Medium segment: mid-range winter tyres R16

The characteristic features of a winter friction tyre from a South Korean manufacturer are responsive behavior on snow and in icy conditions, as well as good grip on wet roadbed.

Strengthening of the coupling properties of the tyre with asphalt occurs due to Z-shaped lamellae in the central part of the directional tread. In turn, the three-dimensional shoulder slats ensure the stability of the car in turns and have a positive effect on the braking efficiency on a snowy road. Sharp cutting edges, literally digging into snow and ice, are responsible for the traction of cars on loose snow.

In a more understandable language, the wheels shod in Nexen Winguard Snow G WH2 reliably cling to the roadbed and confidently hold the road in most conditions of movement in the cold season. The properties of rubber are not lost either at low sub-zero temperatures or on warm winter days. There are no questions about the period of melting of snow masses, when the whole "porridge" is under the wheels of the car — the grooves, expandable from the centre to the shoulder zone, quickly remove melted snow and water from the contact spot, countering hydroplaning and skidding due to loss of grip.

The composition of the rubber mixture of the model is diluted with a cocktail of rubber and silica to increase the elasticity and elasticity of the tyre. At the same time, the tyre is not particularly soft, losing by this parameter to the closest competitors in the class. At the same time, the Nexen Winguard Snow G WH2 demonstrates a low noise level, which eliminates the previous disadvantage and allows you to enjoy driving both on urban roads and on country roads.

The European brand Sava belongs to the eminent tyre giant Goodyear, under whose strict guidance rubber is produced at production facilities in Slovenia. The exception to the rule is the flagship winter tyre of the brand — the production of the Eskimo HP2 model is established at a factory in Germany.

In comparison with the first-born in the line (Sava Eskimo HP 215/55 R16 93H), the tyre has acquired an improved tread pattern with W-shaped blocks in the centre and an updated composition of the rubber compound. The central part of the tread contributes to the tenacious grip of the wheels with the road, regardless of weather conditions — the predictable behavior of the model is provided both on snow or wet canvas, and on a dry road. Confidence in the latter case is added by reinforced blocks of the shoulder areas of the tread.

A long and wide tyre contact spot contributes to a more uniform load distribution, improved vehicle stability and uniform tread wear during operation. Water and snowmelt from the contact spot are effectively diverted through two longitudinal grooves and a developed system of transverse drainage channels, which practically eliminates hydroplaning.

When driving, the tyres regularly "rustle" on the asphalt, without causing discomfort to the driver and passengers by excessive noise. However, you can't call a quiet tyre either. But what is also pleasing about it is responsiveness in braking, regardless of the type of road surface and its condition (wet, dry, snow-covered, etc.). The model demonstrates uncertain behavior except on ice, but it is not worth scolding her for this, since all representatives of the class of non-studded winter tyres have a similar tendency.

Severe winters are rare in South Korea. Therefore, the testing ground for winter tyres was built by Hankook in the vast expanses of Finland beyond the Arctic Circle.

The Hankook Winter i*Cept Evo2 W320 tyre perfectly tolerates harsh operating conditions and boasts stable handling at high speeds on snow-covered roads. However, on the rolled snow, her behavior slightly worsens — nothing critical, if you do not tear the car into a slip by pressing the gas pedal sharply.

The asymmetric shape of the tyre tread is modeled in such a way as to increase the coupling properties of the contact spot of the model with the road. Blocks in the outer shoulder area contribute to better handling in the snow, and closer to the inner part — effective braking and traction. The central row of diamond-shaped blocks ensures the directional stability of the car.

The model remains soft and low noise regardless of the outside air temperature. However, with warming, there may be a roll in the turns, which should not be overlooked. In general, the tyre is destined to become one of the leaders of the medium segment, having pushed its predecessor from this position — the popular friction tyre Hankook Winter I*Cept Evo W310.

The model from the South Korean manufacturer belongs to the European type of winter tyres with a characteristic directional tread pattern in the form of a "Christmas tree". The elements of the tyre tread are worked out with special care so that its behavior remains predictable in all weather conditions.

The "chip" of the tyre is the use of 3D lamellae in the form of honeycombs, which allows you to create more coupling faces on the tread blocks without affecting their rigidity. Accordingly, the tread engagement with the road improves, braking efficiency on snow increases and maximum responsiveness in control is achieved.

Drainage grooves diverge from the central part of the tread, which expand as they approach the shoulder area of the tyre. Fast and efficient water drainage improves the behavior of the machine in snow porridge and loose snow, and also counteracts the effect of hydroplaning. And taking into account the large width of the "shoulders", the contact spot of the tyre with the road increases, which has a positive effect on increasing the stability of the car.

The composition of the Kumho WinterCraft WP71 rubber compound includes components that give the tyre elasticity and have a positive effect on grip on wet roads, from which it can be concluded that the tyre is sharpened for an active driving style. In addition, the model is available in all common sizes for radii R16-R19, so it will not be difficult to choose the necessary configuration for the technical requirements of your car.

The renowned tyre company Pirelli, originally from the Apennine Peninsula, specializes mainly in the production of premium segment rubber. However, some models of the brand are also found among the representatives of the middle class. One of these is the Pirelli Cinturato Winter winter friction tyre from the 2016 model range.

The tyre tread has a directional pattern, which is striated along and across by a great many lamellae (the Italian manufacturer claims that their number is about twice as large as that of its closest competitors). In fact, this allows you to significantly "pump up" the braking efficiency and strengthen the traction properties when moving on slippery or wet roadbed due to the flexibility of the slats.

The central part of the tread is separated from the shoulder zones by two drainage channels. Smaller grooves diverge from the centre to the edges of the tyre contact spot, expanding in parallel, which is done for faster and more efficient removal of melted snow and dirt. Accordingly, rubber has no tendency to hydroplaning, and its stability on wet roadbed increases significantly.

An interesting feature of the model is the presence of a wear indicator in the form of an inscription "Now snow". When the remaining tread is about 4 mm, the phrase is transformed into "No snow", hinting to the owner that the residual tread depth ceases to provide optimal traction on a snowy road. However, on asphalt tyres can be operated further up to the minimum allowed wear value.

According to the noise characteristics of the Pirelli Cinturato Winter, you can safely put it on a par with quiet summer tyres. The softness and elasticity of rubber also deserves praise, as a result of which winter trips on it are accompanied by a high level of comfort.