ADAC Motorwelt, a magazine with a monthly print one of 13.8 million copies, tested two strong-selling sizes, 175/65R14 T and 195/65R15 V, and of the 18 makes of tyre on trial only four obtained the top three star rating of ‘highly recommendable’ – the new Kumho Solus KH17 (due to reach the U.K. market later this year), the Pirelli Cinturato P4, the Continental EcoContact3 and the Fulda Eco Control. The magazine bought the tyres without the manufacturers’ knowledge and subjected them to a range of rigorous challenges. They evaluated driving stability, handling, braking and noise performance in the dry and carried out additional braking, aquaplaning, handling and cornering tests in wet conditions.
Za Rulem is Russia’s longest established car magazine, boasting a monthly circulation of 585,000 copies and is the only publication in that country to conduct independent tyre tests, which it performs three times a year. The Za Rulem team tested a selection of tyres in the popular 185/60R14 size, including the Kumho Ecsta SPT KU31, Michelin Energy E3A, Bridgestone Turanza GR-80, Continental EcoContact 3, Pirelli P6, Toyo CF1 Proxes and Yokohama C.drive. The testers found the Kumho Ecsta SPT KU31 offered ‘the best braking in any conditions and type of road surface, superior handling in the dry, excellent performance in the wet and very good lateral grip’. In summary, they said it was ‘strongly recommended for sporty and dynamic driving on tarmac roads in any weather conditions’. (Tyres & Accessories/Staffordshire, U.K.)
