In the last 3 years, the tires of the Cordiant concern have really pleased, the quality has been growing, and with it the army of satisfied fans of inexpensive high-quality tires has also grown. In today's review, we will consider the novelty of 2013, which has been in trend for 2 years, collects a huge number of positive feedback. Meet the Cordiant Snow Cross studded tire.
All as one, users, having seen the tread pattern, start screaming - this is a clone of Hakka 7, do not think that you will buy Cordiant and get the same Hakka, the difference is huge and blah blah.
Of course, comparing a Finnish tire and ours with a price difference of 3 times is a wrong occupation. Whoever has money - he takes Hakku without hesitation and does not bathe. Those who do not have money - they have to look for reviews on the Internet, shovel mountains of information, look for tests, videos and other information. Yes, even when testing tires, they are taken from the same "weight" category - premium, comfort, budget. And comparing budget class tires with comfort class tires is simply pointless. In most tests, the expensive tire will be ahead, but by how much? And is it so important in daily use? In general, let's talk better about Snow Cross - according to the test results and numerous reviews - it is really worth paying attention to. A photo:
The previous model Snow Max also showed great results, people are happy as an elephant. And Snow Cross is a continuation of Max's technologies, Cross is even better, more adapted, more technologically advanced if you like. Tire technology is advancing and the best tires of 2005 will now perform very poorly. That is why people are studying the novelties of the market, because for sure they will be better than the previous ones. Progress cannot be stopped.
Cordiant Snow Cross - studded tires, the composition of the rubber compound is even improved, there is even more silica, and therefore the tire remains soft even in severe frosts (-30), so that the tire after a long night frosty parking will not be square, but will remain round)) Well and a winter tire should always be soft - this is a priori!
The tread pattern is similar to Hakku-7, but purely outwardly, there are significant differences in terms of design. Nevertheless, according to the reviews of the people (a lot of them have accumulated over 2 years), the tire digs deep snow perfectly, loose snow is also excellent. Snow porridge is great, water and moisture-soaked snow are well removed from the contact patch. Photo of Snow Cross:
And here is a photo of Hakki 7 for comparison, there is a difference and it is noticeable, so it’s not necessary la-la that the tread is the same (in Hakki, the spikes go almost non-stop all over the tire, in Cordiant - noticeably less often):
Cross spikes are again a new technology, the shape of the tire and its insides, fit. As a result, the loss of spikes is minimal, it is, but compared to competitors, Cordiant is really better. Which of the competitors lost? Such a popular Nokian Nordman 4, which is good for everyone, but the spikes do not hold as cool as we would like. Of course, no one has yet canceled the correct running-in, but nevertheless, according to the reviews of the people, it is clear that the spikes of the Snow Cross hold really better. And if you compare it with the Yokohama IG35 - then you yourself know that Yokka holds perfectly on ice only the first season, in the second - it is already without spikes))
By the way, we recommend another chic option, but already a Velcro tire - the quality is the highest, the overwhelming majority of reviews are excellent. Oh, and a great price. If the city is being cleaned and the temperature allows, be sure to take it.
On ice, Snow Cross shows excellent results for a budget tire (and the difference between tires is different price category minimum). It is not always possible to start a car into a skid on purpose, and if you drive headlong on a winter road, then the hold on the ice will be 5 points.
Video - loose snow test
In the snow - this tire is just made for him. Rolled snow - 6 out of 5 points, loose, wet, deep - perfect. Digs snow smartly, side hooks for "digging" and for removing water are wide and deep.
What are the downsides? We read in the reviews - on bare asphalt at +5 they slow down badly. Hehe, these are spikes and a priori they should slow down badly. Hakka 7 will also slow down badly, but probably a little better than Snow Cross))
Another downside is poor balance. This is not a fact, it all depends on the tire you get. In most cases, it is completely balanced, but there are exceptions. This means that the quality of workmanship is not kept at the level and this is bad. On the other hand, buy tires right away with tire fitting, and if there are a lot of weights, ask for another tire, they will replace it without problems.
In general, we boldly put rubber 4.5 points, in budget class she really is one of the best. Not long ago, like yesterday, they saw Shevik on this rubber, came up, talked - the owner is terribly pleased, he travels a lot in the snow and likes to park in snowdrifts when there is no parking space. With this rubber, he has no problems at all. All types of winter roadway are ideal, except for bare asphalt - it’s a little worse here. Definitely recommend to buy, excellent inexpensive spike.
In such weather, as in the poem "The Twelve" by Alexander Blok, only studded tires will help. To make it easier for the buyer to choose, the ZR expert group tested 12 sets of relatively inexpensive 15-inch studs.
There is a crisis in the yard, prices are rising, incomes are not in a hurry to follow them - and people are increasingly looking at cars more accessible. And most inexpensive foreign cars and domestic cars shod in tires dimension 195/65 R15.
