Beginning of September. It’s eleven degrees outside, and two steps away, in the hangar, it’s the same number of degrees, but already freezing. Under its roof is a “closed” presentation of Hankook winter tires.
ABOUT din hangar - in the form of a pencil case, for testing longitudinal dynamics, and the second, put into operation at the beginning of 2015, is a 400-meter ring track to evaluate handling on snow!
The owners of the hangars are our long-time partners from the Finnish company Test World, who, among other things, have been testing winter tires for more than twenty years. And in order not to stand idle in the summer, when the luxurious ice and snow tracks turn into swamps, they invested a lot of money in these refrigerated hangars (the indoor track alone for assessing handling cost 11 million euros). And, it seems, the project will “fight back”: both tire manufacturers and automobile companies rushed to the Test World test site, who need to test electronic systems on winter surfaces - after all, earlier for urgent work they had to fly far away, for example, to the SNPG test site in New Zealand (AR No. 19, 2011).
One of the customers is the Korean company Hankook Tire, which incidentally lured a couple of test site employees with extensive experience in testing winter tires. By the way, the European research center Hankook is located in Hannover, Germany, next to the headquarters of the Continental company - and, of course, the Koreans did not fail to take advantage of this human resource.
The result was not long in coming. If previously Hankook winter tires were among the outsiders in our comparative tests, then this year the new Winter i*Pike RS Plus model with an increased number of studs came close to the group of leaders (AR No. 18, 2015). It's only the beginning! In addition to studded ones, the “northern” non-studded tires Winter i*cept iZ², and “Central European” ones - Winter i*cept RS² and Winter i*cept evo² were presented at the test site.
After a short run on public roads with a stop at the now deserted border with Russia (only 50 km from the test site), I drive into the winter on the same “Central European” winter tires Winter i*cept RS². Funny! There is dazzling white snow under the wheels, and around there are the same white walls and ceiling.
First, I’m trying to “sharp” and understand where the snow ends and the wall cladding begins. In the open air it’s simpler: I went too fast, flew into a snowdrift - and in a minute the car would be pulled out by a “technician”. Maximum - the plugs on the bumper will fly off. And here there is no room for error: it will be awkward if I punch a hole in the wall...
Hankook winter tire line (from left to right): studded Winter i*Pike RS Plus, “Central European” Winter i*cept RS² and “northern” Winter i*cept iZ² - all designed for mass-produced cars with wheels with a landing diameter of 14-17 inches; Then there are the high-speed “Central European” tires Winter i*cept evo² SUV for SUVs and the same, but without the SUV index, for ordinary cars. However, not quite ordinary ones: some standard sizes are designed for speeds of 270 km/h! And the line is completed by the all-season Kinergy 4S, which has already been approved for the original equipment of the Audi TT
Very carefully at first. “Central European” winter tires with a limited number of small sipes provide good traction on asphalt, but their capabilities are limited on snow. Little by little I increase the pace, I reach the point of sliding - and, I must admit, they don’t scare me. The stalls are smooth, the car is controlled - and these are precisely the nuances that distinguish “thoroughbred” tires, which were fine-tuned by serious specialists!
Of course, on studded Winter i*Pike RS Plus tires you can take turns more boldly, but even more on the snowy track I liked the completely new studless Winter i*cept iZ² tires, designed for harsh (including Russian) winters. The car brakes confidently and takes turns quickly and easily in light slides. It seems that in the next comparative tests of Autoreview, the leaders will have to share places with Hankook tires in the studless class... However, this model has not yet been put into mass production and will appear on the market only next year. And the range of studded tires Hankook Winter i*Pike RS Plus is currently limited in Russia to only two 16-inch sizes. But the “Central European” Winter i*cept evo² tires are already available in 17 sizes: from 205/60 R16 to 255/35 R20, and I boldly advise residents of southern regions and large cities to pay attention to them. By the way, these tires have already been noticed by BMW and Audi. Yes, yes, I myself saw on one of the BMW “fives” winter tires Hankook Winter i*cept evo with an additional star on the sidewall - this is how tires approved by the automaker for the original equipment are marked.
