For me, the condition of winter tires is extremely important. I live outside the city, and I have to leave every day, regardless of the weather and the level of labor impulse of road services. Ice, snow porridge under the wheels, an icy rut from which it is not so easy to get out ... In general, I experience all the delights of winter car operation every day. So, about the choice. As for the budget, of course, you don’t want to save on security, but with a certain order of numbers on the price tag, the mind starts to rebel. Next, another important point: spikes or "friction"? It would seem that country roads should tip the scales towards "toothy" tires, but ... As a result, as mentioned above, the choice was unexpected. No, of course, I read reviews about this tire (by the way, most of them were positive), I considered other options both in tire centers and in online stores. And yet, he chose the Bridgestone product - Blizzak DM-V2 tires with a dimension of 215 / 65R16. I can’t say that all my friends positively assessed my choice. Opponents doubted: they say, how can the Japanese create tires that can withstand the harsh Russian winter? No less complaints were caused by my refusal of spikes. But what's done is done.

It was not easy to break the car into a skid on the ice powdered with snow.

The first impression I got was great comfort. Frozen asphalt with an abundance of holes under the wheels, but the tires perfectly dampen all potholes. And in the cabin you can hardly hear the noise emitted by the tires when driving. I have a Nissan X-Trail T31 with good noise isolation, but compared to the tire models I have used before, the Blizzak DM-V2 tires are really quiet. The first half of winter was marked by temperature fluctuations, dry asphalt was replaced by slush, and in the morning the roads were covered with a crust of ice. And, I confess, I was surprised how well the tires behaved on completely different types of coverage. Wet road with snow slush? The Blizzak DM-V2 tires showed no signs of hydroplaning. Snowfall that road services can't handle? Tires with excellent grip made it possible to get out of snowdrifts and snow ruts. As for the movement on ice, here the Blizzak DM-V2 worked for five plus. No, miracles, of course, do not happen, and in terms of the length of the braking distance, as well as in the dynamics of acceleration on ice, friction tires will lose to those equipped with spikes. And this fact must be taken into account. All winter long, I never had any problems with either braking or handling on ice. Here, we should probably not forget that no tire is a guarantee of absolutely safe driving. And in difficult road conditions, it’s worth “turning on” your head more often ...

Both on packed snow and in slush, the Blizzak DM-V2 behaves confidently

TECHNICAL COMMENT

For a studless tire, the most difficult surface is ice. Or rather, that thin film of water that forms when moving between a tire and an icy surface. Bridgestone has learned to deal with this problem for a long time - the micropores of the tread layer, which play the role of a kind of sponge, contribute to the removal of water from the contact patch of the tire with the road. But Bridgestone developers did not just “fix” such a decision, but with each new model they take this idea to a new and new level. In addition, unlike the Blizzak DM-V1 predecessor, the tire design uses a new version of the rubber compound. No less productive work was done with the tread pattern. For example, in comparison with the previous model, the shape of the shoulder blocks has been changed in the Blizzak DM-V2. This solution made it possible to ensure tighter contact between the tire and the road, and optimal contact is achieved from the very beginning of the tire's operation, even before it is completely broken in.

- We officially declare that we are better than our competitors! Didn't Bridgestone's representative speak too boldly at the presentation of the new Blizzak VRX and Blizzak Spike 01 tires, which took place at the Dmitrovsky auto test site at the end of last winter? Maybe a translation error?

The etymology of the name Blizzak for the Bridgestone winter tire line is interpreted by the company itself as a mixture of the English word “blizzard” (“blizzard”) and the German “Zacke” (“tooth”). Previously, only non-studded models were designated by this name, but now Blizzak Spike 01 studded tires have appeared.

