The new power in sports driving Tame the Road VENTUS V12 evo Very Recommendable! Awaken your passion for the open road. When you d rather take the road less traveled, there is nothing Hankook tires can t handle. Now who s in control? Hankook Tire Head Office : #647-15 Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-080, Korea Tel : +82-2-2222-1000, Fax : +82-2-2222-1100
ADVISER SUMMER TIRE TEST, DIMENSION 225/45 R 17 ON WET ROAD AQUAPLANING Hydroplaning speed in mile/h BRAKING Braking distance from 100 mile/h in meters Wanted: The best summer tire Dynamic, sporty, fit: We are looking for the true performer among 17 summer tires in the ALL ABOUT GRIP! According to the calendar, spring in the newly revised road traffic begins on March 20. High noon to regulations. mount your summer tires? No. The signal to change is given only when The same applies also to the the winter has gone for sure. Not reverse for winter tires. Because on only because common sense tells wet and dry roads the ice age you so. Even the lawmakers rubbers regardless of the Barum Bridgestone Continental prescribe suitable tires in winter temperatures are clearly at a Bravuris 2 Potenza RE050 A SportContact 3 weather conditions, as you can read disadvantage. Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT Kenda KR 20 Firestone Firehawk SZ 90µ Kumho Ecsta SPT KU31 Fulda Carat Exelero Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 www.autobild.de Nr. 11 14. March 2008 Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric Nokian Z G2 Hankook Ventus V 12 Evo Pirelli PZero Nero One example clarifies that: a car with summer tires requires a braking distance of approx. 40 meters when coming to a hard stop at 100 mile/h. With winter tires, this distance could very likely be two car lengths longer. That doesn t sound like much but it is very serious. The difference also Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta Uniroyal Rain Sport 2 dimension 225/45 R 17 equals a speed difference of roughly 40 mile/h between complete stop and possible collision. Traditionally, many new products are appearing on the market at the beginning of the season; this time, there are eight test debutants again. Among these is Quatrac 3 from Vredestein which has to compete with the Eagle Vector Plus from Goodyear as all season tires against the 15 summer tires. Not an easy job, as the end result will show. They have to proof themselves in ten individual disciplines, on dry as All season tires Goodyear Eagle Vector+ EV-2 Vredestein Quatrac 3 well as on wet road, while braking, just like on the hunt, with the best lap time. And since the appeal of the big name is not the only thing that counts for the customer, but more frequently also the small number on the price tag, a price breaker should not be left out in this comparison. Or, to say it mo re casually: a cheap tire. The Chinese Kenda KR 20 only costs half as much as an established brand name. The cheap tire from China is not worth the money It is not even worth that little money. The Chinese tire not only flops on wet roads, even during the high speed test under more stringent conditions it failed terribly. Performance tires are different. In the tested dimension 225/45 R 17 for sporty middle class cars, the demand not only calls for the elementary safety on wet and dry road, but also for dynamic top performance. The rating shows: Not everybody passes. Not even a brand name tire. AQUAPLANING IN CURVES Average transverse accelration in m/s 2 Continental 3,39 Fulda 3,36 Bridgestone 3,33 Barum 3,33 Uniroyal 3,31 Goodyear 3,25 Firestone 3,22 Vredestein 3,16 Dunlop 3,14 Nokian 3,10 Pirelli 3,04 Kumho 2,91 Hankook 2,90 Michelin 2,77 Kenda 2,66 Goodyear Vector* 2,42 VredesteinQuat.