Eight tires tested by the expert group of the magazine "Behind the wheel" fit into the price fork from two to three thousand rubles apiece. The lower threshold was set by the IceLink of the Chinese company Triangle, which is gradually gaining popularity in Russia, and the updated Cordiant Snow Cross. The upper bar in a budget company is supported by modernized Hankook tires Winter i*Pike RS+ with up to 170 studs and Dunlop's new SP model winter ice 02. The new Matador Sibir Ice 2 and the already popular Pirelli Formula Ice, Toyo Observe G3‑Ice and Nordman 5 tires fit into the middle.
The experts also took four very successful models in Russia from among the most powerful, but expensive - these are Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic, Michelin X-Ice North 3, Continental ContiIceContact 2 and Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8. By the way, half of the tested tires are made in Russia, and localization allows you to keep reasonable prices.
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Time for the North
Last fall, the experts of the magazine "Behind the Wheel" sadly recalled the rainy January and February 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 rain. It was then that it was decided next time to try to escape from 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, pre-run tires were delivered to Lapland and in the first half of March by car Skoda Octavia the bulk of the winter tests were carried out - on snow and ice. Even in the first month of spring, a real winter reigned beyond the Arctic Circle - in contrast to the Volga region, where it turned out to be unusually warm and practically snowless. In general, the experts did the right thing by going north. And not just because of the weather. Still, the conditions of a specialized tire test site not only simplify the work, but also allow for additional tests and more information to evaluate each model.
In the "White Hell" at an air temperature of -20 to -2 ºС, all the snow and ice exercises of the magazine "Behind the wheel" were performed. Unfortunately, the experts had to abandon the rearrangement, since there was no dense, rolled snow. And on the soft, a deep rut quickly forms, the sides of which serve as a kind of lateral stop and do not allow you to correctly assess the lateral grip of the tires on snow. But the controllability assessment was carried out on two special tracks - snow and ice.
Snow and ice procedures
Experts start with methodical measurements, repeating races for each set of tires six to eight times, and if the results jump, then ten. After every two or three sets, they check the condition of the coverage using the base tires and, taking into account the data obtained, recalculate the results.
On a large horizontal plateau, an expert group is engaged in acceleration and braking on snow. Anti-slip and anti-lock braking systems are vigilant in ensuring that the wheels do not slip when accelerating and do not lock up when braking. Acceleration time is fixed from 0 to 40 km/h. From zero - because some tires "freeze" when starting from a standstill, and 40 km / h - because this speed can be dialed in first gear, eliminating the measurement error due to switching to second.
Braking from 40 km/h to 5 km/h, not to a complete stop. The fact is that at a very low speed, ABS sometimes allows the wheels to lock, lengthening braking distances and introducing inconsistency in the measurement results. After evaluating several sets, the surface of the plateau is “straightened” by a snowcat, which the Finns lingeringly call “tampa-a-ari”.
Gradually, the first leaders are determined - Cordiant, Formula and Nokian. The latest result is from Toyo. As for braking, Michelin turned out to be the best, and the Chinese Triangle got into the outsiders.
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For measurements on ice, the expert group moves to a special track covered with a huge long awning that hides the ice from snow and bright sun - the results are more stable than in open space. In Togliatti, even with favorable weather, it would take much longer to transport. The procedures are the same as on snow, only the final speed of acceleration and initial deceleration is only 30 km/h. And the acceleration time is measured not from the moment of starting, but from a speed of 5 km / h. The fact is that the awning with the snow lying on it "closes" the sky, preventing the VBOX equipment from contacting the GPS satellites. Therefore, when accelerating and braking on ice, a Dutron measuring device with an optical sensor was used, which makes errors at walking speeds.
With each measurement, the tester slightly shifts the car to the side, onto clear ice. When the ice rink is completely covered with small ice chips carved with spikes, Multicar enters the arena and sweeps the ice. Particles of ice and snow that have fallen under the tires work like balls in bearings: they reduce friction, increasing acceleration time and stopping distance.
The best accelerating dynamics on ice was provided by Nokian tires. The Continental came in second, followed by the Matador. On braking, the same alignment of leaders and outsiders remained.
The experts complete the measurements by determining the time for passing the ice circle, winding 10-12 “turns” on each set of tires. Conti and Dunlop pull ahead.
Expert work
The behavior of the car is evaluated when driving on a snowy road at high speed. For this, a platform is used about fifteen meters wide and at least five hundred long. Such an elongated field with soft snowdrifts along the perimeter allows you to fearlessly check the clarity of straight-line movement at speeds up to 90-100 km / h, as well as simulate obstacle avoidance and soft changeover from one lane to another.
On Cordiant, Goodyear and Nokian tires, the test Skoda feels more confident than on others. The experts liked Matador least of all: a wide and uninformative “zero”, delays in reactions to the steering wheel and significant steering angles when correcting the course. Chinese Triangle tires surprised with their clarity. True, the rating was slightly lowered due to the low information content of the steering wheel in the zero zone.
