The well-known magazine "Za Rulem" with the onset of September did not "pull the rubber" and published the results of its tests of the 12 best studded tires. The tires were taken in the most popular standard size 195/65 R15, which is installed on a large number of car models. Studied tires from well-known manufacturers participated in testing, which were divided into two categories: "east" and "west". The "eastern" group includes tires of Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese brands, and the "western" group includes European ones. Nevertheless, this division is rather arbitrary, since the products of some "oriental" brands are made at factories in Europe (Firestone). Moreover, all tires are made for the European market, which adds to this aspect of nonsense. However, it is precisely this distinction that was suggested to us by the experts of the magazine "Za Rulem".
It should be noted that four novelties of 2018 made their debut in the roster of tested winter studded wheels - Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer, Hankook Winter i * Pike RS2 W429, GT Radial IcePro 3 and Firestone Ice Cruiser 7. The first three are real novelties in the range of their manufacturers. old versions, and Firestone tires are a copy of the old Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000 .
Tested winter tires in size 195 65 15
- (Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 02)
- (Continental Ice Contact 2)
- (Firestone Ice Cruiser 7)
- (Gislaved Nord Frost 200)
- Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic
- (G.T. Radial Ice Pro 3)
- Hankook Winter i * Pike RS2 W429 (Hankook Winter I Pike RS2 В 429)
- Nitto Therma Spike
- (Nokian Hakapelita 9)
- (Nordman 7)
- (Pirelli Ice Zero)
- Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer
Test drives covered a wide range of disciplines, which were held in January and April 2018 at the Continental test sites in Sweden and AVTOVAZ in Togliatti. The lack of Michelin X-Ice North 4 tires in the list of tested models is surprising. This rubber will definitely be a hit of sales for the winter season 2018-2019. However, the manufacturer did not agree to test its own tire, arguing that the result could be falsified.
Rating of studded winter tires in 2018 according to the magazine "Za Rulem"
The tests were carried out in four disciplines (the final possible maximum score 1000 points). Each of the disciplines consisted of several categories, which were added to the final grade.
Disciplines:
- ice and snow ( 670 points);
- wet and dry asphalt ( 210 points);
- comfort ( 50 points);
- efficiency ( 70 points).
| Model tested in the size 195/65 R15 | Ice and snow | Wet and dry asphalt | Comfort | Profitability | Outcome |
| 617 | 193 | 34 | 70 | 915 | |
| 618,6 | 193,9 | 30 | 66,8 | 905 | |
| Hankook Winter i * Pike RS2 W429 | 623,1 | 189,2 | 35 | 68,7 | 905 |
| 595,7 | 177,9 | 30 | 67,4 | 888 | |
| Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic | 584,4 | 194 | 32,5 | 66,8 | 877 |
| 587,7 | 193,2 | 32,5 | 68,7 | 874 | |
| 567,4 | 204 | 32,5 | 65,6 | 870 | |
| 574,8 | 178,1 | 28,5 | 65,6 | 847 | |
| Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer | 558,7 | 182,9 | 32,5 | 66,2 | 840 |
| Nitto Therma Spike | 545,5 | 174,4 | 32,0 | 68,7 | 821 |
| 517,5 | 191,6 | 35,0 | 66,8 | 811 | |
| 514,9 | 181,4 | 26,0 | 65,6 | 788 |
1st place - Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
It is not the first time that he becomes the winner of all kinds of races. Of course, the Nokian company has tarnished its reputation with fraudulent testing, but there is no need to doubt the quality of the Finnish plant's products. The tires have shown themselves to be on the best side, demonstrating the highest level of fuel efficiency, excellent handling on snowy or icy roads, flotation and precise maneuvering. Among the shortcomings, experts have identified not the best characteristics of acoustic comfort and high cost.
2nd place - Continental IceContact 2
The tires of the German concern are traditionally in the top of winter tests, but when it comes to studding, everything becomes less rosy. The test of the magazine "Za Rulem" showed the opposite. The rubber exhibits the best lateral and longitudinal grip on the ice crust, giving the necessary acceleration and short braking distances. Of the negative points, it is necessary to note small flaws in the handling characteristics on the asphalt and a high level of noise.
