Continental wins 2017 MOTOR Tyre Test

Continental can claim the top tier for tyres until 2018, as its ContiSportContact 5P has taken out the place of pride in this year’s MOTOR Tyre Test.

Following a second-place finish in 2016, Continental managed to go one better during the scorching temperatures of the 2017 event.

Consistent excellence across all five disciplines was the key to the Continental’s success, with our test driver, the ever dependable Warren Luff, also full of praise: “Consistent front-to-back, and lively with a bit of edge. Great wet-weather performance, too.”

Indeed, it was the Continental’s wet-weather performance that proved decisive, with the ContiSportContact 5P securing first place in the wet braking test and second in terms of wet lateral g.

It was no slouch on dry tarmac though, with a third place in the dry slalom, second in the motorkhana and another win when it came to stopping in the dry.

Our chosen size this year was again a 235/35 R19, which gives a direct comparison to the 2016 Tyre Test with the same size being used. The test car was a Ford Focus RS, fitted with the optional lightweight rims.

The crew from JAX Tyres once again proved they are worth their weight in gold, performing dozens of tyre swaps in lightning-quick time even as the mercury soared towards 40C.

In the final results, the Continental’s score of nine (lower being better as first place in each discipline scores one, second two and so on) narrowly beat the Michelin Pilot Super Sport (14) and the Pirelli P Zero (15).

To see the full results of this year’s Tyre Test, pick up a May 2017 copy of MOTOR, or keep an eye on motormag.com.au!

MOTOR Tyre Test 2016