Not far from this long plateau, the Finns laid a snowy track of a closed configuration with turns of different curvature, small ups and downs - a perfect imitation of Russian roads.
Here Skoda is more stable controlled on Cordiant, Hankook, Nokian and Toyo tires - experts were captivated by clear reactions and understandable behavior of the car even in slips. 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 slips - from drifting at the entrance to a turn to skidding on an arc.
On the ice of Lake Tammijärvi, a track was prepared to evaluate handling on a very slippery surface. A successful track, combining high-speed and slow turns with short and long straights.
In the middle of a closed track - snow a little more deep ground clearance. Just what you need to check the patency. Here, the experts focused on how easy and understandable the car is to start, move and maneuver in deep snow. And how confidently it gets back in its own footsteps, if it suddenly gets stuck.
When "taxiing" on the ice, everyone was bypassed Cordiant tires, Hankook, Nokian (this trio was also the most successful in handling on snow) and Nordman thanks to clear reactions and understandable, predictable behavior. And Goodyear studs deserved the lowest rating due to the low information content of the steering, an unexpectedly sharp breakdown into a skid and a long recovery of grip after the start of the slide.
But in terms of cross-country ability, Goodyear tires had no equal! Skoda on them made its way through the snowdrifts like a bulldozer, raking the snow with its front bumper. And worse than others, Triangle tires get along with snowdrifts - the car crawls through deep snow with difficulty, very uncertainly and reluctantly. On these tires, it is hardly possible to get out of a swept parking lot onto a cleared road.
Adventures with spikes
After snow and ice tests, the spikes were recalculated. ContiIceContact 2 and Formula Ice became champions in the reliability of fixing “studs” - during the tests they did not lose a single stud! Nice results showed tires Michelin X-Ice North 3, Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 and Nordman 5: each left only two spikes on all four wheels. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic, Matador Sibir Ice 2 and Triangle IceLink missed three or four studs. The Toyo Observe G3‑Ice tires were even weaker, losing seven studs per set. The three lagging behind are the upgraded Cordiant Snow Cross (lost ten spikes from the kit), Dunlop SP Winter Ice 02 (thirteen) and Hankook Winter i * Pike RS + (fifteen).
And now the most interesting. The largest number of spikes on almost all tires was lost on the left front wheel. The fact that the front is logical. The front wheels slip when starting and accelerating, they bear the main load during braking. But why the left? Previously, experts have not observed this ... The fact is that the ice circle at this training ground is significantly larger than ours, in Sosnovka, and therefore the speed is about twice as high. And since the car is going faster, then the inner wheel - and the left one, since they were driving counterclockwise - is unloaded more and slips more.
The 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, the spikes often fly out during acceleration, and not during braking. If you want to save them, limit wheel spin by accelerating.
Asphalt
Exercises on the "black" roads were carried out at the turn of April and May, when the asphalt had already dried up, the wind subsided, and the air temperature was from 4 to 7 ºС. This is just the temperature limit for a seasonal tire change. How will the spikes behave in these conditions?
The first exercise is the measurement of fuel consumption. On the warm-up lap, immediately before the measurements, directional stability on asphalt and comfort were evaluated - noise and smoothness. At the end of the measurements, a “jog” was made along roads with different surfaces in order to fully appreciate the level of comfort.
Formula, Nokian and Nordman tires turned out to be the most economical at urban and suburban speeds. Cordiant gave the highest consumption. Although the difference, in all honesty, is scanty: 200 ml of gasoline per 100 km.
At a speed of 110-130 km / h, the Skoda Octavia keeps its course most clearly and makes soft lane changes, being shod with Michelin tires. And the Triangle driver is most annoying: a smeared, very wide “zero” and lack of information content. To correct the direction of movement, the steering wheel has to be twisted at large angles.
In terms of noise level, there is no significant difference between tires with spikes crunching on asphalt. In terms of ride, Continental, Hankook and Michelin tires stand out for the better.
The tests are completed by evaluating the braking properties on wet and dry pavement. Experts are interested in stopping 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 pavement, Continental tires perform best, and the longest distance was required Dunlop tires and Cordiant. On dry surfaces, the shortest braking distance is Tire Triangle, and outsiders - Cordiant.
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Summary
Russian tires Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 won with 929 points. Second place went to tires ContiIceContact 2 (916 points). The disadvantage of both of them by and large is one - the high price. In third place, missing six points to the coveted mark of "900" (tires that deserved 900 points, the experts of the magazine "Behind the wheel" consider excellent), is Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic.
