Chinese tires, which about 5 years ago were strikingly inferior in quality to European ones, are confidently conquering world markets. This is primarily due to the improvement in their performance. In 2019, tires from the leading factories of this country are recognized by drivers and have international certificates.
Chinese tire manufacturers offer products that are identical in quality to European and Japanese models. Most of the factories located in this country work using technology from leading world brands and use similar equipment in their work.
In addition, official factories have a control system designed to minimize the number of rejects.
The only factor in which Chinese models are inferior to recognized market leaders is the lack of advanced developments. The rubber composition, tread pattern and other elements are copied. No work is being done to improve these factors.
It should also be noted that all of the above applies to large factories controlled by the government and large companies. In China, there are still handicraft industries seeking to minimize the price. The quality of their products cannot be considered satisfactory.
Where to buy quality tires and where not
To purchase high-quality Chinese tires, the purchase should be made from dealers of large factories or from networks that provide an authenticity guarantee. You should not give preference to car markets and private traders. It is necessary to avoid stores that do not have the status of an official representative, but sell goods at a lower price.
Criterias of choice
To choose quality tires from a Chinese manufacturer, you need to pay attention to the following criteria:
- The correctness of the labeling and writing of the brand. Small companies that do not have modern equipment and quality control systems choose similar names and logos to attract customers.
- Packaging. Tires should not be purchased with poor or damaged packaging or no packaging at all. A quality-oriented manufacturer will not skimp on this item.
- Product condition. Winter tires should not become stiff at negative temperatures. The fastening of the spikes must be strong, no backlash is allowed.
You should choose a brand, paying attention to the availability of international certificates. In addition, you should study reviews on different models of tires from Chinese companies. Some manufacturers do better with winter tires, others with summer or all-season tires.
Ranking of Chinese brands
The top Chinese brands are compiled on the basis of such indicators of tires as:
- rolling resistance;
- prevention of aquaplaning;
- reliability of adhesion to the road surface;
- influence on the length of the stopping distance;
- durability;
- behavior in difficult conditions, on ice or rough terrain.
- Sailun.
- Goodride.
- Sunny.
- Firenza.
- Kinforest.
- Antares.
Tires from the first manufacturer have good balancing and reliable grip, allowing you to shorten the braking distance not only on dry asphalt, but also after rain. All models from Triangle give the car directional stability and have reduced rolling resistance. The products have various international certificates.
Dutch equipment is used for production. This brand is considered one of the most economical among those using natural raw materials. The quality control system includes ultrasound checks and X-rays. Summer tires from this manufacturer are most in demand in Russia.
Sailun has 9 patents from international organizations. This brand produces tires not only for passenger cars, but also for crossovers and trucks. Products of this brand are highly durable. They give the car a quiet and smooth ride. The company's products are considered the best in terms of quality and price ratio.
Goodride is certified by the US Department of Transportation and the European Commission. The tires of this brand are characterized by good balance and handling. This company produces tires designed not only for the wheels of cars and SUVs, but also for special equipment. Its products can be used in commercial vehicles.
Sunny is inferior to the brands discussed above in terms of production of tires. However, its tires are recognized as the winner of the durability rating. In addition, they meet the highest environmental requirements. The production is carried out on American and Japanese equipment. Tires of this brand are resistant to wear, but some motorists who have installed them on the disks of their cars note their excessive rigidity and a deterioration in the quality of grip at sub-zero temperatures.
Firenza is a brand focused on the middle and premium segment of the market. The production of this company has introduced advanced methods. The increased strength is provided by a double layer of steel cord and special requirements for the quality of raw materials. However, in Russia this brand is less in demand due to its higher cost.
Kinforest tires are considered the quietest. This brand produces models for premium cars only. The compulsory quality control procedures for each product are the balancing test and the homogeneity test. Drivers of SUVs are interested in this brand first of all.
Antares tires are considered the most practical choice. The production uses Japanese equipment. The tires are oriented towards a measured driving style. Demonstrating extreme driving skills to the driver of the car on which they are installed will not work. These tires are not designed for high speeds and tight steering.
Despite the fact that the brand belongs to the budget segment, the Antares brand has no defective products. In his factories, the quality is controlled by the state.
