The ADAC club offered the audience the results of measurements of friction (non-studded) tires for European-style winters, which are poorly suited to Russian conditions. However, to complete the picture, it would be useful to see their results.
A selection of Finns from Tuulilasi turned out to be much more relevant. They assembled eight sets of Scandinavian-type studded winter tires. That is, tires designed primarily for snow and ice, but at the same time appropriate on cold pavement. Snow and ice tests were carried out in Ivalo (Finland) in the first week of March. The temperature fluctuated around zero degrees. Winter tires were worn by the Volvo S60 sedan and the Volvo V70 station wagon. Most of the measurements were carried out using V-Box equipment. Auxiliary systems ABS and ESC were included - in the latter case, the Sport mode was used, which allows for slight slippage. Races on dry and wet asphalt were carried out in the Finnish Tampere.
Tuulilasi experts accelerated and braked on ice, evaluated handling on slippery surfaces, tested the same parameters on snow, that is, they tested the tires in primordially winter conditions. At the same time, they did not forget about dry and wet asphalt, as well as about the resistance to slashplaning (a parameter showing the speed at which a car emerges on snow and water slush. An analogue of aquaplaning in summer). Finnish experts also evaluated the rolling resistance, and hence the fuel consumption.
ADAC club tire test (non-studded winter tires of the Central European type. Designed exclusively for mild winters) -
Continental ContiWinterContact TS850
German tires Continental ContiWinterContact TS850 became the leader of the German test. After passing all the disciplines, the experts came to the conclusion that the main advantage of this model is a well-balanced balance. Continental ContiWinterContact TS850 behaves equally confidently in all cases, of course, adjusted for the class. Velcro of the Scandinavian type ContiVikingContact 5 feels much better on ice, not to mention the studded model Continental ContiIceContact. But for a winter tire of the Central European type, the performance of the ContiWinterContact TS850 on wet pavement and ice is unrivaled.
Bridgestone Blizzak LM001
Winter tires of Japanese brands usually do not shine with talent against rivals. But this is only in the case when models for severe cold are compared with each other. But Japanese tires for mild winters feel much better in the circle of competitors. This was also confirmed by the test of the ADAC club. Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 passed all types of tests of the German Institute, keeping within each of them in a favorable green zone.
In mild winter conditions, the ADAC Dunlop Winter Response 2 performed well. The car feels especially good in these tires on snow and wet pavement. The experts also positively assessed the low rolling resistance, which affects fuel consumption, albeit not very significantly.
Dunlop's other Central European winter tires, the SP Winter Sport 4D, performed exactly as well as the Winter Response 2. ADAC praised them primarily for their balance, as did the top-ranked Continental ContiWinterContact TS850, which is quite revealing.
In the tire industry, Michelin is the name. From the French company definitely do not expect weak performance. At the same time, Michelin tires rarely get to the very top of the tire test podium of various publications, year after year being somewhere in the middle of the list. This year's ADAC test was no exception. Experts of the German Automobile Club praised them for their behavior on ice and snow, as well as work on wet pavement. But the results on dry surfaces are worse, and the Germans recorded this aspect as a disadvantage of the French tire, as well as increased noise.
Another model of the French tire giant, the Michelin Alpin A4, performed more confidently than its relative in the ADAC tests. German experts noted a good balance and focused on a huge resource. You're more likely to puncture this tire than wear out the tread pattern. At the same time, it behaves equally safely on dry or wet asphalt and ice.
The Central European "Velcro" of the Korean company Hankook performed satisfactorily in the ADAC measurements. If the summer tires of the Korean company have already approached the level of world leaders, which is especially evident in the Ventus Prime 2 model, then in the case of winter tires, the level of Korean tires is still average. ADAC Hankook Winter i*cept RS W442 experts liked it on dry pavement, but disappointed on snow and wet pavement.
Pirelli SnowControl Serie 3
Within the segment, the Pirelli SnowControl Serie 3 proved to be surprisingly strong on ice and snow. They did not let us down on wet pavement, but did not please on dry. In addition, despite the lack of studs, the Pirelli SnowControl Serie 3 proved to be a noisy model. All in all, it only drew a satisfactory assessment of the ADAC club.
The family trait of Vredestein tires is the tread pattern. The company stubbornly uses the herringbone pattern. In part, this affects the properties of tires. In the ADAC test, they performed well on ice and snow, but were loud and relatively weak on wet pavement.
