Organizing a test drive for journalists, although troublesome, is quite solvable. The main thing is to choose a location, plan a route, and then everything depends on what your imagination is enough for. It is much more difficult to organize a test of its products for a tire company. And the point here is not at all that special equipment is needed to accurately measure quality, and all other tests are purely subjective. The specificity of this segment is seasonal demand. At the end of summer - beginning of autumn, people actively buy products for winter, and in winter - spring they begin to think about summer tires. Therefore, for each season there should already be reviews of new products, but where to find snow in the summer and sun in the winter? So rubber manufacturers have to look for unusual locations around the world in order to reverse the usual climatic conditions.

When the first spring sun had already appeared in Moscow, and passers-by began to think about light windbreakers and make plans for a summer vacation, we went to Irkutsk. Here passers-by are still wrapped in warm down jackets and there are snowdrifts on the streets. Although even here you can already feel the approach of spring, and the sun is starting to get hot. To test a new line of winter tires in the metropolis itself Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 And Grandtrek Ice02 the company did not, but sent representatives of automobile publications to the ice of Lake Baikal. There is probably no better place to conduct a spring test of winter tires. The entire surface of the lake is covered with an even layer of many meters of ice, smooth as glass and very slippery. Every step on such a surface is difficult, and we are offered to drive out onto the surface of the lake in cars shod with a new product from Dunlop and test how the rubber works on a slippery surface. If the tires behave well here, then on the track in real road conditions you can rely on it one hundred percent.

Before heading out onto the ice, a little theoretical material. The new Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 tires are distinguished from the previous model by their unique tread design. It is easily recognizable, and its powerful blocks indicate that this tire is intended for harsh winters with large drifts and icy road sections. The sidewall design with icy peaks and snowflakes emphasizes the tire's intended use for winter conditions. The special directional pattern of the central part of the tread in the form of triangles significantly improves the removal of water and snow mass, and also increases the stability of control. The unique design of the drainage grooves that extend into the central part of the tread also helps to more effectively remove water and snow from the contact patch area. In the shoulder area, the tread blocks of Dunlop winter studded tires are connected to each other by bridge bridges, which increases steering stability on all types of surfaces. The increased size of the grooves and chamfered tread blocks, which effectively compact snow, increase the tire's maneuverability on loose snow surfaces.

Winter tires have special slots in the tread blocks, called sipes, which is a significant difference from summer tires. They help the tread blocks grip the bumps that are in the tire's contact patch.

The new tires use exclusive technology - 3D Miura-Ori sipes with special edges that prevent tread blocks from breaking, maintaining their characteristics and ensuring uniform wear. Extended zig-zag sipes improve tire traction on snow and ice, further providing faster steering response.

Directional studs with a rectangular grooved core are the main secret of the excellent grip qualities of the new Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 winter tires on ice. The special shape and size of the core (2.8 mm x 2 mm), as well as the large base of the stud (9 mm x 8 mm) provide increased penetration and stable performance when moving on ice. The core is made of tungsten carbide - a hard and heat-resistant material. The cleat body is made of aluminum alloy, which allows it to be significantly lighter than previous models.

A seat specially designed for the size and shape of the stud significantly increases the reliability of the fastening and significantly reduces the risk of its loss. The new tire has a directional tread pattern, on which new studs are installed in a specific way. The use of a new stud shape made it possible to increase the number of contact surfaces with the stud core to four. This technology has improved the grip of the new tires during acceleration and braking on icy surfaces.

Sumitomo Rubber Industries also optimized the contact patch of the Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 tires with the road surface to improve handling characteristics, provide more uniform tire wear and increase tire life. This was achieved through the use of a two-layer protector.

The top layer, consisting of a soft rubber compound specially adapted for studded tires, provides improved traction on snowy or icy surfaces. A more rigid base layer is responsible for the safety of the studs and further improves handling characteristics.

The profile of the winter studded tires Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 of the correct round shape reduces the deformation stress of the tire in the area from the shoulder area to the sidewall. This improves both fuel efficiency and handling, as well as ride comfort.

Theoretical information is, of course, great, but I want to understand how the new winter tire works in real conditions. Several special stages were built specifically for the test. First of all, we go to the area where we can estimate the length of the braking distance. Looking at the flat icy surface, you get the feeling that the car will not be able to move, let alone slow down in the designated corridor. But visual sensations are deceiving. We press the gas pedal, the spike digs into the icy surface, and now we have accelerated to the required speed. We approach the corridor for braking, and the car, biting into the surface, stops in the allotted space. This means that the declared technologies work, and during emergency braking on bare ice, the driver can easily avoid a collision.

We change the exercise and move on to a paved track with a lot of turns and the possibility of acceleration. And in these conditions, the new tires show good performance. When entering a turn, the car, although it undergoes a slight drift, is quite within the acceptable range. So even if your route goes along a winter road with a lot of turns, you will feel confident.

We have seen with our own eyes that the tires demonstrate excellent grip on an icy surface, but for residents of megacities it is important how studded tires behave on asphalt. Therefore, we leave the surface of the lake and go to a high hill, from where a panoramic view of the local beauty opens up. At first, the road goes on cold asphalt with a slight coating of water. The surface is very similar to what we find on the streets of our cities. Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 behave quite adequately here too, but the most important thing is that we do not get additional noise into the cabin. The asphalt ends and we find ourselves on a dirt road. The coverage in this area is not easy: hard snow is mixed with porridge that has already begun to melt in the sun, and sometimes thawed patches appear along the way. Add to this that the road goes uphill, and then you can understand the complexity of the proposed route. Test cars firmly hold on to such a difficult surface and climb to the point we need.

It is clear that to accurately assess all the qualities of the new Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 winter tires declared by the manufacturer, you need special equipment, a team of professionals and a testing ground. But based on my subjective opinion, I can say that during the time spent on Baikal, the new product seemed very comfortable and quiet to me. And on a winter road, the most important thing is that the tire shows excellent grip, and the Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 cope with this issue perfectly.

