2011 Winter tyre test
Size tested: 225/45R17
1st - Continental Wintercontact TS830P
2nd - Goodyear Ultragrip performance 2
3rd - Pirelli Sottozero 240
4th - Michelin Alpin A4
5th - Hankook Optimo 4S (best all season)
6th - Vredestein Quartac 3
7th - Nankang Snow SV-2
8th - Kuhmo Solus Vier
They say "Consistently good performances earn Continental our winter tyre crown, great all round performance with no weaknesses sees off winter rivals and takes the win.
Tyremen say "Continental have had a fantastic run of test reports this year, superb results! We stocked a large number of the TS830P but we sold out in no time at all. We have beefed up our orders for 2012/13 so that even more customers can benefit from their test winning winter tyres."
Auto Express summer tyre test 2010
Size tested: 225/40R18
1st - Continental ContiSportContact 3 (Y)
2nd - Michelin Pilot Sport 3 (Y)
3rd - Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric (Y)
4th - Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT (Y)
5th - Hankook Ventus S1 evo (Y)
6th - Pirelli P Zero (Y)
7th - Vredestein Ultrac Cento (Y)
8th - Uniroyal RainSport 2 (W)
9th - Bridgestone Potenza RE050A (Y)
10th - Sava Intensa uhp (Y)
11th - Maxxis Victra MA-Z1 Drift (W)
12th - Runway Enduro-916+ (W)
They say “It’s the second win in a row for Continental, this time for the ContiSportContact 3. As with its victory in last year’s test, the German company has designed a tyre that performs well across all our assessments. While others are better in some disciplines, none matches this all-rounder”
Tyremen say “Continental topped most of the tests in 2010 with the Sport Contact 3, it’s a fantastic tyre that is the safest choice on the market for your car, shame they don’t last a bit longer though. It’s also good to see mid-range manufacturer, Hankook up there with the premiums claiming a respectable 5th. On the other hand Bridgestone will be keen to forget about this one, a really poor finish. The budget brands all came out in their respective bottom 3 places which does go to show that if you are concerned with your vehicle safety these should be avoided at all costs!”
Auto Express Winter tyre test 2010
Size tested: 205/55R16
This test was the first UK winter tyre test and included an all season tyre and summer tyre for comparison.
1st - Goodyear UltraGrip 7+
2nd - Continental ContiWinterContact TS830
3rd - Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D
4th - Vredestein Snowtrac 3
5th - Pirelli Sottozero Winter 210 Serie II
6th - Nokian WR G2
7th - Vredestein Quatrac 3 (all-season tyre)
8th - Continental ContiPremiumContact 2 (summer tyre)
They say “The clear winners here are cold weather tyres, which have a big advantage over the summer patterns used almost exclusively by UK drivers in the winter. In the snow, they offer a huge step up in grip and safety, and in the cold they outperform summer tyres. But you need plenty of space and cash to take full advantage of winter tyres – which is where an all-season model comes in. We were impressed with Vredestein’s Quatrac, which performed admirably in nearly every category. Goodyear and Continental stood out among the winter patterns, with the Ultragrip 7+ narrowly taking top spot.”
Tyremen say “It’s great to see the growing interest in winter tyres in the UK and this test certainly helped raise the profile and benefits of winter tyres. The difference they make is truly amazing and this test also introduces all season’s as a good alternative. In terms of the results the specific cold tests weren’t that extensive and when compared to most of the European tests we saw in 2010. The main shock would be the Snowtrac 3 which is by far our most popular winter tyre which in our opinion should firmly sat in the top spot”
2006 Summer tyre test
Test size: 195/65R15 - view report
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Vredestein Sportrac 3
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Continental Premium Contact 2
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Marshall Matrac
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Bridgestone B250
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Goodyear Hydragrip
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Pirelli P6
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Dunlop Sport 01
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Yokohama C Drive
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Avon ZV3
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Hankook Optimo K406
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Maxxis Surpasa
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Marangoni Vanto
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Toyo Proxes CF1
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Matador Elite 2
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Michelin Primacy
They say “It may have new Russian owners, but Dutch maker Vredestein has retained its ability to produce a winning tyre. For the third year in a row, it takes our crown, this time with the new Sportrac 3, which again stars on wet surfaces and did enough in the other disciplines to maintain that advantage to the end. A great tyre at a good price.”
Tyremen say “This test is a few years old now but it was definitely one that really made Vredestein stand out. This test was the 3rd in a row that Vredestein had come out as Auto Express’s best buy, a massive feat for a company such as Vredestein. This product is still available in 2011 and continues to offer great wet performance and value for money.”