Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance

Verdict Impressive on snow, but could be a better performer at the pumps.

New for last winter, this tyre is a higher-performance version of the UltraGrip 8, which was runner-up in 2012’s 16-inch tyre test. Goodyear drops to third here, but it was tight, with the fourth and fifth-placed tyres close behind. The UltraGrip 8 Performance had an advantage over the chasing trio when grip was limited. It was beaten only by our top two on snow, where it excelled on the handling track. Positive turn-in from good front-end grip gave our test car great balance, helping it round turns and letting us get on the throttle earlier. The promise of the handling track was maintained in the traction, slushplaning and circle, with top three finishes all round. It was less impressive on the wet track, with mid-pack finishes, apart from a podium in a close wet braking test. And while it was up there with the best on the handling track, and had good balance, it required more lock than the top performers. There was a similar lack of sharpness in the dry. Again, Goodyear struggled on economy, but it was in good company with Dunlop, Pirelli, Michelin and Hankook.