Yokohama W.Drive review, test and rating

A winter tyre for medium-sized and luxury cars, the Nokian WR A3 can cope with changing winter conditions in complete safety.

Safety. With its asymmetrical tread and innovative compound, the Nokian WR A3 ensures high-speed stability and grip on wet or snow-covered roads. Wear indicator visible up to 4 mn (snowflake).

Economy. Low rolling resistance and even tread wear.

Comfort. Reduced noise (Silent Groove Design).

Suitable for a large range of cars, the BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2 provides a higher level of safety on winter roads than its predecessor.

Winter. High density 3D sipes provide multiple biting edges to deliver more traction in snow. Tyre marked with the 3PMSF symbol.

Safety. Shorter braking distances on icy roads thanks to the rubber compound designed to reduce tread stiffness when temperatures fall below zero. Good grip on wet or snowy roads. The direction tread effectively disperses water and slush from the centre to the outside of the directional tread.

Winter tyre designed for a large range of cars, the Kleber Krisalp HP3 delivers better braking performance on winter roads than the Krisalp HP2.

Safety. A flexible rubber compound based on elastomers and the combination of straight and zig-zag sipes ensure shorter braking distances on icy roads. This tyre has obtained a B-rating for wet grip on the tyre label. V-shaped grooves in the directional tread quickly disperse water and slush.

Winter. An increased number of 3D sipes and biting edges on grooves ensure more traction on snow.

Winter tyre designed for a large range of cars, the Kleber Krisalp HP3 delivers better braking performance on winter roads than the Krisalp HP2.

Safety. A flexible rubber compound based on elastomers and the combination of straight and zig-zag sipes ensure shorter braking distances on icy roads. This tyre has obtained a B-rating for wet grip on the tyre label. V-shaped grooves in the directional tread quickly disperse water and slush.

Winter. An increased number of 3D sipes and biting edges on grooves ensure more traction on snow.

Suitable for compact and passenger cars, the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 winter tyre delivers even better performance than the Fulda Kristall Control HP in difficult road conditions.

Winter. Fulda’s “Snow Catcher” technology, where centre grooves catch snow to deliver good traction even in deep snow. 3D sipes with multiple biting edges provide more grip in winter. The polymer blend and multiple “Aquaflow” grooves quickly disperse water. 3D sipes combined with straight sipes increase the tread stiffness for better control on dry roads.

Longevity. Higher mileage thanks to the uniform pressure distribution which ensures even wear.

Winter tyre designed for a vast range of cars and 4x4s, the W.drive V905 offers increased safety on winter roads and higher fuel efficiency.

Winter. 3D sipes and grooves maximise the number of biting edges to improve traction and grip. Wide, angled grooves in the directional tread help clear water, slush and fresh snow. Zigzag longitudinal grooves and variable angle lateral grooves improve lateral stability on wet roads.

Handling. 2D sipes in the central part maintain the tyre’s stiffness for stable handling. The flexible compound includes orange oil to improve ground contact.

Economy. The silica compound with added polymers and the lighter weight construction contribute to lower rolling resistance and improved fuel efficiency.

Developed for medium and high performance cars, the Avon WV7 delivers enhanced traction and braking performance on wet or snowy roads.

Safety. The geometry of the tread featuring transverse shoulder grooves and V-shaped grooves in the centre tread improve braking performance on winter roads. Central longitudinal grooves are arranged to deliver more grip.  

Winter. The increased sipe density improves traction in snow, slush and slippery roads. 3PMSF certified tyre.

Designed for city and passenger cars, the Semperit Speed-Grip 3 winter tyre provides better performance on snow and ice than the previous version.

Snow. Shorter braking distances on snow covered roads than its predecessor thanks to the shoulder design. The high sipe density and multiple gripping edges on the tread ensure the transfer of traction forces on snow. When cornering, snow hooks in each shoulder groove bite into the snow so that the tyre grips the road.

Ice. Water is quickly displaced from under the tread to shorten braking distances on icy roads.

Precision. The directional tread design provides good vehicle control on all road surfaces.

Handling. “Functional Performance Siping“, where each part of the tread is computer optimised, and “Centipede Siping”, the presence of multiple sipes on tread blocks, are technologies developed by Nokian to provide excellent grip on winter roads.

Reliability. The tread design and stiff outer shoulder with tread blocks tied to each with support lifts ensure a reliable drive. 

Designed for compact, passenger and sports cars, the Kumho WinterCraft WP71 delivers better winter performance than the WinterCraft WP51.

Winter.

Good traction on ice and snow thanks to honeycomb 3-dimensional sipes that maximise interlocking between tread blocks to form genuine anchors. The geometry of the tread design delivers excellent stability and grip when cornering.