For those who are not ready to pay more than 12 thousand rubles for a set of four tires, the testers are advised 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 contestants, who scored from 850 to 870 points and took places from six to ten in our ranking list, are also good, but each has its drawbacks. Of these, experts consider Cordiant Snow Cross tires to be the most profitable purchase: a modest price is combined with fairly high performance. However, these tires are not very suitable for urban conditions with clean asphalt roads.
price Michelin tires X-Ice North 3 can be considered slightly overpriced, not quite corresponding to the level of performance. Matador Sibir Ice 2 and Triangle IceLink are frankly budget products in their characteristics, but if you drive carefully, you can survive the winter on them..
| brand, model | 12th place | 11th place | 10th place | 9th place | 8th place | 6th-7th place | |
| Triangle IceLink | Matador Siberia Ice 2 | Formula Ice | Dunlop SP Winter Ice 02 | Michelin X-Ice North 3 | Toyo Observe G3-Ice | ||
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| Country of manufacture | China | Russia | Russia | Thailand | Russia | Malaysia | |
| Load and speed index | 95T | 95T | 91T | 95T | 95T | 91T | |
| Tread pattern | directed | directed | directed | directed | directed | directed | |
| 9.4-9.7 | 8.8-9.0 | 9.3-9.5 | 8.9-9.2 | 9.0-9.2 | 8.8-9.0 | ||
| 54 | 54-55 | 59 | 61-62 | 56-57 | 59 | ||
| Number of spikes, pcs. | 128 | 110 | 110 | 116 | 96 | 119 | |
| 0.9-1.6 | 0.9-1.3 | 1.3-1.7 | 1.2-1.6 | 1.1-1.7 | 1.3-1.9 | ||
| Tire weight, kg | 10.1 | 9.0 | 8.9 | 10.2 | 9.3 | 9.7 | |
| (Maximum 140 points) | m | 17.7 | 18.9 | 17.3 | 15.8 | 18.0 | 15.3 |
| points | 104.4 | 97.8 | 106.8 | 117.0 | 102.7 | 120.8 | |
| Maximum 120 points) | from | 32.4 | 30.5 | 30.8 | 32.5 | 30.5 | 31.5 |
| points | 108.5 | 115.3 | 114.2 | 108.2 | 115.3 | 111.6 | |
| Maximum 50 points) | from | 5.8 | 7.0 | 6.1 | 5.5 | 6.5 | 5.6 |
| points | 38.8 | 32.1 | 36.9 | 40.9 | 34.6 | 40.2 | |
| (Maximum 130 points) | m | 17.5 | 17.0 | 17.0 | 16.3 | 16.2 | 16.8 |
| points | 120.3 | 123.9 | 123.9 | 129.2 | 130 | 125.4 | |
| (Maximum 40 points ) | from | 6.4 | 6.4 | 6.0 | 6.4 | 6.3 | 6.5 |
| points | 37.5 | 37.5 | 40 | 37.5 | 38.1 | 36.9 | |
| (Maximum 110 points) | m | 20.7 | 21.0 | 21.1 | 22.4 | 21.0 | 21.8 |
| points | 105.2 | 103.7 | 103.2 | 97.2 | 103.7 | 99.9 | |
| (Maximum 90 points) | m | 31.6 | 32.2 | 32.7 | 33.9 | 32.9 | 33.5 |
| points | 90 | 88.3 | 87.0 | 83.9 | 86.4 | 84.9 | |
| Behavior: Expert judgment | |||||||
| handling on ice Maximum 40 points) | points | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
| Handling on snowMaximum 30 points) | points | 15 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 24 |
| Maximum 50 points) | points | 30 | 35 | 35 | 40 | 35 | 35 |
| Maximum 40 points) | points | 28 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
| Maximum 40 points) | points | 20 | 28 | 28 | 24 | 32 | 28 |
| Comfort: Expert judgment | |||||||
| internal noise ( Maximum 30 points) | points | 21 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
| smooth running ( Maximum 20 points) | points | 10 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 14 |
| Fuel consumption at 90 km/h(Maximum 40 points) | l/100km | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.4 | 6.6 | 6.5 | 6.6 |
| points | 39.4 | 39.4 | 40 | 38.8 | 39.4 | 38.8 | |
| Fuel consumption at 60 km/h(Maximum 30 points) | l/100km | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| points | 29.3 | 29.3 | 30 | 29.3 | 29.3 | 29.3 | |
| The amount of points awarded | 825 | 832 | 855 | 856 | 861 | 863 | |
| pros | The best braking properties on dry pavement, average - on wet | Good braking properties on dry pavement, average on wet pavement | Excellent acceleration on snow; economical at any speed | Very good braking properties on snow; high permeability | Better braking properties on snow and directional stability on asphalt; soft | Clear handling on snowy roads | |
| Minuses | Low lateral grip on ice, weakest braking on snow; low permeability; problematic handling on snow and directional stability on asphalt; very tough | Weakest longitudinal grip on ice; difficult handling and low directional stability on snow; noisy | Low running smoothness; minor claims to handling, cross-country ability, directional stability and noise level | Lowest lateral grip on ice; poor braking properties on wet asphalt; low directional stability on asphalt; increased fuel consumption at a speed of 90 km / h | Weak longitudinal grip on ice | Weak braking properties on wet asphalt; increased fuel consumption at a speed of 90 km / h | |
| brand, model | 6th-7th place | 5th place | 4th place | 3rd place | 2nd place | 1st place | |
