“Consumer Reports” has announced that its 2013 tire testing program will include 41 models of UHP all-season and summer tires for sporty and high-end touring cars.
As in the past, the magazine will also include evaluations of performance winter tires, which come in sizes to fit cars that use UHP tires. Nine models will be tested in 2013.
Every year, "Consumer Reports" runs the results of one (or more) of its tire tests in its November issue. Last year, the magazine tested a total of 78 tires in four categories: T-rated all-season; H-rated performance all-season; V-rated performance all-season; and winter.
The magazine’s last UHP program was in 2010, and since then there are several new models to test. “CR” says that trend-wise, the performance winter tire offering seems a bit light due to a number of manufacturers retooling their lines.
Many performance winter tires are developed in Europe where high sales margins and regional mandatory use makes it a more lucrative market. As manufacturers race to build-up supply of new winter models, U.S introductions often come after filling orders in Europe and Canada.
For a complete list of the 50 tire brands and models to be tested, click here.