Let me explain. A couple of years ago, manufacturers of European premium cars began, at the request of customers, to install winter tires on the assembly line - and this should not be confused with the services of dealers who refit new cars in the “winter.” That is, we are talking specifically about tires that have been tested and approved by car manufacturers and are marked accordingly: “MO” for Mercedes, “AO” for Audi, “star” for BMW. Of course, Hankook is not exclusive here - both Continental and Michelin supply “Central European” winter tires as standard equipment today. Of course, car companies evaluate not only the driving performance of tires, but also the purchase price - it seems that Korean tire manufacturers offer delivery conditions that are difficult to refuse. Purchasing prices are a closely guarded secret, but I admit that the Koreans even lose money on each set. However, in the long term... Firstly, many car owners, when the time comes to change their tires, will ask to replace them with the same ones. And secondly (or firstly?), supplying tires for original equipment, and even cars with the biggest names, is an investment in reputation!
As for retail prices in Russia, Hankook Winter i*Pike RS Plus studs in the popular size 205/55 R16 can be purchased for 4,300 rubles apiece, which is 2,000 cheaper than Nokian or Continental tires. But you can’t save much on Winter i*cept evo² tires: for a set of dimensions 225/45 R17 you will have to pay the same 40,000 rubles as for “Central European” winter tires made by Michelin, Nokian or Continental.
Under the wheels there is a layer of natural snow 30 cm thick, loaded into hangars last winter. All summer, cars have been grooming the track - and the surface is as clean as if snow had fallen yesterday. And all because after the races the track is leveled with special harrows and there are no “thaws” under the roof - the air conditioning system maintains the temperature at minus 10-11°C around the clock
With the onset of September, the well-known magazine “Behind the Wheel” did not drag its feet and published the results of its tests of the 12 best studded tires. The tires were taken in the most popular standard size 195/65 R15, which is installed on a large number of car models. The testing involved studded tires from well-known manufacturers, which were divided into two categories: “East” and “West”. The “eastern” group included tires from Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese brands, and the “western” group included tires from European brands. However, this division is rather arbitrary, since the products of some “eastern” brands are made at factories in European countries (Firestone). Moreover, all tires are produced for the European market, which adds to this aspect of meaninglessness. However, this is precisely the distinction that was proposed to us by the experts of the magazine “Behind the Wheel.”
It should be noted that four new products for 2018 made their debut in the list of tested winter studded wheels - Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer, Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 W429, GT Radial IcePro 3 and Firestone Ice Cruiser 7. The first three are real new products that have taken over the range of their manufacturers old versions, and Firestone tires are a copy of the old one Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000 .
Tested winter tires in size 195 65 15
- (Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 02)
- (Continental Ice Contact 2)
- (Firestone Ice Cruiser 7)
- (Gislaved Nord Frost 200)
- Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic (Goodyear Ultra Grip Arctic)
- (GT Radial Ice Pro 3)
- Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 W429 (Hankook Winter I Pike RS2 B 429)
- Nitto Therma Spike
- (Nokian Hakapelita 9)
- (Nordman 7)
- (Pirelli Ice Zero)
- Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer
Test runs covered a wide range of disciplines, which were carried out in January and April 2018 at the testing grounds of Continental in Sweden and AVTOVAZ in Togliatti. It is surprising that Michelin X-Ice North 4 tires are missing from the list of tested models. This tire will definitely be a bestseller for the 2018-2019 winter season. However, the manufacturer did not agree to test its own tire, citing the fact that the result could be falsified.
Rating of studded winter tires 2018 according to Za Rulem magazine
Tests were conducted in four disciplines (the final possible maximum score 1000 points). Each discipline consisted of several categories that added up to the final grade.