* 2,20 1,5 2,0 2,5 3,0 3,5 Wide tread grooves in the outer shoulder of the profile help against aquaplaning in curves. Contis SportContact leads the way. The closed and soft profiles of the all season tires have a problem when it s raining hard. * Average grade 1-2 3+ - 3 ab 4+ Uniroyal 86,2 Continental 85,9 Barum 84,8 Bridgestone 83,7 Fulda 83,7 Firestone 83,6 Vredestein 83,4 Kumho 82,4 Goodyear 82,2 Goodyear Vector* 81,9 Hankook 80,7 Pirelli 80,7 Dunlop 79,4 Michelin 79,3 Nokian 78,3 Vredestein Quat.* 78,2 Kenda 78,0 70 75 80 85 90 Wide tires are more susceptible to aquaplaning than narrow tires. The cheap tire Kenda and the all-season tire from Vredestein are the first to lose their grip on the road; the new Rain Sport 2 from Uniroyal lives up to its name. SKID PAD Average lap time in seconds Goodyear 11,42 Vredestein 11,56 Pirelli 11,57 Dunlop 11,62 Uniroyal 11,63 Continental 11,65 Hankook 11,67 Nokian 11,69 Firestone 11,71 Bridgestone 11,74 Michelin 11,74 Kumho 11,86 Barum 11,87 Bredestein Quatrac* 11,90 Fulda 12,00 Goodyear Vector* 12,05 Kenda 12,22 11,0 11,5 12,0 12,5 Exemplary grip on wet track secures top placement for the summer tires from Goodyear and Vredestein. The all season tires of the same brand cannot compete. The cheap tire from China places last. Hankook 43,7 Pirelli 44,4 Nokian 45,4 Goodyear 45,6 Firestone 45,7 Bridgestone 45,9 Kumho 46,0 Uniroyal 46,5 Continental 46,8 Vredestein 47,0 Dunlop 47,0 Barum 47,4 Michelin 47,9 Fulda 49,1 Goodyear Vector* 50,9 Vredestein Quatrac* 51,6 Kenda 56,5 Whoever foozles when braking on wet roads is out of the race. The two all season tires give away valuable safety reserves in emergencies; the hydrophobic Kenda KR 20 with additional 13 meters braking distance slides out of bounds. 40 45 50 55 60 HANDLING Average speed in mile/h Goodyear 84,2 Pirelli 83,1 Hankook 82,8 Firestone 82,6 Nokian 82,5 Vredestein 82,3 Dunlop 82,1 Bridgestone 82,1 Uniroyal 81,9 Continental 81,7 Kumho 81,7 Michelin 81,5 Barum 80,0 Fulda 80,0 Vredestein Quatrac* 79,7 Goodyear Vector* 78,3 Kenda 76,1 70 75 80 85 The new Goodyear F1 Asymmetric takes the fastest lap with the best grip on wet and perfect lateral grip. The ex-champion Pirelli PZero Nero is able to keep up and collects additional bonus points for transition steering response and driving pleasure. Nr. 11 14. March 2008 www.autobild.de fotos: Toni Bader
Ratgeber SUMMER TIRES 225/45 R 17 DRY ROAD 2 3 1. Jointless Bead Wire & High Hardness Bead Filler : Improve high speed stability and provide comfort ride. Maximize steering response, high speed stability and durability. 2. Wide, High-Tensile Steel Belts & Jointless Two-Cap Ply : Enhance tread strength for steering response and wear resistance Improve uniformity for smooth ride and durability. 