3rd place - Hankook Winter i * Pike RS2 W429
The novelty of 2018 from the Korean plant Hankuk did not surprise with its impressive driving characteristics. The previous W419 was a real hit with excellent traction and coupling capabilities (especially the projection depth reached 10 mm), and its successor did not get any worse. The rubber demonstrated impressive lateral and longitudinal grip on ice, confident braking and acceleration, agility and mileage in snowy terrain. On asphalt, unfortunately, the tires are the worst in the top 5. Also, extreme winter driving is clearly not for this tire.
4th place - Pirelli Ice Zero
Quite an "old" model from an Italian manufacturer. On an icy surface, it is not inferior to the top three, while its studding system is not very modern. The rubber showed solid results in the road stability category in normal driving. It should also be noted the worthy behavior of a car shod in Ice Zero on wet and dry asphalt, which is a rarity for any studding. The rubber is slightly inferior to the leaders in handling during extreme travel and has an average level of comfort.
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5th place - Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic
The tires of the American company were the best in deep snow. It is not surprising, one glance at the tread pattern is enough to understand this. In addition to this advantage, Goodyear tires stood out with a short braking distance on wet and dry asphalt surfaces. With all their advantages, the wheels have a clear drawback - low comfort. The aggressive tread pattern produces a rather unpleasant hum. Also, the Za Rulem specialists had some complaints about stability and handling on ice.
6th place - Nokian Nordman 7
The second tire from Nokian Tires, which belongs to the budget segment of the market, showed less grip, despite the elaborate tread pattern borrowed from the legendary Hakkapeliitta 7. The tires showed an average level of dry grip and confident acceleration. Of the shortcomings, the model "distinguished itself" in the smoothness of the ride and the noise of the course. Rubber is a real strong middle peasant.
7th place - Gislaved Nord * Frost 200
The Continental sub-brand was awarded the middle of the 2018 Best Studded Tire category. Rubber Gislaved distinguished itself on the positive side in braking properties and directional stability on asphalt, and also showed a safe level of maneuvering. Longitudinal grip on icy surfaces, the spike from Gislaved wants to be better, as does extreme maneuvering. The high fuel consumption of the wheel can also be noted. This indicates an incorrect distribution of the tread elements of the tire, which gives a higher rolling resistance.
8th place - Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02
The Japanese tire giant's products were clearly disappointing. It would seem that the years of presence in the European tire market should have led the company to finally good studded tires, but no, this did not happen. So far, the manufacturer's Velcro is better than the studs. The tires showed nothing supernatural. Given the cost and availability of cheaper tires higher on the list, buying a Blizzak Spike 02 is a dubious idea. The tires are not bad, but the price negates all the advantages.
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9th place - Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer
Despite a fairly thorough study of the spike system and a really high-quality rubber compound with inclusions from ground walnut shells (!), This year's novelty could not compete with the leading brands. Toyo is traditionally considered a brand in the middle between premium and mid-budget, but in this test it barely made it into the top 10. The tires have good directional stability and stable handling on winter roads. Braking performance is poor.
10th place - Nitto Therma Spike
Japanese tire makers from the Toyo sub-brand are located just behind their parent company. On the positive side, it should be noted satisfactory handling, average mileage on snowy areas and an acceptable ride. Of course, there are more negative moments. Poor braking performance on dry and wet surfaces, difficult handling, noise - all this makes Nitto not the best choice. However, it should be noted that the tested tires are relatively cheap (second in the roster) and quite old technologically.
11th place - GT Radial IcePro 3
The penultimate in the ranking is Taiwanese tires from the Giti company. The most inexpensive on the list, they could be a real sensation on the market. However, Ice Pro 3 did not perform as expected. They failed on all fronts, distinguished only by the lowest cost price and driving comfort. This does not automatically make them bad, but it does hint that un-studded is more appropriate.
12th place - Firestone Ice Cruiser 7
The main disappointment - no one expected outstanding results from the Bridgestone sub-brand, but it was expected to hit at least the middle of the list. But the "new" Ice Cruiser did not show any improvement, losing in almost everything. The tires have a good level of braking properties on dry asphalt, but they are clearly inferior to competitors in grip on ice and snow, economy, handling, maneuverability and were given the dubious honor of being the noisiest. If in other models the noise is justified by good grip, then in this case it is simply unacceptable. Moreover, for not the lowest price.
