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.

	1st: Goodyear UltraGrip 7 Plus Total: 264 / Dry: 86 / Wet: 83 / Snow: 95 Positive: Very good handling, good traction and short braking distances on snow, balanced properties in wet and dry, quiet Negative: Slightly increased rolling resistance
	2nd: Michelin Alpin A4 Total: 259 / Dry: 90 / Wet: 92 / Snow: 77 Positive: Good handling and excellent braking performance on wet roads, good handling characteristics on dry roads, low rolling resistance Negative: Snow performance wasn't group leading
	3rd: Continental WinterContact TS830 Total: 257 / Dry: 93 / Wet: 94 / Snow: 70 Positive: Good handling and short braking distances on snow, very good wetness characteristics, good aquaplaning resistance Negative: Limited snow traction
	4th: Fulda Kristall Control HP Total: 244 / Dry: 79 / Wet: 67 / Snow: 98 Positive: Excellent handling, great braking power and very good traction on snow, good aquaplaning Negative: Only average driving characteristics and a relatively long stopping distances on wet roads
	5th: Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D Total: 242 / Dry: 81 / Wet: 86 / Snow: 75 Positive: Very good handling characteristics and short braking distances in dry, good ride comfort, good wet performances Negative: Average snow performance
	6th: Pirelli Sottozero Serie II Total: 234 / Dry: 87 / Wet: 83 / Snow: 64 Positive: Good handling characteristics and short braking distances on dry roads, very good wetness characteristics, low rolling resistance Negative: Moderate traction and longer stopping distance on snow
	7th: Vredestein Snowtrac 3 Total: 233 / Dry: 82 / Wet: 82 / Snow: 69 Positive: Good handling and braking performance in dry, good wet performances, comfortable Negative: Average snow scores, increased rolling resistance
	8th: Nokian WRG2 Total: 232 / Dry: 86 / Wet: 98 / Snow: 48 Positive: Very good handling characteristics and short braking distances on wet roads, good properties in dry Negative: Average cornering, traction and braking on snow
	9th: Bridgestone Blizzak LM32 Total: 221 / Dry: 85 / Wet: 75 / Snow: 61 Positive: Good handling and braking performance on dry roads, wet satisfactory properties, good comfort Negative: Average snow scores
	10th: Kumho IZen KW23 Total: 196 / Dry: 78 / Wet: 66 / Snow: 52 Positive: Good handling and braking performance in dry conditions Negative: Traction and braking on snow poor, long braking distance in wet conditions

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