Tires can make a huge difference in your car’s handling and safety. Additionally, with the right rubber, you can enjoy a more comfortable driving experience and even save money.

The right tires depends a lot on how you drive, and in what weather conditions. To help you pick, Consumer Reports has released a list of the best tires in several different categories: All Season, Performance All Season, Ultra High Performance All-Season, Ultra High Performance Summer, Winter and Performance Winter.

All-Season Tires:

All-season tires are the standard equipment for most manufacturers. They’re the ideal combination of performance in wet and dry conditions. Additionally, they’re known to be very comfortable and quiet compared to performance tires.

The top 4 All-Season tires for cars are:

Continental ProContact EcoPlus+
Michelin Energy Saver A/S
Hankook Optimo H727
Goodyear Assurance TripleTred

The Continental, Michelin and Hankook tires all scored a rating of 82 in Consumer Reports test, while the Goodyear tires netted a score of 80.

Performance All-Season Tires:

While All-Season tires tend to be made for everyday driving, performance tires are made for those looking for better handling and cornering performance at higher speeds. Additionally, thanks to the added grip, braking performance is improved on these tires as well.

The top 4 Performance All-Season tires are:

Michelin Primacy MXV4
Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S
Nokian WR G2
Bridgestone Turanza Serenity

The two Michelin tires came out on top with a rating of 84, while the Nokian and Bridgestone each earned an 80.

Ultra High Performance All-Season Tires:

Ultra High Performance (UHP) All-Season tires have some adequate snow performance but give up wet and dry performance in the process. All this compromise is in the name of versatility.

The Top 3 UHP All-Season Tires are:

Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season
Cooper Zeon RS3-A
Sumitomo HTR A/S PO1

All three tires had a score of 82 from Consumer reports.

Ultra High Performance Summer Tires:

These tires aren’t intended to be driven on snow or ice. They have excellent responsiveness in wet or dry conditions.

The top 4 Ultra High Performance Summer Tires are:

Michelin Pilot Super Sport
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2

The Michelin Pilot Super Sport was far and away the winner in this group, getting a score of 90. The other tires in the group each earned a score of 82. The Pilot Sport PS2 is known to be original equipment on several high performance vehicles. Read our review of the Pilot Sport PS2 in our Tire Buyer’s Guide here.

Winter Tires

These tires are made specifically for handling in the snow and on ice. While they are also stable on pavement, it’s their performance during winter weather that makes these tires really stand out.

The top Winter tires are:

Michelin X-Ice XI 2
General Altimax Arctic

Consumer reports gave the Michelin X-Ice tires a superb rating of 84, while the General Altimax Arctic earned a 78. The General tires are known for their super value, that performs well above it’s price point.

Performance Winter Tires

These tires trade in some of the ice and snow traction of the winter tires for more comfortable pavement performance. These types of tires, and winter tires are prone to wearing out a bit quicker, so are recommended for drivers who are usually in winter conditions.

The top 3 Performance Winter Tires were:

Nokian WR G2
Hankook Winter Icept Evo
Michelin Pilot Aplin PA3

These three tires each earned a 76 from Consumer Reports. They are far and away the lowest rated passenger car tires of the test, so it’s no wonder they’re only recommended for winter conditions. The Nokian WR G2 are known to be a winter rated tire that can be left on the vehicle year-long, making for a true four season tire.

Be sure to check out prices, and our buyers guide for more information on tires.

If you think it’s not possible to have fun in a hybrid, then you need to take a good look at this Gymkhana-prepped Honda CR-Z out in Japan. It looks like this CR-Z was out competing at a Gymkhana event when its really stiff suspension was put to the ultimate test.

From what we can observe from the decals on the CR-Z, it’s obviously running on Dunlop Direzza rubber wrapping a set of lightweight Ray’s wheels and has plenty of support from some of Japan’s finest manufacturers including 5Zigen, Blitz, Cusco and Kansai service. Whatever modifications it has done to it, we’re willing to bet it was a pretty fun ride to pilot around the course.

Check out the video after the break.

[Source: Farm of Minds]

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Dunlop Tires released a new video that can only be described as automotive ballet, as a way to promote their new tire line. The video features three identical green Citroens doing all manner of handbrake turns and driving in reverse for the entirety of the clip.

The premise of the short is that the parking lot where the three cars are situated is set to close in exactly one minute, and the cars must get out within the allotted time – going backwards. While it definitely falls under the “Professional Driver, Closed Course: Do Not Attempt” category, it’s a worth a view, if only to see how good these guys are at driving.

[Source: Dunlop]

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Nissan is launching a limited Europe-only Nürburgring Edition of its 370Z. But don’t worry if you don’t live in Europe… it’s not as exciting as it sounds.

The cars are inspired by the bright yellow racers that competed at this year’s Nürburgring 24 Hour race and will share the same Premium Ultimate Yellow paint. They will also get special decals, a Cobra exhaust system, a numbered plaque and 19-inch OZ wheels with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT tires, that measure 255/40/19 up front and 285/35/19 out back.

And… well… that’s it.

According to CarScoop, Nissan’s press release doesn’t say anything about suspension modifications and the Z will continue to be powered by the standard 331hp 3.7-liter V6.

Pricing is set at $50,400 Euros ($71,700) and buyers will also get a $215 gift card for the Nürburgring – which should buy at least a few laps.

Just 80 of the Nissan 370Z Nürburgring Edition models will be produced.

NOTE: Nissan has yet to release any photos of the 370Z Nürburgring Edition. The picture above is purely for illustrative purposes.

[Source: CarScoop]