Output
Testing is not the ultimate truth. There are several points that cause questions, for example, why does the magazine "Za Rulem" use tires provided personally by the manufacturer? In similar experiments of German magazines, for example, testers do it much easier - they go to the nearest store and buy rubber for testing. On the other hand, the rating system in this testing is one of the best, the gradation of the priority of certain categories is close to each driver. Therefore, when buying new winter wheels, you need to listen to this test, but do not take this material into account exclusively.
For car enthusiasts, it always seems to be a rather difficult task. After all, you need to consider many aspects, such as the noise generated by the rubber while driving, the level of comfort that it provides, and most importantly, its performance in bad weather conditions, that is, on a wet road surface, as well as on icy and snowy roads. The situation is complicated by the fact that there are no problems with the variety: there are a huge number of winter tires, so choosing specific ones so that you don't regret the choice you made is not as easy as it might seem at first. Therefore, this article is intended to relieve you of the agony of choice. Here will be presented an overview of winter tires Winter i'Pike RS W419 about them, their photos and so on. The purpose of this article is a detailed demonstration of the capabilities and features of these tires, so that you can evaluate them yourself and make the right choice. So what is so good about the Winter i'Pike RS W419 Hankook tires? Reviews about them on the network are extremely positive, but the opinions of users will be discussed a little later. First you need to look at the tires themselves and consider all their features and capabilities.
Winter premium tires
The Hankook Winter i'Pike RS W419 rubber is truly a unique product, because these tires can be called a serious step forward in production. Simply put, this model sets a new standard for winter tires that focus on performance. offers you a completely new level of driving in difficult weather conditions, whether it is snow or ice. By the way, if we talk about snow and ice, then each winter tire has its own slope - some cope better with snow-covered surfaces, while the performance of others is aimed at neutralizing the negative impact of icing on the road. In this case, the emphasis is on the fight against icing, and this can be seen both while driving and just by looking at the characteristics of this rubber. It offers perfect performance on icy road surfaces, but don't think that snowy roads will become an obstacle for you because of this, the tires do a great job on snowy road surfaces, which is why they are among the best in the world.
Wet performance can also be defined as close to ideal, so these tires will save you from any bad weather. Moreover, they have increased durability, so you can ride them for a very long time. This rubber also has very good performance on dry roads, although, of course, the difference in handling can be seen with the naked eye. As for those parameters that, unlike the previous ones, can be attributed not to ideal, excellent and very good, but simply to good, this is the noise created by this rubber when driving, as well as its environmental friendliness.
Well, the last point, which still cannot be called bad, but at the same time it has the lowest indicator of all, is ride comfort. Unfortunately, the manufacturer had to make a choice: sacrifice comfort for perfect performance in various weather conditions, or reduce performance for comfort. The choice was made in favor of the first option, and the result was the Hankook Winter i'Pike RS W419 tires. The winter tires of this model will definitely not disappoint you, even with the lack of ride comfort when equipping them.
Water ramp
So now you have a general idea of the performance of the Hankook Winter i'Pike RS W419 tires. 91T, 100P and other similar types are available in a wide range of sizes, so it is better to focus not on variety, but on quality. What makes these tires so popular and considered some of the best in the world? It's all about the technologies used to create them, namely the tread pattern of the tire, as well as the structure of the tire.
All this will be discussed in detail in this article, and it is worth starting with the tread pattern. There are a lot of features here, the combination of which gives an incredible result. And the first feature is special slopes in the tread pattern, due to which there is an effective removal of water from the tire grooves. This function ensures maximum tire performance in winter, as large amounts of water in rainy and snowy weather, as well as in icy conditions, are removed quickly and efficiently. The same goes for the Hankook Winter i'Pike RS W419 XL tires, which, regardless of their size, are equally effective at handling large volumes of liquid entering the tread grooves.