Tuulilasi magazine tire test(Scandinavian type studded winter tires. Good for Russian winters) – (http://www.tuulilasi.fi)
If in the German test the German tire won, then in the Finnish one - the Finnish one. Last year's novelty is the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 with a huge number of spikes (there are 190 of them in the 205/55R16 dimension). On ice, this is truly a royal tire. On the snow, too, everything is extremely convincing and only on asphalt there are minor errors, which is quite normal for such a generous studding. However, despite this, Tuulilasi journalists noticed that the eighth "hakkapeliitta" steers well in the rain and brakes well on dry pavement. At the same time, it does not critically resist rolling and does not make too loud noise.
Unlike the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8, German Continental ContiIceContact tires have been around for a long time. There are even rumors on the sidelines that this tire is about to be replaced by a successor, but so far it is still in service and shows great ability in winter conditions. These tires handle and brake well on ice, and they perform just as well on snow-packed roads. Performance on dry and wet pavement is not outstanding, but decent. The resistance to slushplaning (ascent on snow-water porridge) is not the best, but at the same time it is at a safe level.
Bronze in the Tuulilasi test was pulled out by the studded Pirelli Ice Zero. On the ice, they do not feel much worse than the leaders. Although the rear axle slips are more pronounced here, which makes the driver constantly be concentrated and tense. In addition, after the ice races, some of the spikes loosened up and began to protrude more strongly. In real life, this means that after a couple of seasons there will definitely be fewer spikes, which cannot be said, for example, about Continental ContiIceContact, where the “claws” are planted on a special glue. No misses in the snow. But the resistance to slushplaning is unimportant here. On the slush, Pirelli Ice Zeros pop up a bit early. Not everything is smooth on the pavement, both wet and dry. On wet pavement, the tire brakes well, but in corners it loses its tenacity. On dry pavement, braking is also unimportant. The rolling resistance is low, but the noise level is high. The third place was ensured by the priority of the ice, on which the studded Pirellis are fine.
The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic was outperformed by Pirelli in terms of points, but in terms of the totality of indicators, they are definitely no worse. Although the priorities here are somewhat shifted. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic grips the pavement brilliantly. On wet pavement and slush, they are favorites, which will be in place in Moscow, which is abundantly flooded with reagents. On a dry road, there are no misses either, although the reactions are somewhat smeared. At the same time, everything is also not bad on ice and snow, although it does not quite reach the level of leaders. Braking and acceleration on ice in the zone of good results. On snow, the behavior is a little worse. Analyzing the above, it can be noted that the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic is perfect for wintering in big cities, where the wheels are mostly asphalt, but at the same time snow or ice is not ruled out.
Due to the low temperature in many regions of our country, winter tires are a must. The main feature of winter tires is softness and the ability to tenaciously hold on to the snowy road surface. Good rubber provides reliable grip on frozen surfaces, allows you to maintain maneuverability and smoothness in any frost, ensures safety and control accuracy. November 15 is the date for changing summer tires to winter tires. It is before this date that it is advisable to replace the car's summer tires with winter ones in order to subsequently avoid possible problems with car handling and reduce the risk of an accident.
Every year, at the height of the hot summer, experts study car tires from a variety of manufacturers, making up ranking of the best winter tires. We bring to your attention the rating of the best winter studded tires 2014-2015. The rating is based on an analysis of winter tire tests conducted by the editors of Za Rulem, Auto Bild, Avtorevyu and ADAC for 2014.
Rating of the best winter tires in 2014-2015 based on the analysis of winter tire tests
Below we briefly describe test results for studded tires 205-55-R16
10th place - .
Winter studded tires Yokohama Ice Guard IG35 with directional tread pattern. Tires provide safety in the most dangerous conditions on icy and snowy roads. Tires show very good performance on ice and snow, Lugs around the bore help secure cleat retention, consistent lateral grooves improve lateral stability, prevent shifting and slipping. Significantly improved removal of snow, slush and water from the contact patch due to the design. The new Ice Guard compound prevents deformation not only in the tread part, but also in the stud bore.
9th place - .
provide the highest performance in the most severe winter conditions. In the production of the tire, a new “DUAL STUD” tire studding technology was used, which increases resistance, reduces mobility, optimizes load distribution, improves stud penetration on icy roads, reduces core wear, and maintains stable performance on ice.
8th place - .
These are tires for harsh winters that provide excellent handling on a difficult winter road: on ice, slush and packed snow. The tire is made using the same technology as the Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice Arctic.
