparison test.
The Michelin tyre is efficient in wet conditions with short braking distances, but it is more at ease on dry surfaces with sporty, precise and radical handling. Although at ease in dry conditions, the Continental tyre’s handling performances are more efficient on wet surfaces.
Bringing together the best of two worlds, the new Bridgestone Potenza Sport is impressive and wins the title of the best 2021 sports tyre according to Auto Bild. Its handling on both wet and dry surfaces and its precise steering response makes it an excellent UHP tyre in all conditions.
| 2021 Top 5 UHP sports tyre by Auto Bild | + | – |
| 1 – Bridgestone Potenza Sport | Excellent in dry and wet conditions | |
| 2 = Continental SportContact 6 | Excellent in wet conditions | Rolling noise |
| 2 = Michelin Pilot Sport 4S | Excellent in dry conditions | Price |
| 4 = Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport | Very good performance balance, sporty handling and ride comfort | Price |
| 4 = Vredestein Ultrac Vorti R | Dry handling, good value for money | Wet braking, fuel consumption |
All the details of the test (in German) can be found on the Auto Bild website.
