Winter in Russia and Ukraine, as a rule, despite all available forecasts of weather forecasters, comes suddenly and unexpectedly for both motorists and utilities. Surely, almost everyone is familiar with the phenomenon when, after the first snow, it is almost impossible to sign up for a tire service. Fortunately, we are starting to sell winter tires in advance. So, the 2014-2015 winter tire season actually started in the summer at the end of July 2014. The latest novelties of "winter shoes" for the car began to appear in stores and on the websites of electronic trading platforms.

Every year manufacturers try to come up with something new, both in terms of improving the composition of the rubber itself, the design of the tire, and in terms of marketing and product promotion. What new did the 2014-2015 season bring us? Of course, it will be simply unrealistic to evaluate the entire range of products from all manufacturers, so let's together focus on only the main, best winter tires.

Nokian tires

The Finns have done a great job and have seriously updated their line of winter tires for passenger cars (including SUVs). The Nokian Nordman 5 and 5 SUV models appeared with modified studs of various shapes (round for cars and square for SUVs). The price starts from 2135 rubles. The Hakkapeliitta CR3 for tough climates has been added to the friction tire range with an optimized steel belt for even greater durability. The new spike model Hakkapeliitta 8 should be singled out separately. The number of spikes has been increased by almost one and a half times. The cost of new items varies from 3,650 rubles for 175/65 R14 to 13,200 rubles for 245/45 R18.

Bridgestone tires

The Japanese have updated the Blizzak tire line. In the series of friction rubber, we will highlight the Blizzak VRX model. Thanks to the improved rubber compound, grip on ice is increased and the service life is significantly increased. The cost varies from 2900 rubles for 185/65 R14 to 5900 rubles for 215/50 R17. For SUVs, the Blizzak DMV-2 model appeared (price from 3650 rubles for R15 to 6250 rubles for R18). There is a new microporous tread structure, an updated pattern. The proprietary ECO-Products technology reduces rolling resistance.

Continental tires

The Germans have updated the ContiVikingContact line (Velcro). The sixth generation has already come out. There is a completely new tread pattern, improved grip, and an innovative sipe structure. The cost varies from 3350 rubles for 175/65 R14 to 8450 rubles for 225/55 R17. The tires are designed for the Scandinavian and Russian winters and are especially reliable on ice.

Video about the new ContiVikingContact 6 tires:

Dunlop tires

Pictured Dunlop Ice Touch

Pictured friction rubber Dunlop Winter Maxx WM01

In Russia, two last year's well-proven tire models deserve attention: studded Ice Touch (price from 2900 rubles for 185/65 R14 to 6950 rubles for R17) and frictional Dunlop Winter Maxx WM01 (price from 2650 rubles for 185/65 R14 to 7100 rubles for 215/55 R17). There are no new products for 2015 yet.

Good Year tires

For the new season, Ultra Grip Ice Arctic SUV tires are presented (on the left in the photo), and on the right in the photo - Ultra Grip Ice 2 (from 2850 rubles for R14 to 9000 rubles for R18). The latter deserve attention, since are the next generation of Ultra Grip Ice, popular in Russia. They are made from a special cryoadaptive rubber compound that is flexible even at low temperatures. Also on the shelves are very reliable Ultra Grip Ice Arctic (from 2900 rubles for R14 to 5700 rubles for R16). They are specially designed for cold arctic regions. In addition, they have improved capabilities for driving in wet snow and slush.

Video about the ice test of winter tires, though for 2013, but nothing, you will pick something up for yourself when choosing new tires for your car this year:

The winter tires of the new season 2014-2015 are designed to provide ever greater reliability and increased comfort when driving in difficult climatic conditions. For the territory of Russia, this is especially important, therefore, when choosing winter tires for your car, show special scrupulousness and thoughtfulness. Fortunately, the number of manufacturers and the range of their tires on the market is rather big.

The next winter season has started, and with it the most appropriate time has come to select high-quality rubber for your car. Numerous manufacturers have filled the market with a wide range of studded and friction tires, significantly complicating the choice of an ordinary motorist. So that you do not make the wrong choice among such a wide variety, Finnish experts have tested an impressive amount of winter tires, but we summarize their work, offering the final rating.