7th place -
Bridgestone's new studded tires incorporate all of the advanced technologies developed through extensive research and testing, featuring many innovations, including the new "Cross-Edge Pin". The main advantages of Blizzak Spike-01 tires: excellent grip on ice, maximum performance on snow, reliable retention of spikes, durability.
6th place -
A durable and stable winter tire for all road conditions, providing good traction on ice, safety in slush and stable handling
5th place -
Manufacturers guarantee high grip and short braking distances. Tires can withstand heavy loads without problems. The zigzag grooves quickly absorb and compact the snow while maintaining tire grip. In the slush, they perfectly remove dirt and water.
4th place - .
Features: balanced grip characteristics, excellent driving stability, good traction on snow. The directional stud optimizes road contact for maximum traction.
3rd place -
25% improvement in stud retention and 10% reduction in braking distance on ice in percentage terms compared to the previous generation. This significantly increases the level of safety, and driving on winter roads becomes less stressful. A special role in this is played by the innovative Smart Stud System.
2nd place - . Excellent grip and handling on ice
MultiControl Ice technology-based design that increases the contact patch of the stud with the road surface, which provides high-performance traction and control of the car when driving on ice. Benefits: Shorter braking distance on ice, better handling on snow, good performance on wet roads.
The UltraGrip Ice Arctic tires are highly efficient on wet and melting snow or ice roads. Hydrodynamic grooves on the tread quickly remove water from the tire surface, reducing the risk of aquaplaning. Special silicon polymer improves grip and braking on wet roads.
1st place -
The unique pattern of the new V-shaped tread provides superior performance. The optimized stud pattern contributes to confident traction in the toughest winter conditions. The new Eco Stud 8 Concept aims to improve safety and handling in extreme situations. The layout of each stud has been optimized using computer simulations to ensure maximum traction in all situations. Cap & Base's two-ply tread design ensures effective stud retention through a tougher tread compound. The unique composition of the Cryo-silane Gen 2 outer rubber compound with silica, rapeseed oil and natural rubber provides the tread with excellent elasticity, strength, wear resistance and environmental friendliness. The new rubber compound and tread pattern ensured the Hakkapeliitta 8 low rolling resistance. The toothed pattern of the brake boosters located at the rear of the tread blocks contributes to effective braking on snow.
Among the winter tires described above, there are proposals from previous years, but many experts believe, and we agree with them, that these tires should be in ranking of the best winter tires 2014-2015. It is obvious that the tires listed above are high-end brands that use the latest innovations and the best technology to make these tires excel in all tests. The only, but very significant drawback of such car tires is their price, which is not affordable for everyone.
The tire is a significant attribute of the integral structure of the car. This unpretentious-looking gum is responsible for comfort and handling, safety and feedback.
And if some parameters vary so slightly that they are caught only by professional measuring equipment, then such a thing as braking distance varies much more depending on the tires, and, most importantly, is often the decisive factor in an emergency on the road.
When to change tires? The question is subtle, and there is no one hundred percent correct answer to it. Formally, it is recommended to switch to winter tires when the average daily air temperature drops to five to seven degrees Celsius. Firstly, the composition of the rubber compound of summer tires in such weather conditions noticeably hardens, which affects the driving properties, and, secondly, this approach minimizes the risk of an unexpected onset of cold.
But an excessively early transition to winter tires is also wrong. Especially when it comes to studded models, and also about friction (non-studded) tires of the Scandinavian type, in general, too. Both those and others are sharpened primarily for primordially winter disciplines like snow and ice. Velcro for mild winters of the Central European type tolerate cold asphalt much better, but on ice and snow they become absolutely helpless, and therefore even manufacturers recommend using them only in the south of Russia.
Every year, the expert community conducts tests of automotive rubber. On the eve of summer, the society receives information about summer tires. Before the start of winter - about winter. In our review, we will rely on foreign car clubs and publications, or rather, consider the results of tests of winter tires by the German ADAC authority and the Finnish magazine Tuulilasi (http://www.tuulilasi.fi)
The ADAC club offered the audience the results of measurements of friction (non-studded) tires for European-style winters, which are poorly suited to Russian conditions. However, to complete the picture, it would be useful to see their results.
