The Italian newspaper al Volante has just published a tyre test with both the new Pirelli Cinturato C3 AND the Michelin Primacy 5!

The test was somewhat limited, for example there was no dry handling, but it gives a good overview of the new tyres relative performance in the key braking tests, and noise and rolling resistance.

Test Publication:

Test Size: 225/55 R18

Tyres Tested: 7 tyres

Test Categories:
4 categories (7 tests)

View Test Summary

Similar Tests

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Test Category	Best Performer	Worst Performer	Difference
Dry (1 tests)
Dry Braking	▲ Continental PremiumContact 7: 36.6 M	▼ Austone Athena SP 303: 40.6 M	4.0 M (9.9%)
Wet (4 tests)
Wet Braking	▲ Continental PremiumContact 7: 28.7 M	▼ Austone Athena SP 303: 32.8 M	4.1 M (12.5%)
Wet Handling	▲ Pirelli Cinturato C3: 109.55 s	▼ Austone Athena SP 303: 120.93 s	11.4 s (9.4%)
Straight Aqua	▲ Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6: 81.8 Km/H	▼ Austone Athena SP 303: 74.4 Km/H	7.4 Km/H (9.9%)
Curved Aquaplaning	▲ Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6: 91.8 m/sec2	▼ Austone Athena SP 303: 80.1 m/sec2	11.7 m/sec2 (14.6%)
Comfort (1 tests)
Noise	▲ Michelin Primacy 5: 70.6 dB	▼ Hankook Ventus Prime 4: 72.9 dB	2.3 dB (3.2%)
Value (1 tests)
Rolling Resistance	▲ Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN: 6.8 kg / t	▼ Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6: 8.7 kg / t	1.9 kg / t (21.8%)

As with the Tyre Reviews test, the new Pirelli finished top, but the Primacy 5 offered a good blend of rolling resistance, noise and wet grip, something that's very important to some people.

The full data is below.

Dry

Continental demonstrated exceptional stopping power at 36.6 meters, with Pirelli and Goodyear nearly identical at 36.9, while Austone required a concerning 40.6 meters.

Wet

Continental's PremiumContact 7 outperformed the competition with an impressive 28.7-meter stopping distance, while the budget Austone struggled significantly, requiring a dangerous 32.8 meters to halt.

Pirelli Cinturato narrowly claimed the fastest wet lap at 109.55 seconds, just edging out Goodyear's 109.71, while Austone trailed significantly at 120.93 seconds.

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 led both straight-line and curved aquaplaning tests, maintaining grip up to 81.8 km/h in a straight line and an impressive 91.8 km/h in curves, while the Austone began floating at just 74.4 km/h straight and 80.1 km/h in curves, well below all competitors.

Comfort

Michelin Primacy 5 proved the quietest at just 70.6 dB, closely followed by Goodyear at 70.8 dB, with Hankook generating the most noise at 72.9 dB.

Value

Firestone Roadhawk 2 demonstrated best-in-class efficiency at 6.8 N/kN (B-rated), while Goodyear's performance focus resulted in the highest resistance at 8.7 N/kN (C-rated).

