Auto Bild Klassik magazine recently conducted a test of seven classic-style summer tyres in the 205/70 VR 15 size, aiming to improve safety and performance for vintage sports cars. The testers used a Jaguar E-Type Lightweight replica, an iconic 1960s sports car renowned for its powerful 270 PS engine and impressive 240 km/h top speed. I'm very sad this isn't a Tyre Reviews test!

As usual with Auto Bild tests, they've done a proper job. On wet surfaces, the tyres were evaluated for their resistance to aquaplaning, cornering stability, overall handling, and braking efficiency. Dry condition tests focused on handling, braking performance, rolling comfort, and noise levels. Additionally, the tyres' rolling resistance was measured to gauge their efficiency.

The test looked to find out what tyre could best enhance the driving dynamics and safety of a vintage vehicle while maintaining period-correct aesthetics. The test included offerings from major manufacturers like Pirelli, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, as well as lesser-known brands, providing a comprehensive view of the market for classic car enthusiasts seeking to upgrade their vehicles' performance without compromising their authentic look.

Dry

In dry conditions, the test revealed small differences among the tyres. The Pirelli Cinturato P5 and Pirelli Cinturato HS CN12 achieved the highest scores in handling tests, with both tyres allowing average speeds of 87.6 km/h and 87.5 km/h respectively. The Dunlop Sport Classic and Radar Dimax Classic followed closely, both reaching 86.8 km/h.

Braking performance from 100 km/h showed the Pirelli Cinturato HS CN12 stopping in the shortest distance at 37.2 meters. The Pirelli Cinturato P5 required 38.0 meters, while the Dunlop Sport Classic needed 38.7 meters to come to a full stop.

The Michelin XWX recorded the lowest average speed in dry handling at 85.5 km/h, indicating less responsive steering and reduced lateral grip compared to its competitors. However, it compensated with a quieter and more comfortable ride.

The Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet, despite its wet-weather oriented name, managed a respectable 86.3 km/h in dry handling. However, it required the longest braking distance of 41.4 meters from 100 km/h.

Comfort factors varied among the tyres. The Vredestein Sprint Classic and Michelin XWX produced the least road noise, measuring 72.6 dB(A) and 72.5 dB(A) respectively at 80 km/h. In contrast, the Pirelli models generated slightly more noise, with the Cinturato P5 measuring 78.0 dB(A).

The test highlighted that while all tyres performed adequately in dry conditions, measurable differences emerged in specific performance areas.

Wet

Wet conditions revealed more significant differences between the tyres. The Pirelli models again stood out, with the Cinturato HS CN12 and Cinturato P5 achieving the highest scores in most wet tests.

Wet braking from 100 km/h saw the Pirelli Cinturato P5 stop in the shortest distance of 49.5 meters. The Dunlop Sport Classic and Pirelli Cinturato HS CN12 followed closely at 50.3 and 50.5 meters. The Radar Dimax Classic required the longest distance at 71.9 meters.

In wet handling, the Pirelli Cinturato HS CN12 allowed the highest average speed of 78.8 km/h, closely followed by the Cinturato P5 at 78.4 km/h. The Dunlop Sport Classic and Vredestein Sprint Classic followed with 76.1 km/h and 75.2 km/h respectively. The Radar Dimax Classic struggled most in this test, managing only 66.2 km/h.

In the wet circular track test, both Pirelli models completed the circuit in 11.4 seconds, with the Dunlop Sport Classic and Vredestein Sprint Classic following at 11.8 and 11.9 seconds. The Radar Dimax Classic took significantly longer at 13.2 seconds.

Aquaplaning resistance tests showed the Pirelli Cinturato P5 maintaining traction up to 93.3 km/h, with the Vredestein Sprint Classic close behind at 91.5 km/h. The Michelin XWX and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet lost traction earliest, at 73.6 km/h and 73.8 km/h respectively.

Value

The Dunlop Sport Classic demonstrated the lowest rolling resistance at 9.01 kg/t, suggesting it would be the most energy-efficient option among the tested tyres.