Three-dimensional grooves
Hankook Winter i'Pike RS W419 R16 tires (this is one of the most popular diameters, 16 inches, but it is worth noting that a wide variety of diameters are available for sale, from 15 to 20 inches), of course, are not limited to one feature: there are much more of them, and one of the most prominent among them is the special arrangement of the tread grooves. Traditionally, they are "two-dimensional", that is, they go straight into the rubber, but in this model, the grooves are "three-dimensional" - they have their own pattern, are curved, which gives certain advantages. Which ones? This feature guarantees reduced traffic blocking, thereby providing the driver with increased vehicle stability while driving. This is one of the most important parameters for winter tires. Again, this is not all that the Hankook Winter i'Pike RS W419 tires are capable of. The review will reveal in detail every feature of this rubber so that you can fully appreciate its highest quality.
Special hairpin
It's no secret that in ordinary tires, the tread pattern is fixed on static studs, but in the case of this rubber, this is not at all the case. The manufacturer used incredible innovative moving stud technology. This makes the protector virtually mobile, which has many benefits. The studs can move in different directions for maximum efficiency when breaking ice, as well as guaranteeing first-class grip on snowy roads. Separately, it is worth noting the effective interaction of this technology with another innovative technology used in this rubber, which will be discussed below.
Snow slit
Snow Slit technology is directly related to the previous feature of these buses. The fact is that there is always a certain thread around the stud, which also increases the functionality of the tires. However, in this case, this thread is made in a special way: firstly, it looks more impressive, since it is not an abstraction, but is framed in the form of a snowflake. Greatly designed winter tires are a very attractive proposition, but it becomes even more tempting when you learn that these snowflakes on the tread are not just for decoration, they also have a function. Combined with movable studs, these snowflakes provide maximum ice breaking and snow traction. As you can see, these tires hide a myriad of surprises that add up to excellent performance and efficiency on the road.
Spuit
On a wet, icy or snowy road? There is water on the road surface, which is there either in its original liquid form, or in a solid state of aggregation, that is, as an ice crust or snow drift. One way or another, it is water, which reduces the grip of the rubber on the road. The tread has channels that, when in contact with the road, draw water out of it, thereby reducing its amount on the surface and improving grip. What is the essence of the new technology used in this tire model? The fact is that, unlike conventional rubber, this model's tread channels end in small cavities, thanks to which the tire can eliminate more liquid from the road, guaranteeing even better grip even in the most unpleasant weather.
Blocks 2-in-1
Everyone knows that the tread pattern is usually divided into blocks, which provides better traction. However, most often these blocks are single, that is, the entire surface of the tire is divided into separate shapes: squares, rectangles, polygons, and so on. But this tire model takes a 2-in-1 approach as a basis: the entire middle of the tread is covered with aggressive blocks, which are a combination of two standard blocks. Why is this done? Thus, the manufacturer managed to achieve the highest quality grip on snowy and icy road surfaces. This is another important element that adds to the overall picture, and in the end it all adds up to the fact that these tires demonstrate ideal performance on icy roads and close to ideal performance on snowy and wet roads.
Husky as a prototype
It may seem rather strange, but the manufacturers of these tires admit that they took their inspiration from the Siberian huskies. This breed of dogs has been used for a long time in the north in frosty climates for transporting people and various goods. Thick coat is one of the main advantages of this breed, but the developers have not been able to figure out how the tires could be clothed in warm wool. Therefore, they concentrated on another aspect - the claws and paws of these dogs. If you have seen the paws of a husky and look at the tread of this tire, you can notice a certain similarity. The fact is that the creators used the drawing of the husky's paw as a prototype for creating the tread pattern of their tires. If dogs can safely move through snow-covered and icy areas, then why can't a car that will have the same tires as a husky's paws? Moreover, the edges of the tread are designed in such a way that they closely resemble the claws of the same dog, making breaking the ice cover much easier. Grip on snowy roads in a car equipped with these tires will be just perfect, because this rubber is based on the long history of husky dogs in the fierce conditions of the north.
