Lecture on Ultra High Performance Summer Tires

Introduction

• Focus on streetable ultra high performance summer tires.
• Key models discussed:
  • Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
  • Continental Sport Contact 7
  • Bridgestone Potenza Sport
  • Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
  • New contender: Pirelli P Zero PZ5, claimed to be an improvement over the PZ4.

Testing Methodology

• Comprehensive testing includes:
  • Dry and wet performance
  • Noise and comfort
  • Rolling resistance
  • Longevity
• Additional tire brands tested: Falken and a budget brand, Sunny.

Wet Performance

• Critical focus for tire performance and safety.
• Most brands perform well except Sunny, which lacks grip.
• Michelin: Safe, stable, but prone to understeer.
• Goodyear: Sporty, precise, but shows signs of aging.
• Falken FK520: Better grip than expected, very stable.
• Continental: Generally performs well but lacks ultimate grip.
• Pirelli PZ5: Excellent, direct, and communicative.
• Bridgestone: Exceptional grip, feels like driving on dry in wet conditions.

Dry Handling

• Importance of performance for high-speed driving and track use.
• Budget Sunny tire: Poor performance.
• Falken: Solid but not very exciting.
• Michelin: Predictable and safe, could use more front axle bite.
• Goodyear: Consistently good, offers great vehicle integration.
• Top Performers:
  • Continental: Quick steering, slightly unstable.
  • Bridgestone: Lacks feedback but excellent grip.
  • Pirelli: Slight steering issues but great precision in turns.

Braking

• Pirelli and Continental top performers in dry braking.
• Falken shows better performance in braking than handling.
• Budget tire performs poorly.

Noise and Comfort

• All tires performed closely.
• Quietest: Goodyear, followed by Falken.
• Comfort: Pirelli, Continental, and Michelin lead slightly.
• Bridgestone firmer; budget Sunny worst in class.

Rolling Resistance

• Budget Sunny: Lowest resistance but poor grip.
• Best grip tires: Goodyear and Michelin.
• Bridgestone has high rolling resistance, possibly affecting future viability.

Conclusion

• Overall, high-performance summer tires show close competition.
• Goodyear, Michelin, and Continental excellent choices.
• Pirelli PZ5 emerges as the top performer, excelling both in dry and wet conditions.
• Bridgestone's rolling resistance issues could affect its future use.

Recommendations

• Consider your driving style and needs when choosing among top tires.
• Pay attention to specific strengths and weaknesses for each model.

• Note: The Pirelli PZ5's performance suggests it might lead future tire markets. Further tests in different sizes are anticipated.