A selection of Finns from Tuulilasi turned out to be much more relevant. They assembled eight sets of Scandinavian-type studded winter tires. That is, tires designed primarily for snow and ice, but at the same time appropriate on cold pavement. Snow and ice tests were carried out in Ivalo (Finland) in the first week of March. The temperature fluctuated around zero degrees. Winter tires were worn by the Volvo S60 sedan and the Volvo V70 station wagon. Most of the measurements were carried out using V-Box equipment. Auxiliary systems ABS and ESC were included - in the latter case, the Sport mode was used, which allows for slight slippage. Races on dry and wet asphalt were carried out in the Finnish Tampere.
Tuulilasi experts accelerated and braked on ice, evaluated handling on slippery surfaces, tested the same parameters on snow, that is, they tested the tires in primordially winter conditions. At the same time, they did not forget about dry and wet asphalt, as well as about the resistance to slashplaning (a parameter showing the speed at which a car emerges on snow and water slush. An analogue of aquaplaning in summer). Finnish experts also evaluated the rolling resistance, and hence the fuel consumption.
ADAC club tire test (non-studded winter tires of the Central European type. Designed exclusively for mild winters) -
Continental ContiWinterContact TS850
German tires Continental ContiWinterContact TS850 became the leader of the German test. After passing all the disciplines, the experts came to the conclusion that the main advantage of this model is a well-balanced balance. Continental ContiWinterContact TS850 behaves equally confidently in all cases, of course, adjusted for the class. Velcro of the Scandinavian type ContiVikingContact 5 feels much better on ice, not to mention the studded model Continental ContiIceContact. But for a winter tire of the Central European type, the performance of the ContiWinterContact TS850 on wet pavement and ice is unrivaled.
Bridgestone Blizzak LM001
Winter tires of Japanese brands usually do not shine with talent against rivals. But this is only in the case when models for severe cold are compared with each other. But Japanese tires for mild winters feel much better in the circle of competitors. This was also confirmed by the test of the ADAC club. Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 passed all types of tests of the German Institute, keeping within each of them in a favorable green zone.
Dunlop Winter Response 2
In mild winter conditions, the ADAC Dunlop Winter Response 2 performed well. The car feels especially good in these tires on snow and wet pavement. The experts also positively assessed the low rolling resistance, which affects fuel consumption, albeit not very significantly.
Dunlop SP Winter Sport 4D
Dunlop's other Central European winter tires, the SP Winter Sport 4D, performed exactly as well as the Winter Response 2. ADAC praised them primarily for their balance, as did the top-ranked Continental ContiWinterContact TS850, which is quite revealing.
Michelin Alpin 5
In the tire industry, Michelin is the name. From the French company definitely do not expect weak performance. At the same time, Michelin tires rarely get to the very top of the tire test podium of various publications, year after year being somewhere in the middle of the list. This year's ADAC test was no exception. Experts of the German Automobile Club praised them for their behavior on ice and snow, as well as work on wet pavement. But the results on dry surfaces are worse, and the Germans recorded this aspect as a disadvantage of the French tire, as well as increased noise.
Michelin Alpin A4
Another model of the French tire giant, the Michelin Alpin A4, performed more confidently than its relative in the ADAC tests. German experts noted a good balance and focused on a huge resource. You're more likely to puncture this tire than wear out the tread pattern. At the same time, it behaves equally safely on dry or wet asphalt and ice.
Hankook Winter i*cept RS W442
The Central European "Velcro" of the Korean company Hankook performed satisfactorily in the ADAC measurements. If the summer tires of the Korean company have already approached the level of world leaders, which is especially evident in the Ventus Prime 2 model, then in the case of winter tires, the level of Korean tires is still average. ADAC Hankook Winter i*cept RS W442 experts liked it on dry pavement, but disappointed on snow and wet pavement.
Pirelli SnowControl Serie 3
Within the segment, the Pirelli SnowControl Serie 3 proved to be surprisingly strong on ice and snow. They did not let us down on wet pavement, but did not please on dry. In addition, despite the lack of studs, the Pirelli SnowControl Serie 3 proved to be a noisy model. All in all, it only drew a satisfactory assessment of the ADAC club.
Vredestein Snowtrac 3
The family trait of Vredestein tires is the tread pattern. The company stubbornly uses the herringbone pattern. In part, this affects the properties of tires. In the ADAC test, they performed well on ice and snow, but were loud and relatively weak on wet pavement.
