Balance of price and ride quality: inexpensive R15 summer tyres

The "Serb" of the 2017 model range is ready to offer excellent driving performance for relatively little money. On store shelves, the High Performance model can be sold under the tyre giant Michelin 's sub-brand names, which include Kormoran, Strial, Taurus and Orium.

The summer tyre confidently clings to the roadway in any weather, be it hot heat or pouring rain outside. On a dry surface, shoulder blocks with sharp edges are included in the work, and on a wet surface, a developed drainage system, which includes 4 longitudinal channels and numerous transverse grooves for water drainage, improves the handling of the car.

An increase in the grip properties of the tyre when driving on wet asphalt is also facilitated by the special composition of the rubber mixture with the inclusion of silica. In addition, organosilicon acid, used in the manufacture of tread rubber compounds, provides an increase in rolling ease, which immediately affects the improvement in the level of fuel efficiency of the car.

A separate reason for pride in Tigar HP is resistance to stress and damage — the breaker and other elements of the tyre are made of high-strength materials. In addition, the tyre is characterized by high wear resistance. But in terms of acoustic comfort when moving, the tyre turned out to be noisier than many “classmates”, which, given the affordable cost, is excusable for it. The model is available in sizes R15 and R16, and for cars with larger wheel diameters, a series of Ultra High Performance tyres (Tigar UHP) is provided.

The summer tyre with the model index NT860 is produced under the strict guidance of the Japanese tyre company Toyo, which owns the rights to the Nitto trademark. Rubber comes to our region from Malaysia, where the brand's production facilities are located.

The composition of the rubber compound of the tyre makes it immune to temperature fluctuations and increases the resistance of the tyre to extreme heat. However, Nitto NT860 remains soft even at low positive temperatures, maintaining responsive behavior on the road in rain and dry weather. The best wet grip and hydroplaning resistance of the tyre are achieved due to the immediate removal of water from the contact patch, which is facilitated by 4 longitudinal channels with a polished bottom.

The task of providing an optimal balance between ride comfort and tread stiffness is carried over to the F-blocks of the asymmetric tread pattern. They are located on the inside, which is designed with a focus on increased comfort of movement and low noise. In turn, the outer zone is responsible for the manoeuvrability and wear resistance of the tyre. With the last parameter, the model is not so smooth, as reported in numerous reviews from tyre owners.

On a good road, the tyre demonstrates excellent grip, a clear response to steering movements and confident car entry into turns. However, with the deterioration of the quality of the coating, the controllability deteriorates, which is especially evident on broken primers. In general, the Nitto NT860 is an excellent choice for the money for those who plan to acquire high-quality “shoes” for their “iron horse” and do not want to overpay for a popular brand name.

Kumho Ecowing ES01 KH27 belongs to the category of so-called "green tyres". They are designed to reduce fuel consumption without compromising tyre grip and durability.

The tread pattern of the model is formed by multidirectional blocks : on the inside they have peculiar sipes to improve grip on wet roads, and large and rigid shoulder elements are aimed at ensuring a clear reaction of the car during active manoeuvring. Along the tread, 3 longitudinal hydroevacuation channels were launched to combat the effect of hydroplaning (they are entrusted with the mission of removing water from the contact patch).

The tyre demonstrates predictability in most situations on the road. It is characterized by a soft stroke, which is accompanied by an average noise level. However because of the too soft sidewalls, you will need to be careful in overcoming curbs and other obstacles of this kind, since the tyre can be damaged on them.

A distinctive feature of the tyre is wear resistance, which has a positive effect on tread durability. Having bought one set of Kumho Ecowing ES01 KH27, he will need to talk about the need to find a replacement after 3-5 seasons of tyre operation. The specific service life will depend on the driving style of the car owner and the mileage covered.

Reference. Hydroplaning is the effect of a complete or partial loss of wheel traction due to the presence of water in the tyre contact patch with the road. The main danger lies in creating the possibility of losing control of the car. The occurrence of the effect is influenced by many factors, ranging from the speed of movement and ending with the tyre tread pattern, as well as its residual depth.

The Finnish company Nokian has made a name for itself in the production of winter tyres. However, summer tyres also occupy not the last places in a wide range of brand products. In particular, one of the brightest representatives of the low-cost price segment is the Nokian Nordman SX2 tyre.

The model pushed the successful Nokian Nordman SX tyre off the assembly line, which gained popularity among the most diverse public. The improved tread of the updated tyre is made in a classic summer pattern with a slightly pronounced asymmetry of the sides and directionality due to transverse grooves. 4 wide longitudinal channels in close conjunction with the venturi grooves located on the outer and inner shoulder areas contribute to the effective removal of water masses from the contact patch, which increases the tyre's resistance to hydroplaning.

The car, “shod” in Nokian Nordman SX2 rubber, behaves equally predictably on both dry and wet road surfaces, confidently overcoming water obstacles. Handling deteriorates slightly only during extreme manoeuvring on wet roads, during which small shortcomings in terms of directional stability appear.

The tyre also features low rolling resistance for fuel economy, long mileage and quiet operation. An increase in acoustic comfort is facilitated by the signature feature of Silent Groove Design — hemispherical cavities made in the walls of the longitudinal ribs of the tread. You can recommend the tyre to all car owners who want to save money on purchasing high-quality summer tyres from a famous brand.

The temperamental "Italian" Pirelli Cinturato P1 Verde is an opportunity to get a low-cost quality tyre made of environmentally friendly materials from the world's leading manufacturer of "shoes" for cars.

The prefix Verde, which appears at the end of the model name, encodes the "green" properties of the tyre — it is made without harmful impurities and does not contain aromatic oils in the compound, which minimizes the impact on the environment both during the production of the tyre and during its operation. Moreover, the well-adjusted aerodynamic profile of the sidewalls and the carefully modeled arrangement of the tread blocks help to improve the fuel efficiency of the car.

The outer part of the tyre's asymmetric tread with massive blocks is responsible for confident cornering, while the inner zone with a wave-like arrangement of elements is given the task of reducing the risk of hydroplaning. For effective removal of water from the contact spot, this zone is dotted with longitudinal and transverse channels.

The brainchild of Pirelli is famous for short braking distances on dry and wet roads, as well as low noise and wear resistance. The tyre gives a “green light” to all owners of small and medium class cars for any movement in the metropolis and on country roads, showing off its best qualities.