Tire cover
All of the above features have gained immense popularity and a high place in the ratings for the Winter i'Pike RS W419 Hankook tires. Reviews of these tires are always very good, but it is worth noting that this is due not only to the tread of the tire, but also to its very structure. First of all, it is worth noting the tire cover, which is made of silicone rubber, which provides excellent grip. This is especially true on wet, snowy and icy road surfaces. However, this material also provides minimal drag while driving, which allows you to significantly save on fuel compared to what more standard tires can offer you.
Breaker layer
The belt layer of the tire under the rubber is distinguished by its large width and also by the fact that it is made of steel. This ensures optimum stiffness for the Winter i'Pike RS W419 Hankook tires: reviews of this model usually indicate that it is the moderate stiffness of these tires that provides sufficient comfort for such incredible performance. It would seem that with such grip in terrible road conditions, there can be no question of comfort at all, but the manufacturer managed to achieve a certain balance largely due to such a breaker layer.
Wireframe line
The carcass line of the Hankook Winter i'Pike RS W419 tire is also worth noting. Reviews of owners who are not experienced car enthusiasts usually do not touch on this topic, because the carcass layer lies very deep in the tire and few people are interested. But in reality it is very important, and its high quality ensures that the deformation of the tire during use is minimized. Also, this carcass greatly increases the rigidity of the tire sidewall, which contributes to an even higher stress resistance.
Tire edge
It should also be noted that the new technology is also used for the edge of the Hankook Winter i'Pike RS W419 tire. Owner reviews only occasionally touch on this topic, because few people look closely at the edge of the rubber - usually people just use the product they purchase, and then the edge is hidden behind the wheel rim. However, if you still postpone with "changing" the wheels and look closely at the edge of the tire, you will notice that here the manufacturer has used an innovative technology: the entire edge is framed by one single solid wire of increased strength. This significantly increases the durability of the tires. Some cheaper options can quickly get damaged in this area, which makes the entire tire unusable.
Tire edge filling
However, this is not all that can be said about how the edge is shaped when the Hankook Winter i'Pike RS W419 winter tires are made. Reviews of professionals also indicate that the filling of the edge has changed, and this is indeed the case. Specific confirmation can be found on the manufacturer's official website. Not only the hardness of the wire increases, but also of the filler, due to which an even better result is achieved. This time the vehicle's handling is affected. Thanks to the innovative approach, handling is significantly increased, as is the sensitivity of the car to steering movements. As you can see, this rubber is good all round, so you should definitely check out the Hankook Winter i'Pike RS W419 winter tires. Reviews about them can be found everywhere, but in order to save you from this need, at the end of the article will be given the main pros and cons of this model, to which drivers who have already tried this rubber turned their attention.
Positive reviews
Naturally, it is worth starting with the positive information that buyers left behind. In this case, there will be no differentiation between, for example, the basic version and the Hankook Winter i'Pike RS W419 XL. Reviews will be given for the entire type range for this model. So, most people point out that this rubber functions very quietly and at the same time is of high quality, which is noticeable both on the road and in how often it needs to be changed. There was very little wear and tear during use, as well as durability: even in the most unpleasant conditions, the tires withstood, and people report that they did not have a single puncture at all. And, of course, there is also a high performance of the tires on snowy and icy roads. However, the reviews about the Hankook Winter i'Pike RS W419 rubber are not exclusively positive, there are also negative points.
Negative reviews
So, you have purchased, for example, a Hankook Winter i'Pike RS W419 195/65 R15 95T. Owner reviews are what will help you find out what to expect from the new rubber. And if you already know the positives, then what about the negative? First of all, people note a serious lack of movable spines. Because of this, they almost completely drop out after two to three seasons, while static spikes usually last up to seven seasons. Also, users note that these tires are designed for a really harsh winter: maximum efficiency is achieved only at temperatures of minus fifteen and below. That's all you need to know about the Hankook Winter i'Pike RS W419 tires: reviews, photos, specifications, the main features of the tread pattern and structure of the tire itself. Now you can safely make the right choice of winter tires.
At the TestWorld test site (northern Finland)
The presentation took place at the world famous commercial test site TestWorld, located in the north of Finland. Meticulous readers probably know that even beyond the Arctic Circle the temperature is above zero, and there is no trace of snow or ice. But Hankook has resolved this issue.
