Let’s talk about winter tires

On the SS-01 presa SUV

Nitto NT90W

SUV tires Nokian Hakkapeliitta C3

Pirelli Ice Zero fr

Toyo Watch GSI-6

Yokohama iceGUARD G075

Arctic non-studded winter tires for SUVs and crossovers must be chosen very carefully because they must meet different, sometimes conflicting expectations. How to solve this problem, engineers and marketers?

Non-studded, friction tires are the most versatile option for the cold season, especially when it comes to cars with increased (or improved due to ground clearance and geometry) permeability. They are often bought so as not to depend on the changeable weather in autumn and spring, often for a little snowfall and frost in the form of a thaw, and not everyone likes to click spikes on dry asphalt, and suddenly find themselves on an icy road in summer “shoes”. Why friction rubber is usually set a little earlier and studded a little later.

According to the grip characteristics of modern non-studded tires, although they do not catch the teeth of the model, but gradually this gap is becoming less and less significant. If we are talking about tires of the same class, but there are examples when the friction of premium tires in a comparative test exceeded budget studded ones. However, in harsh conditions on ice and even snow rolling, the advantage of studs is difficult to dispute, and on snow, where a lot depends on the tread pattern, the rule is even.

Because we are talking about off-road tires, I would like to warn those who choose non-studded tires solely out of the belief that “off-road is enough”. Surveys have shown that some customers still believe in the magic of all-wheel drive, which itself supposedly can help the car stay on the road. However, 4-wheel drive only transmits and distributes optimally (especially with “smart” electronics) torque, and road holding is still dependent on grip in the contact patch size (depending on wheel size) on your side or half a standard sheet of paper, and there is still hope for an elastic rubber compound, tread pattern and good (in some cases) studs.

The South Asian brand has already established itself as a manufacturer of relatively inexpensive, but high-quality and safe tires over the course of 12 years of presence in the current market. Non-studded model SS-01 presa SUVby today's standards, it's pretty conservative and reminiscent of some Japanese models from a decade ago. The tires have a symmetrical directional design with a wide center rib made up of small triangular blocks. The twin blocks of the central zone and the rectangular arrangement of the blocks of the shoulder zone are reinforced along with wide grooves between them – and almost no newfangled baffles, webs and fasteners, increasing the density of the tread. But there are bi-directional grip edges, and some impressive negative profiles (i.e. lots of grooves and channels). This combination works well in deep snow and slush, and in general in such conditions the tire shows its best strengths. Despite the self-locking 3D sipes, the tread pattern is a bit lacking in stiffness, therefore, when taxiing the bus shows a slightly lubricated shadenfreude reaction. Accordingly, the first natural impulse was to recommend her regular customers to such cities as drivers, often leaving the city and constantly making their way to the dacha on a covered dirt road. But, remembering the past of Moscow snow, have a clear idea of ​​​​how the SS-01 press off-road vehicle will allow you to park in a snowdrift or brown “porridge” on the side of the road, and then freely help out or easily overcome long-uncleaned domestic tourism.

Tires Nitto NT90Woffered in passenger and SUV sizes. When describing the models of this brand, we constantly paid attention to their bright non-standard appearance and NT90W is no exception. The asymmetric tread pattern differs from infrequent winter models of two solid central ribs, and the lamella pattern on them is different, and in general, the inner and outer zones, the border between which passes through a thin groove between the ribs, differ dramatically. Let's start with rubber. Inside, it is made of ultra-soft material to fill in the bumps of the winter road, especially on ice. Outside, the mixture is “just soft”, able to maintain sufficient density when maneuvering and turning. The difference in design is similar to zigzag slats: if the inner side of their interpenetrating elements are hemispherical, on the outside they resemble corner pyramids. The goal is the same – to ensure the most efficient operation of the edge coupling inside, despite the fact that the outside is required to maintain the stability of the tread for handling and stability. Also, the composition of the mixture includes particles of microabrasive walnut (We have repeatedly noted about this patented technology of a Japanese company in our materials). Fights aquaplaning Four wide longitudinal channels reinforced with a triangular “props” in depth, which make the tread stable in the transverse direction, and in deep snow they play the role of additional working edges. The tire demonstrates excellent cross-country ability in snow, moves confidently on ice, and is characterized by low noise levels. Also, the composition of the mixture includes particles of microabrasive walnut (We have repeatedly noted about this patented technology of a Japanese company in our materials). Fights aquaplaning Four wide longitudinal channels reinforced with a triangular “props” in depth, which make the tread stable in the transverse direction, and in deep snow they play the role of additional working edges. The tire demonstrates excellent cross-country ability in snow, moves confidently on ice, and is characterized by low noise levels. Also, the composition of the mixture includes particles of microabrasive walnut (We have repeatedly noted about this patented technology of a Japanese company in our materials). Fights aquaplaning Four wide longitudinal channels reinforced with a triangular “props” in depth, which make the tread stable in the transverse direction, and in deep snow they play the role of additional working edges. The tire demonstrates excellent cross-country ability in snow, moves confidently on ice, and is characterized by low noise levels. and in deep snow they play the role of additional working edges. The tire demonstrates excellent cross-country ability in snow, moves confidently on ice, and is characterized by low noise levels. and in deep snow they play the role of additional working edges. The tire demonstrates excellent cross-country ability in snow, moves confidently on ice, and is characterized by low noise levels.

