Just saw this on the BBC website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18662456

First I've heard about it, but in principle it seems like a fair way to make comparisons.

I guess it is down to who does the testing and how 'repeateable' the tests are for future tyre releases.

What do other people think?

Pressures, road surfaces, tyre widths all make for noisy tyres

Will they have tested every senario?

Who knows (but I doubt it).

Most likely it will all be based upon one 'standard' size on one car at the manufacturers recommended tyre pressures.

Pretty much like now but with nice colour charts afterwards.

I suppose it might simplify it slightly for non-technical tyre buyers...

Our correspondent said: "The safest tyres will stop you three car lengths quicker than the worst performers.

"While the best performers on fuel efficiency could save consumer nearly £100 a year on your fuel bill."

Does that mean everyone will start buying those awful eco-tyres with the low rolling resistance? I really hope not.

Someone I know bought a Prius (and gets constantly mocked for it - he's lucky to get 55mpg) and it came with them, the car struggled to stop even in the dry! When he finally changed them he was like the converted "it's like a new car - blah blah", fuel economy went down though.

As Auric suggests it's highly unlikely that all variables can be covered but will probably be a useful front end guide, especially for those less clued up.