Autozeitung compared Pirelli Cinturato AllSeason SF3 to the older model SF2

Allseason tyres are evolving quickly, and that’s whys some of the last year’s test featured the older Pirelli Cinturato SF2 instead of the newer SF3. Even this year, the ACE and ARBO test included the older model and we were wondering, what would the results be if the newer model was included. And aparently, we weren’t the only ones – Autozeitung decided to run a seperate test to compare the two generations. And the results are interesting!

Introduction to the Pirelli Cinturato AllSeason SF3

The Pirelli Cinturato AllSeason SF3 in the size 225/50 R17 has been put to the test to evaluate its performance across various driving conditions. The key focus areas include snow, wet, and dry performance, alongside overall handling and efficiency. Let’s explore how the SF3 stacks up against the SF2.

Improvements Over the SF2

So what Autozeitung found out? The main points are:

• Enhanced Snow Performance: The SF3 demonstrates a significant increase in grip on icy and snowy roads, a crucial improvement for winter driving.

• Superior Wet Grip and Aquaplaning Protection: Maintaining excellent wet grip, the SF3’s optimized tread design and cold-resistant compound bolster its resistance to aquaplaning.

• Improved Dry Performance: On dry surfaces, the SF3 offers higher grip levels, more precise steering, and a more neutral balance compared to the SF2.

• Better Handling and Stability: Upgraded grooves and tread blocks contribute to more stable structures under high stress, resulting in sportier driving characteristics.

• Reduced Rolling Resistance: The new carcass design and optimized material usage lower the rolling resistance, enhancing fuel efficiency.

Test data

To visualize the performance differences between the Pirelli Cinturato AllSeason SF2 and the SF3, we’ve created spider graphs based on the Autozeitung data for each performance category. These graphs provide a clear comparison across various metrics.

1. Dry Performance

The dry performance metrics assess braking efficiency, driving safety, handling, comfort, rolling resistance, slalom agility, and noise levels.

Key Observations:

• Braking: The SF3 reduces braking distance from 37.2 meters to 35.6 meters, earning 38 points compared to SF2’s 32 points.

• Driving Safety: An improvement from 25 to 28 points.

• Handling: Enhanced maneuverability from 15 to 18 points.

• Rolling Resistance: Improved from 19 to 22 points, indicating better fuel efficiency.

• Noise: Slight increase in noise levels on the new model, but overall performance gains outweigh this minor drawback.

2. Wet Performance

Wet performance focuses on aquaplaning resistance, braking on wet surfaces, driving safety, and handling during wet conditions.

Key Observations:

• Long Aquaplaning: Improved from 21 to 23 points.

• Cross Aquaplaning: Significant improvement from 5 to 10 points.

• Driving Safety: Enhanced from 39 to 41 points.

• Handling: Maintained at 17 points, indicating consistent performance.

3. Snow Performance

Snow performance evaluates braking, driving safety, handling on snowy terrain, traction, and lateral control.

Key Observations:

• Braking: Enhanced from 28.3 meters (32 points) to 27.0 meters (38 points).

• Driving Safety: Increased from 18 to 26 points.

• Handling: Improved from 9 to 14 points.

• Traction: Significant leap from 21 to 38 points, showcasing better grip on snow and ice.

• Lateral Control: Enhanced from 19 to 24 points, providing better stability during lateral movements.

4. Overall results

The overall performance metric aggregates points across all categories, providing a comprehensive comparison of the two models.

Conclusion

It’s interesting how much better the new model is on snow, shaving off 5 seconds on the lap time and stopping 1.3 meters earlier that the old model. Also, the traction improved a lot

Additional Information

• Size: 225/50 R17

• Load/Speed Index: 98W XL

• EU Label: C/A/B /70 dB(A)) for SF2, C/A/B /72 dB(A)) for SF3

• Weight/tread depth: SF2 – 9.9 kg / 7.8 mm, SF3 – 9.6 kg / 7.3 mm

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