New winter tires Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 for passenger cars and SUVs have been available on the Russian market since spring 2015. The new product is available in 88 standard sizes and covers a wide range of consumers on the Russian market.

“The results of the work exceeded our expectations!” - with these words, the managing director of Sumitimo Rubber Industries, Minoru Nishi, began the presentation of Dunlop's studded new products. I'm intrigued by Nishi-san...

Webbing between the shoulder and center tread areas provides rigidity

Judging by the indices, the SP Winter Ice02 (tire for passenger cars) and Grandtrek Ice02 (tire for SUVs) are a modification of the previous model - SP Winter Ice01, which debuted on the market back in 2008 and had good sales figures. “The SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 models will demonstrate high quality, comfort and affordability,” continued Minoru Nishi. “But both models are completely new products.” And in this Minoru did not sin against the truth. It should be added that SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 are twin brothers in design, physical parameters, and rubber composition. The only differences are in the size ranges. And now in more detail about the tires themselves. Externally, in terms of tread design, the new product is strikingly different from its predecessor. Moreover, the design is really quite original: the directional tread is all cut up with sharp blocks of different sizes. But in this apparent chaos, everything is “sorted out on the shelves.” The central rib creates a series of unconnected triangular blocks. This design is designed to ensure directional stability of the tire during straight-line movement. But the blocks of the peripheral zone of the central rib are more focused on ensuring the stability of the tire during maneuvering - the tire should not “float” due to the displacement of the tread blocks, since the blocks of this part of the central rib are connected by jumpers to the blocks of the shoulder zone. And this scheme works: when rearranging both on a snow surface and on an ice surface covered with snow, the behavior of SP Winter Ice02 is clear and predictable, without surprises. But the main part of the tire presentation took place directly on Lake Baikal, in conditions of snow and ice and almost perfect winter. But what about our regions, where we drive through snowy slush most of the winter? Numerous and fairly wide transverse grooves (not to say channels) are designed to cope with this scourge, providing fairly effective removal of moisture from the contact patch. And yet in winter, what worries us most is the level of tire grip on snow and ice. If we talk about the tread, Dunlop representatives proudly talked about the unique three-dimensional sipes of the tread blocks, which contribute to that very grip. The original shape of the edges of the rather long sipes provides the tread blocks with additional rigidity, which has a positive effect on both handling and uniform tread wear. And this technology was developed ... by the Japanese astrophysicist Koryo Miura, in whose honor “Miura-ori” was named.

This is how 16 rows of studs work on the ice surface.

New original tenon and “branded” hole for its fixation

Today, the debate among car enthusiasts about which tires are preferable is no longer so active - much is determined by the wide selection of tires and the environment in which they are used. At the same time, Dunlop marketers believe that studded tires are the most popular product. And therefore, another, and perhaps the main, innovation of the SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 was the new cleat design. The aluminum case with a base enlarged for better fixation has a rectangular, four-sided core made of durable and heat-resistant tungsten carbide. The holes in the tread blocks most effectively fix a strictly oriented stud. The studded SP Winter Ice02 and Grand trek Ice02 fully comply with the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union, which come into force in January 2016 and regulate the number of studs per linear meter of a tire - no more than 60 pieces. I asked Minoru Nishi if the developers were tempted to increase the number of spikes and test to prove that such a model complies with environmental standards? Nishi-san just shrugged: “For what? Our design provides 16 rows of studding, and we are quite satisfied with the performance in this tire specification.” On icy surfaces, the SP Winter Ice02 tires are really good both when braking and accelerating. Compared to the previous model, braking and acceleration on ice are 13% and 25% higher, respectively. By the way, the performance on snow also became better (7% and 10%, respectively). And this is a merit of the tread design, coupled with the composition of the rubber mixture from which it is made. The tire, traditionally for winter studded models, uses a two-layer tread. The rigid lower part not only provides the tire with stability in terms of handling, but also improves the fixation of the stud (for which an original hole has been developed in the tread layer). And the upper, softer compound with a high silica content promotes reliable grip on snow and ice. And here is another know-how - the technology of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd, called 4D Nano Design, which allows you to simulate options at the molecular level at the development stage. Thus, the developers managed to ensure optimally strong chemical bonds in the material from which the tread layer is made, and ensure the same compromise between the tire’s grip properties and handling. And one last thing. To be honest, when choosing tires we pay attention to the country of origin. Say, is it possible, say, in southern latitudes, to develop a decent tire for the Russian winter? Models SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02, which were developed at the headquarters of the technical department of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd, which is located in the Japanese city of Kobe, were tested both at the northern testing grounds of Japan and at the testing ground in Elvsbyn, Sweden, and, as mentioned above , on our Lake Baikal. As for the choice, the SP Winter Ice02 model on our market is presented in 46 standard sizes with bore diameters from 13 to 20 inches and with profiles in the range from 35 to 70, and the Grandtrek Ice02 model has 42 standard sizes in its line with bore diameters from 15 to 21 inches and with profiles from 35 to 75.

In such weather as in the poem “The Twelve” by Alexander Blok, only studded tires will help. To make the choice easier for the buyer, the ZR expert group tested 12 sets of relatively inexpensive 15-INCH “SPUNKS”.

In September 2017, a new winter tire test was released.

There is a crisis outside, prices are rising, incomes are not in a hurry to follow them - and people are increasingly looking at cars that are more affordable. And most inexpensive foreign and domestic cars are shod with tires of size 195/65 R15.

Eight of the tires we tested fit into the price bracket of two to three thousand rubles apiece. The lower threshold was set by IceLink from the Chinese company Triangle, which is gradually gaining popularity in Russia, and the updated Cordiant Snow Cross. The top bar in the budget company is supported by the upgraded Hankook Winter i*Pike RS+ tires with the number of studs increased to one hundred and seventy and a new product from Dunlop - the SP Winter Ice 02 model.