Disciplines:
- ice and snow ( 670 points);
- wet and dry asphalt ( 210 points);
- comfort ( 50 points);
- efficiency ( 70 points).
| Tested model in size 195/65 R15 | Ice and snow | Wet and dry asphalt | Comfort | Economical | Bottom line |
| 617 | 193 | 34 | 70 | 915 | |
| 618,6 | 193,9 | 30 | 66,8 | 905 | |
| Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 W429 | 623,1 | 189,2 | 35 | 68,7 | 905 |
| 595,7 | 177,9 | 30 | 67,4 | 888 | |
| Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic | 584,4 | 194 | 32,5 | 66,8 | 877 |
| 587,7 | 193,2 | 32,5 | 68,7 | 874 | |
| 567,4 | 204 | 32,5 | 65,6 | 870 | |
| 574,8 | 178,1 | 28,5 | 65,6 | 847 | |
| Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer | 558,7 | 182,9 | 32,5 | 66,2 | 840 |
| Nitto Therma Spike | 545,5 | 174,4 | 32,0 | 68,7 | 821 |
| 517,5 | 191,6 | 35,0 | 66,8 | 811 | |
| 514,9 | 181,4 | 26,0 | 65,6 | 788 |
1st place - Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
This is not the first time he has become the winner of various races. Of course, the Nokian company has tarnished its reputation with fraud during testing, but there is no need to doubt the quality of the Finnish plant’s products. The tires showed their best performance, demonstrating the highest level of fuel efficiency, excellent handling on snowy or icy roads, snowdrift capability and precise maneuvering. Among the shortcomings, experts identified poor acoustic comfort characteristics and high cost.
2nd place - Continental IceContact 2
Tires from the German concern are traditionally at the top of winter testing, but when it comes to studs, everything becomes not so rosy. The “Behind the Wheel” magazine test showed the opposite. The rubber demonstrates the best lateral and longitudinal grip on an icy crust, giving the necessary level of acceleration and a short braking distance. Among the negative aspects, it is necessary to note small flaws in the handling characteristics on asphalt and the high noise level.
3rd place — Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 W429
The 2018 new product from the Korean Hankuk plant did not surprise with its impressive driving characteristics. The previous W419 was a real best-seller with excellent towing capabilities (especially the projector depth reaching 10 mm), and its successor is no worse. The rubber demonstrated impressive lateral and longitudinal grip on ice, confident braking and acceleration, maneuverability and mileage in snowy terrain. On asphalt, unfortunately, the tires are the worst in the top 5. In addition, extreme winter driving is clearly not for this tire.
4th place - Pirelli Ice Zero
Quite an “old” model from an Italian manufacturer. On an icy surface it is not inferior to the prize-winning three, but its studding system is not very modern. The rubber showed confident results in the directional stability category during normal driving. It is also worth noting the decent behavior of a car shod with Ice Zero on wet and dry asphalt, which is very rare for any studded tire. The tires are slightly inferior to the leaders in handling during extreme driving and have an average level of comfort.
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5th place - Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic
The American company's tires were the best in deep snow. This is not surprising; one glance at the tread pattern is enough to understand this. In addition to this advantage, Goodyear tires stood out for their short braking distance on wet and dry asphalt surfaces. With all their advantages, wheels have a clear drawback - low comfort. The aggressive tread pattern produces a rather unpleasant rumble. Also, the Za Rulem specialists had some complaints regarding stability and controllability on ice.
6th place - Nokian Nordman 7
The second tire from Nokian Tires, which belongs to the budget segment of the market, demonstrated a not so high degree of grip on the road surface, despite the elaborate tread pattern borrowed from the legendary Hakkapeliitta 7. The tires showed an average level of grip on dry road surfaces and confident acceleration. Among the shortcomings, the model “distinguished itself” in its smooth ride and noise level. Rubber is a real strong middle peasant.
