The next winter season has started, and with it the most appropriate time has come to select high-quality rubber for your car. Numerous manufacturers have filled the market with a wide range of studded and friction tires, making the choice of an ordinary motorist much more difficult. So that you do not make the wrong choice among such a wide variety, Finnish experts have tested an impressive amount of winter tires, but we summarize their work, offering a final rating.
But let's start with an overview of several of the most popular new products that are already being successfully implemented on the Russian market this season (winter 2014-2015).
This list will open with studded "tires" Nokian nordman 5, developed on the basis of the Hakkapeliitta 5 model using computer simulation of the tread pattern. The tread itself received a 4-layer structure (Quattrotread technology) with a separate rubber compound for each layer, additional grooves in the shoulder area to improve lateral grip when cornering, as well as interconnected blocks in the center area, providing reliable directional stability. The Nokian Nordman 5 tires have round studs with a wide base, planted using the "bear's claw" technology, which keeps the studs in an upright position even during increased loads, which guarantees reliable grip on snowy and icy road surfaces.
Another studded novelty of the Russian winter rubber market is tires. Michelin X Ice North 3... The developers have worked seriously, offering completely redesigned "studs", radically different from last year's model. Firstly, the rubber received a reinforced side frame made using the Ironflex technology with the use of special threads that dissipate the load over the entire area. Secondly, the new rubber compound has improved the elasticity of tires even at very low temperatures, providing the lowest noise level of all new products this season. Thirdly, the improved tread contains 15% more sectors than the predecessor model, and the drainage groove system has a new structure that copes with its task more efficiently. And fourthly, the new wide conical base cleats rest on a layer of thermosetting rubber that hardens at low temperatures, guaranteeing the cleat a reliable base that prevents punching and holds the cleat securely in an upright position.
Closes the list of new "spikes" rubber Pirelli Formula Icedesigned for the Italian brand by a group of Scandinavian specialists. The new line of Pirelli Formula Ice rubber was originally created for countries with cold climates, therefore, special components are included in its rubber compound to maintain softness and elasticity even in severe frosts. The Pirelli Formula Ice projector is distinguished by its high density of sipes, the presence of wide drainage grooves, as well as the presence of a one-piece reinforced center rib that ensures stability on any road surface. The aluminum spikes of Pirelli Formula Ice rubber have a hexagonal core with pointed edges and a wide base fixed with a layer of dense rubber. These studs are almost impossible to lose, they provide excellent longitudinal and lateral traction, and their lightweight body contributes to the reduction in rubber mass.
Let's move on to the novelties of friction tires (Velcro). First, we note German tires Continental ContiVikingContact 6which performed well in the current tests. Its main feature is its asymmetrical three-zone tread, designed to ensure safe driving on snow, ice and wet surfaces. The protector was designed using computer modeling, in its outer part there are paired blocks connected by supporting bridges, a large number of sipes and grooves with sharp edges are located in the center, and the inner part is equipped with curved blocks with stepped sipes, which allows you to simulate the effect of anti-skid chains when driving on snowy roads.
The second novelty of the 2014-2015 season, worthy of close attention, is the tires Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 Japanese production. Thanks to a new synthetic polymer introduced into the rubber compound, these friction tires demonstrate the best performance at any ambient temperature. The polymer changes its properties depending on the temperature regime, maintaining the elasticity of the rubber at an optimal level, and the special microporous structure of the tread surface (MultiCellCompound technology) allows it to absorb water formed between the tread and the icy road surface, which guarantees the preservation of grip and handling. The tread of the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 tires has a directional pattern with a large number of sharp edges and 3D sipes, which improve grip on snow and wet roads.
Let's finish the review of new products with Finnish "tires" Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2... This friction rubber has received an innovative rubber compound, in which high-quality silica, natural rubber and cryosilane are actively used, which guarantees the maintenance of the elasticity of the tires in a wide temperature range. In addition, rapeseed oil is added to the rubber, which increases the tire's tear resistance. The top layer of Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 tires is additionally equipped with microscopic crystals of a multi-faceted shape, which act as micropips, thereby providing additional traction on icy roads. As for the tread, it has a directional pattern with an abundance of sharp corners, ribbed sipes, as well as special "claws" in the shoulder area for more efficient work in the snow.
Well, now let's move on to the most "tasty" one, that is. the rating of winter tires for the 2014-2015 season. The rating is based on large-scale tests carried out by a team of Finnish specialists from the Test World company, known all over the world. Immediately, we note that the Finns are quite scrupulous and responsible in their approach to their business, and therefore they buy all the test material on their own in a regular retail network, which means that manufacturers do not have the opportunity to send "charged" versions of their tires for testing. The tests themselves took place beyond the Arctic Circle both in the open air and in a special room with the ability to adjust the level of humidity and temperature. During the tests, experts evaluated the behavior of rubber on snow, ice, dry and wet asphalt, setting ratings, which were then multiplied by the weight coefficient. The study measured the braking distance of the car, its acceleration characteristics, handling and directional stability, as well as the noise level in the cabin (front and rear). You can familiarize yourself with the final results of the rating by following the corresponding links below:
- Rating of studded winter tires for the 2014-2015 season.
- Rating of friction winter tires (velcro) for the 2014-2015 season.