We were asked to carry out the asphalt part of the tests on the Ivalo-Murmansk public road, but only in Suomi and only to the Russian border. The air temperature during the short run was plus 10-14 degrees. But on snow and ice, we tried some tires at a temperature of minus 11 degrees - in unique rooms recently built by the "testvoldovtsy" with powerful climate control systems. Acceleration and braking on "white" surfaces was evaluated in a huge hangar 160 m long and 16 m wide. But that's not all!
We were asked to carry out the asphalt part of the tests on the Ivalo-Murmansk public road, but only in Suomi and only to the Russian border. The air temperature during the short run was plus 10-14 degrees.
We also had the opportunity to evaluate the behavior of the tires in the snow - also with a slight frost of minus 11, also in an ingenious room, slightly reminiscent of the body of a classical guitar in shape. The total length of the track is 350 m with a track width of 9 m. The compacted snow in these rooms is real, saved up last spring. Ice - artificial, frozen, almost the same as on an indoor skating rink. From March to December, real winter reigns in these premises. Snow is periodically loosened slightly, ice is "poured". Throughout the summer, tire and car manufacturers have carried out winter tests of their products here. By the way, cars weighing up to 3.5 tons and a height of up to 2.7 m can work in these rooms. That is, not only cars, but also crossovers and minivans. Lift boxes are attached to the sides of these huge hangars, where you can change tires or other automotive components.
But in winter, when there is snow and cold outside, the climate control units are switched to heating mode, and inside you can evaluate the behavior on the asphalt, both on dry and wet. For this, watering of the "path" is provided. Just a real paradise for testers!
On snow and ice, we tried some tires at minus 11 degrees
Hankook Kinergy 4S- an all-season tire with an asymmetric tread pattern for year-round use. It combines the characteristics of a summer tire (short braking distances on dry asphalt and good handling on dry and wet roads) with good longitudinal grip on snow in moderate frost. They also do not give up on slush - highly effective drainage grooves help in this.
Tires are available in sizes from 14 to 18 inches, with speed limits from 190 to 240 km / h. The advantages of the new "all-season" have already been appreciated by well-known car manufacturers. rolls off the assembly line on Hankook Kinergy 4S 225 / 50R17 tires with a maximum speed of 240 km / h.
Hankook Kinergy 4S
Hankook Winter i * cept Rs 2 - for compact and mid-size cars, optimized for winter in Central and Western Europe. Directional tread pattern with grooves that widen in the shoulder area perfectly wicks water and slush out of the contact patch. This increases the speed at which aquaplaning starts and increases grip on slushy roads.
Three-dimensional sipes, which are dotted with all tread blocks, improve traction on icy and snowy roads. Additional grip on low-grip roads and wet surfaces is provided by the silica components in the tread rubber.
Tires are produced only in Hungary, in a plant with the most modern equipment. Available in sizes from 14 to 17 inches, the speed limit is from 190 to 210 km / h ().
I liked the tires on the asphalt. The reactions are quite clear for winter tires, the grip on dry and wet asphalt is also quite good. True, this is a subjective opinion, since, let alone comparison, the presentation was not provided.
Hankook Winter i * cept RS2 cutaway
Hankook Winter i * cept evo 2 in the passenger version and Hankook Winter i * cept evo 2 SUV in the crossover version, they continue the direction set by the tires of the first generation Winter i * cept evo. The novelty is intended for prestigious and sports cars. The “gaining momentum” has not been forgotten either - an SUV version is offered for them. All tires are designed for mild Central European winters.
The asymmetrical tread pattern, as usual, is responsible for traction on the outside on ice and snow, and on the inside on asphalt.
The performance of the drainage grooves has been increased by 30% compared to the previous model. Due to this, more water and snow slurry is removed from the contact patch, and the ability to resist aquaplaning increases. Reinforced sidewall and wider shoulder enhance control and grip when cornering. Silica nanodispersed additives in the tread rubber have improved grip on snow, ice and wet roads.
The majority of both the Winter i * cept evo 2 passenger car and crossover tires are manufactured in a modern plant in Hungary. A light line from 16 to 20 inches, speed indexes H-W (from 210 to 270 km / h), and crossover from 16 to 21 inches, with speed indexes H and V (210 and 240 km / h), are already available this year.