But let's start with an overview of several of the most popular new products that are already being successfully implemented on the Russian market this season (winter 2014-2015).

This list will open with studded "tires" developed on the basis of the Hakkapeliitta 5 model using computer simulation of the tread pattern. The tread itself received a 4-layer structure (Quattrotread technology) with a separate rubber compound for each layer, additional grooves in the shoulder area to improve lateral grip when cornering, as well as interconnected blocks in the central area, providing reliable directional stability. The Nokian Nordman 5 tires have round studs with a wide base, fitted with the "bear's claw" technology, which keeps the studs in an upright position even during increased loads, which guarantees reliable grip on snow-covered and icy road surfaces.

Another studded novelty of the Russian winter rubber market is tires. The developers have worked hard, offering completely redesigned "studs", radically different from last year's model. Firstly, the rubber received a reinforced side frame made using Ironflex technology with the use of special threads that dissipate the load over the entire area. Secondly, the new rubber compound has improved the elasticity of tires even at very low temperatures, providing the lowest noise level among all new products this season. Thirdly, the improved tread contains 15% more sectors than the predecessor model, and the drainage groove system has a new structure that better cope with its task. And fourth, the new wide conical base cleats are supported by a layer of thermosetting rubber that hardens at low temperatures, guaranteeing the cleat a reliable base that prevents punching and holds the cleat in an upright position.

Closes the list of new "spikes" rubber, developed for the Italian brand by a group of Scandinavian specialists. The new line of Pirelli Formula Ice rubber was originally created for countries with cold climates, therefore, special components are included in its rubber compound to maintain softness and elasticity even in severe frosts. The Pirelli Formula Ice projector is distinguished by its high density of sipes, the presence of wide drainage grooves, as well as the presence of a one-piece reinforced center rib that ensures stability on any road surface. The aluminum spikes of Pirelli Formula Ice rubber have a hexagonal core with pointed edges and a wide base fixed with a layer of dense rubber. These cleats are almost impossible to lose, they provide excellent longitudinal and transverse traction, and their lightweight body contributes to the reduction in rubber mass.

Let's move on to the new friction tires (Velcro). First, we note the German tires, which have shown themselves well in the current tests. Its main feature is its asymmetric three-zone tread, designed to ensure safe driving on snow, ice and wet surfaces. The protector was designed using computer modeling, in its outer part there are paired blocks connected by supporting bridges, a large number of sipes and grooves with sharp edges are located in the center, and the inner part is equipped with curved blocks with stepped sipes, which allows you to simulate the effect of anti-skid chains when driving on snowy roads.

The second novelty of the 2014-2015 season, worthy of close attention, is the tires of Japanese production. Thanks to the new synthetic polymer introduced into the rubber compound, these friction tires demonstrate the best performance at any ambient temperature. The polymer changes its properties depending on the temperature regime, maintaining the elasticity of the rubber at an optimal level, and the special microporous structure of the tread surface (MultiCellCompound technology) allows it to absorb water that forms between the tread and the icy road surface, which guarantees the preservation of grip and handling. The tread of the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 tires has a directional pattern with a large number of sharp edges and 3D sipes that improve grip on snow and wet roads.

Let's finish the review of new products with Finnish tires. This friction rubber has received an innovative rubber compound, in which high-quality silica, natural rubber and cryosilane are actively used, which guarantees the maintenance of the elasticity of the tires in a wide temperature range. In addition, rapeseed oil is introduced into the rubber composition, which increases tire tear resistance. The top layer of Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 tires is additionally equipped with microscopic crystals of multifaceted shape, which act as micropips, thereby providing additional traction on icy roads. As for the tread, it has a directional pattern with an abundance of sharp corners, ribbed sipes, and special "claws" in the shoulder area for more efficient work in snow.

