Nokian wins German winter tyre test

Nokian’s new WR D3 winter tyre has been awarded victory in German car magazine Sport Auto’s winter tyre test 2011. The Finnish brand scored 99/100 for its snow performance and 68/70 in the dry. “Nokian is clearly ahead of the others with regard to winter properties. In the dry you can rely on it, too,” said Sport Auto. The tyre, priced at 169 euros, was the most economically priced tyre, with the most expensive tyre tested costing 57 euros more. Only premium winter tyres in the dimension 225/45-17 were tested.

Sport Auto continued: “In winter conditions, the Nokian WR D3 climbs to the top. There was no match for the excellent grip properties of the Finn. It brakes impressively on snow and also provides the most gripping traction. In the test discipline handling it offers the best lateral grip, which eventually has an effect on the lap time.

“Thus, the Nokian comes off as the insider tip from this comparison; one which compared to the major players in fact shies a bit away from the wet, but one which nearly passes for a bargain regarding its price.”