Now about the new products, which will surely arouse the interest of Russians, since these tires are able to work in the harsh Russian winters.
Hankook Winter i * cept evo2
Hankook Winter i * pike RS Plus- the development of the well-known Winter i * pike on our market, moving in the direction already "trodden" by the spikes Nokian HKPL 8 and ContiIceContact 2. Plus in the name implies an increased number of studs and a slightly modified tread. Here, the studs are in contact with the road in as many as 22 rows instead of 17 on the previous model, due to which grip on ice is improved. The tires are equipped with Finnish Turvanasta 8-11 / 2 HT-2 "Torx-Grip" studs.
The snow grooves are slightly widened to improve the tire's ability to withstand aquaplaning and slashplaning. The manufacturer claims excellent grip on snow.
We have already tested these tires in the dimension 205 / 55R16. The material with the test results can be read in the October issue of "Behind the Wheel". The Hankook Winter i * pike RS Plus among the tested ZRs really turned out to be the best in longitudinal grip on snow. Now they are available on the market so far only in the most popular sizes - 205 / 55R16 and 215 / 65R16.
Hankook Winter i * pike RS Plus
Hankook Winter i * cept iZ 2 - soft friction tire for a comfortable ride. It is a significantly redesigned first generation Winter i * cept iZ. The main external difference is the directional tread pattern. This better and faster cleans the contact patch from snow, snow slurry and water, which means it improves the contact of the tire with the road. The number of checkers in comparison with the previous model is increased by 20% due to a decrease in their size. This solution increases the number of working edges, which has a positive effect on grip on ice and snow.
Silicon dioxide, which is present in the tread, makes it possible to maintain its elasticity even in the most severe frosts. The manufacturer promises "excellent grip on snow and reliable handling on snow and ice."
On the snow-covered "road", I really liked the behavior of wearing these tires. The reactions are clear and precise, the start of the slides is well predictable. I was especially impressed with how well and clearly the car is controlled in sliding.
Hankook promises new items on our market in the near future in a wide range of sizes - from 155 / 70R13 to 255 / 40R19.
Hankook Winter i * cept iZ2
P.S .: not a single car and not a single wall of TestWorld structures were damaged during the tests.
Hankook got everyone shocked: presentation of six winter tire models
The South Korean tire company Hankook held an unusual event, presenting six winter novelties for different climatic zones to European auto journalists on the eve of the winter season. Among the tire experts was Sergey Mishin.
Hankook got everyone shocked: presentation of six winter tire modelsBeginning of September. It's eleven degrees outside, and two steps away, in the hangar, it's the same, but it's already frosty. Under its roof there is a "closed" presentation of Hankook winter tires.
O din hangar - in the form of a pencil case, for testing on longitudinal dynamics, and the second one, launched in early 2015, is a 400-meter ring track for assessing handling on snow!
The hangar owners are our long-term partners from the Finnish company Test World, who, among other things, have been testing winter tires for over twenty years. And in order not to stand idle in the summer, when luxurious ice and snow tracks turn into swamps, they invested a lot of money in these refrigerated hangars (only the indoor track to assess the handling cost 11 million euros). And it looks like the project will "beat off": both tire manufacturers and car companies rushed to the Test World test site, which need to test electronic systems on winter surfaces, because earlier for urgent work they had to fly far away, for example, to the SNPG test site in New Zealand (AR No. 19, 2011).
One of the customers is the Korean company Hankook Tire, which at the same time lured a couple of landfill employees with extensive experience in testing winter tires. By the way, the European research center Hankook is located in Hanover, Germany, next to the headquarters of Continental, and, of course, the Koreans did not fail to use this personnel resource.
The result was not long in coming. If earlier winter tires from Hankook were among the outsiders of our comparative tests, then this year the new Winter i * Pike RS Plus model with an increased number of studs has come close to the group of leaders (AP # 18, 2015). It's only the beginning! In addition to the studded ones, the "northern" non-studded tires Winter i * cept iZ² and the "Central European" ones - Winter i * cept RS² and Winter i * cept evo² were presented at the training ground.