Well, now let's move on to the most "delicious", ie rating of winter tires for the season 2014-2015. The rating is based on large-scale tests carried out by a team of Finnish specialists from Test World, a company known throughout the world. Immediately, we note that the Finns are quite scrupulous and responsible in their approach to their business, and therefore they buy all the test material on their own in a regular retail network, which means that manufacturers do not have the opportunity to send "charged" versions of their tires for testing. The tests themselves took place beyond the Arctic Circle both in the open air and in a special room with the ability to adjust the humidity and temperature levels. During the tests, experts evaluated the behavior of rubber on snow, ice, dry and wet asphalt, setting estimates, which were then multiplied by the weight coefficient. The study measured the braking distance of the vehicle, its acceleration characteristics, handling and directional stability, as well as the noise level in the passenger compartment (front and rear). You can familiarize yourself with the final rating results by following the corresponding links below.

(3 votes, average: 5,00 out of 5)

Do you know what car tires will look like literally in the not too distant future? Car tires will be narrower and larger in diameter, according to leading developers in the industry. In fact, they will resemble wheels of bygone days, only made using new technologies. And in order to improve energy-saving and environmental properties, and at the same time, in addition to optimize production, the components of rubber will be radically changed.

Already at the present time, vegetable oils are used in production, which have replaced traditional components from petroleum products. The result of this was the emergence of silica (i.e. silicon) from rice husks, in order to increase the adhesion effect, walnut shells are added, as well as experiments with rubber extracted from dandelions are being carried out - the search for new solutions together with the development of alternative raw materials is gaining momentum. In addition, the very concept of tires will undergo fundamental changes. For example, the technology that maintains the required pressure in the tire automatically is already in full swing, there are samples of universal tires with "spikes as needed" and airless tires that do without inflation with air (gas) at all, that is, we are returning to the era of pre-pneumatic tires.

Here is the small statistics for 2014, which was mentioned above, on the domestic market, which shows the sales of winter passenger and light truck tires in the retail market. Based on this, the article was built: "The best winter tires 2014/2015" and statistics show what market shares are occupied by foreign brands:

But here you need to make a small reservation, these figures show only a couple of bus segments: A and B - i.e. premium class and middle class, and outside the scope of these statistics there is still segment C - which includes winter tires of economy class. Note that C-class products include domestic, Chinese and a number of other foreign tire manufacturers, and account for nearly half of the market sales. What will happen next is still unknown, because the situation on the tire market is currently uncommon. Now let's see what Petrovich wrote to us.

Choosing the best winter tires 2014/2015

Since the entire assortment prepared by manufacturers for the winter period 2014/2015 is almost impossible to sort out on shelves. We decided to mark the most popular models - new items of the current and some of the last season; for example, the price of several tire sizes sold in our market is indicated. In addition, for some tire models, a current rating is indicated according to a 10-point scale, compiled according to customer reviews. We start with winter tire models of the so-called premium and medium price range (A and B segment).

1. Bridgestone winter tires presented on our market since last year with an optimized assortment of the Blizzak family. And here the new friction tires of the Blizzak VRX model come first.

The next model is the new Blizzak Spike-01 studded tire.

In addition, the company has prepared a new friction model for crossovers / SUVs for the 2014/2015 winter season - Blizzak DM-V2.

2. Continental winter tires - the company pleased motorists with the release of a new friction model - Conti Viking Contact 6. This model replaced the veteran with the number 5, which has been known to us since 2008.

Regarding the winter studded tires of this company, let's say that a "lightweight" model called ContiIce Contact HD was manufactured and released on the market. Which fully complies with the new EC requirements, its sales have already started with us. Although, according to the reviews of motorists, this winter the predecessor will "steer" the cars. - ContiIce Contact.

3. Dunlop Company last year it presented its new studded tires - Ice Touch.

It is worth noting another new model of the last winter season, which belongs to the class of friction tires - Winter Maxx WM01 from Dunlop.

4. By Gislaved also last season presented a new generation of studded tires called Nord Frost 100.

It is worth noting here that the number of studs on this tire fully meets the new requirements for European countries (i.e. no more than fifty pieces per one meter of wheel rolling). What did not stop this model from showing really excellent results, participating in comparative tests and earning wide popularity among motorists.