7th place — Gislaved Nord*Frost 200
The Continental sub-brand was awarded the middle of the standings for the best studded tires of 2018. Gislaved tires showed positive results in braking properties and directional stability on asphalt, and also showed a safe level of maneuvering. The longitudinal grip on icy surfaces of the Gislaved stud needs to be better, as does extreme maneuvering. You can also note the high fuel consumption of the wheel. This indicates an incorrect distribution of the tire tread elements, which gives higher rolling resistance.
8th place - Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02
The products of the Japanese tire giant were clearly disappointing. It would seem that years of presence in the European tire market should have led the company to finally good studded tires, but no, this did not happen. So far, the manufacturer’s “Velcro” products are better than studs. The tires didn't show anything out of the ordinary. Considering the cost and availability of cheaper tires higher on the list, buying Blizzak Spike 02 is a dubious idea. The tires are not bad, but the price cancels out all the advantages.
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9th place - Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer
Despite a fairly thorough design of the stud system and a really high-quality rubber composition with inclusions of ground walnut shells (!), this year’s new product could not compete with leading brands. Toyo is traditionally considered a brand in the middle between premium and mid-budget, but in this test they barely made it into the top 10. The tires have good directional stability and stable handling on winter roads. Braking performance leaves much to be desired.
10th place - Nitto Therma Spike
Japanese tire makers from the Toyo sub-brand are located immediately behind their parent company. Among the positive aspects, it is necessary to note satisfactory handling, average mileage in snowy areas and acceptable smoothness. There are, of course, more negative aspects. Poor braking performance on dry and wet surfaces, difficult handling, noise - all this makes Nitto not the best choice. However, it should be noted that the tested tires are relatively cheap (second on the list) and quite old technologically.
11th place - GT Radial IcePro 3
The penultimate ones in the ranking are Taiwanese tires from Giti. The least expensive on the list, they could become a real sensation on the market. However, Ice Pro 3 did not demonstrate the expected results. They failed on all fronts, distinguished only by the lowest cost and ride comfort. This doesn't automatically make them bad, but it does suggest that using them studless is more appropriate.
12th place - Firestone Ice Cruiser 7
The main disappointment is that no one expected outstanding results from the Bridgestone sub-brand, but they expected it to at least get into the middle of the list. But the “new” Ice Cruiser did not show any improvement, losing in almost everything. The tires have a good level of braking properties on dry asphalt, but are clearly inferior to competitors in grip on ice and snow, efficiency, handling, maneuverability, and have the dubious honor of being the noisiest. If in other models noise is justified by good grip, then in this case it is simply unacceptable. Moreover, for not the lowest price.
Conclusion
Testing is not the ultimate objective truth. There are several points that raise questions, for example, why does the Za Rulem magazine use tires provided personally by the manufacturer? In similar experiments in German magazines, for example, testers do it much simpler - they go to the nearest store and buy tires for testing. On the other hand, the rating system in this test is one of the best; the gradation of priority of certain categories is close to every driver. Therefore, when purchasing new winter wheels, you need to listen to this test, but you should not take this material into account exclusively.
For car enthusiasts it always seems to be quite a difficult task. After all, you need to consider many aspects, such as the noise the tire makes while driving, the level of comfort it provides, and most importantly, its performance in bad weather conditions, that is, on wet road surfaces, as well as on icy and snowy roads. The situation is complicated by the fact that there is no problem with variety: there are a huge number of winter tires, so choosing any specific ones, so as not to regret the choice, is not as easy as it might seem at first. Therefore, this article is intended to save you from the agony of choice. Here will be a review of Winter i’Pike RS W419 winter tires about them, their photographs and so on. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate in detail the capabilities and features of these tires so that you can evaluate them yourself and make the right choice. So, what is so good about the Winter i’Pike RS W419 Hankook tires? There are extremely positive reviews about them on the Internet, but we will talk about user opinions a little later. First you need to look at the tires themselves and consider all their features and capabilities.
