Pirelli Snowcontrol Serie 3 tyre review

Competent, but aquaplaning performance needs looking at, as does fuel efficiency.

Pirelli enjoyed a return to form in this year’s summer tyre test, but that’s yet to reach its winter products, as rivals have the edge over the Snowcontrol Serie 3 in most areas.

It was most comfortable on snow in the continuous cornering of the circle. On the more demanding handling course, the lack of grip could be felt, with the front pushing wide. When it did grip, the rear started to move. It was closer to the leaders in the wet, and found a balance it lacked on snow to be quickest on the track. It held its line under power and kept the rear in check.

A promising wet performance was undone in the deeper water of the curved aquaplaning test, where that distinctive brickwork pattern lost grip a long way before the competition.

The Pirelli was near the front of the pack in the dry, hanging on well around the handling circuit and turning in sharply. It proved the quietest on test, giving a smooth, well damped ride. Not so good was the rolling resistance test, where it matched fellow strugglers Michelin, Uniroyal, Hankook and Nokian.