After a short run on public roads with a stop at the now deserted border with Russia (only 50 km from the landfill), I use the same "Central European" winter tires Winter i * cept RS² to enter the winter. It's funny! Dazzling white snow under the wheels, and around the same white walls and ceiling.
To begin with, I try to "sharpen" - and understand where the snow ends and the wall cladding begins. In the open air, it’s simpler: I went through it at a speed, flew into a snowdrift - and in a minute the car would be pulled out by a "technician". Maximum - the plugs on the bumper will fly off. And here there is no room for error: it will be embarrassing if I punch a hole in the wall ...
The Hankook winter tire line (from left to right): studded Winter i * Pike RS Plus, Central European Winter i * cept RS² and Nordic Winter i * cept iZ² - all designed for mass-produced vehicles with 14-17 inch rims; then there are the high-speed "Central European" tires Winter i * cept evo² SUV for SUVs and the same, but without the SUV index - for ordinary cars. However, not quite ordinary: some standard sizes are designed for a speed of 270 km / h! And the all-season Kinergy 4S rounds out the line-up, which has already been approved for the Audi TT OE
Be careful at first. "Central European" winter tires with a limited number of small sipes provide good grip on asphalt, but on snow their capabilities are limited. Little by little I increase my pace, I come to the slides - and, I must admit, they do not scare me. Stalls are smooth, the car is controlled - and it is precisely these nuances that distinguish the "thoroughbred" tires, which were fine-tuned by serious specialists!
Of course, on the Winter i * Pike RS Plus studded tires you make the turns more boldly, but even more on a snowy track I liked the completely new non-studded Winter i * cept iZ² tires, designed for harsh (including Russian) winters. The car brakes confidently, quickly and clearly goes through turns in light slides. It seems that in the next comparative tests of Auto Review, the leaders will have to share a place with Hankook tires in the non-studded class as well ... However, this model has not yet been launched into mass production and will only appear on the market next year. And the range of Hankook Winter i * Pike RS Plus studded tires is currently limited in Russia to only two 16-inch sizes. But the "Central European" tires Winter i * cept evo² are already presented in 17 standard sizes: from 205/60 R16 to 255/35 R20, and I safely advise residents of southern regions and large cities to pay attention to them. By the way, these tires have already been noticed by BMW and Audi. Yes, yes, I myself saw on one of the "five" BMW winter tires Hankook Winter i * cept evo with an additional sprocket on the sidewall - this is how tires, approved by the automaker for the original equipment, are marked.
Let me explain. A couple of years ago, manufacturers of European premium cars began, at the request of customers, to put winter tires on the assembly line - and this should not be confused with the services of dealers who change the shoes of new cars in the "winter". That is, we are talking specifically about tires that have been tested and approved by car manufacturers and have the appropriate marking: "MO" - for Mercedes, "AO" - for Audi, "asterisk" - for BMW. Of course, Hankook does not have an exclusive here - “Central European” winter tires are supplied as original equipment by both Continental and Michelin. Of course, car companies are evaluating not only the ride quality of tires, but also the purchase price - it seems that Korean tire manufacturers are offering terms of supply that are difficult to refuse. Purchase prices are a sealed mystery, but I admit that Koreans even lose money on each set. However, in the long term ... Firstly, many car owners, when the time comes to change tires, will be asked to replace them with the same ones. And secondly (or firstly?), The supply of tires for original equipment, and even cars with the most famous names, is an investment in reputation!
As for retail prices in Russia, the Hankook Winter i * Pike RS Plus “spikes” in the popular dimension 205/55 R16 can be purchased for 4,300 rubles apiece, which is 2,000 cheaper than Nokian or Continental tires. But you won't save much on Winter i * cept evo² tires: for a set of dimensions 225/45 R17 you will have to pay the same 40,000 rubles as for "Central European" winter tires made by Michelin, Nokian or Continental.
Under the wheels - a layer of natural snow 30 cm thick, loaded into the hangars last winter. All summer long the track was ironed by cars - and the surface is clean, as if it snowed yesterday. And all because after the races, the track is leveled with special harrows and there are no "thaws" under the roof - the air conditioning system maintains the temperature around the clock at minus 10-11 ° C
