The amazing American tyre retailer tyrerack.com has just published it's latest tyre test, "Clash of the Titans: Testing Two New Max Performance Summer Heavy Hitters".

On test are 4 of the leading brands. Bridgestone is represented by the brand new S04 Pole Position, Continental has the ExtremeContact DW, Michelin brings the new Pilot Super Sport and Pirelli puts the P Zero to test.

As always, tyrerack do an extremely thorough job of testing the tyres. Not only do the tyres get a hard workout on their test track, the tyres cover over 500 miles on a real world road route consisting of A roads, motorways and county roads to enable tyrerack to accurately judge the fuel consumption, comfort and noise levels.

Predictably the results are extremely close, such is the level of engineering across the top brands.

Results

1st: Michelin Pilot Super Sport
225/45 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 37.9 Dry: 8.6 Wet: 7.7 Subjective: 7.9 Comfort: 6.8 Noise: 6.9 "Wow" handling and ultimate traction We'd soften the ride just a little on big bumps to make everyday commuting more civilized This is the new super star in the Max Performance Summer category Read Reviews
2nd: Bridgestone Potenza S04 Pole Position
225/45 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 37.2 Dry: 8.5 Wet: 7.4 Subjective: 7.7 Comfort: 6.8 Noise: 6.8 Responsive steering and confidence-inspiring handling We'd like a little more ultimate grip in the dry and wet A capable tire that feels great from behind the wheel Read Reviews
3rd: Continental ExtremeContact DW
225/45 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 36.8 Dry: 7.9 Wet: 7.6 Subjective: 7.3 Comfort: 7 Noise: 7 Comfortable road manners We'd sharpen steering response and handling precision Plenty of ultimate grip with very good ride quality Read Reviews
4th: Pirelli P Zero
225/45 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 36.7 Dry: 8.4 Wet: 7.4 Subjective: 7.6 Comfort: 6.7 Noise: 6.6 Composed road manners and handling We'd reduce the tread noise somewhat An older but still capable tire that can't quite match the capability of newer tires Read Reviews