Tuulilasi magazine tire test(Scandinavian type studded winter tires. Good for Russian winters) – (http://www.tuulilasi.fi)
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8
If in the German test the German tire won, then in the Finnish one - the Finnish one. Last year's novelty is the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 with a huge number of spikes (there are 190 of them in the 205/55R16 dimension). On ice, this is truly a royal tire. On the snow, too, everything is extremely convincing and only on asphalt there are minor errors, which is quite normal for such a generous studding. However, despite this, Tuulilasi journalists noticed that the eighth "hakkapeliitta" steers well in the rain and brakes well on dry pavement. At the same time, it does not critically resist rolling and does not make too loud noise.
Continental ContiIceContact
Unlike the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8, German Continental ContiIceContact tires have been around for a long time. There are even rumors on the sidelines that this tire is about to be replaced by a successor, but so far it is still in service and shows great ability in winter conditions. These tires handle and brake well on ice, and they perform just as well on snow-packed roads. Performance on dry and wet pavement is not outstanding, but decent. The resistance to slushplaning (ascent on snow-water porridge) is not the best, but at the same time it is at a safe level.
Pirelli Ice Zero
Bronze in the Tuulilasi test was pulled out by the studded Pirelli Ice Zero. On the ice, they do not feel much worse than the leaders. Although the rear axle slips are more pronounced here, which makes the driver constantly be concentrated and tense. In addition, after the ice races, some of the spikes loosened up and began to protrude more strongly. In real life, this means that after a couple of seasons there will definitely be fewer spikes, which cannot be said, for example, about Continental ContiIceContact, where the “claws” are planted on a special glue. No misses in the snow. But the resistance to slushplaning is unimportant here. On the slush, Pirelli Ice Zeros pop up a bit early. Not everything is smooth on the pavement, both wet and dry. On wet pavement, the tire brakes well, but in corners it loses its tenacity. On dry pavement, braking is also unimportant. The rolling resistance is low, but the noise level is high. The third place was ensured by the priority of the ice, on which the studded Pirellis are fine.
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic
The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic was outperformed by Pirelli in terms of points, but in terms of the totality of indicators, they are definitely no worse. Although the priorities here are somewhat shifted. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic grips the pavement brilliantly. On wet pavement and slush, they are favorites, which will be in place in Moscow, which is abundantly flooded with reagents. On a dry road, there are no misses either, although the reactions are somewhat smeared. At the same time, everything is also not bad on ice and snow, although it does not quite reach the level of leaders. Braking and acceleration on ice in the zone of good results. On snow, the behavior is a little worse. Analyzing the above, it can be noted that the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic is perfect for wintering in big cities, where the wheels are mostly asphalt, but at the same time snow or ice is not ruled out.
Hankook Winter i*Pike RS W419
New; against the background of its predecessor, the number of spikes has increased. Instead of 128, there are now 180. Braking and acceleration on ice are average, but handling is close to ideal. The icy lap times are the best of any tire. Although the reactions still feel blurry. Snow disciplines were given to Hankook easily and without mistakes. On asphalt, everything is also worthy. In the segment of winter tires Hankook Winter i*Pike RS W419 seriously improved the image of the Korean company.
Michelin X-Ice North 3
As in the class of frictional winter tires of the Central European type, in the segment of Scandinavian winter tires, Michelin performed averagely. They have fewer spikes than the competition. Acceleration and braking on ice are rather weak. The speed of the passage of the ice track, too. Acceleration on snow is solid, but braking is not. Snowy turns knock the car off course. Slush is no problem for Michelins, and on dry pavement they have the shortest braking distance from 100 km/h. The emergency behavior is stable, but the noise is relatively high.
Dunlop Ice Touch
Dunlop Ice Touch is a close relative of the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic. Ice acceleration on Dunlop winter tires is stunted, but ice braking is significantly better. From the point of view of controllability, the concern is the early and sharp breakdown of the car into a skid. On snow, the acceleration and braking performance is better than on ice, and the behavior is about the same - with a tendency to abrupt loss of grip even at low speeds. The braking distance on wet pavement is quite short, and in general the Dunlop will behave confidently in the rain. At the same time, they respond very quickly to steering turns on dry surfaces, where they cope well with emergency maneuvers.
Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-01
Among winter tires of the Scandinavian type, Japanese Bridgestone tires turned out to be outsiders. They accelerate well on ice, but slow down badly on it. Stopping distance on snow is much better and handling is average. Bridgestones have shown excellent slush planing resistance, but they have relatively long braking distances on wet pavement. In addition, the tires also have vague steering responses on dry pavement. The noise is relatively low, but the rolling resistance is too high.