Having dispersed along the high-speed oval, the driver entered a profiled bend and, squeezing the passengers with a lateral overload, released the steering wheel: they say, look how the car is standing on an arc. Moreover, along the steep banking we were rushing not in a squat sports car, but in an overcrowded Mercedes Sprinter minibus! A frenzied minibus with unfastened passengers took a tour of the Maxxis tire company in China.
Maxxis tires are tested at the Kunshan test site. This brand was born fifty years ago under the wing of the Taiwanese company Cheng Shin Group, the world's ninth largest manufacturer of tires for bicycles, motorcycles and automobiles. The Maxxis brand is quite well known in the European, Asian and American markets (Taiwanese tires are sold in 170 countries, but the USA is the priority market), and we also know it. And some time ago, winter studded Maxxis Presa Spike SUV and Maxxis Arctic Trekker NP3 even took part in comparative tests Autoreview (see and), showing an average result: we scolded Taiwanese tires for the unstable quality of studding and, as a result, for mediocre performance on ice. This year, Maxxis plans to sell about 200 thousand tires in Russia (mostly summer, with an orientation to automobile class B), and in the next three years to capture at least two percent of our tire market, displacing manufacturers such as Kumho, Hankook and Dunlop ...
The situation on the test roads is monitored using sixteen monitors
The Maxxis International engineering nest is located in Taipei, there are factories in Thailand and Vietnam, regional technology centers operate in the United States and Holland, but the largest and most modern foreign technological site is built in Kunshan, China: with a full technological load, the local plant is capable of producing up to 55 thousand tires per day. And the Maxxis Proving Ground test site and research center were designed jointly with the Japanese: the Maxxis tire brand was developed with the technological support of Toyo Rubber Ind. Co. The School of the Land of the Rising Sun is visible literally in everything: every meter of the territory is adapted for test sites. A rigid access system, automated video control and electronic registration of vehicles operating in a particular sector ...
Porsche Panamera in branded paint during our visit to the training ground in Kunshan worked as a show car, rolling guests without stopping
And the range of coatings - you never dreamed of! Rather, we were just dreaming. But in the eyes of inexperienced Europeans, the test center in Kunshan is like a road cabinet of curiosities. Gravel, cobblestones, railway crossings, road repairs, concrete roads, holes dear to the heart of every Russian ... Perhaps the only thing I did not see at the Chinese tire testing ground is the city asphalt with open sewer wells. Because the Chinese are engaged in the killing of wheels in a scientific way, imitating an oblique blow to the curb. The American obstacle (General Motors method) has a trapezoidal profile, and according to Japanese rules (Toyota method), the blow is made into a bar with rounded edges. In both cases, the collision speed is 35 km / h, and the criterion for rejecting a tire is swelling, damage to the sidewall or depressurization. By the way, we use a more complex “destructive” technique in Autoreview tests: the height of the bar is selected depending on the tire size (the obstacle is 10 mm higher than its profile), and the speed of the collision on the bar increases step by step - until breakdown. When conducting comparative tests, this is more informative.
The track for testing "dry" controllability is a circular section 2.8 km long; for "wet" exercises, a drawn "treble clef" with irrigation of different intensities and a circle filled with water with a diameter of 140 meters are provided. The camera helps to assess the tire's resistance to aquaplaning, which takes a real picture in the contact patch. But the strongest impression on me was made by special roads, where the Chinese simulate a high-speed lane change (dynamic "rearrangement") and check the operation of the vehicle's stabilization systems. This is done with a national flavor: on ordinary cars without safety cages, with live passengers instead of liquid dummies, at speeds far beyond the "hundred" and, as it seemed to me, without much understanding of the possible consequences. Horror!
In dynamic tests, the Chinese use equipment from the Vbox family. There are no other measuring instruments here
An interesting detail: all test drivers admitted to high-risk work are Taiwanese. The locals do not seem to be trusted.
Well, at the training ground in Kunshan, I was offered to take part in a comparative test of Maxxis Premitra 5 and Goodyear EfficientGrip tires of dimensions 205/55 R16 and to evaluate their behavior on dry surfaces and on water. The unit carrier is a two-liter Ford Focus with an automatic transmission, and the evaluation criterion was the time spent on dry and wet roads, measured with a Racelogic device. The Chinese did not hide the fact that they had already removed all the driving characteristics from this couple and even revealed their expert conclusions. Say, Maxxis tires look better than their competitor in everything except overall resource and vibroacoustic comfort.