The outwardly directional tread pattern is reminiscent of early Nokian studded tires: an aggressive herringbone with wide grooves is designed to increase traction on snow, and if the snow is deep, sawtooth grooves in the shoulder area should help. As for the “ice” properties, the holes for the spikes were improved (grooves appeared around them to remove ice chips), and most importantly, the spike itself has changed: a cross-shaped notch is now made on the end of the carbide insert. Are new spikes screwed into the tread body with a Phillips screwdriver? Of course not. These cuts are designed to increase the pressure on the ice and, as a result, increase the grip of the tire with the surface. As for the previous model, Ice Cruiser 7000, the spikes are produced by the German company Sitek. In a 16-inch tire, I counted 130 studs - the Japanese do not need to adjust these tires to the new European standards that limit the number of studs per linear meter of tread (AR No. 18, 2013). Blizzak Spike 01 tires are designed specifically for Russia.

The cross-shaped notch on the carbide insert is designed to increase the specific pressure of the stud on the ice - the load is the same, but the contact area is smaller. But how long will such a notch last when driving on asphalt?

I also took a look at the non-studded Blizzak VRX tires. Here is a new asymmetric tread pattern: its blocks, when compared with the previous Blizzak Revo GZ model (their test results are on the pages of the same Autoreview issue), have decreased, the rubber compound has become softer. As planned by the creators, this should provide better grip on rough roads. The composition of the rubber compound Multicell Compound has also been updated. Its porous structure allows it to "absorb" 30% more moisture than the rubber of the previous series. Special additives in the rubber compound increase the wettability of the tread micropores, which makes it possible to better dry the contact patch.

Teana, “shod” in Bridgestone Blizzak VRX, performs a “rearrangement” without unnecessary slips

On ice, the Blizzak VRX provides about the same grip as the Michelin X-Ice 3.

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The driving program began by comparing Michelin X-Ice 3 and Bridgestone Blizzak VRX tires on a Nissan Teana. Acceleration and deceleration, both on ice and on snow, did not reveal an absolute leader. And stability during acceleration turned out to be close - cars on both tire models required significant steering. But the “rearrangement” with the stabilization system turned off has already tipped the scales towards Bridgestone tires - Teana did not fall into drifts so deeply and not so long. On the “snake”, the grip limit also turned out to be slightly higher - the car responded better to steering turns at higher speeds, however, with a subsequent sharper breakdown into a skid. So I'm not sure that Bridgestone tires proved to be safer "on a circle".

The next exercise is driving on packed snow on Volkswagen Touareg SUVs, “shod” in Bridgestone Spike 01 and Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 SUV tires. On Finnish tires, rolling is accompanied by a high-frequency hum, while Japanese tires are either "silent" or emit a low-frequency hum. Again, which is better? I don't have a definite answer. But in terms of smoothness, the Bridgestone is clearly inferior to Finnish tires: the winter “comb” of the Touareg on Nokian tires is softer. But Bridgestone representatives have a strong trump card in this regard: “Yes, the frame is rigid, but this minimizes the likelihood of damage to it on a bad road.” I won’t argue here: the results of our crash tests, to which we subjected both studded and non-studded tires (AP No. 18 and No. 19, 2013), showed that Bridgestone tires are indeed the most durable.

As usual, we will compare new Bridgestone tires with competitors as soon as possible - unlike the representative of Bridgestone, I am not yet completely sure that the really best tires were shown to me at the test site. But one advantage is obvious to me - a wide range of dimensions: Bridgestone Blizzak VRX non-studded tires are available in 53 sizes (from Zhiguli 175/70 R13 to impressive 245/45 R19), and Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 01 studded tires are even wider - in 60 sizes, from 175/70 R13 to 265/60 R1 8. It is important that both those and others will be produced in Japan. And it is very important that the prices for Japanese winter tires will remain among the most attractive on the market.

Ice braking: in the absence of measuring equipment, the difference between Bridgestone tires and competitors' tires is barely noticeable

Choosing the right winter tires for your car can be a daunting task. A huge number of manufacturers offer products that differ not only in price, but also in quality. According to polls, the Japanese company can rightly be considered the leader, and the models of which we will consider below are very popular among car owners around the world.

Brand Information

The history of the Bridgestone company begins in 1930, when the founder of the company Shojiro Ishibashi created the first tire. Over time, the founder of the brand, Shojiro Ishibashi, realized that he would like to become the first rubber manufacturer in Japan. His dream came true already in 1953.