| Cordiant Snow Cross | Norman 5 | Hankook Winter i*Pike RS+ | Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic | Continental ContiIceContact 2 | Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 | ||
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| Country of manufacture | Russia | Russia | South Korea | Poland | Germany | Russia | |
| Load and speed index | 91T | 95T | 91T | 95T | 95T | 95T | |
| Tread pattern | directed | directed | directed | directed | asymmetric | directed | |
| Drawing depth in width, mm | 9.6-9.8 | 9.3-9.5 | 9.2-9.4 | 10.1-10.4 | 7.9-8.2 | 8.8-9.0 | |
| Shore hardness of rubber, units | 60 | 54-55 | 51 | 55 | 50-51 | 51 | |
| Number of spikes, pcs. | 110 | 110 | 170 | 110 | 190 | 200 | |
| Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm | 1.4-1.5 | 1.0-1.4 | 1.5-2.0 | 1.4-1.6 | 1.3-1.5 | 1.0-1.4 | |
| Tire weight, kg | 9.1 | 8.4 | 9.1 | 9.5 | 9.2 | 8.5 | |
| Safety: Grip measurements | |||||||
| Braking distance (30-5 km/h) on ice(Maximum 140 points) | m | 16.2 | 16.9 | 15.6 | 14.6 | 13.3 | 13.2 |
| points | 114.1 | 109.3 | 118.5 | 126.6 | 138.9 | 140 | |
| Ice lap time ( Maximum 120 points) | from | 30.4 | 30.1 | 29.8 | 29.4 | 29.3 | 29.8 |
| points | 115.7 | 116.8 | 118.0 | 119.6 | 120 | 118.0 | |
| Acceleration time (5-30 km/h) on ice ( Maximum 50 points) | from | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.1 | 5.6 | 4.8 | 4.5 |
| points | 42.5 | 41.7 | 44.1 | 40.2 | 46.9 | 50 | |
| Braking distance (40-5 km/h) on snow(Maximum 130 points) | m | 16.7 | 16.8 | 16.7 | 16.4 | 16.4 | 16.8 |
| points | 126.1 | 125.4 | 126.1 | 128.4 | 128.4 | 125.4 | |
| Acceleration time (0-40 km/h) on snow(Maximum 40 points ) | from | 6.0 | 6.1 | 6.4 | 6.2 | 6.1 | 6.0 |
| points | 40 | 39.3 | 37.5 | 38.7 | 39.3 | 40 | |
| Braking distance (60-5 km/h) on wet pavement(Maximum 110 points) | m | 22.5 | 21.5 | 21.7 | 21.0 | 19.8 | 20.8 |
| points | 96.8 | 101.3 | 100.4 | 103.7 | 110 | 104.7 | |
| Braking distance (80-5 km/h) on dry pavement(Maximum 90 points) | m | 35.0 | 34.1 | 34.4 | 33.3 | 32.6 | 33.4 |
| points | 81.3 | 83.4 | 82.7 | 85.4 | 87.2 | 85.1 | |
| Behavior: Expert judgment | |||||||
| handling on ice Maximum 40 points) | points | 32 | 32 | 32 | 24 | 28 | 32 |
| Handling on snowMaximum 30 points) | points | 24 | 21 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 24 |
| Traction in deep snowMaximum 50 points) | points | 35 | 40 | 35 | 50 | 35 | 45 |
| Course stability on snow (Maximum 40 points) | points | 32 | 28 | 28 | 32 | 28 | 32 |
| Course stability on asphalt (Maximum 40 points) | points | 24 | 28 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 28 |
| Comfort: Expert judgment | |||||||
| internal noise ( Maximum 30 points) | points | 18 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 |
| smooth running ( Maximum 20 points) | points | 14 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 14 |
| Economy: Fuel consumption | |||||||
| Fuel consumption at 90 km/h(Maximum 40 points) | l/100km | 6.6 | 6.4 | 6.4 | 6.5 | 6.6 | 6.4 |
| points | 38.8 | 40 | 40 | 39.4 | 38.8 | 40 | |
| Fuel consumption at 60 km/h(Maximum 30 points) | l/100km | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.5 |
| points | 28.7 | 30 | 29.3 | 29.3 | 29.3 | 30 | |
| The amount of points awarded | 863 | 871 | 874 | 894 | 916 | 929 | |
| pros | Excellent acceleration on snow; clear handling on ice and snow; strict adherence to the course snow covered road | Reliable handling on ice; good flotation in deep snow; low fuel consumption | Low fuel consumption at a speed of 90 km/h; precise handling on icy and snowy roads; soft | High lateral grip on ice and longitudinal grip on snow; phenomenal cross-country ability, good directional stability on a snowy road | It is best to hold on to the ice in the transverse direction and slow down on wet pavement; good longitudinal grip on snow and ice; soft | Better longitudinal grip on ice and acceleration on snow; high lateral grip on ice; outstanding cross; low fuel consumption | |
| Minuses | The weakest braking properties on asphalt; increased fuel consumption at speeds of 60 and 90 km/h; noisy | Weak braking properties on dry pavement | Weak braking properties on dry pavement; noisy | Difficult handling on ice; minor remarks on handling on a snowy road and smoothness; noisy | Increased consumption fuel at a speed of 90 km/h; small claims to handling, directional stability and noise level | Minor comments on directional stability on asphalt and comfort level | |
The test material was prepared using the publication article