Winter premium tires
Hankook Winter i’Pike RS W419 tires are actually a unique product, because these particular tires can be called a serious step forward in production. Simply put, this model sets a new standard for winter tires that focus on high performance. offers you a whole new level of driving in difficult weather conditions, be it snow or ice. By the way, if we talk about snow and ice, then each winter tire has its own bias - some cope better with snow-covered surfaces, while the performance of others is aimed at neutralizing the negative effects of road icing. In this case, the emphasis is on combating icing, and this can be noticed both while driving and just by looking at the characteristics of this rubber. It has excellent performance on icy road surfaces, but don't think that snowy roads will be an obstacle for you because the tires still cope well with snowy road surfaces, which is why they are one of the best in the world.
Close to ideal also means performance on wet roads, so these tires will save you from any bad weather. Moreover, they have increased wear resistance, so you can ride them for a very long time. This tire has very good performance even on dry roads, although, of course, the difference in handling can be seen with the naked eye. As for those parameters that, unlike the previous ones, can be classified not as ideal, excellent and very good, but simply as good, these are the noise created by this tire when driving, as well as its environmental friendliness.
Well, the last point, which still cannot be called bad, but at the same time it has the lowest indicator of all, is ride comfort. Unfortunately, the manufacturer had to make a choice: sacrifice comfort for ideal performance in various weather conditions, or compromise performance for comfort. The choice was made in favor of the first option, and the result was the Hankook Winter i’Pike RS W419 tires. The winter tires of this model will definitely not disappoint you, even taking into account the lack of ride comfort when equipped with them.
Water ramp
So now you have a general idea of the performance of the Hankook Winter i’Pike RS W419 tires. 91T, 100P and other similar types are available in a wide range of sizes, so it is better to concentrate on quality rather than variety. Why are these tires so popular and considered one of the best in the world? It's all about the technologies used to create them, namely the tire tread pattern, as well as the structure of the tire.
All this will be discussed in detail in this article, and it’s worth starting with the tread pattern. There are a large number of features, the combination of which gives an incredible result. And the first feature is special slopes in the tread pattern, due to which water is effectively removed from the tire grooves. This feature ensures maximum tire performance in winter, as large amounts of water in rainy, snowy weather and icy roads are removed quickly and efficiently. The same applies to the Hankook Winter i’Pike RS W419 XL tires, which, regardless of their size, cope no less effectively with large volumes of fluid entering the tread grooves.
3D grooves
Hankook Winter i'Pike RS W419 R16 tires (this is one of the most popular diameters, 16 inches, but it is worth noting that there are a wide variety of diameters on sale, from 15 to 20 inches), naturally, are not limited to one feature: there are many more of them, and one of the most prominent among them is the special design of the tread grooves. Traditionally, they are “two-dimensional”, that is, they go straight into the rubber, but in this model the grooves are “three-dimensional” - they have their own pattern, they are curved, which gives certain advantages. Which ones exactly? This feature ensures that motion blocking is reduced, thereby providing the driver with increased vehicle stability while driving. This is precisely one of the most important parameters for winter tires. And again, this is not all that the Hankook Winter i’Pike RS W419 tires are capable of. The review will reveal in detail every feature of this rubber so that you can fully appreciate its highest quality.
Special hairpin
It's no secret that in ordinary tires the tread pattern is fixed on static studs, but in the case of this rubber this is not at all the case. The manufacturer used incredible innovative moving pin technology. This makes the tread actually moveable, which brings many advantages. The studs can move in different directions, which provides maximum efficiency when breaking ice, and also guarantees first-class traction on snowy roads. Separately, it is worth noting the effective interaction of this technology with another innovative technology used in this rubber, which will be discussed below.
