As they drove up to the Takesu Motoring And Researching Yard (Takesu Motoring And Researching Yard) in northern Japan, journalists leaned against the windows and watched as four nimble Japanese, armed with scrapers and brushes, skillfully wielded around the wheels of the bus. This procedure turned out to be nothing more than cleaning the wheel arches of our bus from dirt. Oleg Rastegaev, a journalist for the Autoreview newspaper, noted the almost perfect cleanliness throughout the Yokohama test site, whether it be technological roads or test tracks. It was at this training ground that the presentation of the new Yokohama iceGUARD iG50 winter studless tires took place.
The group of journalists was met by the head of the Yokohama passenger tire development center, Mr. Yoshimasa Hashimoto, who told us that this year Yokohama will present new winter tires for the first time to Japanese and Russian journalists at the same time.
At first glance, there is nothing special in this, but remembering that everything modern and advanced the Japanese first do for themselves, we were able to appreciate what Mr. Hashimota said. In confirmation of this, we saw the Japanese and European "right-handed" cars lined up in a row, driving which we had to evaluate the novelty.
In addition to the fact that the new winter tires were simultaneously presented to both Japanese and Russian journalists, they also appeared in stores in the two countries at the same time, and in the same specification. The novelty is characterized by a unique asymmetric tread pattern with micro-pumps that absorb moisture from the road surface and a new rubber compound, which the Japanese call "white gel".
On all the questions of journalists regarding the new composition of the rubber compound, the Japanese did not open an iota the veil of secrecy, limiting themselves only to quality characteristics. The use of white gel allowed to significantly increase the elasticity of the tread in a wide range of used temperatures, providing the new model with high grip characteristics on the winter road. The white gel appears to be a new silica formula based on silica, which in its free state is a white powder. By and large, the average car enthusiast doesn't care about the structure and components of the tread compound. The main criterion here is high-quality traction characteristics on difficult sections of the winter road.
As part of the first race, we had the opportunity to test the company's previous flagship model - the Yokohama iceGUARD iG30 winter tires. The conditions of the test, which took place behind the wheel of a right-hand drive Toyota Mark X, are extremely simple and straightforward: acceleration to 30 km / h and sharp braking "to the floor". To eliminate errors, we repeat the race. The braking distance in both cases is about 34 meters. After that we change into a Toyota, wearing new Yokohama iG50 tires. According to sensations and measurements, the braking distance was not significantly reduced - up to 33 meters.
To be honest, the numbers weren't very impressive. Remembering how the iceGUARD iG30 performed in the 2009 Auto Review test, there were huge doubts that with the appearance of the new model, Yokohama would make a breakthrough, outperforming its European competitors. Is that on "warm ice" at temperatures close to zero, where studless winter tires are traditionally strong.
Unfortunately, no competitor benchmarks have been announced for this program. Instead, we managed to demonstrate once again the direct dependence of the braking distance on the growth of speed. Acceleration to 40 km / h, braking to the floor, braking distance has almost doubled and was no longer 33, but 65 meters. This confirms once again that the energy of motion is inversely proportional to the square of the speed, even in Japan!
Comparative tests on snow surfaces have shown that the new product transitions to sliding more smoothly and predictably, allowing you to maintain control of the car. On-track handling tests carried out on Audi A4 quattro and Nissan Leaf electric cars confirmed the predicted sliding behavior of the iG50.
Summing up the results of the presentation, it is rather difficult to draw reasonable conclusions regarding the effectiveness of the Yokohama iceGUARD iG50. It will be possible to judge the quality indicators of the novelty by the results of the next tests of Autoreview winter tires. Now, comparing the price tags, one can be glad that the new product, continuing the tradition, remains one of the most affordable on the market. So, a set of four wheels in one of the most popular sizes 205 / 55R16 costs about 20 thousand rubles. For comparison, the latest model of a Japanese competitor presented on the Russian market in this size will cost 1,000 rubles more, and a set of Nokian or Continental friction tires will cost as much as 6-8 thousand rubles more.