The new Matador Sibir Ice 2 model and the already popular Pirelli Formula Ice, Toyo Observe G3-lce and Nordman 5 tires fit into the middle.

We also took four very successful models in Russia from among the most powerful, but expensive - these are Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic, Michelin X-lce North 3, Continental ContilceContact 2 and Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8. By the way, half of the tested tires were made in Russia, and localization allows us to keep prices reasonable.

It's time to go north

Last fall, we sadly recalled the rainy January and February of 2015, when the test group rushed around the AVTOVAZ test site in search of a snowy area that had not yet been completely washed away by the rain. It was then that we decided that next time we would try to escape from the warm winter, which has become a frequent guest in central Russia, to the north of Finland. Nokian kindly provided the “White Hell” test site on Lake Tammijärvi for the “white” tests.

At the end of February we delivered pre-tested tires and in the first half of March, the main part of winter tests was carried out on a Skoda Octavia car - on snow and ice. Even in the first month of spring, real winter reigned beyond the Arctic Circle - unlike the Volga region, where it turned out to be unusually warm and practically snowless.

In general, they did the right thing by going north. And not just because of the weather. Still, the conditions of a specialized tire testing ground not only simplify the work, but also allow for additional testing and obtaining more information to evaluate each model.

In “White Hell”, at an air temperature of -20 to -2 °C, we completed all our snow and ice exercises. Unfortunately, we had to abandon the move because there was no dense, compacted snow.

And on soft ones, a deep rut quickly forms, the shoulders of which serve as a kind of lateral support and do not allow one to correctly assess the lateral grip of tires on snow. But we assessed the handling on two special tracks - snowy and ice.

Snow and ice procedures

We start with methodical measurements, repeating the runs for each set of tires. During an expert assessment of directional stability, controllability and cross-country ability, we disable the traction control system. During other trials, she is always on alert.

Before starting the tests, we measured the protrusion of the spikes. Everything is okay! Not a single stud protrudes above the surface of the tire by more than the required two millimeters.

After every two or three sets, we check the condition of the coating using base tires and recalculate the results based on the data obtained.

On a large horizontal plateau we are engaged in acceleration and braking in the snow. Traction control and anti-lock braking systems jealously ensure that the wheels do not slip during acceleration or lock up during braking. We record the acceleration time from 0 to 40 km/h. From scratch - because some tires “hang” when starting from a standstill, and 40 km/h - because this speed can be reached in first gear, eliminating the error in measurements due to switching to second.

We brake from 40 km/h, but to 5 km/h, and not to a complete stop. The fact is that at very low speeds, ABS sometimes allows the wheels to lock, lengthening the braking distance and introducing inconsistency in the measurement results. After evaluating several sets, the surface of the plateau is “straightened” by a snowcat, which the Finns call “tampa-a-ari” in a drawn-out, rolling manner.

The first leaders are gradually emerging - Cordiant, Formula and Nokian. The last result is from Touo. As for braking, Michelin turned out to be the best, and the Chinese Triangle was an outsider.

For measurements on ice, we move to a special track, covered with a huge long awning, which hides the ice from snow and bright sun - the results are more stable than in open space.

In Togliatti, even with favorable weather, we would have had to travel much longer. The procedures are the same as on snow, only the final acceleration speed and initial braking speed are only 30 km/h.

And we measure the acceleration time not from the moment of starting, but from a speed of 5 km/h. The fact is that the awning with snow lying on it “closes” the sky, preventing the VBOX equipment from communicating with GPS satellites. Therefore, when accelerating and braking on ice, we used a Dutron measuring device with an optical sensor, which makes errors at walking speeds.

With each measurement, the tester moves the car slightly to the side, onto clean ice. When the skating rink is completely covered in fine, spiked ice chips, a Multicar enters the arena and sweeps up the ice. Particles of ice and snow trapped under the tires act like balls in bearings: they reduce friction, increasing acceleration time and braking distance.

The best accelerating dynamics on ice were ensured Nokian tires. Continental came in second, with Matador behind the rest. During braking, the same alignment of leaders and outsiders remained.

We complete the measurements by determining the time it takes to complete an ice lap by winding 10-12 “turns” on each set of tires. Conti and Dunlop take the lead.

Expert work

We evaluate the behavior of a car when driving on a snowy road at high speed. We use a platform about fifteen meters wide and at least five hundred long. Such an elongated field with soft snowdrifts around the perimeter allows you to fearlessly check the clarity of straight-line movement at speeds of up to 90-100 km/h, as well as simulate avoiding obstacles and softly changing lanes from one lane to another.

The test Skoda feels more confident on Cordiant, Goodyear and Nokian tires than on others. I liked the Matador least of all: a wide and uninformative “zero”, delays in reactions to the steering wheel and significant angles of rotation of the steering wheel when adjusting the course. The Chinese Triangle tires surprised us with their clarity. True, we slightly lowered the rating due to the low information content of the steering wheel in the zero zone.

Not far from this long plateau, the Finns laid a closed snow track with turns of different curvatures, slight ascents and descents - an excellent imitation of Russian roads.

Half of the tested tires were made in Russia, and localization allows us to keep them acceptable.

An important nuance: the temperature of the rubber during testing must be equal to the street temperature, otherwise accurate results will not be obtained. Therefore, all tires are stored in an unheated container.

Here the Skoda handles more stable on Cordiant, Hankook, Nokian and Toyo tires - experts were captivated by the clear reactions and understandable behavior of the car even when sliding. Triangle turned out to be lagging behind: in Skoda, shod with these tires, the steering wheel becomes uninformative, it has to be turned at large angles, the car drives too sweepingly, with long slides - from drifting at the entrance to a turn to skidding on an arc.