5. Last season, another novelty from Good Year Is a model called the Ultra Grip Ice Arctic that has received excellent reviews along with high ratings from motorists.

By the way, for this winter season the Good Year company has prepared and released to the market a version of this model, which is positioned as winter tires for crossovers. This is the Ultra Grip Ice Arctic SUV. In addition, the friction model of the Ultra Grip Ice 2 tire was released in a new generation.

6. Again, from last season by Hankook new studded tires of the Winter i-Pike RS W419 model are offered to motorists.

7. We got to Michelin, offering motorists from the winter 2013/2014 season its model - X-Ice North 3 in a new generation, in which, according to the manufacturer, the sidewalls have become more durable.

This novelty has become a logical addition to the already known to consumers - the third generation of the friction tire model - Michelin X-Ice 3.

8. We will tell, of course, about Nokianwhich presented its studded tire model - Hakkapeliitta 8. The company has increased the number of studs by 1.5 times for these tires, but at the same time the tires fully comply with the new EU rules, which say about restrictions on the effect of studded rubber on asphalt road surfaces.

In addition, the manufacturer also offers friction tires in the new generation of the model - Hakkapeliitta R2, which received reinforced side parts.

And this season, you can already get acquainted with the version of the studded tires for the crossover model - Hakkapeliitta 8 SUV, also with reinforced side parts, plus the models of studded tires located in the middle price range - NordMan 5 and NordMan 5 SUV will also enter the market.

Note that the NordMan 5 model was created on the "platform" of the Hakkapeliitta 5, namely, the developers borrowed the frame from it along with the tread pattern. But they used a more simplified rubber compound for the tread, and the tire received not a multifaceted, but a round core. According to the manufacturer - the length of the stopping distance on the icy surface has been reduced by about 7 percent compared to the previous model.

Regarding the NordMan 5 SUV, these winter tires use multifaceted studs and a carcass from the Hakkapeliitta 5 SUV, which was removed from the assembly line, although the composition of the rubber compounds was left the same.

9. Pirelli - here it should be noted that she does not often make winter tires, especially for the "harsh conditions of the north." But nevertheless, I would like to note the studded tire model called Ice Zero.

10. Toyo Company offers car enthusiasts a studded model of winter tires - Observe G3-Ice, which differs among other representatives in a fairly wide range of sizes - more than 100!

11. Yokohama is not far behind, presenting a new generation of the already well-known studded tires - Ice Guard IG55. Compared to the previous model, the IG35, the new tire, while shortening braking distances, also significantly increased stud integration strength, the company said.

It is worth noting another development of the company, this is Ice Guard IG50 friction winter tires, which are presented on the market in a fairly wide range of sizes - more than 90 types!

Traditionally, group C (economy class tires) is represented by models of domestic manufacturers. It should be noted that a separate part of them has already come close to the price of mid-range tires. Among the new developments of Russian companies (although the tread pattern shows where the “tracks” come from), one can note the spike tires of the Cordiant Snow Cross model. Incidentally, the company claims that these tires have shorter braking distances on ice than the "prototype".

It is possible to note on the domestic market a new brand that has appeared, which can be attributed to the budget - this is Formula, formed (created) under the "patronage" of the famous Pirelli. So, this company has released the current model of studded tires - Formula Ice.

It is simply impossible to narrate about economy-class winter tires and not mention the original brands from the Middle Kingdom. New names, and especially new tire models, come out almost regularly, this also applies to the segment of winter tires. By the way, here manufacturers declare about models that have been tested at the world-famous test site in the town of Ivalo, located in the north of Finland.

New products include winter tires from by Aeolus - this manufacturer is better known for the manufacture of tires for special and commercial vehicles. But since 2011, has expanded the range and tires for passenger cars. In the new season 2014/2015 the company offers studded tires of the model - Aeolus Ice Challenger to motorists.

In order to have plenty to choose from, we will present you a couple of models from China, the so-called "studded" ones, in addition, these tires are similar to the tread pattern copied from the once popular tire - Gislaved NF III.

