Tyres

Tyre labelling is just around the corner, but it covers only three criteria, so the only way to really rate rubber is through tests like ours, which cover 10 areas. This year we tested 18-inch rubber with the emphasis on wet performance, but we also included dry roads, noise and fuel economy. The full results are here.

Our winner
Continental ContiSportContact 3
Price: £153 (per tyre)
Contact: www.conti-online.co.uk
While some rivals design tyres to excel in certain areas, Continental takes an all-round approach to performance, which helps the ContiSportContact 3 secure a second win. Top five or better finishes in all the disciplines saw it edge the rest.

Commended
Michelin Pilot Sport 3
Price: £162 (per tyre)
Contact: www.michelin.co.uk
New last year, the Pilot Sport 3 was different to previous offerings from the French giant, with more emphasis on wet performance. It paid off, with victory in our curved aquaplaning test and a second place for wet braking. Yet it was still capable in the dry, where it was third fastest.

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric
Price: £135 (per tyre)
Contact: www.goodyear.co.uk
Recently superseded, and we can’t wait to test the new version if F1 Asymmetric is anything to go by. It starred on the wet and dry handling tracks, but fell off the pace a bit in rolling resistance and braking, so has to settle for a commendation here.