Now we are racing onto the ice of Lake Tammijärvi, where a track has been prepared to evaluate handling on a very slippery surface. A successful track that combines high-speed and slow turns with short and long straights.

In the middle of the closed track there is snow a little deeper than the ground clearance. Just what you need to check cross-country ability. Here we focus on how easy and intuitive the car starts, moves and maneuvers in deep snow. And how confidently he gets back in his own tracks if he suddenly gets stuck.

When taxiing on ice, Cordiant, Hankook, Nokian (this trio was the most successful in handling on snow) and Nordman outperformed everyone thanks to clear reactions and understandable, predictable behavior. And the Goodyear studs deserved the lowest rating due to low steering information, an unexpectedly sharp slip and a long time to restore traction after the start of sliding.

But in cross-country ability, Goodyear tires had no equal! The Skoda made its way through the snowdrifts like a bulldozer, raking snow with its front bumper. And the Triangle tires handle snowdrifts worse than others - the car crawls through deep snow with difficulty, very uncertainly and reluctantly. With these tires you can hardly get out of a swept-out parking lot onto a cleared road.

Adventures with studded winter tire test Behind the Wheel 2016

After snow and ice tests, the studs were counted. ContilceContact 2 and Formula Ice became champions in the reliability of fixing studs - during the tests they did not lose a single stud! Michelin X-lce North 3 tires showed good results.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 and Nordman 5: each left only two studs on all four wheels. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic, Matador Sibir Ice 2 and Triangle IceLink were missing three or four studs. The Toyo Observe G3-lce tires performed even weaker: the loss amounted to seven studs per set. The bottom three are the modernized Cordiant Snow Cross (ten studs from the set are lost), Dunlop SP Winter Ice 02 (thirteen) and Hankook Winter i*Pike RS+ (fifteen).

Now comes the fun part. The left front wheel lost the largest number of studs on almost all tires. The fact that it is in front is logical. The front ones slip when starting and accelerating; they bear the main load during braking. But why left? We have never seen anything like this before... The fact is that the ice circle at this training ground is significantly larger than ours in Sosnovka, and therefore the speed is approximately twice as high.

And since the car goes faster, the inner wheel - and the left one, since we are driving counterclockwise - is more unloaded and slips more.

Spikes fly out more readily when slipping, and when the wheel is unloaded.

On a loaded wheel, the rubber is compressed more by vertical force, grips the studs more tightly and holds them better. This means that in everyday use, studs often fly out during acceleration rather than during braking. If you want to save them, limit wheel slip when accelerating.

On the asphalt

We carried out exercises on “black” roads at the turn of April and May, when the asphalt had already dried, the wind had died down, and the air temperature was from 4 to 7 °C. This is exactly the temperature limit for seasonal tire changes. How will they behave? spike" in these conditions?

The first exercise is measuring fuel consumption. On a warm-up lap immediately before measurements, we evaluate directional stability on asphalt and comfort - noise and smoothness. At the end of the measurements, we do a “jog” on roads with different surfaces in order to fully assess the level of comfort.

The most economical tires at city and suburban speeds were Formula, Nokian and Nordman. Cordiant gave the highest consumption. Although the difference, frankly, is tiny: 200 ml of gasoline per 100 km.

At a speed of 110-130 km/h, the Skoda Octavia most clearly holds its course and makes soft lane changes, being shod with Michelin tires. And what bothers the Triangle driver the most is the smeared, very wide “zero” and lack of information content. To correct the direction of movement, the steering wheel has to be turned at large angles.

In terms of noise level, there is no significant difference between tires crunching on the asphalt with studs. In terms of ride quality, the Continental, Hankook and Michelin tires stand out in the best direction.

We complete the tests by assessing the braking properties on wet and dry asphalt. We are interested in the braking distance from speeds of 60 and 80 km/h to a speed of 5 km/h (to cut off the possible influence of ABS).

On wet asphalt, the Continental tires performed best, while the Dunlop and Cordiant tires required the longest distance. On dry surfaces, Triangle tires have the shortest braking distance, while outsiders have Cordiant tires.

Summary

The Russian-made Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 tires won with a score of 929 points. Second place goes to ContilceContact 2 tires (916 points). Both have basically the same drawback - high price. In third place, missing six points from the coveted “900” mark (we consider tires that deserve 900 points to be excellent), is the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic.

For those who are not ready to shell out more than 12 thousand rubles for a set of four tires, we advise you to take a closer look at the Hankook Winter i*Pike RS+ and Nordman 5 models - these are very good tires, they did not fail in any of the parameters.

The next five competitors, who scored from 850 to 870 points and took places from sixth to tenth in our table of ranks, are also good, but each has its own disadvantages. Of these, we consider Cordiant Snow Cross tires to be the best buy: a modest price is combined with fairly high performance. However, these tires are not very suitable for urban conditions with clean asphalt roads.

The price of Michelin X-lce North 3 tires can be considered slightly overpriced, not quite corresponding to the level of performance. Matador Sibir Ice 2 and Triangle IceLink in terms of their characteristics are frankly budget products, but with careful driving you can survive the winter on them.

As our test Skoda heads out for a tire change, a Toyota Hilux with a heavy sixteen-wheel trailer enters the handling line. Its task is to “trample” the snow loosened by sliding and level the surface with a large “strainer” made of reinforcing mesh tied at the back.

We thank the manufacturers who provided their tires for testing, the employees of the White Hell and AVTOVAZ testing grounds, as well as the Tolyatti company Volgashintorg for technical support. Anton MISHIN and Dmitry TESTOV helped Sergei MISHIN in testing tires in Lapland. And in Tolyatti, Anton ANANEV, Vladimir KOLESOV, Yuri KUROCHKIN, Evgeniy LARIN, Andrey OBRAZUMOV and Valery PAVLOV joined them for asphalt tests. We also thank Za Rulem magazine, which conducted this test of winter studded tires.