Model Sunny SN-3860

Model Triangle Group TR777

Ranking of studless and studded winter tires 2014/2015

Among the leaders of winter studless and studded tires, it is worth noting Gislaved and Nokian, which are confidently promoting their models on the market. Such Japanese tire companies as Yokohama and Bridgestone, which are famous for their summer tire models, also keep up with them.

But in addition to these eminent manufacturers, it is nice to see domestic companies in the top twenty of the best winter tires, for example, Cordiant, which deservedly is in the TOP, producing inexpensive but high-quality tire models.

So, TOP-20 best winter tires 2014/2015

1. Model of winter tires YOKOHAMA IG35— 5.04%

2. BRIDGESTONE Blizzak DM-V1 model— 2.59%

Winter tires BRIDGESTONE Blizzak DM-V1

3. DUNLOP SP Winter Sport 3D model— 2.02%

Winter tires DUNLOP SP Winter Sport

4. Model MICHELIN X-Ice North 3— 1.89%

Winter tires

5. Model CORDIANT Sno Max— 1.89%

Winter tires

6. Model NOKIAN Hakkapeliitta 7— 1.82%

Winter tires NOKIAN Hakkapeliitta 7

7. TOYO modelObserveG3-Ice— 1.80%

Winter tires TOYO Observe G3-Ice

8. BRIDGESTONE ICE Cruiser 7000 model— 1.79%

Winter tires

9. NOKIAN Nordman 4 model— 1.68%

Winter tires NOKIAN Nordman 4

10. Model NOKIAN Hakkapeliitta SUV 7— 1.67%

Winter tires NOKIAN Hakkapeliitta SUV 7

11. Model YOKOHAMA Ice Guard F700Z— 1.67%

Winter tires YOKOHAMA Ice Guard F700Z

12. Model BRIDGESTONEBLIZZAKREVO-GZ — 1.67%

Winter tires

13. Model DUNLOPSPWinterIce 01 — 1.48%

Winter tires DUNLOP SP Winter Ice 01

14. Model NOKIAN Hakkapeliitta 8 — 1.46%

Winter tires NOKIAN Hakkapeliitta 8

15. Model — 1.46%

Winter tires

16. ROADSTONE Winguard 231 model — 1.39%

Choosing productive and high-quality tires for winter car operation, we get excellent safety conditions and full confidence in the trip. Among the important features of modern tires are manufacturability and constant improvement in the level of handling. Therefore, it is better to give preference to new products that are offered by global concerns. If in many branches of automotive technology, experts recommend installing spare parts for little-known specialized brands, then in the case of tires, the advice will be different. It is better to choose expensive tires from the world leaders in the production of automotive rubber. This is the only way to achieve the desired parameters of the trip in winter.

The rating of winter studless tires for the 2015-2016 season will help you understand which brands are better to choose for buying tires. Today, almost all manufacturers have presented their new products for the next winter season, so we can consider current proposals, as well as inventions of previous seasons. Having studied the range of reputable manufacturers, we will be able to understand which rubber is best to buy for your car. In the texts, we do not provide the cost of the proposals, since the prices depend on the size of the wheel and can be changed before the beginning of the winter season.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 - the leader in all characteristics

This rubber was not introduced this season, but remains the leading representative of the non-studded tire rating for 2015-2016. Rubber allows you to feel firm ground under your car, even when you are driving on ice. The most important technical characteristics of this invention, which the manufacturer is proud of, are as follows:

• the composition of winter rubber is unique, the tread is made of expensive rubber alloys;
• the best world leaders in this field worked on the shape of the tread;
• adhesion to any surface is provided in the best possible degree;
• rolling resistance is incredibly low, which reduces fuel consumption for cars;
• excellent preparedness for wet roads and the presence of melted snow on the asphalt.

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 is a rubber designed specifically for urban use. On ice, packed snow, wet cold asphalt and dry roads, this acquisition will only show its best side. Such features increase the safety of the trip and give the driver more control over the vehicle in winter.

