2010 AMS Winter Tyre Test
In 2010 Auto Motor Und Sport [AMS] visited Sweden to test ten 205/55 r16 winter tyres. On test were the usual mix of premium and mid range tyres, including the TyreReviews favourite Nokian WRG2.Winning the test was the Goodyear UltraGrip 7+, thanks to an extremely strong snow performance which was only equaled by the mid-range brand Fulda (who incidentally are owned by Goodyear). The new Michelin Aplin A4 and the Continental TS830 rounded out the top 3 with extremely strong dry and wet scores which make the tyres more appealing to climates like the UK where the roads see little snow but plenty of freezing mornings in both dry and damp conditions.
While the the Nokian WRG2 only placed 8th, it also verified its suitability for UK type climates by winning the wet section of the test with comments of sporty handling. Unfortunately its snow performance was the worst of the test, but it would vastly outperform a normal summer tyre should adverse conditions present themselves.
Here are the full results with breakdown scores and comments.
Very good handling, good traction and short braking distances on snow, balanced properties in wet and dry, quiet
Slightly increased rolling resistance
Total: 264
Dry
86
Wet
83
Snow
95
Good handling and excellent braking performance on wet roads, good handling characteristics on dry roads, low rolling resistance
Snow performance wasn't group leading
Total: 259
Dry
90
Wet
92
Snow
77
Good handling and short braking distances on snow, very good wetness characteristics, good aquaplaning resistance
Limited snow traction
Total: 257
Dry
93
Wet
94
Snow
70
Excellent handling, great braking power and very good traction on snow, good aquaplaning
Only average driving characteristics and a relatively long stopping distances on wet roads
Total: 244
Dry
79
Wet
67
Snow
98
Very good handling characteristics and short braking distances in dry, good ride comfort, good wet performances
Average snow performance
Total: 242
Dry
81
Wet
86
Snow
75
Good handling characteristics and short braking distances on dry roads, very good wetness characteristics, low rolling resistance
Moderate traction and longer stopping distance on snow
Total: 234
Dry
87
Wet
83
Snow
64
Good handling and braking performance in dry, good wet performances, comfortable
Average snow scores, increased rolling resistance
Total: 233
Dry
82
Wet
82
Snow
69
Very good handling characteristics and short braking distances on wet roads, good properties in dry
Average cornering, traction and braking on snow
Total: 232
Dry
86
Wet
98
Snow
48
Good handling and braking performance on dry roads, wet satisfactory properties, good comfort
Average snow scores
Total: 221
Dry
85
Wet
75
Snow
61
Good handling and braking performance in dry conditions
Traction and braking on snow poor, long braking distance in wet conditions
Total: 196
Dry
78
Wet
66
Snow
52