Photo and description

Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 (Ice 02) is a winter studded tire with a directional design for passenger cars, launched into mass production in 2015. The model is characterized by good stability on ice, excellent grip on snow and wet asphalt, and easy handling.

Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 tires (Dunlop SPI Winter Ice 02) were created for use in harsh winter conditions, which is confirmed by the presence of ice peaks with snowflakes in the design of the side walls of the tire.

The directional central part of the SP Winter Ice02 tread, composed of triangular blocks, ensures stability of control by accelerating the removal of slush and water outside the contact patch. The unique drainage system promotes rapid self-cleaning of the tread, high resistance to aqua- and slushplaning and excellent traction on winter roads.

The shoulder blocks of the Dunlop SP Winter Ice 02 tread are connected to each other by bridge bridges, which increases the tire's rigidity and steering stability on any winter surface. The central tread blocks with chamfers and wide inclined grooves effectively compact the snow, increasing the tire's permeability on loose snow surfaces.

The proprietary Miura-Ori three-dimensional siping technology prevents the tread blocks from breaking, as a result of which they retain their characteristics and ensure uniform tread wear. As the Shina.Guide technical specialist notes, the long grip edges of the sipes guarantee reliable contact with ice and snow, as well as accurate and quick responses to steering turns.

The element of Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 tires is ice. Their directional anti-skid studs with a tungsten carbide core provide high penetration and stable performance when driving the tire on ice.

The use of another patented technology of the manufacturer called 4D Nano Design made it possible not only to simulate the tire, but also to evaluate its performance characteristics in dynamics at the molecular level. /p>

Performance characteristics of Dunlop SP Winter Ice 02 in comparison with the previous model Dunlop SP Winter Ice 01

Engineers were able to strengthen chemical bonds and maintain the elasticity of the rubber compound. As a result, Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 tires deform less and retain their rigidity and grip properties.

Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 (Ice 02) tests: Rostislav KotishinSource: Shina.Guide

Other reviews by the author:

shina.guide

Behind the wheel: Test drive of Dunlop SP Winter Ice 02 and Dunlop Grandtrek Ice 02 tires

The recently presented Dunlop Grandtrek Ice 02 and Dunlop SP Winter Ice 02 winter studs were in the hands of experts from the Russian magazine “Behind the Wheel”, who conducted a test drive of both new products on the ice of Lake Baikal, on asphalt and on snow in an attempt to find differences between both tires and their predecessors .

Sergei Mishin further says: “The instructor, seated in the right seat, shows me the path with a radio antenna: Take it to the left, now move along this road. And where did he find his way here? There is an icy plain around us. Only to the right, about eight hundred meters away, is the unfrozen mouth of the Angara floating slightly. The Baikal ice is polished by the winds so that it seems like through a lens you can see the bottom. Just some snow here and there. And what does he hold on to on this slippery surface? I carry out the command and turn the steering wheel to the left - the Volkswagen Tiguan, shod with Dunlop Grandtrek Ice 02 tires, without any extra thought, but at the same time quite gently performs the maneuver.

– Do you see two lanes? We need to jump between them.

Mynas here are called polynyas, which an uninitiated person cannot notice among the hummocks. Maneuvering between open windows half a kilometer deep, with great difficulty I suppress the persistent desire to jump out of the car and send everything to hell. The seat belt is fastened behind the back of the front seat. This is the rule of the local Ministry of Emergency Situations: wearing a seat belt when driving on ice is strictly prohibited. The “tied” one has less chance of getting out if the car falls into the water.

The instructor reads my thoughts and encourages me, occasionally stopping incorrect actions:

– Jump through the cracks on the fly, there is no need to maneuver in front of the fault. Pass snowy slopes in hummocks at high speeds so as not to stall. I silently grumble, but I manage to note that these tires have no tendency to slip and confidently cut through snowdrifts.”

Sergei Mishin remembered that this was testing new Dunlop tires, and not an extreme journey, only after driving out onto the asphalt. On hard surfaces, the behavior of the tires was not as clear as that of more expensive tires produced by Continental or Michelin. The Volkswagen Tiguan responded sluggishly to the steering with obvious delays, which, however, is quite natural for representatives of winter tires in the middle price segment.

The tire guru confirmed his impressions when comparing the new products with the Dunlop Grandtrek Ice and Dunlop SP Winter Ice tires, which were produced long before the advent of the second generation tires. According to Sergei Mishin, progress is evident. Grandtrek Ice 02 and SP Winter Ice 02 behave much more clearly, they behave more confidently on winter surfaces and have better grip.

Both models are already on sale. The crossover Dunlop Grandtrek Ice02 is available in sizes from 205/70 R15 to 265/45 R21, and the passenger model Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 is available in “calibers” from 155/70 R13 to 275/35 R20. For both studs there is a single speed index - T (190 km/h).

Dunlop engineers did not try too hard, so both new winter tires have the same design and are characterized by the use of the same proprietary technologies. For example, the Miura-Ori transverse sipes help improve the tire’s grip on snowy and icy surfaces, and on hard road surfaces they increase handling and improve braking properties.

The tread of both models has two layers, notes technical specialist Shina.Guide. On top there is a softer rubber layer, which is designed for reliable contact with winter surfaces, and on the bottom there is a harder one, responsible for enhancing the clarity of reactions on any road and holding spikes, which are worth talking about separately.

Anti-skid studs in new models have a larger base and an aluminum body, which reduces the weight of the tire and increases anti-corrosion resistance. The stud cores are made of tungsten carbide, which ensures reliable contact with snow and ice. Both models are characterized by a 16-row stud pattern.

