Overall positive result – European clubs test winter PCR tyres

Three leading European motoring associations have published the results of their joint 2020 winter car tyre test. The ADAC from Germany, Austria’s ÖAMTC and Swiss club TCS looked at 15 brands of tyre. While they didn’t award any of the evaluated products their top ratings of ‘very good’ (ADAC) or ‘excellent’ (ÖAMTC, TCS), the clubs noted that overall test results were positive. In addition to five strong performers, seven further tyres were recommended and one conditionally recommended. Only two tyres failed to make the grade.

The clubs looked at the tyre size 205/55 R16 H, a dimension worn by the VW Golf and other popular models. All tyres were anonymously purchased via various retailers and evaluated at several sites, including Bridgestone’s proving ground in Italy, Continental’s facility in Germany and Testworld in Finland. A VW Golf GTI served as test vehicle. The tyres’ performance in wet, snowy, dry and icy conditions respectively accounted for 30, 20, 15 and ten per cent of the total result, with noise, fuel efficiency and wear making up the remaining 25 per cent.

Five good/highly recommended tyres

Test winner: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
+ Top performance in the wet, very good on dry surfaces, good on snow

Michelin Alpin 6
+ A well-balanced product, good on dry, wet and snow-covered roads, low wear

Dunlop Winter Sport 5
+ Highly-balanced, good on dry, wet and snow-covered roads, low fuel consumption and wear

Hankook i*cept RS2
+ Very balanced, good on dry, wet and snow-covered roads, low fuel consumption

Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6
+ Very balanced with top performance in dry conditions, good in the wet

Satisfactory/recommended: Midfield tyres weaker in dry

Falken Eurowinter HS01
+ Good in the wet
– Minor weakness on dry and snow-covered surfaces, fuel consumption

Continental WinterContact TS860
+ Particularly good in the wet, good on snow
– Weak on dry roads

Goodyear UltraGrip 9+
+ Top performance on snowy roads, good in the wet, low fuel consumption
– Weak on dry roads

Sava Eskimo HP2
+ Low fuel consumption
– Weak on dry roads

Toyo Observe S 944
+ Top performance on icy roads, low fuel consumption
– Weak on dry roads

Pirelli Cinturato Winter
+ Top performance on snowy roads, good in the wet
– Weak on dry roads

Giti GitiWinter W1
+ Good on snow
– Weak on wet and dry road surfaces

One acceptable/conditionally recommended tyre

Semperit Speed-Grip 3
+ Particularly good on snow
– Weak on dry roads

Two tyres weren’t recommended

King Meiler Winter Tact WT81
+ Retreaded tyre with top result for wear
– Very weak in the wet, weak on dry roads, relatively loud

Tristar Snowpower HP
+ Particularly good on dry roads
– Very weak in the wet and on snow