It currently has branches in 27 countries around the world and is ranked first among other rubber manufacturers. The company's products are used to complete racing cars participating in Formula 1. The company is a leader in the production of run-flat tires. The tires received reinforced sidewalls that help keep the shape of the tire even with a complete loss of pressure. This allows the driver to drive about 80 km on a flat (punctured) tire to the nearest car service.

The lineup

Tires "Bridgestone" are presented in a wide range. The manufacturer offers high-quality winter, summer and all-season tires. Each model is developed taking into account various weather conditions.

Some of the best summer Bridgestone tire models are Ecopia EP150, Turanza T001, Bridgestone B250, Regno GR-8000. They are characterized by high reliability, reduced rolling resistance and complete acoustic comfort. All-season tires for passenger cars and SUVs are available in such models as Bridgestone Dueler H/T, Dueler M/T, Dueler A/T 693.

Particularly noteworthy are winter ones, which are maximally adapted for operation in climatic conditions characteristic of some regions. Such "winter" models as Revo GZ, Ice Cruiser 7000, Blizzak VRX, Blizzak Spike-01 are considered to be among the most popular among domestic motorists.

Production of winter tires

The brand manages to maintain world leadership due to the creation of high-quality products and the introduction of innovative technologies. Winter tires are in the highest demand. Bridgestone offers both friction and studded models. Velcro for the cold season is chosen by most drivers. Such rubber showed itself well both on dry pavement and on slush and ice. It has high wear resistance. Some of the most popular wheels among consumers are the Blizzak Revo GZ, Turanza T005 RFT, Blizzak Revo DM-V1, Blizzak VRX, Ecopia EP300, Blizzak LM001 Evo and Blizzak LM-30.

Studs from the Japanese brand are ideal for use in regions with harsh winters. They give complete confidence in the safety of driving on winter roads, have excellent traction and good handling on a flat road and off-road. The following models have gained popularity in the domestic market:

1. "Bridgestone" Blizzak Spike 01.
2. "Bridgestone" Ice Cruiser 7000.
3. "Bridgestone" Noranza 2 evo.
4. "Bridgestone" Ice Cruiser 5000.
5. "Bridgestone" Noranza SUV 001.

Bridgestone Blizzak Revo GZ

"Bridgestone Blizzak" - a winter range of tires. Among the many modifications, Blizzak Revo GZ deserves special attention. Velcro has earned a lot of positive feedback and is considered one of the best winter tires. It was first introduced in 2010 and almost immediately won the trust of car owners.

Friction rubber is designed for operation with a serious "minus". This model received excellent grip properties from the developers, thanks to which the car can safely drive on ice, slush and rolled snow.

Tread

The tire received an asymmetric tread pattern, which was specially created using computer modeling. This made it possible to transfer the entire load to certain areas of the tread surface. The asymmetric tread is great for braking and accelerating on any type of surface.

Rapid removal of water and snow porridge from the contact patch is provided by wide grooves. Three-dimensional sipes and advanced shoulder blocks are responsible for safe control. The sidewall curves received unusual asymmetric contours from the developers. This solution made it possible to reduce vibrations and body sway during cornering, as well as maintain directional stability.

Expert reviews of Bridgestone winter tires indicate that the outer part of the tread helps protect the rubber from deformation due to densely spaced blocks and the presence of checkers with peculiar jumpers. The "toothy" inner tread pattern is responsible for the car's handling on winter roads. Tread wear can be monitored using special indicators.

Rubber compound

The softness of rubber, even at very low temperatures, can be maintained through the use of a special Multicell Compound technology. Its essence lies in the fact that the rubber inside has many micropores, which are designed to absorb a water film as quickly as possible, which impairs adhesion to the roadway. Moreover, the number of these micropores does not decrease during operation. When the tread wears out, new cavities appear, which allow you to maintain the technical characteristics of the tires throughout the entire service life.

Reviews and cost

A huge number of motorists prefer to “shoe” their vehicle in rubber from the Japanese tire giant Bridgestone. "Winter" in the Blizzak Revo GZ model proved to be excellent not only during the tests, but also during operation on domestic roads. The presence of high technical characteristics declared by the manufacturer is confirmed by both experts and drivers. Rubber quickly responds to steering commands, moves clearly and confidently on snow, slush, ice and dry asphalt.