Marta Shangina Based on materials from zr.ru

shina.guide

Test drive of the new studded Dunlops | Colesa.ru

Organizing a test drive for journalists, although troublesome, is quite solvable. The main thing is to choose a location, plan a route, and then everything depends on what your imagination is enough for. It is much more difficult to organize a test of its products for a tire company. And the point here is not at all that special equipment is needed to accurately measure quality, and all other tests are purely subjective. The specificity of this segment is seasonal demand. At the end of summer - beginning of autumn, people actively buy products for winter, and in winter - spring they begin to think about summer tires. Therefore, for each season there should already be reviews of new products, but where to find snow in the summer and sun in the winter? So rubber manufacturers have to look for unusual locations around the world in order to reverse the usual climatic conditions.

When the first spring sun had already appeared in Moscow, and passers-by began to think about light windbreakers and make plans for a summer vacation, we went to Irkutsk. Here passers-by are still wrapped in warm down jackets and there are snowdrifts on the streets. Although even here you can already feel the approach of spring, and the sun is starting to get hot. The company did not test the new line of winter tires Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 in the metropolis itself, but sent representatives of automobile publications to the ice of Lake Baikal. There is probably no better place to conduct a spring test of winter tires. The entire surface of the lake is covered with an even layer of many meters of ice, smooth as glass and very slippery. Every step on such a surface is difficult, and we are offered to drive out onto the surface of the lake in cars shod with a new product from Dunlop and test how the rubber works on a slippery surface. If the tires behave well here, then on the track in real road conditions you can rely on it one hundred percent.

Before heading out onto the ice, a little theoretical material. The new Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 tires are distinguished from the previous model by their unique tread design. It is easily recognizable, and its powerful blocks indicate that this tire is intended for harsh winters with large drifts and icy road sections. The sidewall design with icy peaks and snowflakes emphasizes the tire's intended use for winter conditions. The special directional pattern of the central part of the tread in the form of triangles significantly improves the removal of water and snow mass, and also increases the stability of control. The unique design of the drainage grooves that extend into the central part of the tread also helps to more effectively remove water and snow from the contact patch area. In the shoulder area, the tread blocks of Dunlop winter studded tires are connected to each other by bridge bridges, which increases steering stability on all types of surfaces. The increased size of the grooves and chamfered tread blocks, which effectively compact snow, increase the tire's maneuverability on loose snow surfaces.

Winter tires have special slots in the tread blocks, called sipes, which is a significant difference from summer tires. They help the tread blocks grip the bumps that are in the tire's contact patch.

The new tires use exclusive technology - 3D Miura-Ori sipes with special edges that prevent tread blocks from breaking, maintaining their characteristics and ensuring uniform wear. Extended zig-zag sipes improve tire traction on snow and ice, further providing faster steering response.

Directional studs with a rectangular grooved core are the main secret of the excellent grip qualities of the new Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 winter tires on ice. The special shape and size of the core (2.8 mm x 2 mm), as well as the large base of the stud (9 mm x 8 mm) provide increased penetration and stable performance when moving on ice. The core is made of tungsten carbide - a hard and heat-resistant material. The cleat body is made of aluminum alloy, which allows it to be significantly lighter than previous models.

A seat specially designed for the size and shape of the stud significantly increases the reliability of the fastening and significantly reduces the risk of its loss. The new tire has a directional tread pattern, on which new studs are installed in a specific way. The use of a new stud shape made it possible to increase the number of contact surfaces with the stud core to four. This technology has improved the grip of the new tires during acceleration and braking on icy surfaces.

Sumitomo Rubber Industries also optimized the contact patch of the Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 tires with the road surface to improve handling characteristics, provide more uniform tire wear and increase tire life. This was achieved through the use of a two-layer protector.

The top layer, consisting of a soft rubber compound specially adapted for studded tires, provides improved traction on snowy or icy surfaces. A more rigid base layer is responsible for the safety of the studs and further improves handling characteristics.

The profile of the winter studded tires Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 of the correct round shape reduces the deformation stress of the tire in the area from the shoulder area to the sidewall. This improves both fuel efficiency and handling, as well as ride comfort.

Theoretical information is, of course, great, but I want to understand how the new winter tire works in real conditions. Several special stages were built specifically for the test. First of all, we go to the area where we can estimate the length of the braking distance. Looking at the flat icy surface, you get the feeling that the car will not be able to move, let alone slow down in the designated corridor. But visual sensations are deceiving. We press the gas pedal, the spike digs into the icy surface, and now we have accelerated to the required speed. We approach the corridor for braking, and the car, biting into the surface, stops in the allotted space. This means that the declared technologies work, and during emergency braking on bare ice, the driver can easily avoid a collision.

We change the exercise and move on to a paved track with a lot of turns and the possibility of acceleration. And in these conditions, the new tires show good performance. When entering a turn, the car, although it undergoes a slight drift, is quite within the acceptable range. So even if your route goes along a winter road with a lot of turns, you will feel confident.

We have seen with our own eyes that the tires demonstrate excellent grip on an icy surface, but for residents of megacities it is important how studded tires behave on asphalt. Therefore, we leave the surface of the lake and go to a high hill, from where a panoramic view of the local beauty opens up. At first, the road goes on cold asphalt with a slight coating of water. The surface is very similar to what we find on the streets of our cities. Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 behave quite adequately here too, but the most important thing is that we do not get additional noise into the cabin. The asphalt ends and we find ourselves on a dirt road. The coverage in this area is not easy: hard snow is mixed with porridge that has already begun to melt in the sun, and sometimes thawed patches appear along the way. Add to this that the road goes uphill, and then you can understand the complexity of the proposed route. Test cars firmly hold on to such a difficult surface and climb to the point we need.

It is clear that to accurately assess all the qualities of the new Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 winter tires declared by the manufacturer, you need special equipment, a team of professionals and a testing ground. But based on my subjective opinion, I can say that during the time spent on Baikal, the new product seemed very comfortable and quiet to me. And on a winter road, the most important thing is that the tire shows excellent grip, and the Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 cope with this issue perfectly.