Snow Slit
Snow Slit technology is directly related to the previous feature of these tires. The fact is that there is always a certain thread around the stud, which also increases the functionality of the tires. However, in this case, this carving is made in a special way: firstly, it looks more impressive, since it is not an abstraction, but is shaped like a snowflake. Winter tires with a great design are a very attractive proposition, but it becomes even more tempting when you know that those snowflakes on the tread are not just for decoration, but also have a function. Combined with movable studs, these snowflakes provide maximum ice breaking and traction on snowy roads. As you can see, these tires pack a ton of surprises that add up to great performance and efficiency on the road.
Spuit
On wet, icy or snowy roads? There is water on the road surface, which is there either in its original liquid form or in a solid aggregate state, that is, as an ice crust or snow drift. One way or another, it is water that reduces the grip of the rubber on the road. The tread has channels that, when in contact with the road, draw water out of it, thereby reducing the amount of water on the surface and improving traction. What is the essence of the new technology used in this tire model? The fact is that, unlike conventional rubber, this model’s tread channels end in small cavities, thanks to which the tire can remove more fluid from the road, guaranteeing even better traction even in the most unpleasant weather.
2-in-1 blocks
Everyone knows that the tread pattern is usually divided into blocks, which provides better traction. However, most often these blocks are single, that is, the entire surface of the tire is divided into separate shapes: squares, rectangles, polygons, and so on. But this tire model takes a 2-in-1 approach as its basis: the entire middle of the tread is covered with aggressive blocks, which are a combination of two standard blocks. Why is this done? Thus, the manufacturer managed to achieve the highest quality grip on snowy and icy road surfaces. This is another important element that adds up to the overall package, and it all adds up to the fact that these tires offer ideal performance on icy roads and near-ideal performance on snowy and wet roads.
Husky as a prototype
This may seem rather strange, but the manufacturers of these tires admit that they took their inspiration from Siberian huskies. This breed of dog has been used for a long time in the north in frosty climates for transporting people and various goods. Thick wool is one of the main advantages of this breed, but the developers could not figure out how to cover the tires with warm wool. So they concentrated on another aspect - the claws and paws of these dogs. If you have seen the paws of a husky and look at the tread of this tire, you will notice a certain similarity. The fact is that the creators used the husky paw pattern as a prototype to create the tread pattern of their tires. If dogs can safely navigate snowy and icy areas, then why can’t a car that has the same tires as a husky’s paws? Moreover, the edges of the tread are designed in such a way that they are in many ways reminiscent of the claws of the same dog, making the destruction of the ice cover a much simpler task. The grip on a snowy road for a car equipped with these tires will be simply ideal, because this tire is based on the long history of huskies in the harsh conditions of the north.
Tire coating
All of the above features have gained enormous popularity and a high place in the ratings for the Winter i’Pike RS W419 Hankook tires. Reviews about these tires are always very good, but it is worth noting that this is due not only to the tire tread, but also to its structure itself. First of all, it is worth noting the tire coating, which is made of silicone-containing rubber, which provides excellent grip. This can be especially noted on wet, snowy and icy road surfaces. However, this material also provides minimal resistance while driving, allowing you to save significantly on fuel compared to what more standard tires can offer you.
Breaker layer
The tire's belt layer, located under the rubber, is distinguished by its large width and also by the fact that it is made of steel. This provides optimal stiffness for the Winter i’Pike RS W419 Hankook tires: reviews of this model usually contain information that it is the moderate stiffness of these tires that provides sufficient comfort with such incredible performance. It would seem that with such grip in terrible road conditions there can be no talk of comfort at all, but the manufacturer managed to achieve a certain balance largely due to such a breaker layer.
Frame line
Separately, it is worth noting the frame line of the Hankook Winter i’Pike RS W419 tire model. Reviews from owners who are not experienced car enthusiasts usually do not touch upon this topic, because the carcass layer lies very deep in the tire and few people are interested in. But in reality it is very important, and its high quality ensures that tire deformation is minimized during use. Also, this carcass greatly increases the rigidity of the side wall of the tire, which contributes to even higher stress resistance.