1 3. Rim Protector : Provides better protection against outer shock or rim scratches. fotos: T. Bader, M. Heimbach Bremsen Braking distance from 100 mile/h in meters Michelin 36,5 Hankook 36,7 Dunlop 36,9 Goodyear 37,3 Nokian 37,3 Pirelli 37,3 Uniroyal 37,4 Bridgestone 37,5 Firestone 37,7 Continental 37,8 Kumho 37,9 Vredestein 38,4 Barum 38,8 Fulda 39,9 Kenda 40,7 Vredestein Quatrac* 42,4 Goodyear Vector* 42,8 35 37 39 41 43 During emergency braking every centimeter counts: Michelin, Hankook and Dunlop offer the greatest safety reserves; Fulda and Kenda need almost one whole car length more to stop, and the all season tires need an additional two meters. PASSING NOISE At 50 and 80 mile/h in db (A) Vredestein 64,7 71,0 Hankook 64,6 71,3 Kenda 64,6 71,4 Firestone 64,9 71,3 Pirelli 65,1 71,8 Kumho 65,6 71,6 Bridgestone 65,3 72,1 Nokian 65,2 72,5 Goodyear 65,7 72,3 Fulda 65,7 72,4 Michelin 65,7 72,8 Goodyear Vector* 65,9 72,7 Barum 66,1 72,7 Uniroyal 66,1 72,7 Continental 65,9 73,3 Dunlop 66,1 73,5 Vredestein Quat. Quatrac* 66,473,5 60 65 70 75 The take-off is measured exactly from the outside under standard conditions. The whisper tires from Vredestein, Hankook, Kenda and Firestone safe our ear drums and the environment with the lowest emissions. ROLLING RESISTANCE Rolling resistance coefficient (CR) Nokian 0,946 Michelin 0,991 Dunlop 1,041 Fulda 1,046 Vredestein Quat.* 1,050 Goodyear Vector* 1,067 Barum 1,074 Kenda 1,076 Hankook 1,083 Kumho 1,093 Bridgestone 1,100 Uniroyal 1,102 Goodyear 1,115 Continental 1,130 Vredestein 1,163 Firestone 1,183 Pirelli 1,189 Economic tires are in season. The actual saving opportunities are limited, however. Between the light runners Nokian and Pirelli, the theoretical savings potential in gasoline are calculated at ca. four percent. Take-off comfort With the 17-inch tires, an all-round successful compromise is achieved on the Mercedes C-Class between comfort and sportiness. On special comfort tracks, the summer tires from Michelin, Continental, Hankook and Goodyear are earning plus points. High speed test On the roller dynamometer we are not testing in accordance with the slack ECE-standards, but under more stringent AUTO BILD conditions. The Kumho Ecsta is reaching its limits; the cheap tire from China fails ahead of time. On special comfort tracks with potholes, bumps and manhole covers, the candidates are putting their shock absorbing qualities to the test. 0,9 1,0 1,1 1,2 Handling Average speed in mile/h Goodyear 97,8 Michelin 97,4 Dunlop 97,2 Pirelli 97,2 Continental 97,0 Nokian 97,0 Bridgestone 96,8 Uniroyal 96,6 Vredestein 96,5 Hankook 95,9 Kumho 95,9 Firestone 95,5 Vredestein Quatrac* 95,4 Barum 95,2 Fulda 95,1 Goodyear Vector* 94,9 Kenda 93,6 90 92 94 96 98 Speed is not everything, but safety, driving pleasure and speed are going hand in hand on the curvy handling track. Goodyear and Michelin leave the best impression as median between car and track. Size & Specifications 55 50 45 40 35 30 Size 185/55R15 82V 195/55R15 85V 205/55ZR16 94W XL 195/50R15 82V 205/50ZR15 86W 225/50ZR16 96W XL 205/50ZR17 93 215/50ZR17 95W XL 225/50ZR17 98 235/50ZR18 101 205/45ZR16 205/45ZR17 215/45ZR17 225/45ZR17 235/45ZR17 245/45ZR17 225/45ZR18 245/45ZR18 255/45ZR18 215/40ZR16 205/40ZR17 215/40ZR17 245/40ZR17 235/40ZR17 255/40ZR17 215/40ZR18 225/40ZR18 235/40ZR18 245/40ZR18 245/40ZR19 255/40ZR19 225/35ZR17 245/35ZR17 215/35ZR18 225/35ZR18 245/35ZR18 255/35ZR18 265/35ZR18 275/35ZR18 235/35ZR19 245/35ZR19 265/30ZR19 275/30ZR19 87W XL 88W XL 91 94 97 99 100 103 86W XL 84W XL 87 95 98 92 95 97 86 87Y 84 87 92 94 91 93 96 S/W Type Measuring Rim Max.Air (PSI) Overall Section Tread Max.Load Diameter Width Width (kgs) (lbs) mm inch mm inch mm inch mm VENTUS V12 evo / K110 Tread Depth 6.0 44 475 1047 585 23.0 192 7.6 7.8 9.8 267 902 6.0 44 515 1135 595 23.4 201 7.9 7.8 9.8 271 887 