New winter tires Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 for passenger cars and SUVs have been available on the Russian market since spring 2015. The new product is available in 88 standard sizes and covers a wide range of consumers on the Russian market.

colesa.ru

Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 - About tires

Winter studded tire. Main advantages stated by the manufacturer:

• stability when moving on ice,
• improved grip when accelerating and braking on icy surfaces,
• effective removal of water and snow mass from the contact patch.

They provide the vehicle with excellent stability on ice, as well as exceptional performance on snowy, wet and dry roads.

Expert review "Autoreview" 2016: 185/65 R15

7.9 points, ninth place. Number of studs: 116. Tire weight: 9.7 kg. Stud protrusion: 1.4 mm. Tread depth: 9.7 mm.

Pros:
• high impact strength,
• grip properties on ice.

Flaws:
• low smoothness.

Thanks to shaped studs with powerful rectangular inserts, these tires provide good grip on ice. On the handling track, they give Vesta a reckless tendency to skid, but for ordinary drivers this is rather a minus. And on the snow handling track, poor predictable slips prevent you from showing good times.

On asphalt, traction is average, but the noise does not stand up to criticism - the loudest tires in the test. And one of the toughest. But these tires resist impacts better than others.

Measurements and reviews from “Behind the Wheel” experts about the size 195/65 R15 in 2016

856 points, ninth place. Number of studs: 116. Tire weight: 10.2 kg. Stud protrusion after the test: 1.2…1.6 mm.

pros

• Very good braking properties on snow.
• High cross-country ability.

Flaws

• Lowest lateral grip on ice.
• Weak braking properties on wet asphalt.
• Low directional stability on asphalt.
• Increased fuel consumption at a speed of 90 km/h.

Thirteen spikes were lost during testing.

pro-tyres.ru

Review of winter tires Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02

We understand the features of winter tires Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 with an innovative stud design

“The results of the work exceeded our expectations!” - with these words, the managing director of Sumitimo Rubber Industries, Minoru Nishi, began the presentation of Dunlop's studded new products. I'm intrigued by Nishi-san...

Webbing between the shoulder and center tread areas provides rigidity

Judging by the indices, the SP Winter Ice02 (tire for passenger cars) and Grandtrek Ice02 (tire for SUVs) are a modification of the previous model - SP Winter Ice01, which debuted on the market back in 2008 and had good sales figures. “The SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 models will demonstrate high quality, comfort and affordability,” continued Minoru Nishi. “But both models are completely new products.” And in this Minoru did not sin against the truth. It should be added that SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 are twin brothers in design, physical parameters, and rubber composition. The only differences are in the size ranges. And now in more detail about the tires themselves. Externally, in terms of tread design, the new product is strikingly different from its predecessor. Moreover, the design is really quite original: the directional tread is all cut up with sharp blocks of different sizes. But in this apparent chaos, everything is “sorted out on the shelves.” The central rib creates a series of unconnected triangular blocks. This design is designed to ensure directional stability of the tire during straight-line movement. But the blocks of the peripheral zone of the central rib are more focused on ensuring the stability of the tire during maneuvering - the tire should not “float” due to the displacement of the tread blocks, since the blocks of this part of the central rib are connected by jumpers to the blocks of the shoulder zone. And this scheme works: when rearranging both on a snow surface and on an ice surface covered with snow, the behavior of SP Winter Ice02 is clear and predictable, without surprises. But the main part of the tire presentation took place directly on Lake Baikal, in conditions of snow and ice and almost perfect winter. But what about our regions, where we drive through snowy slush most of the winter? Numerous and fairly wide transverse grooves (not to say channels) are designed to cope with this scourge, providing fairly effective removal of moisture from the contact patch. And yet in winter, what worries us most is the level of tire grip on snow and ice. If we talk about the tread, Dunlop representatives proudly talked about the unique three-dimensional sipes of the tread blocks, which contribute to that very grip. The original shape of the edges of the rather long sipes provides the tread blocks with additional rigidity, which has a positive effect on both handling and uniform tread wear. And this technology was developed ... by the Japanese astrophysicist Koryo Miura, in whose honor “Miura-ori” was named.

This is how 16 rows of studs work on the ice surface.

New original tenon and “branded” hole for its fixation

Today, the debate among car enthusiasts about which tires are preferable, studded or friction tires, is no longer so active - much is determined by the wide selection of tires and the environment in which they are used. At the same time, Dunlop marketers believe that studded tires are the most popular product. And therefore, another, and perhaps the main, innovation of the SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 was the new cleat design. The aluminum case with a base enlarged for better fixation has a rectangular, four-sided core made of durable and heat-resistant tungsten carbide. The holes in the tread blocks most effectively fix a strictly oriented stud. The studded SP Winter Ice02 and Grand trek Ice02 fully comply with the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union, which come into force in January 2016 and regulate the number of studs per linear meter of a tire - no more than 60 pieces. I asked Minoru Nishi if the developers were tempted to increase the number of spikes and test to prove that such a model complies with environmental standards? Nishi-san just shrugged: “For what? Our design provides 16 rows of studding, and we are quite satisfied with the performance in this tire specification.” On icy surfaces, the SP Winter Ice02 tires are really good both when braking and accelerating. Compared to the previous model, braking and acceleration on ice are 13% and 25% higher, respectively. By the way, the performance on snow also became better (7% and 10%, respectively). And this is a merit of the tread design, coupled with the composition of the rubber mixture from which it is made. The tire, traditionally for winter studded models, uses a two-layer tread. The rigid lower part not only provides the tire with stability in terms of handling, but also improves the fixation of the stud (for which an original hole has been developed in the tread layer). And the upper, softer compound with a high silica content promotes reliable grip on snow and ice. And here is another know-how - the technology of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd, called 4D Nano Design, which allows you to simulate options at the molecular level at the development stage. Thus, the developers managed to ensure optimally strong chemical bonds in the material from which the tread layer is made, and ensure the same compromise between the tire’s grip properties and handling. And one last thing. To be honest, when choosing tires we pay attention to the country of origin. Say, is it possible, say, in southern latitudes, to develop a decent tire for the Russian winter? Models SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02, which were developed at the headquarters of the technical department of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd, which is located in the Japanese city of Kobe, were tested both at the northern testing grounds of Japan and at the testing ground in Elvsbyn, Sweden, and, as mentioned above , on our Lake Baikal. As for the choice, the SP Winter Ice02 model on our market is presented in 46 standard sizes with bore diameters from 13 to 20 inches and with profiles in the range from 35 to 70, and the Grandtrek Ice02 model has 42 standard sizes in its line with bore diameters from 15 to 21 inches and with profiles from 35 to 75.