Rain. Shorter braking distances on wet roads than its predecessor thank to a better evacuation of water through the V-shaped grooves of the directional tread.

Safety. The wide footprint and nano-silica compound, which remains flexible at low temperatures, ensure excellent grip on wet and snow covered roads. Shorter braking distance in snowy and wet conditions than the Winter i*cept evo thanks to the inner part of the asymmetric tread design. Two wide longitudinal grooves quickly disperse water and slush.

Snow. Biting edges on grooves of the outside tread work with 3D kerfs to deliver more traction on snow.

Handling. Reinforced sidewalls and the shape of shoulder blocks offer a fast steering response and more grip when cornering.

Safety. The wide footprint and nano-silica compound, which remains flexible at low temperatures, ensure excellent grip on wet and snow covered roads. Shorter braking distance in snowy and wet conditions than the Winter i*cept evo thanks to the inner part of the asymmetric tread design. Two wide longitudinal grooves quickly disperse water and slush.

Snow. Biting edges on grooves of the outside tread work with 3D kerfs to deliver more traction on snow.

Handling. Reinforced sidewalls and the shape of shoulder blocks offer a fast steering response and more grip when cornering.

Winter tyre designed for luxury and sports cars, the Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme S offers steering precision and enhanced safety in winter.

Safety. Internal Sipe Locking Technology (ISLT) stiffens the sipes when cornering or changing direction to deliver excellent stability on wet roads and a fast steering response. More wet grip thanks to the optimised rubber compound. The V-shaped tread and two wide circumferential grooves offer excellent water drainage.

Traction. Straight sipes in the central block offer more traction on snow.

Look. Sporty tread design signed by Italdesign Giugiaro.

Winter tyre designed for luxury and sports cars, the Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme S offers steering precision and enhanced safety in winter.

Safety. Internal Sipe Locking Technology (ISLT) stiffens the sipes when cornering or changing direction to deliver excellent stability on wet roads and a fast steering response. More wet grip thanks to the optimised rubber compound. The V-shaped tread and two wide circumferential grooves offer excellent water drainage.

Traction. Straight sipes in the central block offer more traction on snow.

Look. Sporty tread design signed by Italdesign Giugiaro.

Winter tyre developed for passenger and sports cars, the Toyo Snowprox S954 announces shorter braking distances and better grip than its predecessor.

Safety. Shorter braking distances on wet roads than the Snowprox S953 thanks to the layout of tread blocks on the shoulders. The new tread compound delivers better grip in wet and snowy conditions.

Driving. The inner shoulder of the asymmetric tread ensures stable handling. The tread compound technology and asymmetrical tread design provide precise handling.

Developed for passenger and sports cars in collaboration with designer Giugiaro, the Vredestein Wintrac Pro winter tyre delivers better performance on wet and snowy roads than its predecessor.

Strengths:

Fast steering response and better cornering grip than the Wintrac Xtreme S.

High speed stability.

The long and oval shaped footprint and the high silica tread compound provide a high level of safety in wet conditions.

Water is quickly dispersed through straight and slanted grooves to maximise grip in wet conditions.

Sipes in the centre area of the tread help deliver shorter braking distances than its predecessor on snow covered roads.

Sipes in the shoulder area and the biting edges of tread blocks efficiently transfer traction forces in snow.

Designed for a wide range of cars, the eco-friendly Yokohama BluEarth*Winter V905 winter tyres will keep moving on winter roads.

Winter. Lateral grooves and triple 3D sipes which stiffen the tread provide additional biting edges to increase traction on snow covered roads. The tread compound mixes micro-silica and orange oil to deliver more grip on winter roads.

Safety. Lateral stability thanks to the tread pattern optimised to prevent skidding when cornering on snow and ice. In rain, wide grooves in the directional tread provide excellent drainage of water and slush to prevent aquaplaning.

Ecology. Low heat generating under tread which reduces fuel consumption.

Winter tyre for high-performance cars, the Hankook Ice Bear W300 can cope with the harshest winter conditions in complete safety.

Safety. Optimal handling in wet and cold weather thanks to an asymmetrical tread pattern.

• Water drainage ensured by four main grooves;
• Multiple sipes for greater grip on the snow;
• Fine wave-shaped sipes that help the tyre resist aquaplaning;

Snow. Multiple fine sipes that provide traction on snow without compromising performance on dry surfaces.

Drive. Good traction on both wet and dry roads; the longitudinal outer grooves on the tyre optimise braking and grip in corners in dry weather.