Friction (non-studded) Scandinavian-type winter tires
To date, there are no actual tests of Velcro of the Scandinavian type yet. But based on past years, we can distinguish models worthy of purchase. These are: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2, Pirelli Winter Icecontrol, Continental ContiVikingContact 5.
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Finnish tires have always been famous for their quality. So the tires immediately took the lead, showing the best results in 13 out of 16 indicators in the tests conducted by "Behind the Wheel". Compared to last year's Hakkapeliitta 7 wheels, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 has almost a 50% increase in the number of anti-skid studs, as well as a change in their location on the tread, as a result of which no stud overlaps the next. In addition, the new stud shape avoids strong stud deflection under load, providing maximum traction. Thanks to this, Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 tires make it possible to achieve the highest level of traction on both ice and snow. In addition, Hakkapeliitta 8 tires guarantee excellent off-road capability for crossovers and easy handling on pavement.
Another newcomer to the market that came from Finland is the tires that won in. These tires are based on an innovative rubber compound with an abundance of crystalline polyhedral particles that have a deep layer of occurrence, as a result of which the grip quality of tires with the road surface does not decrease as the tread wears out. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 tires are great for winter, avoid unnecessary fuel consumption and provide high acoustic comfort while driving. Of the weak points of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2, one can single out the average braking performance on open pavement.
Tires are another bright representative in a series of new products for the upcoming winter season 2013-2014. These tires have been built almost from the ground up using a range of new design and manufacturing techniques to take tire quality to the next level. First of all, we note the use of new, overload-resistant cross-shaped spikes Cross-Edge Pin with the function of self-cleaning of the lamellas from snow and ice dust. Also on the Blizzak Spike-01, a new tread pattern was applied with cross grooves with expanded intersections, and shoulder grooves were added to increase the off-road qualities of the tires.
Tires are no less technologically advanced, although they belong to the class of non-studded winter tires. An improved Multi-Cell Compound rubber compound was used to create them, and the tread was developed using a new generation of design software. Blizzak VRX tires were conceived primarily as an effective means of dealing with snow, and therefore the tread received two specialized tread patterns - an arrow-shaped tread for uniform traction and specially shaped cross grooves that provide a strong grip on snow-covered surfaces. Both patterns are located asymmetrically relative to each other, which greatly enhances the off-road performance of the Blizzak VRX tires.
Tires (which "for some reason" did not take part in the "Behind the Wheel" test) are one of the few specially designed for harsh and frosty winter conditions with roads constantly covered with ice or snow. The new shape of the studs, as well as their improved fixation, provide reliable traction on both snow and ice. In addition, Michelin X-Ice North 3 tires are excellent at resisting possible vehicle skids, while not adversely affecting handling and directional stability. The third generation of these tires combines many new Michelin innovations (the Smart Stud System includes a new thermoactive rubber compound in the tread of the tire ThermoActive Tread Compound, as well as the technology of removing ice chips (Ice Powder Remover) and Michelin conical spike). The result is a 10% reduction in braking distance on ice and a 25% improvement in stud retention… well, the stronger sidewall in the new generation Michelin X-Ice North provides more safety for a longer operating life.
Another studded novelty for the 2013-2014 season is. This rubber features the all-new Pirelli Dual Stud stud technology, which features a double extended tungsten carbide core, a flat outer surface to prevent premature wear, and a wide multi-directional base at the base of the stud to optimize load distribution and reduce mobility. The stud of the Pirelli Ice Zero tires itself has a bi-directional “double claw” shape, which allows you to more effectively “bite” into the icy road surface, providing a high level of flotation even with a dense and high snow layer.
The new tires are designed to provide unsurpassed traction on icy roads and effective braking on snowy surfaces. Their new lightweight aluminum studs with a hexagonal, high-strength core and reinforced base provide excellent handling of g-forces and also provide the necessary level of traction when driving on snowy off-road. Formula Ice winter tires use a more frequent stud pattern than a standard winter tyre, making the new product better in terms of emergency braking on winter roads. The new directional tread pattern with wide lateral grooves and a bi-directional central rib provides excellent handling on any surface, as well as rapid removal of snow or water from the tire-to-road contact zone.