Results

1st: Pirelli Cinturato C3
225/55 R18 98H Origin: Italy 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 36.9 M 36.6 M +0.3 M 99.19% Wet Braking 2nd 29.4 M 28.7 M +0.7 M 97.62% Wet Handling 1st 109.55 s 100% Straight Aqua 2nd 81.6 Km/H 81.8 Km/H -0.2 Km/H 99.76% Curved Aquaplaning 2nd 88.7 m/sec2 91.8 m/sec2 -3.1 m/sec2 96.62% Noise 3rd 71.8 dB 70.6 dB +1.2 dB 98.33% Rolling Resistance 3rd 7.4 kg / t 6.8 kg / t +0.6 kg / t 91.89% The Pirelli Cinturato (C3) emerged as the overall winner in our comprehensive test. This well-balanced tyre excels in both wet and dry conditions with outstanding stability and predictable handling characteristics. It inspires confidence in all driving situations thanks to exceptional wet grip and impressive aquaplaning resistance. The Pirelli combines good rolling resistance with reasonable noise levels, making it a premium option that prioritizes safety without compromising comfort or efficiency. Its particular strengths were found in its excellent stability during direction changes and confident handling in wet conditions. Read Reviews
2nd: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
225/55 R18 98H Origin: USA 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 36.9 M 36.6 M +0.3 M 99.19% Wet Braking 2nd 29.4 M 28.7 M +0.7 M 97.62% Wet Handling 2nd 109.71 s 109.55 s +0.16 s 99.85% Straight Aqua 1st 81.8 Km/H 100% Curved Aquaplaning 1st 91.8 m/sec2 100% Noise 2nd 70.8 dB 70.6 dB +0.2 dB 99.72% Rolling Resistance 7th 8.7 kg / t 6.8 kg / t +1.9 kg / t 78.16% The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 finished a close second, showing near-sports tyre performance with particularly impressive wet grip. It dominates aquaplaning tests and delivers rapid lap times in challenging conditions. While quiet and responsive, this performance-oriented tyre sacrifices some efficiency with relatively high rolling resistance that may impact fuel economy. The Goodyear excelled in stability and aquaplaning resistance but wasn't quite as balanced across all performance metrics as the Pirelli. Read Reviews    Buy from £143.94
3rd: Continental PremiumContact 7
225/55 R18 98H Origin: Germany 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 36.6 M 100% Wet Braking 1st 28.7 M 100% Wet Handling 3rd 110.11 s 109.55 s +0.56 s 99.49% Straight Aqua 6th 79.7 Km/H 81.8 Km/H -2.1 Km/H 97.43% Curved Aquaplaning 4th 88.1 m/sec2 91.8 m/sec2 -3.7 m/sec2 95.97% Noise 4th 72 dB 70.6 dB +1.4 dB 98.06% Rolling Resistance 5th 7.9 kg / t 6.8 kg / t +1.1 kg / t 86.08% Continental's PremiumContact 7 takes third place with standout wet braking performance and excellent overall wet handling. It provides good aquaplaning resistance and solid lap times in wet conditions. While it offers exceptional dry braking distances, it sacrifices some rolling efficiency. Testers noted it provides good grip in all conditions but can be slightly abrupt when losing traction and produces moderate noise levels. Read Reviews    Buy from £135.40
4th: Michelin Primacy 5
225/55 R18 98H Origin: France 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 38.2 M 36.6 M +1.6 M 95.81% Wet Braking 4th 29.6 M 28.7 M +0.9 M 96.96% Wet Handling 5th 111.71 s 109.55 s +2.16 s 98.07% Straight Aqua 4th 81.2 Km/H 81.8 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 99.27% Curved Aquaplaning 3rd 88.4 m/sec2 91.8 m/sec2 -3.4 m/sec2 96.3% Noise 1st 70.6 dB 100% Rolling Resistance 2nd 7 kg / t 6.8 kg / t +0.2 kg / t 97.14% The Michelin Primacy 5 achieves a good balance between performance and efficiency. It delivers solid wet performance with good aquaplaning resistance. As the quietest tyre in the test with excellent rolling resistance, it's ideal for drivers prioritizing fuel economy and comfort. However, its dry braking is merely average, and it isn't as dynamically capable as the top three performers, with testers noting it isn't particularly responsive when entering corners. Read Reviews    Buy from £145.78
5th: Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
225/55 R18 98H Origin: Japan 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 37.8 M 36.6 M +1.2 M 96.83% Wet Braking 6th 29.8 M 28.7 M +1.1 M 96.31% Wet Handling 4th 111.22 s 109.55 s +1.67 s 98.5% Straight Aqua 3rd 81.3 Km/H 81.8 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 99.39% Curved Aquaplaning 5th 86.4 m/sec2 91.8 m/sec2 -5.4 m/sec2 94.12% Noise 6th 72.8 dB 70.6 dB +2.2 dB 96.98% Rolling Resistance 1st 6.8 kg / t 100% Firestone's Roadhawk 2 offers solid performance across all categories without truly excelling in any particular area. Its standout feature is excellent rolling resistance, making it the most fuel-efficient option in the test. Testers noted its stability and predictable handling even in emergency maneuvers, making it a safe if somewhat unremarkable option, with slightly elevated noise levels and uninspiring steering response at lower speeds. Read Reviews    Buy from £108.77
6th: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
225/55 R18 98H Origin: South Korea 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 38.7 M 36.6 M +2.1 M 94.57% Wet Braking 5th 29.7 M 28.7 M +1 M 96.63% Wet Handling 6th 113.22 s 109.55 s +3.67 s 96.76% Straight Aqua 5th 81 Km/H 81.8 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.02% Curved Aquaplaning 6th 85.3 m/sec2 91.8 m/sec2 -6.5 m/sec2 92.92% Noise 7th 72.9 dB 70.6 dB +2.3 dB 96.84% Rolling Resistance 4th 7.7 kg / t 6.8 kg / t +0.9 kg / t 88.31% The Hankook Ventus Prime4 delivers adequate but not exceptional performance across most metrics. While wet braking is competitive, it shows lower aquaplaning resistance in curves and below-average dry braking. Despite good rolling resistance, it's the noisiest tyre among the premium brands tested. Testers observed that while it offers consistent performance, it provides less grip than top-tier competitors and can exhibit some rear instability in wet conditions, particularly when throttle is released in curves. Read Reviews    Buy from £133.67
7th: Austone Athena SP 303
225/55 R18 98H Origin: China 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 40.6 M 36.6 M +4 M 90.15% Wet Braking 7th 32.8 M 28.7 M +4.1 M 87.5% Wet Handling 7th 120.93 s 109.55 s +11.38 s 90.59% Straight Aqua 7th 74.4 Km/H 81.8 Km/H -7.4 Km/H 90.95% Curved Aquaplaning 7th 80.1 m/sec2 91.8 m/sec2 -11.7 m/sec2 87.25% Noise 5th 72.7 dB 70.6 dB +2.1 dB 97.11% Rolling Resistance 6th 8.2 kg / t 6.8 kg / t +1.4 kg / t 82.93% The Austone Athena SP-303, while attractively priced at around one-third of premium competitors, showed significant performance limitations. This Chinese budget tyre delivers poor wet and dry braking with the lowest aquaplaning resistance of all tyres tested. Testers reported that the tyre loses grip abruptly and unpredictably, requires excessive steering input, and produces considerable noise. Despite its budget-friendly price point, these substantial performance deficiencies make it a questionable value proposition from a safety perspective. Read Reviews