Non-studded tires Nokian Hakkapeliitta SUV R3,outwardly similar to the passenger version – the same directional tread pattern, in which narrow blocks are connected to the central rib. We can say that the brand “Northern Christmas Trees” has become more “fluffy” and “spread”, the SUV Edge-modification is somewhat wider in the shoulder area, there are additional longitudinal protrusions for better grip. Rather invisible differences: these are durable sidewalls with the addition of aramid fiber, additional layers and a harder rubber compound. The tread configuration is one of the most difficult in the winter segment, and in order to combine softness and elasticity in contact with the road with rigidity (i.e. minimal deflection when the rim oscillates around the contact patch). First, the soft left outer tread on the surface, with a denser rubber underneath. In the central part of the lamella, it cuts from edge to edge without blocking, leaving bridges intact, the shoulder area of ​​each lamella does not go deep into a continuous cut, and some narrow crevices resembling combs in cross section (not to mention all bridges and bridges between blocks). Tests on the bus remembered the excellent handling in the snow, where a special role is played by the help of taking snow “activators” of the lamellas in the shoulder area and “snow claws” – additional connecting elements in the channels. Very confident rubber feels on ice, especially when accelerating. Here it proved to be well tested on the previous solution model – environmentally friendly micro-abrasive sharp cryo particles Crystal 3. The verdict is simple: one of the best tires in the segment. But the price is right too. the shoulder area of ​​each lamella does not go deep into a continuous cut, and some narrow crevices resembling combs in cross section (not to mention all the bridges and bridges between the blocks). Tests on the bus remembered the excellent handling in the snow, where a special role is played by the help of taking snow “activators” of the lamellas in the shoulder area and “snow claws” – additional connecting elements in the channels. Very confident rubber feels on ice, especially when accelerating. Here it proved to be well tested on the previous solution model – environmentally friendly micro-abrasive sharp cryo particles Crystal 3. The verdict is simple: one of the best tires in the segment. But the price is right too. the shoulder area of ​​each lamella does not go deep into a continuous cut, and some narrow crevices resembling combs in cross section (not to mention all the bridges and bridges between the blocks). Tests on the bus remembered the excellent handling in the snow, where a special role is played by the help of taking snow “activators” of the lamellas in the shoulder area and “snow claws” – additional connecting elements in the channels. Very confident rubber feels on ice, especially when accelerating. Here it proved to be well tested on the previous solution model – environmentally friendly micro-abrasive sharp cryo particles Crystal 3. The verdict is simple: one of the best tires in the segment. But the price is right too. Tests on the bus remembered the excellent handling in the snow, where a special role is played by the help of taking snow “activators” of the lamellas in the shoulder area and “snow claws” – additional connecting elements in the channels. Very confident rubber feels on ice, especially when accelerating. Here it proved to be well tested on the previous solution model – environmentally friendly micro-abrasive sharp cryo particles Crystal 3. The verdict is simple: one of the best tires in the segment. But the price is right too. Tests on the bus remembered the excellent handling in the snow, where a special role is played by the help of taking snow “activators” of the lamellas in the shoulder area and “snow claws” – additional connecting elements in the channels. Very confident rubber feels on ice, especially when accelerating. Here it proved to be well tested on the previous solution model – environmentally friendly micro-abrasive sharp cryo particles Crystal 3. The verdict is simple: one of the best tires in the segment. But the price is right too. The verdict is simple: one of the best tires in the segment. But the price is right too. The verdict is simple: one of the best tires in the segment. But the price is right too.