Tire edge
It is also necessary to pay attention to the fact that the new technology is also used for the edge of the Hankook Winter i’Pike RS W419 tire. Owner reviews only sometimes touch on this topic because few people take a close look at the edge of the rubber - usually people just use the product they purchase, and then the edge disappears behind the wheel rim. However, if you still wait to “change the shoes” of the wheels and take a close look at the edge of the tire, you will notice that here, too, the manufacturer used innovative technology: the entire edge is framed by one single solid wire of increased strength. This significantly increases the durability of the tires. Some cheaper options can get damaged quite quickly in this area, which renders the entire tire unusable.
Tire edge filling
However, this is not all that can be said about how the edge is shaped when the Hankook Winter i’Pike RS W419 winter tires are made. Reviews from professionals also indicate that the filling of the edge has changed, and this is true. You can find specific confirmation on the manufacturer's official website. The hardness of not only the wire, but also the filler increases, resulting in an even better result. This time the car's handling is affected. Thanks to the innovative approach, handling increases significantly, as does the car's sensitivity to steering movements. As you can see, this tire is good from all angles, so you should definitely pay attention to the Hankook Winter i’Pike RS W419 winter tires. Reviews about them can be found everywhere, but to save you from this need, the article will end with the main pros and cons of this model, which were noticed by drivers who have already tried these tires.
Positive reviews
Naturally, it’s worth starting with the positive information that customers left. In this case, no differentiation will be made between, for example, the basic version and the Hankook Winter i’Pike RS W419 XL. Reviews will be given for the entire range of models for this model. So, most people point out that this tire operates very quietly and is of high quality, which is noticeable both on the road and in how often it needs to be changed. There is very little wear and tear during use, as well as durability: even in the most unpleasant conditions, the tires withstood, and people report that they did not have a single puncture at all. And, of course, the tires’ high performance on snowy and icy roads is also noted. However, reviews of the Hankook Winter i’Pike RS W419 tires are not entirely positive; there are also negative aspects.
Negative reviews
So, you purchased, for example, Hankook Winter i’Pike RS W419 195/65 R15 95T. Owner reviews are what will help you know what to expect from new tires. And if you already know the positive aspects, then what about the negative ones? First of all, people note a serious lack of movable spikes. Because of this, they almost completely fall out after two or three seasons, while static spikes usually last up to seven seasons. Users also note that these tires are designed for really harsh winters: maximum efficiency is achieved only at temperatures of minus fifteen and below. That's all you need to know about the Hankook Winter i'Pike RS W419 tires: reviews, photos, technical specifications, main features of the tread pattern and the structure of the tire itself. Now you can confidently make the right choice of winter tires.
A new product from the tire line on the Russian market. As they say, it's piping hot.
On ice, the grip properties are high, the balance is reasonable. Braking and lateral grip are good, acceleration is average.
They are also quite strong in the snow. Longitudinal grip properties are good, transverse grip properties are average.
On a snowy road they yaw slightly, but do not leave the trajectory. There was insufficient information content of the steering wheel and a slight delay when adjusting the direction of movement.
Slips and slips in corners are harsh, the car slides longer than we would like, but traction recovery is soft and smooth.
In deep snow they do not move very confidently; if they slip at the moment of start, they tend to bury themselves. They walk in reverse confidently.
On asphalt, they force the car to float along the strip. The wide “zero”, delays in reactions, steering of the rear axle and insufficient information content interfere.
The brakes are weak, both on dry asphalt and on wet ones.
Comfort notes: slight vibrations from small bumps and increased general noise typical of studded tires.
At a speed of 60 km/h, fuel consumption is below average, at 90 km/h - the most economical.
The amount of protrusion of the spines and the rate at which the protrusion increases are normal. There was no loss of studs during the test.
+ Good braking and lateral grip on ice, longitudinal grip on snow, economical at a speed of 90 km/h.
- Weak braking on dry and wet roads.
Verdict: Suitable for any winter roads.
Product page.