Yokohama ice GUARD iG50 is a Nordic type winter friction tire with an asymmetric tread pattern for passenger cars.
Country of origin: Japan.
Yokohama iG50 ice GUARD test from Avtomobili Kazakhstan magazine, conducted in 2015
In 2015, the experts of the "Automobile Kazakhstan" publication tested the Yokohama Ice Guard 50 winter tire in the size of 185/65 R15 and compared it with four similar budget, medium and premium tires. In addition, one European tire and two studded models took part in the test for clarity of results.
The tests were carried out at a proving ground in Finland on a Skoda Rapid Spaceback car.
Test results
According to the test results, the Yokohama ice GUARD iG50 took the last place among the non-studded models.
The tire showed one of the shortest stopping distances on ice, but its handling and acceleration times were average. On snow, the tire also slows down well, provides quick acceleration and effective handling, while the only drawback on this surface is slash-resistance: the ascent rate on snow porridge in Yokohama turned out to be one of the lowest (worse only in Kama). Also, the tire performed moderately on dry asphalt and worst of all on wet.
| Discipline | A place | A comment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry braking | 6 | The braking distance is 2.4 meters longer than that of the test leader (European tires). | |
| Braking on wet asphalt | 8 | Worst result. The braking distance is 7.9 meters longer than the leader of the test (European type tires). | |
| Handling on wet asphalt | 7-8 | One of the worst results. The track time is 4.6 seconds longer than that of the leader of the test (European type tires). | |
| Snow braking | 6 | The braking distance is 0.6 m longer than the leader of the test (Nordic type friction tire). | |
| Snow handling | 3 | The track time is 2 seconds longer than that of the leader of the test (friction tire of the Nordic type). | |
| Lateral stability in snow | 3 | The lap time is 1.7 seconds longer than the leader of the test (Nordic type friction tire). | |
| Tractive effort on snow | 2 | Acceleration time to 20 km / h is 0.1 sec longer than that of the leader of the test. | |
| Slash Resistant | 7 | The speed of the beginning of the ascent on snow porridge is 4.06 km / h lower than that of the leader of the test. | |
| Braking on ice | 2 | The braking distance is 0.5 meters longer than the leader of the test. | |
| Lateral stability on ice | 6 | The lap time is 2.2 seconds longer than the leader's. | |
| Tractive effort on ice | 4 | The time to accelerate to 20 km / h is 2 seconds longer than that of the leader of the test. | |
Winter passenger car tire Yokohama Ice Guard IG50 is one of the latest developments of one of the leaders of the Japanese tire industry. This model is available in over 40 different sizes with fit sizes from 14 "to 17".
Tread pattern design
The tire features a trendy asymmetrical directional tread design. At the same time, depending on the tread width, the tire tread is equipped with a different pattern. If the tread width exceeds 235 mm, then its pattern is additionally equipped with one additional longitudinal rib located in the central part of the tread. In both cases, the asymmetrical tread pattern allowed for excellent traction, both on snow and ice.
The inner side of the tread has been designed to provide the best grip on icy surfaces. Moreover, its dimensions are significantly larger than the area of the outer side of the tread. In addition, the outer side of the tread is equipped with less massive blocks, as well as an increased number of sipes. Thanks to this solution, it was possible to provide the contact patch with a significant number of sharp cutting edges.
The inner tread pattern of the Yokohama IG50 features three longitudinal ribs, including the shoulder area. Located in the central part of the tread, two longitudinal ribs are two rows of rectangular blocks located longitudinally relative to the direction of travel. This structure of the inner side of the tread pattern made it possible to achieve high longitudinal rigidity, which led to an improvement in traction and grip characteristics on snow.
The shoulder zones on both sides of the tread are two rows of rectangular blocks, the transverse arrangement of which provides high braking performance, especially on snowy surfaces. In addition, the shoulder areas are characterized by a very rigid design, which not only improved the handling, but also contributed to a more even distribution of pressure over the contact patch.
