Five optimal summer tyres R16 (spring 2015)

Pirelli Cinturato P1 205/55 R16 91V

The Cinturato P1 model from the Italian manufacturer Pirelli is among the top five according to the German magazine Auto Bild. Commercially available tyres are produced at east european facilities and at the same time must provide all the characteristics claimed by the manufacturer. Pirelli Cinturato P1 is produced in various sizes, although, according to the manufacturer, their main positioning is for compact cars.

When creating this model, advanced technologies were used, which made it possible to reduce its weight and reduce rolling resistance. This ensures fuel economy and acoustic comfort when driving. Due to the tread with three wide longitudinal grooves and a specially designed sipe system, water is well drained from the contact patch, which prevents hydroplaning. At the same time, the composition and tread pattern of the Pirelli Cinturato P1 is designed to provide good grip on dry surfaces.

The results of many tests confirm high performance on various surfaces. According to consumer reviews, the tyre also deserves high marks, although there are rare complaints about weak sidewalls and excessive softness. Based on this, the Pirelli Cinturato P1 tyre is perfect for summer use, but on highways you should be more careful about pits, and in the city be careful when driving over curbs.

Dunlop SP Sport BluResponse 205/55 R16 91H Price from 3 159 up to 4 640 ₴ →

The Dunlop SP Sport BluResponse summer tyre is produced in Europe and positioned as one of the best in its class. Its high performance is also confirmed by tests by independent experts. For example, in a comparative test of summer tyres from the German edition of Auto Motor und Sport, this model took a leading position.

High performance is achieved thanks to an asymmetric tread pattern with pronounced longitudinal grooves. The latter provide good directional stability on dry and wet surfaces. At the same time, sitting is moderate here to provide a compromise between noise and grip on various surfaces. Consumers also note good tyre mileage.

The SP Sport BluResponse model shows minor drawbacks only in extreme driving. The car can go into a skid or slip extra centimeters when braking, but for this, the initial speeds must be significantly higher than average. Nothing like this happens when driving at a steady pace.

In general, the tyre deserves recommendations for drivers with a calm driving style and can be installed on various vehicles for different operating conditions. Just be aware that the Dunlop SP Sport BluResponse is not meant to be sporty when you decide to hit the road.

Nokian Hakka Green 205/55 R16 94H

Although the Finnish manufacturer has not shown outstanding results in comparison with its competitors for 5 years, its products are very popular among consumers. This is most likely due to the cost of the Hakka Green model, which successfully balances price / quality.

As the name of the model suggests, the main emphasis of the Finnish company Nokian Tyres is on environmental friendliness and economy. The Hakka Green Silica rubber compound used contains Finnish pine oil, which should provide good traction on both dry and wet surfaces. At the same time, despite the seeming softness, the Hakka Green tyre also demonstrates good mileage.

To improve the removal of moisture from the contact patch, an open tread with polished grooves, as well as the so-called “venture” grooves, is used. Thanks to this, this model is perfectly adapted for use on wet surfaces.

Nokian Hakka Green is focused by the manufacturer on small and medium class cars and is available with speed indices up to 240 km/h. Based on this, this model can be recommended as economical for operation on suburban highways. Its balanced performance gives it versatility, making it a perfect fit for the driver traveling on the roads of regions with variable climatic conditions.

Continental ContiPremiumContact 5 205/55 R16 91H

The ContiPremiumContact 5 tyre from the German manufacturer Continental is one of the most popular representatives of the summer season. It has been on the market for more than 4 years and, according to the manufacturer, embodies the best characteristics of ContiEcoContact 5 and ContiSportContact 5. Based on this, it must combine such characteristics as high efficiency and environmental friendliness, as well as provide good braking properties and handling.

The tyre's contact area with the road is optimized by using larger tread blocks. Here it is worth mentioning special 3D sipes that reduce deformation, positively affecting handling and distribution of braking forces. To reduce rolling resistance and improve ride comfort, Continental uses a sidewall deformation zone offset. At the same time, the strengthening of the latter made it possible to make the tyre more resistant to road irregularities.

Consumers and independent experts indicate good resistance to hydroplaning. In addition, on the positive side, low noise and good grip on different surfaces are noted, while high wear is observed. But you can complain about increased wear.

ContiPremiumContact 5 is offered in almost 30 sizes, which means that it can be installed on small and medium class cars. Due to its balanced properties, this model can be recommended to all drivers.