Pirelli P Zero (PZ4) vs Continental ExtremeContact Sport: When you think of a top max performance tire you might recall the Michelin’s Pilot Sport 4S and also Continental’s newly launch Sport Contact 7. These are indeed household names which have been dominating the max performance summer segments. The Sport Contact 7 is not available in America and it is replaced by the ExtremeContact Sport. We would like to pair it with another premium competitor in the form of Pirelli’s P Zero (PZ4). Continental’s ExtremeContact Sport was launched in 2016 and it serves the max performance segment which is directly in competition with the P Zero (PZ4). Hence let’s put both tires head to head to see which tire comes out on top!
Table of Contents
Results
Results below were taken from Tire Rack’s Testing Premium Max Performance Summer Tires 2021 Test. A total of 4 tires were tested this time on Tire Rack’s small but highly efficient test track. The graph below shows the comparison between Pirelli P Zero (PZ4) vs Continental ExtremeContact Sport based on the relevant performance category. The Pirelli P Zero (PZ4) was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
Note that for subjective evaluation, we equate 1 point as 5%. Hence for example if tire A is graded 7 while tire B is graded 6, A is better than B by 5%. The tire size of interest is 245/40R18 which is a common tire size for Audi A4 & Jaguar Xe. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is a rear wheel drive 2020 BMW F36 430i Gran Coupe with a 17×7.5 rim.
Dry
With both tires serving the max performance segment which is the next best thing you can get hold off in place of a semi slick track day tire. This segment of course has a big requirement to perform its ultimate best on dry performances while balancing its wet trade offs. First blood went to ExtremeContact Sport as it managed to out-brake P Zero (PZ4) by 2 feet (0.6 m). The stopping distance was calculated from 50mph down to 0 with ABS braking on.
The initiative was handed back over to P Zero (PZ4) as it was slightly better in both objective & subjective evaluation in dry handling. Even though equipped with less dry braking capabilities, P Zero (PZ4) still managed to be 0.2 seconds quicker than ExtremeContact Sport around the track. While in subjective dry handling evaluation, P Zero (PZ4) was rated higher at a 8.16/10 rating compared to 7.88/10 rating of ExtremeContact Sport.
P Zero (PZ4):
The P Zero (PZ4) also was a balanced and easy-to-drive option, syncing up with our testers almost innately. The steering was accurate and predictable, though we would have liked it to respond with a little more urgency. Mid-pack objective figures and the second-fastest average lap time were a solid showing.
Test driver feedback on P Zero (PZ4)
Overall P Zero (PZ4) was the best tire for dry handling while ExtremeContact Sport was leading in objective dry braking.
ExtremeContact Sport:
- +2.6% in dry braking
- -1.4% in dry handling (subj)
- -0.7% in dry handling (lap time)
Wet
The friction of coefficient of the tire/road dramatically decreases in wet roads compared to dry roads. Hence it is more likely to get into a road accident during wet conditions rather than on a sunny day. It was so important that the EU label has wet braking as one of its three criteria. With regards to our comparison, ExtremeContact Sport was totally blazing when it comes to wet braking, as it managed to out-brake the P Zero (PZ4) by 11.8 feet (3.6m). This truly fits its marketing tagline of “excellent wet braking” by placing 1st out of the test competitors.
Even though ExtremeContact Sport had superior wet braking advantages, P Zero (PZ4) somehow miraculously managed to edge ahead in wet handling. P Zero (PZ4) was 0.53 seconds faster than ExtremeContact Sport in wet handling lap time. The subjective evaluation also slightly favors P Zero (PZ4) as it managed a 7.85/10 rating compared to 7.69/10 of ExtremeContact Sport. Below are some of the important feedback from the test drivers on the subjective feeling of both tires :
ExtremeContact Sport:
Our drivers could tell the tire had very strong traction laterally and longitudinally, though it didn’t combine those impressive talents as seamlessly as the test leader
Test driver feedback on ExtremeContact Sport
P Zero (PZ4):
Predictable, balanced handling; strong front-end authority; confident braking; and the uncanny ability to put the power down while exiting a turn all combined to lead the test by a significant margin
Test driver feedback on P Zero (PZ4)
Overall in the wet category, ExtremeContact Sport has clearly the upper hand in wet braking while P Zero (PZ4) was the best wet handling tire among the competition.
ExtremeContact Sport:
- +11.1% in wet braking
- -0.8% in wet handling (subj)
- -1.6% in wet handling (lap time)
Noise/Comfort/Ride Quality
Ride comfort, noise & comfort was tested and P Zero (PZ4) was better across all categories with the biggest difference coming from ride quality. P Zero (PZ4) came out ahead with an overall 7.88/10 rating compared to the 7.14/10 rating of ExtremeContact Sport.
ExtremeContact Sport:
- -3.7% in average of Noise, Comfort & Ride Quality.
UTQG rating
We have previously shown that UTQG tread wear rating can be a good indication of your expected mileage. Below are the UTQG values of both of the tirelines.
| Brand | Tireline | Size | Tread Wear | Traction | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental | ExtremeContact Sport | All | 340 | AA | A |
| Pirelli | P Zero (PZ4) | All | 300 | AA | A |
The mileage warranty for ExtremeContact Sport is 30,000 miles while P Zero (PZ4) surprisingly does not carry any mileage warranty. This is quite unusual as so far most of the American products except for track day semi slicks do come with a mileage warranty. Nonetheless looking at the UTQG tread wear rating, ExtremeContact Sport has a higher rating (340) compared to P Zero (PZ4)’s 300. Without a mileage warranty and a lower UTQG tread wear rating, it can be expected that ExtremeContact Sport will fair slightly better than P Zero (PZ4) in terms of expected mileage.
For more in depth information about UTQG, please check out this article here. We even have a free download on the latest UTQG values from the leading tire manufacturers.
Price
ExtremeContact Sport was found to cost 19 dollars more compared to P Zero (PZ4)
Tire size: 245/40R18
ExtremeContact Sport: $205
P Zero (PZ4): $186
Difference: +9% more expensive for ExtremeContact Sport.
Summary
Overall, both tires demonstrated clear strengths on different conditions. P Zero (PZ4) was strong in dry/wet handling and comfort/noise while ExtremeContact Sport excels in wet & dry braking. From our point of view, there is no clear winner in this duel and it really depends which requirements ( handling vs braking ) from your side dominates more?