Tyrereviews Test of summer UUHP tires 255/35 R19 2022

The Ultra-Ultra High Performance (UUHP) segment of tires represents the pinnacle of road engineering. A comparison test of ten of the most popular sport tires in sizes 255/35 R19 (front axle) and 275/35 R19 (rear axle) on a sharp Toyota GR Supra pitted established icons such as the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport against a hot newcomer – the Continental SportContact 7.

The result pushed the boundaries: the Continental SportContact 7 demonstrated absolute dominance, while cheap, mismatched sets from Asian e-shops proved to be a dangerous gamble.

• King of the track day: The Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport is clearly the best choice for drivers who drive on track days. It offers immediate response, handles high temperatures without losing grip, and demonstrates exemplary controllability when sliding.
• Absolute dry-condition champion: The Continental SportContact 7 wins in lap time (by 0.02s) as well as in braking distance. Its steering is textbook-linear, and the grip limit is extremely easy to read.
• Aggressive Bridgestone vs. detached Michelins: The Bridgestone Potenza Sport offered the fastest and sharpest steering ratio, although at the limit it lost some subtle feedback. The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S did deliver powerful braking force, but its steering is low on feedback and the tire tends toward understeer.
• Flop of the test: A combination of various cheap tires (Star Performer / Goodride) turned the Supra into an uncontrollable car with sudden and dangerous rear-axle slides.

• A different dimension of grip: The Continental SportContact 7 handed the runner-up an unimaginable 5-second gap per lap. It offers incredible grip, readability, and brilliant braking.
• Wet-weather athletes: The Bridgestone Potenza Sport claimed 2nd place – on water it demands a more aggressive style, but it holds excellently. The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S finished third thanks to great braking, but the limits of the rear axle were noticeable.
• Surprise of the test: The cheapest Chinese tire, the Nankang Sportnex AS-2+, surprisingly claimed 4th place on wet pavement with excellent balance, while the Federal Evolution ST-1 brand completely failed on water and became the worst tire of the test.
• Aquaplaning: The best resistance to aquaplaning was demonstrated by the Kumho Ecsta PS71 and Nankang, while Continental and Goodyear sacrificed some of their tread grooves in favor of grip.

• Comfort and noise: The quietest and most comfortable tire for everyday driving was surprisingly the Nankang AS-2+, closely followed by the Vredestein Ultrac Vorti+ and Toyo Proxes Sport A.
• Rolling resistance: The lowest rolling resistance was recorded by the budget Goodride tire, followed by Michelin. Conversely, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport fell short with extremely high fuel consumption.

• Best UUHP tire on the market (Absolute winner): Continental SportContact 7 (has no weakness in either dry or wet conditions).
• Best tire for Track Days (Circuits): Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport.
• For lovers of sharp steering response: Bridgestone Potenza Sport.
• Budget surprise: Nankang Sportnex AS-2+ (great comfort, quietness, and sufficient fun, although not the fastest).
• What to avoid: The Federal Evolution ST-1 tires and mixing two different cheap brands on the axles.