The aggregate carriers during our tests were Ford Focus cars with two-liter gasoline engines and automatic transmissions
I do not pretend to be an expert, but I admit the "dry" superiority of the Chinese product unconditionally: where Goodyear made me slide too wide out of the corner, Maxxis tires allowed me to cling to the trajectory more efficiently, and the car's reaction to gas discharge was much more pronounced. As a result, with Chinese tires, I drove an average of two seconds faster on the test track.
On a wet surface, the "Chinese" time was also better, but ... At the maximum corner on wet asphalt, Maxxis Premitra 5 tires very abruptly switch from rolling to sliding: you enter the arc, you feel the grip, you try to drive more boldly, and then - oops! - the car turns around a vertical axis. In two heats out of six, I just flew off the track.
Internal tire noise is measured by two microphones (at the head of the driver and rear right passenger) connected to the Bruel & Kjaer complex. And the external one - with external microphones, standing in the electronic range. The car rolls into the metering zone in neutral and with the engine off, and the speed of entry is controlled by the radar
One problem: at the training ground in Kunshan, English is very poorly spoken, so you will have to enroll in Chinese courses. As a true realist.
Test with a twist: ten purely Chinese tires versus one German. AUTO BILD has tested tires for the Chinese market: little-known brands and global manufacturers.
In these tire tests, products from little-known brands from the Far East do not stand up to criticism. Of course, all these tires belong to the budget segment. However, global tire manufacturers such as Michelin, Bridgestone or Dunlop make special tire models for the Chinese market. Relatively speaking, they are adapted to the local conditions of use and the preferences of buyers. But something tells us that such adapted tires, even from a renowned manufacturer, cannot be compared with approximately similar tires produced for Europe.
So, the test is to be. As a benchmark, we brought with us to China and tested along with the "natives" a set of Continental PremiumContact 5 tires. This year, in our next tire test, this tire model proved to be a good average and won the "recommended" rating.
How do German tires differ from Chinese ones?
Huge economic actors such as the European Union, China, Russia, the United States have developed their own requirements for products. Tires must be adapted accordingly. In addition, there are customer preferences. Chinese car enthusiasts value the quietness and softness of tire rolling above all else. In addition, the sidewall of the tires must be able to withstand impacts from broken asphalt. Germany has a high share of highways, so safety and the tire's ability to save fuel are important.Can Chinese tires go on sale in Europe without certification?
Only tires that meet the specified requirements can be used on public roads in Europe. There is a so-called certificate of conformity. After passing the test, each tire model receives an identification number, which is indicated on the sidewall.In Europe, sellers themselves are interested in checking whether a product has a certificate of conformity. A certificate can be obtained from the customs authorities. Despite this, uncertified tires seep into Europe, which are imported by one-day firms.
Can a Chinese tire be recognized by its brand?
This is easy only if the brand has a clear Chinese flavor. The situation is more complicated with tires from well-known European brands. For example, Michelin produces the Energy model for China, but with the MXV 8 prefix in the name, which does not mean much to the consumer. Only professionals can guess that this tire came from China.Is it enough to pay attention to the "Made in China" label to avoid buying the wrong tire?
No, as today even premium tire manufacturers make them in China for sale in Europe. These tires are fully compliant with high quality and local standards.Can I drive non-certified tires in Europe?
In general, yes, the main thing is to follow the rules about seasonal tire changes.Are the products of Dunlop China and Dunlop Europe identical?
No. The Dunlop brand is known all over the world. But few people know that this trademark belongs to different owners. The largest of these is Sumitomo Rubber Industries, a Japanese company that owns the right to sell products under this brand in China. In Europe, Dunlop (and a local company) is owned by Goodyear. Both of these European companies work closely together.
How do I buy the right certified tires?