If I ask you a banal question: “what types of winter tires do you know?”, I am sure that you won’t have to wait long for an answer: studded and friction. Sit down, as they say, five! But I'm a little off about that. Russia occupies a vast territory, with completely different climatic regimes, sometimes terrible roads, lack of storm sewers, with constant repair of asphalt concrete, etc. Use in such "military" conditions the so-called. "Alpine" tires, those that are supplied by European and Asian manufacturers who know little about the Siberian frosts, may be prestigious, but not safe. ((material_113701)) At the same time, few people are aware that there is a competent alternative - the "Nordic" type of tires. These are the same models that have a wide temperature window of application. I'm talking about Scandinavian products and some domestic companies. This rubber has a more aggressive tread pattern, a special mixture formulation, possibly (due to design features ), a little more noisy, but at the same time it behaves an order of magnitude more adequately on the road. On such tires, it is equally confident to move either at +5 or at -53 degrees. “Alpine” models, alas, cannot boast of such a temperature fork, even if the manufacturer has a name with knee-length orders. In the 2016 season, every tenth winter tire sold in Russia carried the “clawed” Cordiant nameplate. The young, but ambitious Russian brand is proud of its success, since not many world giants are strong enough to take and capture 10.9% of the market. Tires of the brand are positioned in the mid-price segment "B". That is, they are not the most expensive, but not frankly cheap either. This is the “yielding” niche that the consumer is especially willing to “peck” today. Again, based on the results of 2016, these products are, in fact, the best alternative to premium counterparts.((gallery_753)) only in the fall of 2018, and the tires provided for testing are just a few engineering samples. We were emphasized twice that this is not the final product, changes are possible in the tread pattern and the rubber compound formulation, work on the proprietary stud will continue, etc. Fine-tuning will last at least another six months, after which, perhaps, the next final tests will take place at the Finnish training ground in Ivola. . Truth, as usual, is known in comparison. And in order to achieve greater adequacy in our estimates, we were given several models for testing - Cordiant Snow Cross and Snow Cross 2, Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 and 8, Dunlop SP Winter Ice 02. As you can see, the company is motley: Finns (share 7.8% without Nordmann) stood firmly in defense of the "premium", the British (4.7%) took the rap for the mass segment. In the first exercise, using the Racelogic device, it was necessary to verify the objective length of the braking distance of the car. Dunlop did not participate in this tour - the rivalry was between representatives of two northern neighbors. The organizers found a quiet icy street in the resort Dzhemruk and drove BMW 318i along it, as they say, race after race. Initially, by the way, they wanted to use the ice of the local lake for this, but the weather in the mountains, you know, is unpredictable: a sharp drop in the mercury column from -22 to almost 0 degrees. made me change my plans. ((gallery_752)) Mobile tire service worked quickly - the Bavarian "three-ruble note" was alternately mounted with Snow Cross, then Snow Cross 2, then the eighth "Hakka" and sent to the track, where they gave 6-10 attempts. The scheme is simple: you accelerate to 60 km / h, Racelogic gives a voice, the brake pedal sharply to the floor, and you roll in anticipation of a complete deceleration. The braking distance was measured in the range from 40 km/h to 5 km/h. For the final figures, the average was taken. He obviously pleased the representatives of Cordiant: Snow Cross 2 - 17.8 meters, Snow Cross - 18.4 meters, Hakkapeliitta 8 - 18.9 meters. ((material_111562)) Not least the success of Snow Cross 2 is due to the side blocks of the tread pattern, a kind of braking activators. They have a novelty of uneven shape. The higher the hardness of the hook on the checker of the pattern, the more the tire clings to pavement . Hence, as you know, more confident braking. By the way, about some discrepancy between the above figures. They are explained simply: different drivers chose different sections of the road for acceleration, including the side part, where the ice crust gave way to rolled snow. In any case, the contenders for victory showed approximately the same braking results, they did not get a big gap from each other, which is very important. The subjective stage of the tests brought us to the runway of the local airfield. Like a year ago, in Karelia, on the eve (and on the day of the races) there was heavy snow, and the proposed “snakes” with rearrangements simply “drowned” in its abundance. A couple of attempts at speed - and in the corners a