Friction tires Pirelli Ice Zero frunder the same name is produced for passenger cars and SUV models. Of course, the company has dedicated off-road tires from the Scorpio off-road line – in particular the successful Scorpio winter, which, although it feels confident on the winter cover, is still focused on areas without severe frosts. And in the niche of the Arctic ice zero fr ideologically complements the new studded tires Scorpion ice zero 2, where demanding customers expect rubber not only high driving performance, but also decent comfort. The directional symmetrical tread has well-defined shoulder and central zones, the overall pattern of their blocks is laid out in narrow, converging in the center of the “tick”, along with numerous zigzag transverse sipes, provides good longitudinal grip and, consequently, high acceleration and braking. To combat the slider help many inclined channels, and multiple longitudinal lateral grooves on the surface of the blocks, although they are primarily intended for the rapid removal of a microlayer of water. The carcass design provides a flat and wide contact patch. Oddly enough, at the first international presentation of this bus, we were most impressed by the confident and reckless behavior on dry pavement, where ice zero fr seemed to be ready to compete with winter models, for warmer regions. However, in tests on snow and ice, the tires showed stable predictable behavior, excellent performance from powerful cars with a sporty character. The carcass design provides a flat and wide contact patch. Oddly enough, at the first international presentation of this bus, we were most impressed by the confident and reckless behavior on dry pavement, where ice zero fr seemed to be ready to compete with winter models, for warmer regions. However, in tests on snow and ice, the tires showed stable predictable behavior, excellent performance from powerful cars with a sporty character. The carcass design provides a flat and wide contact patch. Oddly enough, at the first international presentation of this bus, we were most impressed by the confident and reckless behavior on dry pavement, where ice zero fr seemed to be ready to compete with winter models, for warmer regions. However, in tests on snow and ice, the tires showed stable predictable behavior, excellent performance from powerful cars with a sporty character.

Pro SUV-modified (under a separate LS index) new tires Toyo watch GSI-6tell us what is called in advance, because although it was officially introduced recently, but unlike passenger cars, the modification is not sold in the current and next season. The Basic version for a wide range of passenger vehicles and HP for powerful high-speed cars, the LS modification has a special design that takes into account the weight and center of gravity of crossovers, in particular, a double layer of carcass in the sidewall area. The sixth generation of friction tire lines to comply has become more “European”, from the finish on the Scandinavian training grounds to the flexible intuitive steering response. In the new model, the developers for the first time tried to combine the high elasticity and strength of the rubber compound with a significant tread density. In addition to the well-known brand micro-particles of walnut shell and absorbent bamboo charcoal powder, here we use nano balance technology, where the special polymer improves silica dispersion and strengthens molecular bonds. A large number of tread blocks of increased “snow claws” triangular “props” in the channels and blocks of the central zone is made double, that is, there are common fasteners. The center rib has serrated lugs that act as gripping edges and additional support under lateral loads. In motion, the tire shows very good steering response and lateral stability in its class even on slippery ice, as well as confident acceleration and braking. It turned out that the reliability and safety of the Japanese managed to add driving pleasure.

Debuting on our market two years ago, iceGUARD G075 Yokohama tiresreplaced the G073 index model (which, however, was in no hurry to give up sales). Not only technological, but also ideological is changing: if G073 is attributed to the Geolandar series for SUVs, then G075 for the first time in the history of the company was given the “ice” name, which was previously used only for cars. Like its predecessor, the G075 is endowed with a directional pattern with a solid central rib, but the amount of joining edge is greatly increased by zigzag block protrusions and, accordingly, grooves of the same shape. Itself right in the middle is wider, increasing the contact area, and also got additional cross-connection grooves. The three-dimensional sipes increase the rigidity of the block and also help the bearing surface to be tighter close to the road and deform less. The rubber compound is made using a patented technology, which combines moisture wicking micro-bubbles and absorbent components. The nature of the bus is noticeably different from its predecessor. First of all, the tests we noted increased lateral grip on snow, ice and pavement, and with it significantly improved handling. Impressive acceleration and braking dynamics (slow, 23% better than the G073). In addition to excellent flotation in snow and grip on ice, the tire has acquired a gambling character, and it can be recommended for owners of classic SUVs and owners of crossovers with good handling, a good size range allows this. In general, we have a good option in terms of price and features. that increased lateral grip on snow, ice and asphalt, and at the same time handling has improved significantly. Impressive acceleration and braking dynamics (slow, 23% better than the G073). In addition to excellent flotation in snow and grip on ice, the tire has acquired a gambling character, and it can be recommended for owners of classic SUVs and owners of crossovers with good handling, a good size range allows this. Overall, we have a good option in terms of price and features. that increased lateral grip on snow, ice and asphalt, and at the same time handling has improved significantly. Impressive acceleration and braking dynamics (slow, 23% better than the G073). In addition to excellent flotation in snow and grip on ice, the tire has acquired a gambling character, and it can be recommended for owners of classic SUVs and owners of crossovers with good handling, a good size range allows this. In general, we have a good option in terms of price and features. and it can be recommended for owners of classic SUVs and owners of crossovers with good handling, a good size range allows this. In general, we have a good option in terms of price and features. and it can be recommended for owners of classic SUVs and owners of crossovers with good handling, a good size range allows this. In general, we have a good option in terms of price and features.