Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Pirelli P Zero Winter 2: The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P has long dominated the high-performance middle European winter tire segment with its blend of precision and versatility. But in 2024, Pirelli has entered the fray with its all-new P Zero Winter 2, promising cutting-edge technology and dynamic performance. Can the freshly minted challenger dethrone the seasoned champion? It’s a high-stakes battle of innovation versus legacy, with every icy turn and snowy straight on the line!
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Results: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Pirelli P Zero Winter 2
Results below were taken from Tyre Review’s BEST Performance Winter Tyres for 2024 / 2025 Test with a total of 6 tires tested. The graph below shows the comparison between Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 based on the relevant performance category. The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P tire was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
Note that for subjective ratings, 1 point is equivalent to 5%. So if tire A has a 4 point rating & tire B has a 3 point rating, tire A is better than tire B by 5%. The tire size of interest is a 235/35 R19 which is a common tire size for Audi R8 and BMW M4. The testing vehicle is a Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Wet
The Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 outperforms the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P in wet braking, stopping 0.22 meters shorter at 30.8 meters. In wet handling, the Pirelli is significantly quicker, completing the lap 2.57 seconds faster at 107.35 seconds. Subjectively, the Pirelli also scores higher with 10 points versus the Continental’s 9 points, showcasing better driver feedback. However, in straight-line aquaplaning, the Continental holds a slight edge with a threshold of 72.8 km/h compared to the Pirelli’s 72 km/h.
P Zero Winter 2 :
- +1% in wet braking
- +2% in wet handling (lap time)
- +5% in wet handling (subjective)
- -1% in aquaplaning
Snow
Snow performance is as critical as wet performance for middle European winter tires, forming the backbone of their reliability in harsh conditions. The Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 edges out the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P in snow braking, stopping 0.78 meters shorter at 17.47 meters. In snow traction, the Pirelli pulls ahead again, accelerating 0.37 seconds faster at 5.16 seconds. Snow handling follows the same trend, with the Pirelli completing the lap 1.77 seconds quicker at 78.28 seconds. Subjectively, the Pirelli scores higher with 10 points compared to the Continental’s 9 points, signaling better overall handling on snow.
P Zero Winter 2 :
- +4% in snow braking
- +7% in snow traction
- +2% in snow handling (lap time)
- +5% in snow handling (subjective)
Ice
Ice performance, while not as critical as snow for middle European winter tires, is rarely tested and adds valuable insights. In ice braking, the Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 demonstrates a strong advantage, stopping 1.62 meters shorter at 9.51 meters. Similarly, in ice traction, the Pirelli is quicker, completing the test 0.82 seconds faster at 4.5 seconds compared to the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, showing superior grip and control on icy surfaces.
P Zero Winter 2 :
- +17% in ice braking
- +18% in ice traction
Dry
In dry performance, the Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 holds a clear edge over the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P. It stops 0.76 meters shorter in dry braking at 40.4 meters and completes the dry handling lap 1.17 seconds faster at 87.02 seconds. Subjectively, the Pirelli also scores higher with 9.5 points compared to the Continental’s 8 points, showcasing superior agility and driver engagement on dry roads.
P Zero Winter 2 :
- +2% in dry braking
- +1% in dry handling (lap time)
- +8% in dry handling (subjective)
NVH
In NVH performance, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P takes the lead in subjective comfort, scoring a perfect 10 compared to the Pirelli P Zero Winter 2’s 9 points, providing a smoother and more refined ride. However, the Pirelli is quieter, producing 71.4 dB of noise, which is 0.9 dB less than the Continental’s 72.3 dB, making it slightly less intrusive on road noise.
P Zero Winter 2 :
- +1% in exterior noise (-0.9 dB)
- -5% in subjective comfort
Rolling Resistance
In rolling resistance, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P outperforms the Pirelli P Zero Winter 2, with a lower resistance of 8.69 kg/t compared to Pirelli’s 8.95 kg/t. This difference indicates the Continental offers slightly better fuel efficiency, reducing energy loss during driving.
P Zero Winter 2 :
- -3% in rolling resistance
Price
In the 235/35 R19 size, the Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 is priced at €256, making it 3% cheaper than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, which costs €263.
Tire size: 235/35 R19
- WinterContact TS 870 P : € 263
- P Zero Winter 2 : € 256
Difference: -3% more cheaper for P Zero Winter 2
Conclusion
As a tire expert, it’s clear that the Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 is the deserving winner in this comparison. Its standout performances in wet, snow, and ice conditions, coupled with superior dry handling and braking, showcase its versatility and precision as a high-performance middle European winter tire. While the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P excels in comfort and rolling resistance, the Pirelli’s ability to dominate critical safety metrics across various conditions, along with its slightly lower price, firmly establishes it as the better choice for demanding drivers.
Dr Edwin Pang