decent parapet was formed. The “aviation” slalom with the stabilization system turned off resembled the “white circus” skiing, when the chances of winning were higher for those participants who went to the distance among the first. ((gallery_755)) Rolling up to the next cone, we turn the steering wheel, at the same time we release the gas, then we stabilize the course and - the accelerator pedal to the floor. Everything, as you understand, is relatively simple, however, on loose deep snow, under which there is an icy base, and in turns - a knurled hole, following the instructions of the instructor was not given as filigree as it could be on an ordinary winter road. In addition, the car was constantly thrown into a hackneyed and fairly broken rut, which was not always possible to bypass. Scrupulously assessing the handling of tires in such conditions is difficult even for an experienced expert, but still managed to learn something. On the linear "snake" the Finnish test participant turned out to be a priority: the seventh "Hakki" has the best behavior in a skid and a quick exit from it. On the “Alpine” Dunlops, the car kept digging, losing precious seconds to free it from snow captivity, and struggled with drifts in turns. I was pleased, in turn, with Snow Cross 2: the “snow pockets” used in the design of the novelty showed that they can work on loose snow. To the place, as it seemed, and side lugs. They noticeably facilitate the exit from the snow rut, helping the car to follow the laid course. Interestingly, Cordiant uses similar elements on its light truck tire models, for which drivers appreciate them. On the "rearrangement" I did not find any special difference between Finnish tires and Snow Cross 2. The difference, perhaps, is in the nuances. But where the premium brand is definitely better is when exiting corners in a linear fashion. As if the "old soldier" uses all his life experience and clings to any uneven ground of the runway. Later, when a string of cars moved onto public roads, I felt how competent the work of Snow Cross 2 became in the so-called. mixed, which is adequate from the point of view of danger pure ice. The new tire uses self-locking 3D sipes. When we move in a straight line, the sipes open and close in the contact patch under the weight of the car. This is a well-known microdrainage (when the lamellas narrow, they push out the mixed and water). The complex shape of the sipes - to improve handling. When we turn the steering wheel and maneuver, the 3D sipes behave more rigidly and, accordingly, the tread pattern keeps its shape better, the car goes a little faster. ((gallery_756)) The "second" Snow Cross uses a completely new tread pattern, which is easy to distinguish from the first generation of the model. Wide longitudinal and transverse grooves effectively resist the effect of hydroplaning and sliding in mixed. Spikes are used on the central edge of the tire. Moreover, the manufacturer talks about a new studding scheme - thanks to the mold pins new design keeping the spike in the "saddle" is taken to a different level. ((material_117960)) And in motion, in the contact patch, in any case, there are at least 10 spikes, which is extremely important. The branded "Cordiant" spike Spike-Cor, as stated above, is likely to be even more advanced form, but it's too early to talk about it. The contact patch of Snow Cross 2 is in the shape of a rectangle. This perfect option. It is known that as the speed increases, this spot becomes smaller as the pressure in the tire increases. If the spot suddenly takes the form of a small oval, this means that all the technologies used in the development of the tire have stopped working. In Snow Cross 2, all elements of the tread pattern work optimally in the contact patch. And the pressure level in the spot is also optimized. What else to add? Increased the amount of silica and used rapeseed oil. The topic is hackneyed: it gives the tire a wide temperature window, which, as you remember, we started our review with. What its digital values will become known after the upcoming tests in the Arctic. But for sure they will not be worse than the results of the Snow Cross model, and this, we recall, is from +5 to -53 degrees. ((gallery_754)) In the mainstream tire segment, this is the best indicator on the market. And among premium competitors, the Russian tire is not the last place. At the same time, one of the most important parameters the sale of goods - the price - plays into the hands of Cordiant Snow Cross 2. We will only find out in 2018, but, according to industry experts, it is reasonable to expect an increase of 5% (for example, from the current 3,500 rubles for size 205 / 55R16), no more. This, you see, is a trifling increase for a new, higher level of security.