Let's finish the review of the new products of the upcoming winter season with Swedish tires, designed in collaboration with the German company Continental and positioned as premium tires. An interesting fact is that in Nord Frost 100 tires, the developers were forced not to increase, but to reduce the number of studs due to new EU requirements. As a result, advanced technology for the production of "three-beam" spikes "Tikka Spikes" with a reinforced base structure was born. In addition, the layout of the studs on the tread and their orientation relative to each other have changed. As a result, the Gislaved Nord Frost 100 tires demonstrate simply impressive braking reliability on roads covered with snow or ice, as well as provide excellent maneuverability and vehicle directional stability in winter road conditions. True, we note that you will have to pay for this with slightly increased fuel consumption. The tread pattern of the Nord Frost 100 tires has also undergone a significant transformation: the central rib with oblique grooves is made of a harder rubber compound, which guarantees stability on the road, and the side zones are equipped with a large number of specially shaped diagonal grooves for more efficient removal of wet snow.
So, we got acquainted with the list of the main novelties of winter tires for the 2013/2014 season on the Russian market, now it's time to decide on a rating based on the results of in-depth testing conducted by the specialists of Za Rulem magazine. We will not go into technical details and talk about testing methods, you can familiarize yourself with these data in the September issue of the Za Rulem magazine. We will give the final rating, dividing it separately into studded and non-studded tires (R14 175/65 tires were tested).
The best studded winter tires 2013-2014 (according to the results of tests "Behind the Wheel"):
- Continental ContiIceContact
- Michelin X-Ice North 2
- Gislaved NordFrost 100
- Norman 4
- Kama Euro 519*
- Cordiant Polar 2
- Amtel Nordmaster ST
* New Kama Euro 519 winter tires were tested outside the official standings, as they represent an experimental batch of tires from a well-known Russian manufacturer and, at the time of testing, were not yet available for retail sale.
The best non-studded winter tires 2013-2014 (based on tests "Behind the Wheel"):
- Michelin X Ice 3
- Continental CVC5
- Nordman RS
- Bridgestone Bizzak Revo GZ
- Pirelli Winter Ice Control
- Cordiant Winter Drive
- Yokohama iceGUARD IG50
In conclusion, we remind you once again that you can find detailed information about the testing methods and the exact results of this rating of winter tires in the September issue of the Za Rulem magazine.
Every year, at the height of the hot summer, experts study car tires from a variety of manufacturers, making up winter tire rating.
Good rubber provides reliable grip on frozen surfaces, allows you to maintain maneuverability and smoothness in any frost, ensures safety and control accuracy. It is in today's top ten that the popular tires that meet the highest requirements are presented.
The list is based on an analysis of winter tire tests conducted by the editors of “”, “”, “” and “” over the past year.
Japanese tires are equipped with 3G sipes that improve handling on icy and snowy roads. For better removal of slush and snow, the surface of the tires is covered with semi-radial grooves. The special composition of the rubber compound prevents the studs from falling out and prevents tire deformation.
The top tire from the Italian brand showcases new studding technology. The stud's multi-directional design helps reduce stud movement, while the wide base optimizes load distribution.
The tread of these tires is characterized by a multidirectional pattern and the presence of diverting grooves. At first glance, the studs on the tires are arranged randomly, in fact, this arrangement provides maximum contact with the road.
This series has replaced the Ice Cruiser. The novelty is equipped with new cruciform studs that provide maximum grip on icy roads. Rubber test showed a reduction in the length of the braking distance by 9% compared to the previous series.
The tires feature a wide tread and a unique reinforced steel breaker, which together provide stable behavior on any road. The tires provide low noise levels as well as an unrivaled ride thanks to the elastic cushion located under each stud.
Tires are characterized by low weight, as well as optimized stud head geometry. The tread pattern is divided into blocks, the edges of each of which have multidirectional angles. This pattern provides grip and control precision.
In the production of tires, the "bear claw" technology, which has proven itself in the Hakkapeliitta series, has been applied. In the central zone, the tread pattern has integrated checkers that make steering transfer more accurate.
Michelin winter tires are annually included in the tire rating in the leading positions. X-ICE North XIN3 is a new development of the concern, which allowed to reduce the braking distance by 10% and improve the fixation of the spikes by a quarter.
The tires use an innovative stud shape and special arrangement to increase the contact patch and improve traction. For better handling on snowy roads, a new tread pattern has been specially developed.
In the tests of the publication "Behind the wheel" scored 949 points out of a thousand possible, taking the first line in the ranking.
The tire tread features an increased number of blocks for wider stud spacing and better grip.