“The results of the work exceeded our expectations!” - with these words, the managing director of Sumitimo Rubber Industries, Minoru Nishi, began the presentation of Dunlop's studded new products. I'm intrigued by Nishi-san...

Webbing between the shoulder and center tread areas provides rigidity

Judging by the indices, the SP Winter Ice02 (tire for passenger cars) and Grandtrek Ice02 (tire for SUVs) are a modification of the previous model - SP Winter Ice01, which debuted on the market back in 2008 and had good sales figures. “The SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 models will demonstrate high quality, comfort and affordability,” continued Minoru Nishi. “But both models are completely new products.” And in this Minoru did not sin against the truth. It should be added that SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 are twin brothers in design, physical parameters, and rubber composition. The only differences are in the size ranges. And now in more detail about the tires themselves. Externally, in terms of tread design, the new product is strikingly different from its predecessor. Moreover, the design is really quite original: the directional tread is all cut up with sharp blocks of different sizes. But in this apparent chaos, everything is “sorted out on the shelves.” The central rib creates a series of unconnected triangular blocks. This design is designed to ensure directional stability of the tire during straight-line movement. But the blocks of the peripheral zone of the central rib are more focused on ensuring the stability of the tire during maneuvering - the tire should not “float” due to the displacement of the tread blocks, since the blocks of this part of the central rib are connected by jumpers to the blocks of the shoulder zone. And this scheme works: when rearranging both on a snow surface and on an ice surface covered with snow, the behavior of SP Winter Ice02 is clear and predictable, without surprises. But the main part of the tire presentation took place directly on Lake Baikal, in conditions of snow and ice and almost perfect winter. But what about our regions, where we drive through snowy slush most of the winter? Numerous and fairly wide transverse grooves (not to say channels) are designed to cope with this scourge, providing fairly effective removal of moisture from the contact patch. And yet in winter, what worries us most is the level of tire grip on snow and ice. If we talk about the tread, Dunlop representatives proudly talked about the unique three-dimensional sipes of the tread blocks, which contribute to that very grip. The original shape of the edges of the rather long sipes provides the tread blocks with additional rigidity, which has a positive effect on both handling and uniform tread wear. And this technology was developed ... by the Japanese astrophysicist Koryo Miura, in whose honor “Miura-ori” was named.

This is how 16 rows of studs work on the ice surface.

New original tenon and “branded” hole for its fixation

Today, the debate among car enthusiasts about which tires are preferable is no longer so active - much is determined by the wide selection of tires and the environment in which they are used. At the same time, Dunlop marketers believe that studded tires are the most popular product. And therefore, another, and perhaps the main, innovation of the SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02 was the new cleat design. The aluminum case with a base enlarged for better fixation has a rectangular, four-sided core made of durable and heat-resistant tungsten carbide. The holes in the tread blocks most effectively fix a strictly oriented stud. The studded SP Winter Ice02 and Grand trek Ice02 fully comply with the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union, which come into force in January 2016 and regulate the number of studs per linear meter of a tire - no more than 60 pieces. I asked Minoru Nishi if the developers were tempted to increase the number of spikes and test to prove that such a model complies with environmental standards? Nishi-san just shrugged: “For what? Our design provides 16 rows of studding, and we are quite satisfied with the performance in this tire specification.” On icy surfaces, the SP Winter Ice02 tires are really good both when braking and accelerating. Compared to the previous model, braking and acceleration on ice are 13% and 25% higher, respectively. By the way, the performance on snow also became better (7% and 10%, respectively). And this is a merit of the tread design, coupled with the composition of the rubber mixture from which it is made. The tire, traditionally for winter studded models, uses a two-layer tread. The rigid lower part not only provides the tire with stability in terms of handling, but also improves the fixation of the stud (for which an original hole has been developed in the tread layer). And the upper, softer compound with a high silica content promotes reliable grip on snow and ice. And here is another know-how - the technology of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd, called 4D Nano Design, which allows you to simulate options at the molecular level at the development stage. Thus, the developers managed to ensure optimally strong chemical bonds in the material from which the tread layer is made, and ensure the same compromise between the tire’s grip properties and handling. And one last thing. To be honest, when choosing tires we pay attention to the country of origin. Say, is it possible, say, in southern latitudes, to develop a decent tire for the Russian winter? Models SP Winter Ice02 and Grandtrek Ice02, which were developed at the headquarters of the technical department of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd, which is located in the Japanese city of Kobe, were tested both at the northern testing grounds of Japan and at the testing ground in Elvsbyn, Sweden, and, as mentioned above , on our Lake Baikal. As for the choice, the SP Winter Ice02 model on our market is presented in 46 standard sizes with bore diameters from 13 to 20 inches and with profiles in the range from 35 to 70, and the Grandtrek Ice02 model has 42 standard sizes in its line with bore diameters from 15 to 21 inches and with profiles from 35 to 75.