Confident and reliable grip on ice
This model, despite the absence of studs, has excellent performance especially on icy roads, thereby ensuring a high level of safety. The tire has gained this ability through a range of design solutions, the most notable of which are 3D sipes and an innovative rubber compound.
This tire is one of the first to use two types of three-dimensional sipes for the first time - three-dimensional sipes, which are located in the central part of the tread, and triple three-dimensional sipes, located in the shoulder areas. In both cases, the multifaceted surface of the walls makes it possible to create a strong connection between them at the moment of contact with the roadway, which significantly increases the rigidity of the tread blocks, along the way forming many additional edges of the adhesion. As a result, the tire demonstrates not only excellent handling on dry asphalt, but also stable reliable grip on icy surfaces.
Another component that provided the tire Yokohama Ice Guard IG50 excellent performance on ice, has become an innovative tread compound. As you know, one of the main causes of poor tire grip on icy surfaces is the water film formed as a result of friction. The tread of this model is made of a rubber compound that has excellent absorption properties, which allows the tread to cling to the surface of the ice by absorbing the water film. It was possible to achieve such properties of the rubber compound due to the presence in its structure of special absorbent microbubbles, the hollow form of which effectively removes moisture from the contact patch. At the same time, the shell-shell of microbubbles is characterized by increased rigidity, due to which a microedge effect is created, which, in turn, increases the resistance of the tread blocks to deformation. In addition to micro bubbles, the rubber compound contains a special absorbent component - White Gel (white gel). This substance made the rubber compound more elastic, thereby providing more efficient removal of the water film from the icy surface.
Main features of the Yokohama Ice Guard IG50 winter tire
- Asymmetric directional tread design for superior performance on both snow and ice;
- Reduced rolling resistance due to the high resistance of the tire to deformation;
- A combination of two types of three-dimensional sipes, thanks to which the tire demonstrates excellent grip on snow and ice;
- Multi-row tread blocks in the central part provide high acceleration efficiency, as well as excellent grip on snowy and icy surfaces
- Innovative rubber compound with micro bubbles and "white gel" has excellent absorbency.
You may also be interested in the following models.
Friction winter tires Yokohama IG50 in Moscow from a well-known Japanese brand are a successful embodiment of innovative developments and effective technological solutions. The presented model of performance tires is available in a wide range of standard sizes with rim diameters from 14 to 17 inches.
Motorists prioritize reliability and safety
The asymmetric design of the directional pattern of the working surface guarantees the stability of high-quality traction on slippery and snowy road surfaces. It should be noted that the pattern of wheels of different widths is distinguished by the presence of additional longitudinal ribs.
The central tread area occupies a larger area and is equipped with more massive blocks, which ensures safe movement on icy surfaces. The outer side of the working surface of inexpensive Yokohama IG50 tires is distinguished by a significant number of sharp edges, which are formed by sipes.
The technical potential of the model range
The absence of studs in cheap winter tires Yokohama IG50 in Moscow fully compensates for a number of effective technical and design solutions. Their list also includes the modernized composition of the compound. The rubber compound of the presented model of tires from the Japanese brand has excellent absorption properties, which allows you to keep the stability of the car on ice due to the absorption of a water film by the tread. The specialists managed to achieve this result due to the presence of hollow microbubbles in the rubber structure. They not only effectively drain water from the contact patch, but also resist deformation of the tread.
You can buy Yokohama IG50 winter tires in the Wheels for Free online store.
Car tires Yokohama Ice Guard IG50 - advantages, disadvantages, characteristics
Specifications
| General characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Appointment | Purpose: for a car |
| Seasonality | Seasonality: winter |
| Diameter | Diameter: 12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19 " |
| Profile width | Profile width: 135/145/155/165/175/185/195/205/215/225/235/245/255 mm |
| Profile height | Profile height: 40/45/50/55/60/65/70/80 |
| Functions and features | |
| Maximum speed index | Maximum speed index: Q (up to 160 km / h) |
| Load index | Load index: 68 ... 100 |
| Sealing method | Sealing method: tubeless |
| Design | Construction: radial |
| RunFlat technology | RunFlat Technology: No |
| Thorns | Spikes: no |
Reviews of winter tires Yokohama Ice Guard IG50
Dignity
- gas mileage, silence, price
disadvantages
- has not yet revealed.