But first, it makes sense to recall the decisions that were originally incorporated into the design of the Snow Cross winter tire. The very name of one of the technologies (Snow Cor) used in this model suggests that the developers paid special attention to the performance of the tire on a snowy road. A characteristic feature of the directional tread design is the closed center rib. The essence of the solution is that the rib cuts through the snow cover, effectively removing the upper, usually wet layer of snow from the contact patch through the grooves located at an angle. And this greatly reduces the possibility of "hydroplaning in the snow." Good drainage in the contact patch is also facilitated by the Z-shaped lamellas, which penetrate the tread blocks. Opening and closing when the tire moves, the sipes not only remove water suspension from the contact patch, but also create additional tire engagement zones on the snow surface. But why did Cordiant developers choose this particular shape of lamellas? For example, the frequently used 3D lamellas cope with the above functions and provide rigidity of the tread blocks, which has a good effect on handling. Here it is worth remembering that any tire is a child of compromises. And for developers, it is important to achieve a balance of all characteristics. With lamellas (and not only in 3D form), Cordiant engineers experimented a lot and as a result came to the conclusion that the lamellas of their chosen shape, firstly, perform their functions well, and secondly, they are less expensive to manufacture.
Innovative stud shape ensures a secure hold in the tire
The studding of the Cordiant Snow tire uses proprietary Ice Cor technology. These are asymmetrically located spikes, the number of rows of which is 16. Thus, at the same time, at least 10 spikes are located in the contact patch of the tire with the road.
What new solutions are used in this season's Snow Cross winter tires? First of all, this is a new spike developed by the well-known company Scason. The stud body is aluminum and the insert is made of tungsten carbide. With spikes, as with lamellas, many tests have been carried out. Preliminary selection passed five options, from which the final choice was made. The shape of the carbide insert is two squares shifted relative to each other, that is, the insert has eight sharp edges that allow you to confidently cling to the ice. The shape of the stud leg was selected in such a way as to ensure its reliable fastening in the tread layer of the tire under shock loads. In comparative tests of tires equipped with old and new studs, only due to the use of new studs, the braking performance was reduced by 8%, and the lap time on ice improved by 7%. Also improved and acceleration on ice.
16 rows of studs (exclusively factory studded) arranged asymmetrically
A separate "engineering" topic is a new rubber compound, which took three years to develop, and the work was carried out in partnership with colleagues from German institutes. But the time was well spent: only due to the new compound, the braking distance was reduced by 12% (at a speed of 20 km / h, this is a body passenger car), and acceleration on ice improved by 9%. The new rubber compound has not only become more elastic, but also the temperature range of its application has expanded. An argument that is very important when determining the market for which the tire is intended: the rubber compound of the Snow Cross model of winter tires remains stable down to temperatures of -53 ° C. Structurally, the tire has a two-layer tread: directly under the tread with a soft rubber compound there is a hard, so-called undergroove layer , which, first of all, provides a reliable fastening of the spike. In addition, this layer creates a reliable support for the stud, due to which it exerts additional pressure on the stud during its contact with the ice surface.
TO winter season In 2016–2017, the Cordiant Snow Cross tire range was expanded by 25 sizes. New popular sizes with landing diameters of 17 and 18 inches have appeared. Moreover, a whole line for the production of these tires was launched at the Cordiant-Vostok plant. There are also 13 sizes of tires for SUVs: the design of tires for cars in this segment is distinguished by a reinforced sidewall.
The task initially was to prepare for the production of tires with a landing diameter of 17 and 18 inches for cars premium segment. However, for such products, products are needed not just good, but very good. The tread pattern of the Cordiant Snow Cross was kept the same, but the compound was redesigned. Its chemical composition made it possible to provide a wide operating temperature range: +10…-53 °C. Before the upgrade, the lower limit was -45 °C.
To improve traction on ice, Scason's lightweight Spike-Cor studs were used. A hard-alloy octagonal insert made of tungsten carbide has been introduced into the aluminum body of the new “claw”. The former studs were encased in stainless steel, their carbide insert was uncut.
There are always a dozen of these "claws" in the contact patch. According to Cordiant, the braking distance when decelerating from 30 to 5 km/h on the upgraded tires decreased by 8% compared to the previous ones, and acceleration from 5 to 30 km/h became 3.7% faster.
The upgrade affected not only expensive 17- and 18-inch models, but also more affordable 13-16-inch models.
On the snow-covered field of the Sortavala airfield, tire manufacturers assembled rear-wheel drive cars of premium brands. The test program of the upgraded Cordiant Snow Cross model included an assessment of longitudinal grip: after intensive acceleration to 60 km / h, sharp braking until a complete stop, first with ESP on, and then off. Accurately working electronics drives the car without skids and slips. But even without electronic stabilization, I confidently controlled the behavior of the "five" BMW on the snow.
I tried to evaluate the transverse grip while driving a Mercedes E‑class, performing a “moose” test. I did not knock down a single cone when performing maneuvers, but I can’t say anything about the advantages of the new tires without comparing them with the previous ones.
In the tire test conducted by the Za Rulem expert group (ЗР, 2016, No. 9), the updated Cordiant Snow Cross studs performed well. In the 15-inch dimension, they were ahead of eminent rivals Michelin and Dunlop. And the price is a third lower: depending on the tire size, Cordiant Snow Cross tires cost from 2,000 to 4,000 rubles.