2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test

Below is the data from the 2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test. As usual, EVO do an excellent job of digging into the subjective nature of the tyres, so be sure to read the full test over at https://www.evo.co.uk/technology

Test Size: 235/35 R19
Tyres Tested: 7 tyres
Test Categories:
4 categories (10 tests)
Similar Tests

Test Category Best Performer Worst Performer Difference
Dry (3 tests)
Dry Braking Continental SportContact 7: 30.7 M Vredestein Ultrac Pro: 35.1 M4.4 M (12.5%)
Dry Handling Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport: 100.58 s Falken Azenis FK520: 102.52 s1.9 s (1.9%)
Subj. Dry Handling Continental SportContact 7: 61 Points Falken Azenis FK520: 51 Points10.0 Points (19.6%)
Wet (5 tests)
Wet Braking Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 31.4 M Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 35.1 M3.7 M (10.5%)
Wet Handling Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 67.51 s Falken Azenis FK520: 71.27 s3.8 s (5.3%)
Subj. Wet Handling Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport: 60 Points Falken Azenis FK520: 47 Points13.0 Points (27.7%)
Straight Aqua Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 72.66 Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 69.85 Km/H2.8 Km/H (4.0%)
Curved Aquaplaning Falken Azenis FK520: 69.33 m/sec2 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 65.82 m/sec23.5 m/sec2 (5.3%)
Comfort (1 tests)
Subj. Noise Continental SportContact 7: 24.5 Points Falken Azenis FK520: 21 Points3.5 Points (16.7%)
Value (1 tests)
Rolling Resistance Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 8.5 kg / t Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport: 10.44 kg / t1.9 kg / t (18.6%)

Dry

Dry Braking

Dry Handling

Subj. Dry Handling

Wet

Wet Braking

Wet Handling

Subj. Wet Handling

Straight Aqua

Curved Aquaplaning

Comfort

Subj. Noise

Value

Rolling Resistance

Results

1st: Continental SportContact 7

Continental SportContact 7
  • 235/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st30.7 M100%
Dry Handling6th101.58 s100.58 s+1 s99.02%
Subj. Dry Handling1st61 Points100%
Wet Braking2nd32.3 M31.4 M+0.9 M97.21%
Wet Handling4th69.25 s67.51 s+1.74 s97.49%
Subj. Wet Handling6th56.5 Points60 Points-3.5 Points94.17%
Straight Aqua3rd72 Km/H72.66 Km/H-0.66 Km/H99.09%
Curved Aquaplaning4th67.14 m/sec269.33 m/sec2-2.19 m/sec296.84%
Subj. Noise1st24.5 Points100%
Rolling Resistance4th9.01 kg / t8.5 kg / t+0.51 kg / t94.34%
The Continental SportContact 7 showed remarkable improvement from its sixth-place finish last year to take the overall win. Its dry handling performance was particularly impressive, topping the subjective scores and showing excellent speed through corners. The tyre demonstrated a perfect balance of grip and feedback, setting strong times while maintaining good feel. In wet conditions, it built on these strengths with strong scores across all tests. The tyre's performance in dry conditions was notably strong, matching or beating the previous benchmark times while feeling more composed. This combination of improved performance across all conditions, along with good refinement and balance, made it the clear winner and earned it top marks in most key categories.

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2nd: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
  • 235/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking3rd33.1 M30.7 M+2.4 M92.75%
Dry Handling4th101.21 s100.58 s+0.63 s99.38%
Subj. Dry Handling2nd58.5 Points61 Points-2.5 Points95.9%
Wet Braking1st31.4 M100%
Wet Handling3rd69.17 s67.51 s+1.66 s97.6%
Subj. Wet Handling4th57.5 Points60 Points-2.5 Points95.83%
Straight Aqua6th70.61 Km/H72.66 Km/H-2.05 Km/H97.18%
Curved Aquaplaning7th65.82 m/sec269.33 m/sec2-3.51 m/sec294.94%
Subj. Noise2nd24 Points24.5 Points-0.5 Points97.96%
Rolling Resistance1st8.5 kg / t100%
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S demonstrated significant improvements over its previous version, particularly in straight-line aquaplaning where it had traditionally struggled. The standout performance came in wet braking, where it jumped from third to first place. The tyre felt secure and precise in wet conditions, ranking fourth in both subjective scores and lap times. It was especially impressive in high-speed wet driving, offering a fluid feel through transitions with bright and connected steering feedback. While not outstanding in all wet tests, it made up for this with strong dry performance and good refinement. The combination of strong wet performance, excellent dry handling, and the lowest rolling resistance in the test secured its second-place finish.

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3rd: Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport

Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport
  • 235/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking5th33.5 M30.7 M+2.8 M91.64%
Dry Handling1st100.58 s100%
Subj. Dry Handling4th57 Points61 Points-4 Points93.44%
Wet Braking4th33.5 M31.4 M+2.1 M93.73%
Wet Handling5th69.41 s67.51 s+1.9 s97.26%
Subj. Wet Handling1st60 Points100%
Straight Aqua2nd72.04 Km/H72.66 Km/H-0.62 Km/H99.15%
Curved Aquaplaning3rd67.7 m/sec269.33 m/sec2-1.63 m/sec297.65%
Subj. Noise3rd23.5 Points24.5 Points-1 Points95.92%
Rolling Resistance7th10.44 kg / t8.5 kg / t+1.94 kg / t81.42%
The Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport showed strong performance across all tests, particularly standing out in wet conditions. The tyre was quick around the handling circuit, just a fraction behind the quickest time, and scored highly in subjective rating with good grip levels. It demonstrated a stable yet adjustable character in the wet while maintaining strong precision. The tyre's wet braking was solid, coming in fourth with a stopping distance about 2m off the best. Aquaplaning resistance was strong in both straight and curved tests, and the tyre showed good levels of refinement on the road, though it initially needed some warming up. Overall, an impressive performance that earned it third place.