You can buy Bridgestone tires in this model in almost any specialized store. The cost of tires starts from 2400 rubles (R13).

Bridgestone Blizzak VRX

Another representative of high-quality winter tires from Bridgestone is the Blizzak VRX. The model belongs to friction and looks very similar to the Blizzak Revo GZ discussed above. By inheritance, the rubber inherited an asymmetric type of tread pattern and a unique compound technology.

The central part of the tread was subjected to refinement - the shape of the blocks and the density of their arrangement changed. The blocks are shorter and more rigid. This has a positive effect on the behavior of rubber on dry and wet road surfaces. Multidirectional edges and sipes allowed to shorten the braking distance and improve the dynamics of acceleration.

Test results

Numerous tests have proven the excellent performance of this tire model. In winter, when the weather conditions are almost aggressive, drivers may not worry about passing even the most difficult sections of the road. Velcro "Close VRX" will provide good grip on snowy and icy asphalt, will allow you to get out of any snowdrift without slipping.

Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000 Overview

From "Bridgestone" - with a directional symmetrical tread pattern. Among experts and car owners, it is considered one of the best in its category and rightfully takes prizes in tests. What is the peculiarity of this model? First of all, it is suitable for operation in the most difficult weather conditions.

"Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000" has components in the rubber compound that increase its grip, repel moisture and reduce rolling resistance. The manufacturer notes that this result was achieved through the use of natural rubber, silica, absorbent gel and other substances. This model is specially made for operation on domestic winter roads.

The choice of winter tires is a search for a balance between different requirements for safety, comfort and technological capabilities. Moreover, all these requirements, like the swan, cancer and pike in the well-known fable, drag the "cart" in different directions. It is necessary to achieve good performance on ice, and on snow, and on asphalt, and even ensure comfort and safety.

Manufacturing companies present various technological innovations on the market, which immediately begin to be closely studied not only by consumers, but also by specialists from other corporations. Moreover, each design bureau of a large company has its own style, it’s not for nothing that they say that there are Scandinavian, German, Japanese tires ... Something turns out better for some, something for others, but Scandinavians have always been trendsetters in winter tires.

Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 - winter studless tires for SUVs and crossovers, test

MODEL FEATURES

Blizzak DM-V2 is a new addition to Bridgestone's winter studless tire range. The developers claim that it is specially designed for the conditions of Russian harsh winters, and its scope is SUVs and crossovers.

The tires use a new rubber compound that the company has patented as Multi-Cell Compound technology. Its essence is the use of small longitudinal grooves in the tread, the task of which is to dry the contact patch by removing a water microfilm from the ice surface. The surface is hydrophilic, i.e. It is well wetted by water, and due to this it was possible to increase the absorbent properties of rubber. The microporous structure is present not only in the surface layer, but throughout the entire thickness of the tread, which allows you to maintain the effect of the Multi-Cell Compound technology even after several seasons of rubber operation.

Rice. 1. Technical features of the new tread compoundBridgestone Blizzak DM- V2, made using the Multi-Cell Compound technology.

Ice braking

The work of the microporous layer is most pronounced when driving on bare ice, although it will be useful on wet asphalt as well. Testing at the factory site showed that the reduction in stopping distance from 30 km / h was 7% - this is a very good indicator.

Driving in the snow

But the road is rarely covered only with ice. As a rule, both snow and ice await on the road in winter. In order for the microporous layer to work, it is necessary to remove the snow from the contact patch or to ensure sufficient adhesion to the compressed layer of snow. The tread pattern and sipes are responsible for this. The Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 winter tire features a new directional tread pattern that, along with 3D sipes, provides improved performance on icy and snowy surfaces. Optimization of the distribution of the contact pressure of each block made it possible to maintain the optimal gap between the lamellas, which contributes to a more efficient removal of the snow mass. A large number of edges provides grip of the tire with the road surface, and special holes in the sipes - increased tire grip on ice.