A comment
Camry car, 2014 in the Urals in October, winter came ...
I thought for a long time what to buy spikes or a linden tree, I decided to risk it. Surprisingly, a car like a glove can be that the weight of a large Camry is all the same, on loose snow like on a tank, silence on the asphalt. In short, I'm happy.
Evgeniy 28 years of driving experience 10 years.
Vyacheslav Petrov, 2014-10-20
Grade 5
Dignity
- Low noise, excellent pavement behavior, predictable braking
disadvantages
- Weak sidewall
A comment
My standard size is 21550 r17. Previously, he drove only on spikes Nokian. Therefore, I compare only with the 5th and 7th hakka. Someone may not like it, but someone will help to decide.
1. when I went to the Nokian, it was noisy like hell. now, as if at the summer Michelin, there is silence and light rustling! just great acoustic performance!
2. It swallows irregularities much more pleasantly than summer Michelin or winter Nokians.
3.consumption in comparison with summer tires remained almost the same (increased by only 0.2 liters)
4. Brakes on urban asphalt from 0 to -10 better than Nokian Hakka 5 or 7.
5. The sidewall is weaker - I don’t climb the curbs at all, it’s scary to get a hernia.
6. On ice on a flat surface, there is not much difference, but they slip up the ice hill if you go too far with gas. But in essence, everything is fine.
7. with sudden rearrangements, the car shakes in the same way as on winter Nokians.
Output. I will never buy top rubber again. in fact, Yoko is no different from the Nokians. I was previously inexperienced and bought Nokian - the deity thought. in vain. middling yoko (as probably any other brands in this range) is no worse. But about the studs - I used to fly into the ice hill as if on skates, but now I’m thinking what and how, before going and where. therefore, if your city is poorly cleaned, then choose thorns all the same. and for Moscow, for example, ig50 is an ideal choice.
Bykadorov Maxim, 2014-11-26
Grade 5
Dignity
- .Softness (does not tan even at sufficiently low temperatures (it was operated at -30 С, it did not fall below t)).
- .Low rubber noise
- .High cross-country ability on snow.
- .Quality of workmanship, I personally have made in japan. Now there is made in russia, I mean that bad reviews are about our rubber.
- .Adequate price (purchased for 2500 per cylinder, 185/65 R15).
disadvantages
- ... Slightly blurry reviews in management, mostly in thaw and above zero. But they in no way interfere with driving, because the driver feels this only when switching from summer tires to winter tires. In just a few days the driver gets used to the softness of the rubber and does not experience any discomfort while driving until the end of the winter season. I repeat this is my personal feeling.
- ... After 140 km / h, there is a slight lethargy (indistinctness) in the management, but that, in principle, is not surprising. The index of these tires is Q, which is equal to 160 km / h. I don't know if this can be attributed to the minuses, maybe for someone - yes. Not essential to me.
A comment
Long thought about what kind of rubber to take. 2 years ago, my father took a Lacetti, Yokohama Ice Guard IG30 for himself, the rubber has proven itself well. And in the fall of 2013 I decided to take myself on the Kia Rio, Yokohama Ice Guard IG50. You know, I have never been disappointed. Of course, it is foolish to expect Velcro to behave the same on ice as rubber with spikes. For 3 months of operation, I did not find any serious flaws that cause discomfort when driving a car. And you have to ride both in the city and on the highway (60% - the city, 40% - the highway). In my opinion, an excellent choice in terms of price-quality ratio and for those who understand the difference between a summer road and a winter road, because they have not yet come up with the kind of rubber that would drive on a winter road as well as on a summer one. When buying advice, pay attention to the manufacturer and take rubber made in Japan.
Efanov Evgeniy, 2014-02-25
Grade 5
Dignity
- soft, quiet enough compared to hard grades like Pirelli / Bridge
disadvantages
- after several. months not identified