Yokohama IceGuard Studless IG50 - New for Sports Lovers

Not so long ago, the manufacturer Yokohama practically fell out of sight of car owners. The company mainly produced sports tires, so ordinary buyers simply could not find the necessary offers in its range. IceGuard Studless IG50 is a novelty that will live up to the resounding and famous name of the manufacturer with the following features:

• asymmetric protector that keeps the car in control even on ice;
• drainage of liquid from under the wheels, no snow adhesion to the tread;
• a good format for each tread, a universal option for compact cars;
• versatility of operation, the ability to travel on asphalt without excessive wear.

The corporation's sports experience has allowed it to create really high-quality tires that are in demand among drivers who understand the difference. The Yokohama IceGuard Studless IG50 is a step towards better handling and lower fuel consumption in your vehicle. To do this, it is enough to purchase original tires from a famous brand in the world.

Michelin X-ICE 3 - one of the leaders for the second year in a row

In the 2015-2016 season, Michelin Corporation, which has gained a certain leadership in the elite rubber class in Russia, will not release new winter tires. However, the X-ICE 3 tire introduced last year has the potential to once again become the bestseller for premium passenger cars and compact crossovers. Rubber has excellent advantages over competitors:

• increased service life and increased wear resistance in various conditions;
• the ability to operate in the harsh winter conditions of the northern climate;
• preparedness for travel on a variety of surfaces on a winter road;
• a good choice in size - you can pick it up for almost any car;
• improved acceleration on slippery surfaces and reduced fuel consumption in winter.

Many car enthusiasts who decided to purchase a very expensive Michelin X-ICE 3 winter tires got incredible impressions from the operation of the car with updated properties. The company provides excellent opportunities to its customers, unlimited winter management and a quite long term of use of the purchase.

Kumho SOLUS Vier KH21 - confident winter tires

Kumho Corporation rarely releases new items, and this time it managed to surprise the potential buyer with its truly innovative approach to business. The corporation got the perfect sales opportunity as the first reviews for SOLUS Vier KH21 were amazing. The main details that rubber buyers noticed are as follows:

• a real reduction in fuel consumption compared to cheaper options;
• good roll-off, movement without stopping on ice and snow, on other cold surfaces;
• all-weather properties, which allows Kumho rubber to be used on hot asphalt;
• very low level of wear, many argue that it is the leader in sustainability;
• excellent handling, especially on standard winter road surfaces.

The company develops rubber for supercars, because it is this option that is installed on many cars in production. This experience has led to the creation of the excellent all-round winter tires Kumho SOLUS Vier KH21. A good decent model is definitely worth its money, but you really have to pay a lot for it, the brand has never been cheap.

Dunlop Winter MAXX WM01 - a good solution for any car

Dunlop quality tires will allow you to implement any riding style, create safety and confidence in vehicle operation. The manufacturer abandoned innovations in the field of rubber chemistry, applying the previous achievements, which enjoyed significant success. The strong tread block resists crushing and is very durable. Also, rubber has the following features:

• long service life, which is confirmed by a variety of tests and reviews;
• excellent effective tread pattern with maximum performance;
• amazing handling on slippery roads, rubber copes with any obstacles;
• high resistance to side skids, thanks to the special shape of the tread;
• reliability and safety of driving a car equipped with such tires.

Dunlop has always been considered one of the leaders in the automotive rubber industry. Nevertheless, Winter MAXX WM01 exceeded all expectations, providing a serious competitor to most of the world's manufacturers. Looking at the most expensive solutions in the industry, you can find more cons and cons than Dunlop's mid-priced offerings. We offer you to see how the manufacturer himself positions his new product in a promotional video:

Summing up

Successful solutions in the field of winter tires were left without much surprise. You will have to pay a lot of money for tires, because all new products and high-quality offers are presented by expensive brands with good production quality. These are not all worthy options, but other manufacturers offer less functional and safer tire options for winter use. If you have a desire to try your luck, you can save on winter tires and write a review about a lesser known manufacturer after the season. In fact, security and confidence are clearly worth the money reputable brands ask for their products.

To make sure of the effectiveness of the presented winter tires, just read the reviews about those models that have been on the market for several years. Most tire owners do not consider buying less efficient tires at a lower cost. Therefore, in some cases it makes sense to overpay and get more benefits for your money. What winter tires are you going to put on your car in the 2015-2016 season?