Wear life. Smooth ride and endurance ensured by the tyre's wide steel belts and a double jointless crown ply.

Winter tyre designed for a wide range of vehicles, the Nokian WR offers optimum driving stability in all weather conditions.

Driving. The Nokian WR offers safety and driving precision.

Safety. The V-shaped tread and the system of grooves effectively clears water, snow and mud. The Hakka siping system delivers excellent grip.

Environment. The new tread compound containing silica and canola oil lowers the rolling resistance.

Suitable for a large range of cars, the BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2 provides a higher level of safety on winter roads than its predecessor.

Winter. High density 3D sipes provide multiple biting edges to deliver more traction in snow. Tyre marked with the 3PMSF symbol.

Safety. Shorter braking distances on icy roads thanks to the rubber compound designed to reduce tread stiffness when temperatures fall below zero. Good grip on wet or snowy roads. The direction tread effectively disperses water and slush from the centre to the outside of the directional tread.

Winter tyre for sports cars, the Toyo Snowprox S952 provides excellent grip on snow covered roads.

Snow. With its asymmetric tread design and its multi-directional sipes, the Toyo Snowprox S952 guarantees increased grip and traction in snow.

Driving.  Improved road holding thanks to a new generation carcass and a wide steel belt.

Safety. The tread compound's high silica content provides enhanced performance on wet roads.

Winter tyre for high performance cars, the Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme offers the best in terms of design and safety.

Design. The Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme sports a powerful appearance due to the aggressive, firm lines developed by Giugiaro Design.

Snow. The W-shaped tread and self-cleaning grooves deliver good driving performance on snow covered roads.

Safety. The Optimum Silica Processing™ in the tread compound provides excellent wet grip and improved aquaplaning resistance.

Driving. The rigid sidewall and the special carcass construction offers precise steering at high speeds.

Comfort. The even pressure distribution results in a quiet, comfortable tyre.

Winter tyre for passenger cars, the Hankook Winter i*cept Evo W310 offers a safe drive on icy roads.

Traction. With its asymmetrical tread, the Hankook Winter i*cept Evo W310 tyre provides grip and traction on dry, wet and snow-covered roads.

Safety. Effective evacuation of water, snow and slush facilitated by the three longitudinal grooves and the claw-shaped grooves.

Driving. Good road holding due to the 3D sipes that ensure tread block stiffness.

Winter tyre for powerful cars, the Kumho I'ZEN KW27 offers a safe, comfortable drive.

Safety. The unidirectional tread pattern provides protection against aquaplaning.

Snow. 3D siping improves traction on snow covered roads.

Driving.  Rigid shoulders offer good road holding and stability when cornering.

Asymmetric winter tyre for high performance vehicles, the Yokohama AVS Winter V901 offers excellent road holding on wet or snow-covered roads.

Safety.

With its three longitudinal grooves, the Yokohama AVS Winter V901 ensures efficient drainage of snow and slush.  

Snow.

Good traction on wet or snow covered roads due to the multiple wave-shaped sipes.

Driving. High level of stability when cornering, even at high speed, thanks to the wide outer tread blocks.

Winter tyre designed for high-performance cars, the Yokohama Advan Winter tyre offers performance and driving pleasure in winter conditions.

Safety. With its highly rigid asymmetrical tread and "microsilica" rubber compound, the Yokohama Advan Winter offers excellent contact with the road whatever the weather conditions.

Driving. Performance on all road surfaces (dry, wet or snow-covered) thanks to the 3D sipes that enhance the biting effect and block stiffness.

Winter tyre for powerful cars, the Vredestein Wintrac Nextreme is designed for drivers looking to drive at high speed when the temperatures fall.

Handling. The first winter tyre with a Y speed rating, the Vredestein Wintrac Nextreme offers driving precision and cornering stability thanks to the ITB technology (Interlocking Tread Bridge) that stiffens the blocks.

Safety. Reduced risk of aquaplaning due to highly worked tyre structure and tread pattern. The two inner longitudinal grooves facilitate water evacuation.

Design. Innovative tread designed in collaboration with Giugiaro Design.

Winter tyre for road-going saloons and sports cars, the Firestone Winterhawk 2V EVO copes safely with the cold and snow.

Snow and ice. Thanks to high-density siping, the Firestone Winterhawk 2 EVO ensures grip and braking on the snow. road holding and grip in corners are ensured by the asymmetrical tread and the narrow blocks in the centre of the tread.

Safety. Balanced performance on wet roads, snow-covered surfaces and wear due to the EVO silica-based rubber compound.

Handling. Good road holding on dry roads and in corners thanks to the 3D sipes on the shoulders that enhance block stiffness.