5. Falken Euroall Season AS200

THERE was little to split the Falken tyre with its asymmetric tread from the similar Hankook. They were closely matched throughout; the Euroall Season AS200 just had the edge in the wet and on snow but was unable to match the Kinergy 4S in the dry.

The Falken proved quicker on the dry handling circuit, but struggled in dry braking, where it needed a metre more to stop than the Hankook.

In frozen Finland, the Falken had a slight advantage in all but the snow circle. However, as with the Hankook and the other asymmetric tread on test from Toyo, traction while turning was behind most directional rivals.

It was within the top four in the wet tests, but lacked the bite of the best on the wet handling track. Care was needed to avoid spinning the wheels and losing the line through turns.

In rolling resistance it was fourth, needing around three per cent more fuel than the leading Nokian.

“Care was needed to avoid spinning the wheels through turns”