Chinese tire 50% cheaper than Michelin and Continental leaves people stunned after outperforming them in testing

A Chinese tire from Linglong has just shocked the industry after beating models from Michelin and Continental in a major braking test.

The unexpected result came from a preliminary round of the Auto Bild 50 tire braking shootout, where dozens of tires compete for a spot in the final evaluation.

Even seasoned testers were surprised to see the budget-friendly tire outperform several premium brands.

But before you head out to change your car’s tires, the full story is a lot more complicated.

Click the star icon next to supercarblondie.com in Google Search to stay ahead of the curve on the latest and greatest supercars, hypercars, and ground-breaking technology

There’s a catch with the Linglong tires

The tire in question is the Linglong Sport Master, and its standout performance came during wet braking tests.

According to the preliminary Auto Bild results, it recorded a stopping distance that was nearly two meters shorter than the next best tire in the test.

Even more surprising, the Linglong also managed to outperform the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 by roughly 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) in wet braking.

In dry braking, it didn’t dominate quite as dramatically, but it still finished third overall, stopping about half a meter (1.6 feet) sooner than the Michelin tire.

That kind of performance was enough to turn heads, especially considering the price.

The Linglong tire reportedly retails for around €96 ($111), making it dramatically cheaper than many premium alternatives from established brands.

However, another test revealed where the tire’s impressive braking performance might come at a cost.

In the latest summer tire evaluation from Germany’s ADAC automotive association (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club), the Linglong once again delivered excellent braking results.

It tied with a Continental tire for the best wet-braking performance and finished second-best in dry braking.

But outside of straight-line stopping, the tire struggled.

ADAC’s testing found that the Linglong had the worst wear performance in the group.

According to their estimates, the Chinese tire would last about 16,000 miles before reaching the legal tread depth limit of 1.6 millimeters.

By comparison, the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 in the same test was projected to last around 36,000 miles.

Chinese tire companies are improving really quickly

That difference has a big impact on long-term value.

Despite its lower purchase price, ADAC calculated that the Linglong tire would cost about €24 (around $28) per 1,000 miles of driving when wear is factored in.

Meanwhile, the more expensive Goodyear tire worked out to roughly €18 ($20.90) per 1,000 miles.

Test drivers also noted that Linglong’s handling characteristics weren’t as refined as its rivals.

As the tire heated up, the steering reportedly became less precise, and the car showed increasing oversteer.

Still, the result is notable for another reason.

Just a few years ago, Chinese tire manufacturers rarely competed with premium brands in independent tests.

Now, they’re beginning to challenge them in key performance categories.

It may not spell the end of premium tires just yet, but it’s certainly a sign that the competition is heating up.

DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie