2023 | 255/45R20 | Summer - Auto Motor und Sport Summer Tire Test

It's not often that a tire test completely surprises us, but this year's comparison of EV tires and regular sports tires by AMS magazine yielded results that probably no one expected.

The biggest surprise was the Michelin e.Primacy, which won the wet braking test – even ahead of the top-of-the-line sports tires Continental SportContact 7 and Bridgestone Potenza Sport, which usually dominate this discipline. In addition, the e.Primacy also outperformed the proven Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV, winner of most previous tests, and beat Continental, which has won twice in the past, in the overall rating.

The goal of the test was clear – to take the best sports tires on the market and compare them with the latest ultra-low rolling resistance models designed specifically for electric vehicles: Michelin e.Primacy, Falken eZiex and Pirelli Scorpion Elect .

To make things even more difficult, AMS also added the original EV version of the Continental PremiumContact 6 for the Kia EV6 and a special version of the Michelin Pilot Sport SUV with acoustic foam to the test. The tires were tested on two vehicles – the electric Kia EV6 and the diesel Kia Sorento.

Wet performance has long been considered a weakness of low rolling resistance tires. Energy saving and short braking distances in the wet usually do not go hand in hand. This is why the Michelin e.Primacy tire has had weaker results in the wet braking discipline in all previous tests.

This time, however, there was a big surprise – the Michelin e.Primacy achieved the best values among all the tested tires. And not only among EV tires, but also in comparison with classic sports models! The success may be due to the tested size 255/45 R20 or the specially prepared high-grip wet surface, but the data speaks for itself – the e.Primacy finished first, ahead of the new Falken eZiex. Both of these fuel-efficient tires overtook sportier alternatives such as the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV or the Falken Azenis FK520 .

The wet handling test confirmed expectations – the ultra-low rolling resistance tires struggled to cover the track quickly and lost stability at the limit. The traditional wet specialist, Bridgestone Potenza Sport, performed best here.

Even more significant differences were seen in the aquaplaning test, where the EV tires with the fuel-efficient design were among the weakest. This is due to the typical shallower tread depth and fewer water drainage grooves, which help reduce energy consumption but worsen safety when driving in heavy rain.

In the dry braking discipline, both Continental tires topped the rankings, showing the shortest braking distance. Interestingly, four other models finished with the same result, sharing fourth place.

The dry handling test clearly demonstrated the advantage of sporty UHP tires. The Continental SportContact 7 performed best, clearly ahead of the competition and confirming its reputation as a top sports tire on dry surfaces.

The results of this tire test showed that the differences between low rolling resistance EV tires and traditional sports models may not be as pronounced as we were used to. The biggest surprise was undoubtedly the Michelin e.Primacy, which managed to win in wet braking and beat even the renowned sports tires, while also doing very well in the overall rating.

On the other hand, it was confirmed that sports-oriented tires such as the Bridgestone Potenza Sport still dominate in wet handling and in the aquaplaning test, while fuel-efficient EV tires lagged behind.

In the dry braking and dry handling disciplines, Continental tires performed best, with the SportContact 7 model showing a clear lead over the competition.

Overall, the test confirms that development is moving forward rapidly – modern tires designed for electric vehicles can already compete with classic UHP models in key safety parameters. The choice of tires therefore depends on the driver's priorities: if the goal is maximum energy savings, EV tires are an increasingly better choice, but when it comes to sporty driving and maximum grip at the limit, traditional sports tires still hold the upper hand.

If you can't decide which tires are more suitable for you, we will be happy to discuss the choice of new tires with you and try to suggest the best alternative.
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