It is best to buy from trusted sellers. In addition, you yourself can learn something about the origin and purpose of the tire by examining it and reading the markings on it. |
If you look closely, you will be able to distinguish a Chinese tire from a certified European one. Every European tire must have a corresponding approval. The presence of such approval is evidenced by a label with the letter E, both with a large (1) and with a small (1) (it is allowed to indicate two E-labels at once). The number after the E symbol indicates the country in which the tire has passed the European certification tests. E3 points to Italy. The number of the certificate of conformity (2) is indicated next to the label. Since 2001, the certification test program consists of tests for noise S (3), wet grip W and rolling resistance R. The newer the tire, the more certification numbers are shown on its sidewall.
Deciphering the certificate of approval for the European market is difficult even for specialists. To make it easier for the buyer to roughly assess the quality of a tire, the European Union began to use a new label (on the right) indicating the level of three qualities of this particular tire. The tires that come to Belarus from Europe have this label. Tires made in Russia or China, as a rule, do not have this designation.
11 summer tires in size 205/55 R16. All results of tires tested
The level of efficiency and safety of tires intended for the Chinese market lags far behind that of good European tires. In particular, the performance of these tires on a wet road is extremely unsafe: the length of the braking distance is off scale. But, as consumers in China love, the noise level of tires is really low. Perhaps the acoustic comfort of Chinese tires is quite convincing. But for us Europeans, security always comes first.
Having started the expansion of its tire products to the world market, China, following the affordable truck tires, quickly mastered the production of rubber for passenger cars and crossovers. And if five years ago the purchase of Chinese tires was considered only in extreme cases (with an acute shortage of funds), today tires from the Middle Kingdom are slowly but surely pushing traditional brands into the market. The preparation of raw materials has changed, Chinese production has become more modern and technologically advanced, and the price of tires has practically remained the same, and if it has changed, then it is not so significant. Such metamorphoses with Chinese products are not new on the market for a long time. More and more buyers are leaning towards Chinese-made tires, wanting to pay a fair price for the product, and not for its name.
The basis of the affordable cost, sadly to admit, is the low wages of Chinese workers. And if in other countries with such a payment the employees of the company will work very badly, then in China it is a taboo, discipline in this country has always been in the first place. Chinese tire factories usually have established distribution channels. Usually these are car dealers or large trading companies for which image is a very sensitive issue. Buying tires in popular and proven online stores, car dealerships (service centers), etc. will help you avoid many unpleasant surprises. As a rule, such points of sale support the manufacturer's warranty, which gives additional confidence in the quality of the purchased product.
Where not to buy Chinese tires
When buying rubber made in China, there is still a risk of purchasing low-quality products. As a rule, such tires are produced by small cooperative artels that use the cheapest raw materials, outdated equipment and manual labor in their production. They attract unscrupulous traders at an already low price, and also skillfully disguise their goods as the products of large tire factories. In this regard, the fact where you buy a Chinese tire is of great importance. The smaller the outlet, the more likely it is to acquire an illiquid product under the guise of factory production.
TOP 7 best brands of Chinese tires
Below is an overview selection of the best Chinese tire brands. The brands included in our rating certainly deserve your attention.
7 Antares
The most practical tires
Country: China
Rating (2019): 4.5
This rubber is produced at the plant, during the construction of which (2007) all technical documentation for the production of Bridgestone was used. Japanese high-class equipment and quality control system does not allow producing tires even with a slight hint of defects. The fact is that state control has been established over the enterprise, which reacts very harshly (and sometimes harshly) to deviations in work from the set priorities. This approach guarantees the highest possible quality of the manufactured products and full compliance with the declared properties. Antares tires successfully enter the budgetary niche of the world car tire market, offering the consumer to pay the most fair price.
The Antares INGENS A1 model occupies a special place in our domestic Chinese tire market. A large size range covers almost the entire range of passenger cars - from the most common diameter R 13 to premium, R 20. The speed index of premium tires (Y) is the same as that of more expensive (at times) models. This indicator is especially relevant for low-profile tires - there are such tires in the Antares INGENS A1 model range. In their reviews, the owners note the remarkable qualities and practicality in operation. Not outstanding and unique properties, but precisely those that behave very dignified and reliable in the usual daily routine of city trips. When attempting extreme riding on these tires, they quickly bring the pilot back to the ground, exhibiting a lag in response to energetic steering turns at high speed.
