Autobild Sports Cars tests are usually nice and simple. Fast car, the best of the UUHP tyres, put them together and see what's best.
Thankfully, in the strange year of 2025 testing, Autobild have kept that formula and tested eight performance summer tyres in 245/35 R19 using an Audi TTS.
4 categories (9 tests)
| Test Category | Best Performer | Worst Performer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry (2 tests) | |||
| Dry Braking | ▲ Continental SportContact 7: 35.5 M | ▼ Triangle EffeXSport: 41.3 M | 5.8 M (14.0%) |
| Dry Handling | ▲ Continental SportContact 7: 110 Km/H | ▼ Double-Coin DC100: 104.4 Km/H | 5.6 Km/H (5.4%) |
| Wet (4 tests) | |||
| Wet Braking | ▲ Continental SportContact 7: 40.1 M | ▼ Double-Coin DC100: 69.7 M | 29.6 M (42.5%) |
| Wet Handling | ▲ Continental SportContact 7: 84.5 Km/H | ▼ Double-Coin DC100: 65.9 Km/H | 18.6 Km/H (28.2%) |
| Straight Aqua | ▲ Triangle EffeXSport: 79.5 Km/H | ▼ Double-Coin DC100: 62.9 Km/H | 16.6 Km/H (26.4%) |
| Curved Aquaplaning | ▲ Triangle EffeXSport: 3.44 m/sec2 | ▼ Double-Coin DC100: 2.43 m/sec2 | 1.0 m/sec2 (41.6%) |
| Comfort (2 tests) | |||
| Subj. Comfort | ▲ Double-Coin DC100: 8 Points | ▼ Continental SportContact 7: 6 Points | 2.0 Points (33.3%) |
| Noise | ▲ Double-Coin DC100: 73.3 dB | ▼ Continental SportContact 7: 75 dB | 1.7 dB (2.3%) |
| Value (1 tests) | |||
| Rolling Resistance | ▲ Firestone Firehawk Sport: 7.2 kg / t | ▼ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 10.6 kg / t | 3.4 kg / t (32.1%) |
As this is a nice and simple test, we'll let the data do the talking.
Dry
The Continental SportContact 7 leads the field with the shortest dry braking distance of 35.5 meters from 100 km/h. The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 follows closely at 36 meters, showing strong performance in this critical safety test. There's a significant gap of nearly 6 meters between the best and worst performers, with the Triangle EffeXSport requiring 41.3 meters to stop.
Continental, Michelin, Goodyear, Pirelli and Vredestein delivered the fastest lap times and received the best subjective ratings. The testers say they perform at similar levels with the Continental slightly edging out the competition at 110 km/h, followed by Michelin at 109 km/h.
The subjective notes highlight "quick lap times and best subjective ratings" for these premium brands, indicating responsive steering feel and excellent balance during cornering.
Triangle and Double Coin show significantly reduced performance in dry conditions. The subjective assessment describes their handling as "noticeably less crisp" around corners. This aligns with their objectively lower speeds of 105.2 km/h and 104.4 km/h respectively.
The gap in dry handling performance between best and worst (5.6 km/h) is less dramatic than in wet conditions (18.6 km/h), indicating that while budget tyres struggle in all conditions, their deficiencies become much more pronounced and potentially dangerous in the wet.
Wet
Continental continues its dominance in wet braking, stopping from 100 km/h in just 40.1 meters. Pirelli maintains its strong braking performance with a second-place result of 42.4 meters. The most alarming finding is the massive 29.6-meter gap between Continental and the Double Coin DC100, which needed a dangerous 69.7 meters to stop – nearly 70% more distance than the best performer. This test clearly demonstrates the crucial safety differences between premium and budget tyres, especially in wet conditions where grip is already compromised.
Continental SportContact 7 and Pirelli P Zero PZ4 demonstrate exceptional wet handling qualities. The testers note "unbelievably secure" performance on wet surfaces with both tyres. They maintain stable front-end grip while the TT's rear end remains predictable and controllable. The Continental achieved the highest average speed of 84.5 km/h, with Pirelli following at 82.7 km/h.
Goodyear, Vredestein and Michelin form the mid-pack with solid performance but noticeable step down from the leaders. They achieved average speeds between 79.7-80.4 km/h, maintaining good balance but without the exceptional grip of the top performers.
The Firestone and Triangle tyres show concerning performance deficiencies. The testers specifically mentions that these tyres provide "frighteningly little grip" on wet surfaces, with the subjective assessment stating they "slide over the watered handling course like on soap." This correlates with their significantly lower average speeds (74.5-74.9 km/h).
The Double Coin DC100 delivers dangerously poor wet handling at 65.9 km/h, almost 20 km/h slower than the Continental, confirming the subjective assessment of extremely limited grip and control.