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3rd: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
  • 235/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd32.1 M30.7 M+1.4 M95.64%
Dry Handling3rd101.2 s100.58 s+0.62 s99.39%
Subj. Dry Handling3rd58 Points61 Points-3 Points95.08%
Wet Braking7th35.1 M31.4 M+3.7 M89.46%
Wet Handling1st67.51 s100%
Subj. Wet Handling2nd58 Points60 Points-2 Points96.67%
Straight Aqua1st72.66 Km/H100%
Curved Aquaplaning5th66.88 m/sec269.33 m/sec2-2.45 m/sec296.47%
Subj. Noise6th22 Points24.5 Points-2.5 Points89.8%
Rolling Resistance6th10.04 kg / t8.5 kg / t+1.54 kg / t84.66%
The Bridgestone Potenza Sport, last year's winner, delivered another strong performance but missed out on the overall win as competitors stepped up their game. It set the pace in wet handling, being a second faster than the next best tyre and matching that with strong subjective scores. The tyre showed good balance and traction in wet conditions, though it was less progressive than some rivals. In the dry, it ranked third in both lap times and subjective scores, demonstrating good response at medium to high speeds. Its only real weaknesses were high rolling resistance and somewhat disappointing wet braking results, but it remained an impressive performer overall.

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5th: Vredestein Ultrac Pro

Vredestein Ultrac Pro
  • 235/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking7th35.1 M30.7 M+4.4 M87.46%
Dry Handling2nd101.18 s100.58 s+0.6 s99.41%
Subj. Dry Handling4th57 Points61 Points-4 Points93.44%
Wet Braking2nd32.3 M31.4 M+0.9 M97.21%
Wet Handling6th69.8 s67.51 s+2.29 s96.72%
Subj. Wet Handling5th57 Points60 Points-3 Points95%
Straight Aqua4th71.76 Km/H72.66 Km/H-0.9 Km/H98.76%
Curved Aquaplaning6th66.14 m/sec269.33 m/sec2-3.19 m/sec295.4%
Subj. Noise3rd23.5 Points24.5 Points-1 Points95.92%
Rolling Resistance3rd8.86 kg / t8.5 kg / t+0.36 kg / t95.94%
Testing the new Vredestein Ultrac Pro for the first time, it showed strong consistency across all tests, particularly in wet conditions. The tyre performed well in wet circle and wet handling lap times, coming in just two metres behind the best in wet braking. Its strongest showing was in dry handling, where it offered good precision and adjustability, though it placed seventh and last in dry braking. The tyre demonstrated progressive, predictable behavior and was easily managed at the limit. While its weak point was dry braking, it showed decent refinement on the road and strong overall performance that nearly matched the top-tier tyres.

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6th: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Pirelli P Zero PZ4
  • 235/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking6th33.6 M30.7 M+2.9 M91.37%
Dry Handling5th101.23 s100.58 s+0.65 s99.36%
Subj. Dry Handling6th56 Points61 Points-5 Points91.8%
Wet Braking6th34.1 M31.4 M+2.7 M92.08%
Wet Handling2nd68.36 s67.51 s+0.85 s98.76%
Subj. Wet Handling2nd58 Points60 Points-2 Points96.67%
Straight Aqua7th69.85 Km/H72.66 Km/H-2.81 Km/H96.13%
Curved Aquaplaning2nd67.78 m/sec269.33 m/sec2-1.55 m/sec297.76%
Subj. Noise3rd23.5 Points24.5 Points-1 Points95.92%
Rolling Resistance5th9.17 kg / t8.5 kg / t+0.67 kg / t92.69%
The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 finished sixth in testing, showing better performance than previous versions but still lagging behind the top performers. The tyre showed strong wet subjective scores and performed adequately in dry tests. Braking performance was mixed, coming in fifth in wet braking at 2.5m behind the best. In wet tests, the tyre was quick but lacked steering feel, though it was sharp and responsive with strong on-the-brakes performance. The tyre stood out for refinement, being one of the quietest on test, but lacked some feedback and outright steering feel compared to the leaders.

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7th: Falken Azenis FK520

Falken Azenis FK520
  • 235/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking4th33.4 M30.7 M+2.7 M91.92%
Dry Handling7th102.52 s100.58 s+1.94 s98.11%
Subj. Dry Handling7th51 Points61 Points-10 Points83.61%
Wet Braking5th34 M31.4 M+2.6 M92.35%
Wet Handling7th71.27 s67.51 s+3.76 s94.72%
Subj. Wet Handling7th47 Points60 Points-13 Points78.33%
Straight Aqua5th71.43 Km/H72.66 Km/H-1.23 Km/H98.31%
Curved Aquaplaning1st69.33 m/sec2100%
Subj. Noise7th21 Points24.5 Points-3.5 Points85.71%
Rolling Resistance2nd8.68 kg / t8.5 kg / t+0.18 kg / t97.93%
The Falken Azenis FK520's strongest performance was in curved aquaplaning, where it topped the results, backed by decent straight-line aquaplaning resistance. However, it struggled in most other areas, finishing seventh in wet handling (almost four seconds off the best lap time) and scoring poorly in subjective handling tests. The tyre needed careful management in wet conditions, requiring time to settle into turns and showing tentative grip characteristics. While it offered good refinement on regular roads, the Falken struggled to match its high-performance competitors, particularly in wet conditions. Feedback from the tyre was decent, but it needs improvement in wet grip to compete with the leading brands.

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