6 Kinforest
The quietest tires
Country: China
Rating (2019): 4.5
A new Chinese tire manufacturing facility started in 2007. During the construction of the plant, a modern technological project was used, capable of competing on equal terms with the leaders of the tire market. As a result of these efforts, today the company is successfully expanding into the international space, producing high-quality tires for luxury passenger cars. This means that the tire design is based on innovative developments that allow the product to obtain unique properties. No tire leaves the plant unless it passes the balancing test and the homogeneity test. The availability of international certificates of conformity documents the excellent performance of Kinforest rubber.
On the territory of Russia, the Chinese Kinforest KF-717, designed for crossovers and SUVs, is very popular. Considering the large dimension of the wheels (R 18 and above), comfortable tires were quite expensive for the owners of such cars. This was until Kinforest entered the market.
5 Sunny
Excellent handling. Reliability
Country: China
Rating (2019): 4.6
Sunny is a mid-sized tire company in China, with a production capacity of around 4 million tires annually. In the development of the technological cycle of its enterprise, the company's management tries to adhere to the golden mean - to produce a quality product at the lowest possible cost. The latest equipment and technical developments of engineers from Germany, USA, Japan and other leading countries allowed the company to gain a foothold not only in the domestic market - Chinese SUNNY tires are also world-wide popular. This is confirmed by the use of various tire models for the assembly of new passenger cars by Audi, Mazda, Volkswagen, Nissan (for commercial electric vehicles).
The SUNNY SN3970 model is one of the top-selling Chinese-made tires on the Russian market. Sizes from R 16 to R 20 allow the use of rubber not only on passenger cars. The owners of crossovers who preferred this brand did not regret it at all - the tires are quiet, have excellent handling both on highways and on country roads. The tough enough tire is confident at high speeds, but a little more noisy when running than the Michelin Pilot Primacy. However, Sunny rubber has another trump card - the price.
4 Goodride
Better handling. High wear resistance
Country: China
Rating (2019): 4.6
Modern Chinese production was based on the old state-owned tire factory. Hangzhou Jones Rubber has launched a global technological change that has led the company to success and popularity - 17 million sets of tires of various models and categories are produced annually. The products have not only Chinese quality certificates, but also received worldwide recognition - they have successfully passed the certification of the US Department of Transportation, the European Economic Commission and INMETRO (Brazil). The production also received high marks and boasts an international ISO quality control certificate.
Our market for the famous Chinese brand is also attractive - there is a wide range of rubber for cars, SUVs and many other equipment, including special ones. The Goodride SV308 model is very popular in our market. It has excellent balance and handling, with a rigid sidewall, is comfortable enough and stands out for its good wear resistance. A wide range of sizes (from R 15 to R 20) with excellent load parameters and speed index (up to W) allows these tires to be used not only on many brands of passenger cars and crossovers, but also on small commercial vehicles.
3 Triangle
Economical. Natural raw materials
Country: China
Rating (2019): 4.8
The Chinese brand Triangle entered the top of our rating because the company uses natural rubber as a raw material for the production of tires. All tires have excellent balance and low rolling resistance, which reduces the fuel consumption of the passenger car. In order to increase consumer demand, a stringent quality control system has been introduced in Chinese production, which includes ultrasound and X-ray testing, as well as balancing tests. Such strictness allows us to filter out tires with defects at the factory and completely excludes the possibility of defects falling into the hands of the buyer. The company's products have successfully passed the international certification of ISO, ECE and DOT, which documents the high quality of the products.
In our country, the Triangle Group Sportex TSH11 / Sports model for crossovers and small commercial vehicles is very popular and in demand. The price of large diameter tires delights car owners. After getting to know in practice the characteristics of these tires, there is a high directional stability, low noise level and no tangible difference in comparison with the leading brands.
2 Sailun
Best value for money
Country: China
Rating (2019): 5.0
Established on the basis of the scientific and economic development center "Qingdao" (analogue of the Russian "Skolokovo"), the tire concern is one of the largest manufacturers in China, producing modern high-tech tire models. Chinese production received high marks from leading international quality control organizations, as a result of which the concern received 9 patents. High quality and affordable price have led to an avalanche-like filling of the world market with Chinese Sailun tires for crossovers, cars and trucks.