The new shape of the shoulder blocks effectively grips the snow, which provides a tighter contact with the road surface and maintains high braking performance.

Test results

In addition to the Blizzak DM-V2 factory tests that Bridgestone shares in the presentation (and demonstrates an improvement in all respects), we want to talk about two more comparative tests.

One was carried out at the Dmitrovsky training ground for invited journalists, and the second - consumer - testing was organized by the editorial staff. It so happened that in both tests the rubber was compared with the leader of the winter tire market - Nokian products.

For the polygon, the markings of the tires of competitors were cut off, but meticulous journalists still determined by the tread pattern that they were Nokian Hakkapeliitta R. Our driver compared the Blizzak DM-V2 with the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 SUV, but this was not done on purpose, but forcedly, because the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 test car had just such tires before the new product.

During testing, the main focus is on handling at high speeds and emergency braking. To do this, at a speed of 80 km / h, a “moose test” was carried out with rebuilding, as well as emergency braking at a speed of 110 km / h, typical for country roads. In both cases, grip on difficult winter surfaces and vehicle handling were studied. During the test, complex measurements were not taken, but visual methods were used. The driver had the opportunity to repeat the exercises several times, the results were summarized and averaged.

The main thing is that such a method, even without an accurate quantitative assessment, made it possible to see the difference between the test Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 and the opponent.

According to the results of the races, a clear narrowing of the corridor on the Bridgestone was recorded during the passage of the “moose test”, which was noticeable at speeds above 50 km / h. Decreased braking distance or equal braking performance with a competitor is noted. In some races, it was possible to achieve a reduction of up to a couple of meters, which in an emergency can save a life or a wallet.

It is very important that positive results were obtained in different races and by different drivers. Moreover, the tires were tested on cars of different brands: Volkswagen Touareg, Toyota RAV4, Range Rover Evoque, and on all of them the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 was better or on par with the Scandinavian Nokian Hakkapeliitta R.

Now let's move on to our test on public roads. The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 is a great car and its road holding, especially when shod in the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 SUV, is to be commended. But the Hakkapeliitta 7 is a studded tire, while the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 is not, and this makes a big difference in the car's behavior on the road. Therefore, we had big doubts whether the quality of the car’s movement would deteriorate in conjunction with the Japanese novelty. Looking ahead, let's say that this did not happen.

Let's start with the most difficult thing for non-studded - with behavior on ice and snow. In the snow, winter tires Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 bite with a bang. When starting off, there are no problems. The tires are grippy enough that the Land Cruiser's traction control doesn't even have to intervene. Braking on snow is also excellent, in this part the rubber is in no way inferior to the eminent Scandinavian.

On the ice, the test comparison was not in favor of the Japanese: after all, good studded tires look better here so far, but the difference in the behavior of the car is not catastrophic, and the driver did not have to change the driving style after changing the rubber. So the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 did a good job on the ice as well.

Now about asphalt. It was on it that all the advantages of the new rubber appeared. Excellent handling and braking properties - it goes without saying. But the main thing that the owner of the car noted: the cabin has become much quieter. With similar road properties of the new Bridgestone and those Nokian that were on the car before them, he made an unequivocal choice in favor of Japanese rubber.

SUMMARY

We talked about the pros and cons of the new winter non-studded tires for SUVs and crossovers Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2, noted by us and other testers during operation. In conclusion, let's add a cherry on the cake: Bridgestone tires are traditionally cheaper than their European and Scandinavian competitors, which is a very significant factor in a crisis period.

Promo video for the replacement of non-studded tires Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2, which details its features.

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If the first one is with or without spikes, the answer is found relatively quickly, there are only two options, but it is becoming more and more difficult to answer the second every year. Not only do manufacturers from Korea and China appear on the market along with the usual Nokian, Bridgestone, Hakkapeliitta, Michelin and GoodYear, but tire manufacturers produce various brand lines, and within these lines there are also individual brands.