Studless tires are becoming more and more popular. Firstly, winter in large cities is losing its grip and the number of days when the ice glistens frighteningly on the road becomes less and less. Secondly, all-wheel drive crossovers appear in the garages of Russians more and more often and, according to our fellow citizens, the presence of a second pair of driving wheels should compensate for the lack of a "studded" hook.

And third, the prejudice about the ineffectiveness of friction (that is, studless) tires is gradually disappearing. The tire workers have convinced many of us that in order to hold the road, rubber does not need to have "nails" anymore (except for Siberia) and modern technologies have gone so far that studless wheels will be enough for the inhabitants of large cities for the winter.

Michelin alpin 5

Michelin employees present a novelty, but they warn: the new friction tires Alpin 5 are intended for those countries of Europe and the CIS, where the roads in winter are usually "black", that is, they are not swept up by snow and ice. The new tire focuses on two of the company's latest developments. One of them is the directional tread pattern, the blocks of which are made in such a way as to maintain grip on a wide range of winter surfaces. The new tread received 12% more segments, and the number of sipes increased by 16%. In addition, Michelin engineers claim that they have endowed the protector with a "self-locking" function.

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The second new part in the fifth generation of Alpin is a rubber compound to which ... sunflower oil was added. The mixture is created using the modified Helio Compound technology, which uses sunflower oil for better performance at low temperatures. In addition, the mixture for the first time began to include functional elastomers (polymers with highly elastic properties), which improve grip on a wet surface and maintain high energy efficiency.

Execution options: 27 standard sizes from 195 / 65R15 to 225 / 55R17.
Price: 3 440 - 12 185 rubles.

Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2

New friction tires of the Japanese brand were first presented in the framework of MIAS-2014. The tire workers hinted that, despite the absence of studs, the new tires were specially designed for the conditions of the Russian winter. In this case, the tires are focused on the use of medium and large crossovers.

The main emphasis in the new tires is placed on the fight against skidding and slipping. To combat the thin film of water on icy tracks, tire workers used the innovative Multi-Cell Compound technology, which created a new rubber compound. Thanks to its microscopic pores, water from the contact patch is more efficiently absorbed, improving grip on snowy and wet surfaces. In addition, the longitudinal micro-grooves in the mixture effectively fight aquaplaning, working reliably for more than one season of use.

The tires also have a new directional tread pattern and 3D sipes, and the use of a new shape of the shoulder blocks allows for effective engagement of snow, achieving a closer contact with the road while maintaining reliable braking properties.

Execution options: 36 standard sizes from R15 to R20.
Price: 3,500 - 10,570 rubles.

Continental ContiVikingContact6

Previous generation ContiVikingContact5 tires ranked at the top in most comparison tests according to reports and tests from leading specialist publications. The challenge for the new tires is to surpass the high performance of the predecessor tires.

The asymmetrical "six" tread consists of three parts and is made of a soft rubber compound.

The middle part of the tread contact patch has a characteristic pattern and a special arrangement of sipes, which provide traction on icy roads. To maintain control in the snow, the inner part of the contact patch was equipped with large curved blocks; they are separated by narrow longitudinal channels that provide additional traction.

In addition, the new ContiVikingContact5 tires feature multiple stepped sipes with bridges inside. The latter counteract the sticking of the slats under load, due to which they do not stop picking up snow.

Execution options: more than 80 standard sizes from R15 to R20.
Price:2,450 - 12,090 rubles.

Goodyear ultragrip ice 2

To create the new Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 non-studded tires, tire makers spent about three years, considered half a dozen design options and conducted about 200 tests. The main emphasis was placed on operation in Russia and the Scandinavian countries, where severe frosts and high humidity are frequent.

UltraGrip Ice 2 friction tires were created using a cryoadaptive rubber compound that does not lose elasticity even in Epiphany frosts, maintaining grip on ice, on snow and on dry asphalt. The new rubber compound works in conjunction with Active Grip technology, which provides contact with very slippery surfaces. The perpendicular sipes, which Goodyear compare to the tracks of a snow groomer due to the fact that they similarly grip the slippery surface of the road surface, help to steer the car and to stop in time on snow and ice.