In the Russian market, this brand is recognizable and popular - many owners have tested them in operation, and in most cases they were satisfied. Of course, the quality of tires will be slightly lower than that of popular European manufacturers, but the surprisingly affordable and attractive price completely neutralizes this moment. Sailun Atrezzo Elite tires are quite soft and quiet, run 50-60 thousand, confidently behave on roads with different surfaces. Sailun Ice Blazer tires are successfully replacing premium tires on SUVs and crossovers - they have similar properties, but with a huge price difference in their favor. Tires for Sailun Terramax CVR SUVs are distinguished by their high strength and wear resistance - these are the characteristics given in their reviews by the owners who have tested these tires in practice.
1 Maxxis
Most popular tires
Country: Taiwan
Rating (2019): 5.0
In 2008, Maxxis first appeared in the world ranking of car tire manufacturers, immediately taking the 12th place, bringing the turnover to $ 2 billion. Since then, the popularity of this brand has only grown, the best tire models continue to successfully conquer the world market, including the Russian one. The fact that 25% of all manufactured tires are used to equip new passenger cars only confirms the high quality of the products. This rubber can be found on brand new sedans and crossovers Nissan, Chrysler, Peugeot, G-Em, Hyundai Toyota, Ford and Volkswagen.
Among the large assortment of tire products of the company, there are three models that have received the greatest sympathy and preference among Russian buyers. The top 3 includes the following tires:
- Maxxis Bravo HP-M3;
- Maxxis Arctictrekker NS3;
- Maxxis Victra M-36;
In their reviews, the owners admire the excellent technical characteristics and properties of these tires - comfort, excellent handling, high wear resistance and the key difference - a low and affordable price. This is especially pronounced when choosing tires for crossovers and SUVs - the price difference with traditional and popular brands reaches 100%. As a result, even popular tires like the Michelin Latitude Sport look less favored than the Maxxis Bravo HP-M3.
Shinniks from China are very actively conquering sales markets around the world. Ours was no exception. If a few years ago, Chinese tires were synonymous with poor quality, and in the tests they occupied only the last lines, then today the situation has changed dramatically. According to the reviews of the owners of Chinese tires and the results of numerous tests, you can find very decent models, the quality of which is at the level of European, Japanese or Korean, and the price is much lower.
We decided to present a small review of Chinese summer tires, which, in our opinion, are a worthy alternative to domestic or foreign tires. Considering the huge assortment of Chinese tires, we tried to choose those that have decent performance and an acceptable price.
Let's start our review with a company whose products are known all over the world - Triangle Tire. Especially the tires of this brand are popular in the North American market. Having a low cost and good quality, the company is actively replacing not only American manufacturers, but also such giants as Michelin, Yokohama, Continental, Pirelli.
The Triangle TH201 Sportex is marketed as a tire with sporty characteristics. A large selection of standard sizes is offered, therefore, both the owner of a small compact car and an SUV can buy it.
The tire tread is asymmetric with wide longitudinal grooves for water drainage and a developed system of lateral drainage. The central part consists of three large wide stiffeners. The outer edge is separated from the outside of the tread by a narrow sump groove and intersecting sipes. The water drainage system itself is well thought out, although due to the fact that the grooves in the shoulder areas of the tread are closed and not connected to the main ones, it cannot be said that the TH201 will do an excellent job with aquaplaning. According to many owners, the behavior of rubber on a wet road and in the rain is predictable, but, nevertheless, it will not be superfluous to observe a safe speed limit. On dry roads, the Triangle TH201 looks more confident and is in no way inferior to expensive, premium brands.
The quality of the rubber compound meets all modern challenges. Besides excellent grip on dry asphalt, the Triangle TH201 is very quiet and wear resistant. Despite the small treadwear value of 280 units (in the size 205/55/16), the figure is more than real, which is especially surprising when it comes to Chinese products, where it is customary to overestimate the real figures. According to the rubber owners, the mileage of 50 thousand is the minimum that a tire can run off, and with a calm driving style, you can count on all 70.