Following closely was the Radar Dimax Classic with a rolling resistance of 9.53 kg/t, and the Michelin XWX at 9.99 kg/t.

In the middle of the pack, the Pirelli Cinturato HS CN12 and Vredestein Sprint Classic showed similar results, with rolling resistances of 10.90 kg/t and 10.91 kg/t respectively.

The Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet had a higher rolling resistance at 11.54 kg/t, suggesting it may be less energy-efficient compared to most of its competitors in this test.

The Pirelli Cinturato P5 recorded the highest rolling resistance at 11.88 kg/t, indicating it might have the largest impact on fuel consumption among the tested tyres.

It's worth noting that while lower rolling resistance is generally beneficial for energy efficiency, it's just one factor in overall tyre performance. Tyres with higher rolling resistance often provide better grip, especially in wet conditions, as seen with the Pirelli models in this test.

Results

1st: Pirelli Cinturato HS CN12
205/70 R15 96W 3PMSF: no Price: 1830.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 37.2 M 100% Dry Handling 2nd 87.5 Km/H 87.6 Km/H -0.1 Km/H 99.89% Wet Braking 3rd 50.5 M 49.5 M +1 M 98.02% Wet Handling 1st 78.8 Km/H 100% Wet Circle 1st 11.4 s 100% Straight Aqua 4th 86.1 Km/H 93.3 Km/H -7.2 Km/H 92.28% Curved Aquaplaning 4th 3.21 m/sec2 3.92 m/sec2 -0.71 m/sec2 81.89% Noise 6th 75.4 dB 71.6 dB +3.8 dB 94.96% Rolling Resistance 4th 10.9 kg / t 9.01 kg / t +1.89 kg / t 82.66% Excellent grip on wet roads, precise steering response, sporty-agile handling, short braking distances, good reserves in aquaplaning, good rolling comfort. Increased rolling resistance. Read Reviews
2nd: Dunlop Sport Classic
205/70 R15 96W 3PMSF: no Price: 1470.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 38.7 M 37.2 M +1.5 M 96.12% Dry Handling 3rd 86.8 Km/H 87.6 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.09% Wet Braking 2nd 50.3 M 49.5 M +0.8 M 98.41% Wet Handling 3rd 76.1 Km/H 78.8 Km/H -2.7 Km/H 96.57% Wet Circle 3rd 11.8 s 11.4 s +0.4 s 96.61% Straight Aqua 3rd 87.1 Km/H 93.3 Km/H -6.2 Km/H 93.35% Curved Aquaplaning 1st 3.92 m/sec2 100% Noise 5th 74 dB 71.6 dB +2.4 dB 96.76% Rolling Resistance 1st 9.01 kg / t 100% Good grip on wet roads, crisp-direct steering behavior, sporty-balanced handling, short braking distances, good aquaplaning reserves. Slight tendency to oversteer. Read Reviews    Buy from £342.10
3rd: Pirelli Cinturato P5
205/70 R15 96W 3PMSF: no Price: 1615.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 38 M 37.2 M +0.8 M 97.89% Dry Handling 1st 87.6 Km/H 100% Wet Braking 1st 49.5 M 100% Wet Handling 2nd 78.4 Km/H 78.8 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.49% Wet Circle 1st 11.4 s 100% Straight Aqua 1st 93.3 Km/H 100% Curved Aquaplaning 2nd 3.53 m/sec2 3.92 m/sec2 -0.39 m/sec2 90.05% Noise 7th 78 dB 71.6 dB +6.4 dB 91.79% Rolling Resistance 7th 11.88 kg / t 9.01 kg / t +2.87 kg / t 75.84% Excellent grip on wet roads, precise steering response, sporty-crisp handling, short braking distances, very good reserves in aquaplaning. Increased rolling noise, high rolling resistance. Read Reviews
4th: Vredestein Sprint Classic
