Getting a grip on reality

A brief snippet here from UK magazine Autocar, who recently ran a tyre test with a difference. Usually, when magazines run tyre comparos they get a few examples from across the price range and try to establish the best tyre on the market. This time, though, Autocar used an established tyre from Continental and tested it against cheaper tyres made in China and Taiwan.

One in five sets of tyres sold in the UK now are sourced from these markets and the test would see how the less expensive tyres compared. The press release presented is a bit light on detail (might have to buy the mag for the full story I guess), but the conclusion is no real surprise.

The results given were for an 80km/h–zero wet weather braking test. A Volkswagen Golf was used, fitted with OEM fitment 205/55R16 sized tyres. As one might expect the Continental performed best, stopping in the shortest distance. Amazingly, however, the worst performing tyre in this test, from Linglong, was still travelling at 44km/h at the same point the Continentals had brought the test car to a halt. Ouch!

Of course, no test can be consclusive for each individual buyer, but when it is nigh on impossible for consumers to test tyres before buying, comparisons like this can prove quite valuable. Remember, tyres are the only things between you and the road. If you’re considering a cheap set of tyres next time, you might want to consider your other options.

The Autocar Tyre Test

Chinese quality lags behind

Tyres are a distress purchase for many car owners, so when the time comes to replace them it’s no surprise that many motorists shop on price. But Autocar’s latest tyre test reveals that fitting budget Far Eastern tyres can seriously affect the way a car copes in wet weather.

Imported tyres from China and Taiwan currently account for one-fifth of all tyres sold in the UK, and although these pass the minimum ECE R30 high-speed test, there are no statutory tests for braking, handling or aquaplaning performance, and even the R30 test is considered inadequate by many car makers.

Autocar tested five leading budget brands – the GT Radial, Linglong, Nankang, Triangle and Wanli – against an established premium tyre from Continental. The magazine conducted its own tests for wet handling and braking, dry handling and braking and aquaplaning, plus a more stringent high-speed test.

Autocar senior tester Jamie Corstorphine said, “We expected the bargain tyres in this test to fall short of the Continental, but we were not prepared for just how poorly some performed.”

With on average 200 days of rain each year, a wet handling and braking test is vital for learning about the capabilities of a tyre. Braking from 50mph, the Continental stopped in the shortest distance, followed by the Nankang, GT Radial, Wanli, and Triangle, with the Linglongs taking the longest to stop. Shod with the Linglongs, the VW Golf Autocar used for its tests was still doing 27.8mph at the point where it had stopped on the Continentals.

Overall the Continentals easily won, scoring top marks in all but one test. A consistent performance earned the GT Radials second place, but a wet lap time 3.4sec adrift of the Continentals indicated just how far even it falls short.

“Having seen how the five cut-price tyres in this test perform, we’re in no doubt that quality pays dividends,” said Corstorphine.

Prices for a single 205/55 R16 tyre

• Continental – £75.83 (approx AU$160)
• GT Radial – £58.65
• Nankang – £55.20
• Wanli – £51.41
• Linglong – £52.44
• Triangle – £51.06

(Supplied by blackcircles.com and include valve, fitting and balancing.)