The tire is quite comfortable on the move, but it cannot be called soft. The sides are hard, but not oak, as is often the case on domestic rubber. The tire enters corners confidently, does not heel, and is grippingly held in a given trajectory.
Importantly, the Triangle TH201 model is certified according to European and American standards, therefore, it is sold in the markets of Europe and the USA. In dimensions 205/55/16 according to the Euro-marking, it has indexes "C" for the level of grip on the wet road and "C" for efficiency. Noise does not exceed 70 dB. Quite good performance for a tire from the budget price segment.
It should be noted that the Chinese applied their favorite copying principle when working on the Triangle TH201. Yes, the Michelin Pilot Sport 2 was most likely taken as an initial sample. Comparing photos of two models on the Internet, the similarities can be seen with the naked eye. But, for the sake of fairness, it should be said that the copy turned out with decent characteristics, not much inferior to the original, the price of which is at least twice as high.
Sailun is one of the largest companies not only in China, but also in the world. In just ten years, this Chinese tire manufacturer has made a real breakthrough in the quality and quantity of its products. Today Sailun Tires is one of the top 20 largest tire concerns.
The Sailun Atrezzo Elite summer tires are specially designed for the European market. Positioned as High Performance tires and can be used on mid-size and compact passenger cars.
The tires are asymmetric in shape and the number of circular drainage grooves, reminiscent of premium Continental or Michelin tires. The three central ribs are rigid with reinforced checkers in the shoulder area. This arrangement makes the tire as stable and grippy as possible on dry roads. In improving the wet grip of the tire, a plurality of narrow cuts on the center ribs and lateral grooves on the outside and inside are additional features. According to many owners, the rubber rolls equally well on dry and wet roads. According to the Euro-labeling system in dimensions 205/55/16, the Sailun Atrezzo Elite has a class "B" for wet grip. The efficiency is "E", and the noise level of 70 dB is the result on the level of good premium models.
The beads of the tire are soft, but not so soft as to be wary of our roads. Michelin Energy Saver, Matador Hectorra 3 or Kormoran High Performance have a much softer sidewall to the touch, which does not give the tire reliability.
Despite the positioning of the tire as High Performance, it is more suitable for those who like comfortable and quiet driving on the highway or city roads. The manufacturer probably overestimated the treadwear index of 380 units, although the tire runs 50 thousand km without any problems. and more. It all depends on the driving style.
The Sailun Atrezzo Elite was tested in 2019. magazine Autocentre and even though it took the last place among the nine models, it should be given its due, since among the competitors there were tires that cannot be attributed to the budget, which is only worth: Michelin Primacy 3, Goodyear EfficientGrip SUV, Nokian Hakka Blue 2 SUV.
Although Sailun lost in all characteristics to the leaders, but scored the same number of points with Toyo Proxes CF2 and Kumho Ecowing ES01 KH27 in disciplines such as braking efficiency on dry asphalt, handling.
The Sailun Atrezzo Elite have low rolling resistance and are second only to the Maxxis Premitra HP5 in testing the tire's impact on suspension life. This suggests that the Sailun Atrezzo Elite has a lighter weight and less sidewall rigidity than the test leaders, which is positive for the chassis, but requires some caution when driving on bad roads.
If you are not an active driver with a need for high performance tires for aggressive driving, but are looking for comfortable, reliable and safe tires for everyday use and at an affordable price, then the Sailun Atrezzo Elite is a good choice.
Under this brand, the Chinese Quingdao Sentury Tire produces high performance passenger car tires. One of the most famous models in the domestic and foreign markets is the Landsail LS588.
High performance tires with excellent grip on wet and dry roads, as well as providing a high level of comfort, quietness and economy.
The successor to the model is the Landsail LS988, which were discontinued in 2015. after the appearance of new items in the face of Landsail LS588. The high technical characteristics of the model were assessed by the experts of Test World magazine in 2015, for which the tire took 8th place, overtaking the premium tires Michelin Primacy 3, Vredestein Sportrac 5, as well as such models of the medium segment as Barum Bravuris 3HM and Firestone TZ300a.