6.5 50 670 1477 629 24.8 214 8.4 172 6.8 7.8 9.8 288 839 6.0 44 475 1047 574 22.6 201 7.9 164 6.5 8.0 10.0 263 919 6.5 44 530 1168 587 23.1 214 8.4 172 6.8 8.0 10.0 267 899 7.0 50 710 1565 629 24.8 233 9.2 189 7.4 7.8 9.8 287 839 6.5 50 650 1433 635 25.0 211 8.3 172 6.8 8.0 10.0 831 7.0 50 690 1521 646 25.4 226 8.9 7.8 9.8 296 817 7.0 50 750 1653 658 25.9 229 9.0 8.0 10.0 802 7.0 50 545 1201 588 23.1 206 8.1 178 7.0 8.2 10.3 272 897 7.0 50 560 1235 615 24.2 205 8.1 7.8 9.8 288 858 7.0 50 615 1356 624 24.6 213 8.0 10.0 846 7.5 50 670 1477 631 24.8 227 8.9 196 7.7 8.2 10.3 292 836 8.0 50 730 1609 642 25.3 236 9.3 187 7.4 7.8 9.8 295 822 8.0 50 775 1709 652 25.7 243 9.6 7.8 9.8 298 809 8.0 50 800 1764 677 26.7 243 9.6 7.8 9.8 779 8.5 50 875 1929 684 255 10.0 8.0 10.0 771 7.5 50 530 1168 577 218 8.0 7.5 50 500 1102 595 23.4 214 8.4 178 7.0 8.0 10.0 279 887 7.5 50 545 1201 604 217 8.0 8.5 50 690 1521 626 24.6 248 9.8 213 8.4 7.8 9.8 289 843 9.0 50 750 1653 633 260 8.0 8.0 50 630 1389 635 25.0 230 9.1 196 7.7 8.0 10.0 295 831 8.5 50 690 1521 643 25.3 241 9.5 204 8.0 7.8 9.8 299 821 8.5 50 730 1609 651 25.6 246 9.7 213 8.4 7.8 9.8 302 811 8.0 50 466 589 23.2 226 8.9 7.8 9.8 896 7.5 50 500 1102 606 218 8.0 8.0 50 480 614 24.2 226 8.9 7.8 9.8 859 8.5 50 630 1389 628 24.7 245 9.6 213 8.4 7.8 9.8 292 840 9.0 50 670 1477 633 24.9 259 10.2 222 8.7 7.8 9.8 294 834 8.5 50 615 1356 647 25.5 239 9.4 7.7 9.6 303 816 9.5 50 710 1565 642 25.3 269 10.6 238 9.4 7.8 9.8 300 822 9.5 50 710 1565 648 25.5 272 10.7 8.0 10.0 814 Technical data subject to change without prior notice. These sizes are currently under development. * : Diagonal Serrated Band * XL : Extra Load inch (32 ) SLR RPM * Average grade www.autobild.de Nr. 11 14. March 2008 1-2 3+ - 3 ab 4+
Ratgeber SUMMER TIRE TEST, Dimension 225/45 R17 SUMMER TIRES 225/45 R 17: ALL RESULTS IN ONE OVERVIEW Manufacturer Goodyear Hankook Bridgestone Continental Pirelli Dunlop Firestone Nokian uniroyal Model Eagle F1 Asymmetric Ventus V 12 Evo Potenza RE050 A SportContact 3 PZero Nero SP Sport Maxx TT Firehawk SZ 90µ Z G2 Rain Sport 2 Grade ratio in % Foto Foto Foto Foto Foto Foto Foto Foto Foto Price ca. Euro 145 ca. Euro 110 ca. Euro 135 ca. Euro 150 ca. Euro 140 ca. Euro 145 ca. Euro 110 ca. Euro 130 ca. Euro 125 Last index/gsy 94 Y 94 Y 91 Y 94 Y 94 Y 94 Y 91 Y 94 Y 91 W WET Aquaplaning 20 2 2 2+ 1 2 3+ 2+ 3 1 Aquaplaning in curves 10 2 2 2+ 1 2 2 2 2 2+ Handling 30 1 2+ 2 2 1 2 2+ 2+ 2 Skid pad 10 1 2 2 2 2+ 2 2 2 2 Braking 30 2+ 1 2+ 2 1 2 2+ 2+ 2 Average on wet 2+ 2+ 2+ 2 2+ 2-2+ 2 2 DRY Handling 30 1 2 2 2 2+ 2+ 3+ 2 2 Braking 30 2+ 1 2+ 2 2+ 1 2 2+ 2+ Take-off comfort 15 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3+ Passing 15 2 2+ 2 2 2 2 2+ 2 2 Rolling resistance 10 2 2 2 2 3+ 2+ 3+ 1 2 Average on dry 2+ 2+ 2 2 2 2+ 2 2 2 Passed the fast mode Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Strengths (S) and weaknesses (W) S: Top driving performance with directional stability and dynamic transition steering response on wet and dry road, short braking distance and comfortable take-off comfort W: slightly increased rolling resistance S: Harmonic safe with high transition steering response in all weather conditions, short braking distance on wet and dry roads and quiet passing W: moderate aquaplaning properties S: High well-balanced performance level on wet and dry road, large safety reserves sturdy and perfect on dry roads W: average take-off comfort S: Very