Execution options: 29 standard sizes from R13 to R18.
Price: 2 714 - 10 249 rubles.

Starfire W200

Behind the Starfire brand unknown to most Russians is a subsidiary brand of Cooper Tires. Their novelty for this winter is the new W200 studless tire, designed for compact passenger cars. They are produced at the Serbian Cooper plant.

The company assures us that the Starfire non-studded winter novelty performs well on snow, mud and wet asphalt, which is the result of the use of modern technology and numerous sipes.

Starfire W200 winter tires without studs feature Tapered Alternating Groove Technology - grooves in the shoulder areas are combined with V-shaped channels, thereby improving the quality of braking. The composition of the tire contains a high content of silica, which helps the tires to keep the road on snow and wet roads, moreover, the tire remains elastic even at low temperatures.

Execution options: R13-R16.
Price: 2,040 - 6,300 rubles.

Vredestein Snowtrac 5

Vredestein tires are not so popular in Russia, although the products of this Dutch company (part of the Indian concern Apollo Tires) also have their advantages. Few people know that most of the Vredestein tires are created not only with the help of professional engineers, but also with the famous design bureau Giugiaro, and the Dutch began to produce tires more than a century ago.

For the 2014-2015 season, Vredestein has prepared the Snowtrac 5 non-studded winter tire, which is designed for driving on wet, snowy and icy roads.

One of the main strengths of the Vredestein Snowtrac 5 is the design called Stealth Design. Developed by the military to reduce noise from vehicle wheels, it came in handy to add comfort and silence to passenger cars. Vredestein tires use a V-shaped tread pattern that reduces vibration and noise, making the ride a little more comfortable.

The aggressive tread pattern of the Snowtrac 5 consists of well-defined lines and a special geometry of the center section. A continuous rib in the center of the tread improves stability and sharpens steering response, while lateral grooves in the shoulder areas provide additional stability. Thanks to a network of long, non-parallel sipes of various sizes and shapes, the tires effectively cope with the water film, at the same time helping the wheels to row and brake reliably on snow and ice.

Execution options: 17 standard sizes from R14 to R17.
Price:no data, will be available soon.

Nexen Winguard Snow'G WH2

Another unfamiliar name that evokes associations with Southeast Asia. But don't jump to conclusions, Nexen is a fairly large Korean brand among tire manufacturers, founded in 1942 and steadily gaining popularity in Europe (a growing army of Korean car owners to note).

New non-studded product from Nexen Tires - Winguard Snow'G WH2 tires. The tires have a directional tread pattern and, according to the manufacturer, cope well with winter conditions. The tires received a new design of 3D-sipes and an optimized number of grooves and tread blocks. Zig-zag grooves work to increase tire grip on snow and icy trails, and the shoulder sections are designed to make the blocks even tighter for stability on dry asphalt. Longitudinal grooves and a V-shaped tread design successfully drain water and snow from under the wheels.

Execution options: 35 standard sizes from R14 to R17.
Price: 1 955 - 5 750 rubles.

Matador MP 54 Sibir Snow

For a snack - the addition to the assortment of tires of the Slovak brand Matador. This is another long-lived brand: Matador was founded in Czechoslovakia at the very beginning of the 20th century, and now has half a dozen joint ventures, including a joint venture with Continental.

The new MP 54 Sibir Snow non-studded tires are suitable for use on cars of compact and medium segments. They are distinguished by directional tread pattern, multiple grip edges, zigzag grooves and a "winter" pictogram located on the sidewall, which indicates that the tires have passed winter tests, carried out according to ASTM F-1805 standards.

The tires have a "winter" tread wear indicator with a depth of 4 mm, which is located in several places of the tread groove. The indicator disappeared - it's time to change tires. However, tires should not wear out too early - this is prevented by the narrow and flat central grooves along the entire tread.

Execution options: 24 sizes from R13 to R15.
Price:1 620 - 2 980 rubles.