In a surprising twist, the budget Triangle EffeXSport outperforms all premium brands in aquaplaning resistance, maintaining traction until 79.5 km/h.
Triangle maintains its impressive aquaplaning resistance in curved conditions, achieving the highest lateral acceleration of 3.44 m/s².
Comfort
The test shows an interesting inversion of performance when it comes to comfort. The comfort test reveals that subjective noise levels inside the vehicle had minimal to no noticeable differences among the tyres tested.
Vredestein, Triangle, and Double Coin all received the highest comfort scores of 8 points, despite their varying performance in handling and braking tests. This suggests their compounds and construction prioritize ride comfort and noise suppression. The PDF notes that "in the interior, subjectively no to few differences were audible," indicating that even with measured external noise differences, the cabin experience was relatively consistent.
Michelin, Pirelli, Goodyear, and Firestone all scored 7 points for comfort, placing them in the middle range. These tyres balance performance characteristics with reasonable comfort levels.
Continental, which dominated nearly all performance categories, received the lowest comfort score of 6 points. This aligns with a common trade-off in tyre design where maximum grip and performance often come at the expense of ride comfort.
The Double Coin DC100 produces the lowest external noise at 73.3 dB, followed closely by Goodyear at 73.4 dB. The results in this test are tightly clustered, with all tyres within a 1.7 dB range. Continental and Michelin generate the most noise at 75.0 dB, again demonstrating that performance-focused tyres often compromise somewhat on refinement characteristics.
Value
Firestone Firehawk Sport leads in fuel efficiency with the lowest rolling resistance of 7.2 kg/t, followed by Michelin at 7.8 kg/t and Double Coin at 8.1 kg/t. Pirelli has the highest resistance at 10.6 kg/t, while Continental places sixth at 9.5 kg/t.
Results
1st: Continental SportContact 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The test winner delivered excellent grip in both wet and dry conditions. It showed outstanding handling qualities with precise steering response and short braking distances in all conditions. The SportContact 7 performed particularly well in wet handling tests, maintaining stability and control. Its only minor drawback was a slightly higher rolling resistance. The tyre showed some wear after 5-6 fast laps, likely due to its softer compound that helps deliver maximum grip. Read Reviews Buy from £184.56 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2nd: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This tyre showed strong all-round performance with direct, progressive steering response and good safety reserves during aquaplaning. It recorded very quiet external noise levels and solid handling in dry conditions. Its wet braking performance was mid-range compared to the top performers. The Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 provides balanced performance across all testing categories. Read Reviews Buy from £181.52 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3rd: Pirelli P Zero PZ4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Pirelli impressed with balanced handling in both wet and dry conditions. It features precise turn-in behaviour, stable lateral grip, and short braking distances. The tyre achieved nearly the same wet braking performance as the Continental. The P Zero PZ4 showed minor weakness in the curved aquaplaning test but otherwise performed at the highest level. It was the most expensive tyre in the test at approximately €1,080 per set. Read Reviews Buy from £196.99 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4th: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This tyre demonstrated sporty, dynamic handling with stable lateral grip on both wet and dry surfaces. It offers direct steering response and good feedback to the driver. The Pilot Sport 4S needed about two meters more stopping distance than the Continental in wet braking tests and showed some limitations in the curved aquaplaning test. Read Reviews Buy from £220.19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5th: Vredestein Ultrac Pro | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A well-balanced all-rounder with excellent aquaplaning resistance, good braking distances, and secure handling on both wet and dry surfaces. The Ultrac Pro offered good comfort and quiet rolling noise. Its only comparative weakness was mid-range performance in wet braking tests. Priced at approximately €760 per set, it provides good value among the premium brands. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6th: Firestone Firehawk Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This tyre showed precise steering response with good feedback on dry surfaces. It offers good comfort and low rolling resistance, which helps with fuel economy. However, it demonstrated limited performance in wet handling and wet braking, with significantly longer stopping distances in the wet compared to the top performers. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7th: Triangle EffeXSport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This budget tyre performed surprisingly well in aquaplaning tests, matching or exceeding some premium brands. It also delivered decent wet handling at the level of premium tyres and featured good rolling resistance. Its major weakness was in wet braking, where it needed about 10 meters more stopping distance than the best tyre in the test. Manufactured in China. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8th: Double Coin DC100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The poorest performer in the test, this budget tyre only excelled in rolling noise. It showed dangerous handling characteristics including delayed turn-in with poor balance and unpredictable oversteer on wet surfaces. Braking distances were alarmingly long - nearly 30 meters more than the Continental in wet conditions. The Double Coin also failed the high-speed durability test. Despite its low price the testers deemed it not recommended due to safety concerns. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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