205/70 R15 96W 3PMSF: no Price: 1185.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 39.5 M 37.2 M +2.3 M 94.18% Dry Handling 6th 86.2 Km/H 87.6 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 98.4% Wet Braking 4th 53.5 M 49.5 M +4 M 92.52% Wet Handling 4th 75.2 Km/H 78.8 Km/H -3.6 Km/H 95.43% Wet Circle 4th 11.9 s 11.4 s +0.5 s 95.8% Straight Aqua 2nd 91.5 Km/H 93.3 Km/H -1.8 Km/H 98.07% Curved Aquaplaning 3rd 3.37 m/sec2 3.92 m/sec2 -0.55 m/sec2 85.97% Noise 4th 72.6 dB 71.6 dB +1 dB 98.62% Rolling Resistance 5th 10.91 kg / t 9.01 kg / t +1.9 kg / t 82.58% Agile handling with very good lateral guidance in wet conditions, balanced handling on dry roads, short braking distances, good aquaplaning reserves, comparatively affordable price. Slightly delayed steering response. Read Reviews    Buy from £302.90
5th: Michelin XWX
205/70 R15 90W 3PMSF: no Price: 1520.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 39.3 M 37.2 M +2.1 M 94.66% Dry Handling 7th 85.5 Km/H 87.6 Km/H -2.1 Km/H 97.6% Wet Braking 5th 58.5 M 49.5 M +9 M 84.62% Wet Handling 5th 72.9 Km/H 78.8 Km/H -5.9 Km/H 92.51% Wet Circle 5th 12.6 s 11.4 s +1.2 s 90.48% Straight Aqua 7th 73.6 Km/H 93.3 Km/H -19.7 Km/H 78.89% Curved Aquaplaning 6th 2.35 m/sec2 3.92 m/sec2 -1.57 m/sec2 59.95% Noise 3rd 72.5 dB 71.6 dB +0.9 dB 98.76% Rolling Resistance 3rd 9.99 kg / t 9.01 kg / t +0.98 kg / t 90.19% Balanced driving behavior on wet roads, good rolling comfort, low pass-by noise. Moderate reserves in aquaplaning, slightly delayed steering response, extended braking distances. Read Reviews
6th: Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet
205/70 R15 93V 3PMSF: no Price: 2100.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 41.4 M 37.2 M +4.2 M 89.86% Dry Handling 5th 86.3 Km/H 87.6 Km/H -1.3 Km/H 98.52% Wet Braking 6th 64.5 M 49.5 M +15 M 76.74% Wet Handling 6th 71.2 Km/H 78.8 Km/H -7.6 Km/H 90.36% Wet Circle 6th 12.9 s 11.4 s +1.5 s 88.37% Straight Aqua 6th 73.8 Km/H 93.3 Km/H -19.5 Km/H 79.1% Curved Aquaplaning 7th 2.13 m/sec2 3.92 m/sec2 -1.79 m/sec2 54.34% Noise 1st 71.6 dB 100% Rolling Resistance 6th 11.54 kg / t 9.01 kg / t +2.53 kg / t 78.08% Acceptable handling on dry roads, quiet rolling noise. Low reserves in aquaplaning, delayed steering response, long braking distances on wet and dry roads, very high price level. Read Reviews
7th: Radar Dimax Classic
205/70 R15 96V 3PMSF: no Price: 315.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 39.1 M 37.2 M +1.9 M 95.14% Dry Handling 3rd 86.8 Km/H 87.6 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.09% Wet Braking 7th 71.9 M 49.5 M +22.4 M 68.85% Wet Handling 7th 66.2 Km/H 78.8 Km/H -12.6 Km/H 84.01% Wet Circle 7th 13.2 s 11.4 s +1.8 s 86.36% Straight Aqua 5th 80 Km/H 93.3 Km/H -13.3 Km/H 85.74% Curved Aquaplaning 5th 2.73 m/sec2 3.92 m/sec2 -1.19 m/sec2 69.64% Noise 2nd 71.9 dB 71.6 dB +0.3 dB 99.58% Rolling Resistance 2nd 9.53 kg / t 9.01 kg / t +0.52 kg / t 94.54% Decent handling on dry roads. Poor grip and strongly understeering, unbalanced driving behavior in wet conditions, dangerously long braking distances on wet and dry roads, moderate aquaplaning reserves. Read Reviews