The experts noted good dry braking and a high level of comfort. Due to the softness of the compound, the tire effectively swallows all the unevenness of the road surface, and the noise level reaching the passenger compartment is minimal. At the same time, not the best grip on a wet road prevented Landsail LS588 from rising to a higher level. For those who like to drive at high speed on a wet road, this is not the best option, but observing the speed limit will allow you to ride on this rubber even in the rain.
There is nothing unusual about the tread. Asymmetrical design with three wide ribs in the center. Four annular grooves are a hint of premium quality, and the closed outer blocks of the shoulder area, paired with a high-quality compound, make the tire practically silent (70 dB according to European marking in dimensions 205/55/16). The center blocks of the tread cut straight and zigzag siphon grooves for more efficient drainage of water to the outside. Evaluation for the same Euro-marking on resistance to aquaplaning "B", and on fuel economy "C", which is a great achievement for a Chinese, and even a budget tire. The Landsail LS588 is a serious competitor for premium models.
The Celestial Empire has not only its own tires, but also its own authoritative automobile publications. The popular auto magazine "Motor Trend" recognized the Landsail LS588 as the best tire on the Chinese market in terms of value for money. Draw conclusions.
Tires under the Kinforest brand have long been known for their high quality, impeccable reliability and a set of excellent performance characteristics. The brand is owned by Kinforest Tire Co. LTD, which produces tires under the Mayrun and Kinforest brands. The main products are high performance summer and winter tires. A significant part of the production is exported to the countries of Asia, America and Europe. All products are certified according to the international quality system and undergo the strictest technical control.
The summer tire model KF550 is not so well known in our market, but European and American drivers have already appreciated all the strengths of this rubber.
Kinforest KF550 - rubber with improved driving characteristics. It has excellent grip on wet and dry roads, which is largely due to the use of a modern rubber compound. Wet & Dry Handling technology improves water drainage from the contact patch and maximizes traction in wet conditions.
The central area of the tread consists of three solid stiffening ribs, dissected by narrow sipes. The tread blocks of the shoulder area are open, which makes this tire effective when driving on wet roads and in the rain. Water is withdrawn without lingering through a developed drainage system to the outside.
The side part of the tire is moderately stiff, which is an additional element of strength and good directional stability. The tire does not float on the track, it keeps the given trajectory well. Rounded shoulder blocks give the rubber additional stability on wet roads when maneuvering, and also have a positive effect on acoustic comfort.
As for the rubber, the summer model AH03 PrecisionAce 2 in terms of cost belongs to the category of budget tires, and in terms of characteristics, it may well compete with more famous models. Designed for all types of passenger cars.
The composition of the rubber compound was developed taking into account the use of tires on wet roads, therefore, the rubber adapts well to high humidity. The AH03 PrecisionAce 2 features effective braking, low rolling resistance, good stability on any road.
Asymmetric tread pattern. The central part consists of three wide solid ribs separated by four annular grooves. Closed shoulder blocks with rounded edges. Such a structure somewhat reduces the efficiency of water drainage from the central zone, but has a positive effect on noise. From the design features of rubber, one can distinguish small notches on the central blocks in the form of narrow, curved and conical, expanding towards the central drainage systems. This shape allows to optimize the contact patch of the tire with a wet road, to increase the resistance to aquaplaning.
How well the company's engineers coped with their task was shown by recent tests carried out by the authoritative German publication ADAC. During the tire performance evaluation, 16 models were tested in dimensions 195/65/15. The summer tire model Aeolus AH03 PrecisionAce 2 was rated "satisfactory" and in many respects surprised the experts with good grip properties, not only on dry (which is inherent even in cheap budget tires), but, most importantly, on a wet road.
It was noted: good grip, braking and wet time. Let the tires Aeolus AH03 PrecisionAce 2 fail, and did not give the opportunity to get a rating of "good" not the best durability and fuel voracity.
It is worth noting that PrecisionAce 2 lost the lead to far from budget tires: Dunlop Sport BluResponse, Nokian Line, Michelin Energy Saver +, Vredestein Sportrac 5, Hankook Ventus Prime3 K125.
If we evaluate the data of the European tire labeling, because the Aeolus AH03 PrecisionAce 2 is mainly focused on the European market, then, in the dimension 205/55/16, the tires received an “E” rating in terms of fuel efficiency. Wet grip "B". The noise level does not exceed 71 dB.