However, it seems that some of the market leaders are already beginning to realize that it’s impossible to tear the brain of a buyer like that, who is about to go over to competitors ... There is another explanation for the act of marketers from Bridgestone, who convinced Japanese bosses, people who are very conservative in everything, when it comes to even the slightest changes, to reduce the number of winter tire lineups. Now all Bridgestone winter tires will bear the “surname” Blizzak, and it will be possible to separate the spike from the “Velcro” by the “name” - Spike or VRX. The first two new items of the new range of Bridgestone winter tires - non-studded VRX and studded Spike-01, were shown to us at the Dmitrovsky training ground.

A very representative landing of Japanese top managers, designers and marketers “landed” in the Moscow region to present new winter tires. We started our acquaintance with new products with the Bridgestone Blizzak VRX. The manufacturer positions it as a city tire for experienced drivers. In order to cover the market demand as much as possible, Bridgestone will produce this tire in 53 sizes. The Japanese claim that the main advantages of this tire are good grip on ice and high braking performance on snow. Structurally, this is ensured by a new asymmetric tread pattern and a new rubber compound Multicell Compound. In confirmation of their words, the owners showed impressive shots of comparative tests, in which the Bridgestone Blizzak VRX convincingly beat European competitors. However, during such presentations, there is no other way…

But irony aside, the enlarged images showed that the rubber resembles a sponge, which, when it enters the water and experiences pressure upon contact with the surface, collects moisture in the pores-cells. They stick to the surface, and then, wrung out in the contact patch, self-clean the tread. This is the design idea of ​​the new Multicell Compound rubber compound, designed to improve the water drainage of the asymmetric tread pattern. The competitors of this tire in the Japanese company are Michelin X-Ice 3, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R, GoodYear Ultra Grip Ice +, Continental Viking Contact 5).

On the first test, the advantage of Blizzak, whose name has long become synonymous with Velcro, was clearly noticeable. Although, as soon as we went beyond 40 km / h, which the instructor insisted on, the difference between the “Japanese” and “European” became not so noticeable. Approximately the same result we saw on the "moose test". But where the Blizzak VRX turned out to be head and shoulders above the competitor was when passing through the “snake”. At a speed of 60 km / h, the behavior of the car was much easier to control and straighten the car out of a skid on Bridgestone tires, and the rear axle drift itself was noticeably less. If at the site of the landfill the extra centimeters of demolition are just a knocked down cone, then in the city stream it is someone's wing or door ...

We tested the new Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-01 studded tire on VW Passat and VW Touareg. The main difference of this tire model was a new type of stud, German development and production. Its tip is divided into four small spikes, each of which clings to the ice and helps the tire to cope with its task more efficiently.

The set of exercises was similar. There was no undisputed leader in acceleration on ice, although earlier at the presentation we were shown shots in which a car with Bridgestone tires confidently kept its trajectory and stopped, and also took a turn along a noticeably smaller radius than a car on competitor tires. In braking on snow and "snake", the performance of Spike-01 and its competitor, Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7, were approximately equal, but in braking on ice, the Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-01 outperformed the Finnish competitor by 0.5 to 1 meter. To the standard set of exercises for Spike-01, a section was added, which demonstrated the behavior of the tire in high-speed cornering and when accelerating uphill. At a speed of 80 km / h, the VW Touareg, shod in Blizzak Spike-01, turned out to be easier to control than a car with Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 tires. It seems that the advantages demonstrated at the presentation are not just a marketing ploy.

It is still difficult to talk about how successful these new Bridgestone products will be on the Russian market. Moreover, answering the question raised during the press conference about plans to localize production, the Japanese answered the question with a question - “Which Bridgestone rubber would you buy - made in Japan or in Russia?”. True, they obviously did not receive the answer they were counting on: “The one that is cheaper. We buy Japanese cameras made in Taiwan, and Japanese cars made in Europe…”. The faces of the Japanese managers turned to stone for a moment, but then they confidently uttered a mantra about the excellent quality of their products and the connection of this quality with the Made in Japan label. One could, of course, argue about this, but something else is important - today Bridgestone does not plan to localize production. Consequently, Bridgestone tires will remain as expensive as they are efficient. However, as the authorities say, the car's handling and the quality of the brakes are no less than half dependent on the quality of the tires, which means that this is clearly not the consumable that is worth saving on ...