Winter Tyres
Continental’s latest generation of winter tyres, the WinterContact TS 870 and 870 P have received approval from Ford for original fitment on the current Explorer, Fiesta, Focus, Mustang and Puma models. Both tyres are now available from Ford dealers. The current tyres, which were launched onto the aftermarket in 2021 offer precise steering and excellent safety characteristics, backed by a success independent magazine testing season in 2022.
The Vredestein tyre brand is to become an Official Sponsor of the 2023 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, which will take place in Courchevel Méribel, France, between 6 and 19 February 2023. Apollo Tyres, owner of the Vredestein brand, signed the sponsorship deal to “help drive awareness of the award-winning Vredestein winter and all-season tyre ranges.”
Kumho has continued its recent good form in tyre tests, outstripping 30 rival manufacturers to take fifth place overall in Auto Bild’s latest all-season tyre test. The Kumho Solus 4S HA32 was comprehensively put through its paces in a test that spanned two continents. Kumho rates the test highly, saying its results “will be regarded as highly significant by both the European tyre trade and its consumers.”
With so many all-season and winter tyres now available for the colder months, it is essential these products deliver what they promise. Comparative tests are an invaluable tool for discovering a tyre’s particular strengths and weaknesses, and we’ve ranked the best from this year’s European and UK testing.
Grippier sipes and softer rubber compounds mean higher rolling resistance when driving on winter tyres. They wear more quickly than summer tyres too, but anyone who fits these products can maximise tyre mileage by adapting their driving style and treating the tyres with care. Continental offers tips for using winter tyres in the most resource-efficient way possible.
The tyre boffins at Auto Bild have been busy of late, evaluating no fewer than 56 products for their 2022 winter test. After looking at the size 255/55 R17 tyres’ braking performance in wet and snowy conditions, Auto Bild selected the 20 with the shortest average stopping distances and subjected these to further testing on dry, wet and snow-covered surfaces and also examined their comfort, noise, mileage and rolling resistance. The motoring publication declared two tyres joint test winners and gave five products the highest ‘exemplary’ rating.
With the winter months approaching and the cost-of-living challenge affecting many across the UK, the next few months are vital represent an important part of the year, Oak Tyres tells Tyres & Accessories. The wholesaler, part of Grouptyre, has been planning since early 2022 to strengthen its position. Oak Tyres’ winter tyre supply chain planning starts in February each year, with production running through the summer. This means that the brand has stock arriving from Autumn onwards for the winter months. Oak says it is anticipating “unprecedented demand” for sister tyre brand, Davanti, “due to its value proposition,” an eventuality it has prepared for.
Giti Tire has extended its GitiWinterW2 range to 39 sizes between 15 and 19 inches, including the SUV variant of the winter tyre. The pattern now covers 90 per cent of targeted winter market demand throughout Europe. The smallest size, 175/65R15 is designed for cars such as the Fiat 500, Mini and Toyota Yaris, while the 255/50R19 fits such models as the Audi Q4, BMW X5 and X6, Mercedes GLC, Skoda Enyaq iV and VW ID.4 and ID.5. Originally launched in August 2021 in 13 core sizes, Giti says the second iteration of the product delivers improved dry dynamics, wet braking and aquaplaning resistance, while maintaining the first generation’s snow and ice grip and traction.
It’s not every day that Michelin finishes last in a tyre test, but this was the case when Auto Express recently examined half a dozen winter tyres. But tester Kim Adams assures that the Alpin 6 is by no means a poor performer – instead, the result reflects the high standards amongst the tyres featured in this year’s test.
Having introduced its iON range of electric vehicle tyres – along with the company’s philosophy of specialist tyres for electric vehicle applications – back in May, Hankook has now formally introduced its iON winter tyre line, which is available in a range of 18 to 22 inch sizes. Following on from the iON evo, Hankook’s summer tyre, the new Hankook iON winter is the second member of the new, global “iON” tyre family for premium electric vehicles.
The winter tyre tests conducted by European motoring associations this year include several recommendable, solidly performing products, as well as a few poor results. Testers looked at 33 tyres in the small car size 185/65 R15 and SUV fitment 215/60 R16. Reporting the results, they particularly encourage buyers to “take a close look at braking distances and wear” before choosing a tyre.
During the recent IAA 2022 truck event in Germany, Chinese tyremaker Prinx Chengshan released its TH155 truck tyre pattern. The new trailer hybrid, OE oriented tyre is described as having “outstanding overall performance”, something that is attested by its “A” and “B” ratings for wet grip and fuel consumption on the European tyre label (in 385/65 R22.5). The tyre will be marketed under the Austone ATH155 and Fortune FTH155 brand names.
Continental
Falken
Ernie Journeys; Unsplash
Dan Otis; Unsplash
Davanti Tyres
Giti Tire
Prinx Chengshan