good safety reserves during aquaplaning and wellbalanced dynamic with good lateral grip and transition steering response on wet and dry road. W: slightly increased passing S: Dynamic sporty with good lateral grip on wet roads, short wet and dry road as well as quiet passing W: increased rolling resistance, moderate aquaplaning reserves S: Convincing dynamic handling properties with exemplary lateral grip and short braking distance on dry road, low rolling resistance W: only average safety reserves during aquaplaning S: Wet specialist with directional stability and harmonic on wet road, good safety reserves quiet passing W: understeering on dry road S: By far the lowest rolling resistance in the test, convincing and short braking distance on wet and dry road W: average aquaplaning properties S: Excellent safety reserves during aquaplaning, short braking distance and non-problematic on dry road W: slightly delayed steering properties, limited comfort Four winning brands one loser We found them, the top performers among the 17 inch tires: the two newcomers Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric and Hankook Ventus V 12 Evo, as well as the proven brands from Bridgestone and Continental take the lead with well-balanced performances at high level predicate: exemplary. Dierk Möller Sonntag (right), Henning Klipp For the all season tires the grade is only adequate because of the weak braking results. And the cheap tire? Hands off. Rating VOrbildlich VOrbildlich VOrbildlich vorbildlich GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD SUMMER TIRES 225/45 R 17: ALL RESULTS IN ONE OVERVIEW Hersteller kumho vredestein barum michelin fulda kenda vredestein Goodyear Modell Ecsta SPT KU31 Ultrac Sessanta Bravuris 2 Pilot Sport PS2 Carat Exelero KR 20 Quatrac 3 Eagle Vector + EV-2 Benotungsanteil in % Foto Foto Foto Foto Foto Foto Foto Foto Price ca. Euro 100 ca. Euro 135 ca. Euro 105 ca. Euro 155 ca. Euro 100 ca. Euro 75 ca. Euro 130 ca. Euro 145 Last index/gsy 94 Y 94 Y 91 W 91 Y 91 Y 94 W 94 V 91 W WET Aquaplaning 20 2 2+ 1-3+ 2+ 3 3 2 Aquaplaning in curves 10 2 2 2+ 3+ 1 3+ 3 3 Handling 30 2 2+ 3+ 2 3+ 4 3+ 3 Skid pad 10 3+ 2+ 3+ 2 3 4+ 3+ 3 Braking 30 2+ 2 3+ 3 3 5 4+ 4+ Average on wet 2 2 2 3+ 3+ 4 3 3 DRY Handling 30 2 2 3 1 3 4+ 3+ 3- Braking 30 2 2 2 1 3+ 3 4+ 4+ Take-off comfort 15 3 2 3+ 2 2 3 2 3 Passing 15 2 2+ 2 2 2 2+ 2 2 Rolling resistance 10 2 3+ 2 1 2+ 2 2+ 2 Average on dry 2 2 2 1 3+ 3 3+ 3 Passed the fast mode Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No* Yes Yes Strengths (S) and weaknesses (W) S: Good aquaplaning reserves and short braking distance on wet road, quiet passing W: moderate transition steering response and lateral grip on dry road, limited take-off comfort S: Save handling properties with directional stability and good transition steering response on wet road, quiet passing W: moderate transition steering response on dry road, increased rolling resistance, average comfort S: Convincing good safety reserves quiet passing, low rolling resistance W: moderate lateral grip and slightly susceptible to load alterations on dry road S: Convincing handling with short dry road surfaces, low rolling resistance W: extended braking distance and limited lateral grip on wet road, moderate aquaplaning properties S: Good aquaplaning reserves and low rolling resistance W: extended wet and dry road. Limited lateral grip and understeering properties on wet and dry road S: Quiet passing W: dangerously long braking distance on wet road, lack in lateral grip on wet and dry road, spongy inharmonic handling properties on dry road S: Neutral handling properties on wet and dry road, low rolling resistance W: extremely long wet and dry road, not enough safety reserves increased take-off S: Quiet takeoff, good rolling resistance, decent aquaplaning properties W: clearly understeering properties on wet and dry road, extremely long braking distance, limited comfort Rating Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory Adequate inadequate Adequate Adequate * besteht nach ECE-Norm R 30, nicht aber nach den verschärften AUTO BILD-Bedingungen www.autobild.de Nr. 11 14. March 2008 The rating was done in school grades from 1 = very good to 6 = unsatisfactory. The percentage listed in the individual disciplines corresponds to weighting. A chapter grade worse than 2+ and individual grades worse than 2- no longer allow for exemplary. All candidates appear in the sequence of their qualities. For candidates with the same grade the manufacturers are listed in alphabetical order. For non-weighted chapter grades, the respective lesser grade is used for the overall placement. Andere Größen im Test? Gibt es auf unserer Reifen-Seite www.autobild.de/reifen Auto Bild Allrad The best all-terrain profile in 235/65 R 17 The sportiest tire in 215/45 R 17 After the traction tests on grass, gravel, sand and mud, everything is still open for the candidates in the terrain and asphalt categories. We have had some bad experiences when braking on wet road. In the end, only one tire met the stringent AUTO-BILD requirements. Available at the kiosk on March 14 Additional tire tests in the AUTO BILD family Auto Bild Sportscars Eleven sport tires from the traditional brands, spanning over the challengers from Japan and Korea to the special offer from Italy, are standing at the starting line on an Opel Corsa OPC. After the finalizing handling test on the Wachau Ring, we are handing out the predicate exemplary to two brands. Nr. 11 14. March 2008 www.autobild.de fotos: Toni Bader
Ratgeber SUMMER TIRE TEST, Dimension 225/45 R 17 www.autobild.de Nr. 11 14. März 2008 Nr. 11 14. März 2008 www.autobild.de
Ultra High Performance The new power in sports driving A new concept in ultra high performance tires that delivers superb control and braking. Experience unrivalled comfort during high-speed driving. Solid center rib block The solid rib block in the center enhances braking performance. It also ensures optimal ground contact pressure and control response at high speeds for excellent handling. Efficient water drainage thanks to wide linear groove and Y-shape pattern design Wide linear grooves and an aggressive Y-shape pattern design effectively channels water away from the tire. This means safe driving on rainy roads. Y-shape pattern Improved water drainage Wide linear grooves Improved water drainage High-density nylon reinforcement belt Optimized structure featuring a high-density nylon belt leads to even distribution of ground contact pressure during cornering. Existing products Competitor A s product Performance Map 3D effect on block edge Diverse angles on the block edge result in a sophisticated design with a three-dimensional effect. Ground contact pressure is evenly distributed for optimal handling and braking. Existing products pattern provides more even ground contact when cornering versus existing products.