New Tire Releases of the Winter Season 2021/2022
In this issue, we are sharing about new tire models from Continental, Goodyear, Hankook, Nokian, and other brands.
In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic not only led to a shutdown of numerous tire production facilities around the globe, but also affected the operation of tire makers’ research and development centers. Possibly, this is the main reason why there are relatively few new tire models of the season 2021/2022, yet some are nonetheless there: a few major brands have presented new interesting winter tire products, which are covered in this review.
Quick TakeContinental WinterContact TS 870
- This tire replaced Continental / WinterContact TS 860
- Available Sizes in Line: 19
- Year Released: 2020
- Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+
Continental / WinterContact TS 870 P. For larger passenger cars and crossovers, the company designed the TS 870 P model, which also received directional tread pattern, quickly dispelling water and slush, and is also made of the proprietary Black Chili rubber compound. The engineers also redesigned the parallel sipes to increase snow traction on snow; another claimed benefit is increased mileage. The tires are produced in sizes ranging from 205/60 R16 to 255/40 R21.
Quick TakeContinental WinterContact TS 870 P
- This tire replaced Continental / WinterContact TS 850 P
- Available Sizes in Line: 51
- Year Released: 2021
- Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+
Goodyear / UltraGrip Arctic 2. There are two newcomers on the studded tire market this season, one of them being the second-generation Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic. The tire is fitted with the new Arctic Eagle Claw studs, about which the company says that they boost ice grip and are less likely to get dislodged from the tread. The number of studs was increased up to 220; the designers also widened the grooves, making the biting edges denser, improving the tire’s snow performance. In addition, the tire is reported to be less noisy compared to its predecessor. The sizes range from 195/55 R16 to 245/45 R19.
Quick TakeGoodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
- This tire replaced Goodyear / UltraGrip Ice Arctic
- Available Sizes in Line: 23
- Year Released: 2021
- Studded
- Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+
Goodyear / UltraGrip Arctic 2 SUV. The owners of SUVs and crossovers are offered a specialized version named Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 SUV, which comes in a variety of sizes ranging from 215/65 R17 to 295/35 R21.
Quick TakeGoodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 SUV
- This tire replaced Goodyear / UltraGrip Ice Arctic SUV
- Available Sizes in Line: 22
- Year Released: 2021
- Studded
- Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+
Goodyear / UltraGrip Performance+ SUV. Goodyear also released a new European-type studless tire called UltraGrip Performance+ SUV, designed for SUVs and crossovers of various sizes, from compact to full-size. The tire boasts an extended mileage, while the new tread compound stays supple under low temperatures, due to which ice and snow traction was increased; braking performance on clear tarmac was also improved. The tire comes in sizes with a fitting diameter ranging from 16 to 20 inches.
Quick TakeGoodyear UltraGrip Performance+ SUV
- This tire replaced Goodyear / UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen-1
- Available Sizes in Line: 24
- Year Released: 2021
- Regions for sale: Europe
Kumho / WinterCraft ice Wi32. Kumho presented for the upcoming season new studded passenger tires. The company claims that the longitudinal ice traction — critical for acceleration and braking — was improved by as much as 40% compared to the predecessor model. This was achieved, among other things, by using new studs produced by the Finnish company Scason, as well as by utilizing a new tread compound. Kumho also states that the V-shaped tread design quickly dispels water and slush, while the varying tread pitch makes it possible to cut down the road noise. The tires are available in sizes from 14 to 17 inches.
Quick TakeKumho WinterCraft ice Wi32
- This tire replaced Kumho / Wintercraft Ice Wi31
- Available Sizes in Line: 10
- Year Released: 2021
- Studded
- Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+
Nankang / Winter Activa SV-4. The SV-4 model from the Taiwanese tire maker is designed for milder winters. The company says that its performance has become more balanced, and, thanks to improved wet traction, the new model was rated as «B» in the European labeling system. In addition, hydroplaning resistance and snow braking were also improved, but you must remember that these tires are still no good for harsh Nordic winters. The line includes sizes ranging from 13 to 21 inches.
Quick TakeNankang Winter Activa SV-4
- This tire model has not been officially released yet
- This tire will replace ⛔ Nankang / Winter Activa SV-3
- Year Released: 2021
- Regions for sale: Europe
Nankang / SW-9. For the Nordic climate, Nankang designed the studded SW-9 model; it is reported that thanks to new triangular studs, the tire’s ice traction has been raised by 70% at once, and that the studs are capable of piercing the hardest ice, i.e. the tire will stay effective under very low temperatures. The tires are available in sizes from 15 to 19 inches.
Quick TakeNankang SW-9
- Available Sizes in Line: 13
- Year Released: 2021
- Studded
- Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+
Nokian / Hakkapeliitta 10. Another high-profile newcomer of the studded tire segment is, of course, the new Hakkapeliitta 10. For the first time, the Finnish company developed a studded tire model specifically for the European market; for the Russian market, a special Hakkapeliitta 10p model was released, fitted with longer studs. The tire was four years in the making, and the new model, just like its predecessors, features studs of two types — the studs in the center are responsible for the straight traction during acceleration and braking, while the studs in the shoulder areas improve cornering stability. The number of studs was increased by 16%, the engineers also improved their retention in the tread. Nokian also says that the stud pattern was further improved to make sure that the sound waves from individual studs do not overlap, thanks to which the new model ensures a quieter ride. The tire is available in sizes ranging from 175/65 R14 to 275/35 R20.
Quick TakeNokian Hakkapeliitta 10
- This tire replaced Nokian / Hakkapeliitta 9
- Available Sizes in Line: 42
- Year Released: 2021
- Studded
- Regions for sale: USA+, Canada, Europe
Nokian / Hakkapeliitta 10 SUV. The SUV version of this tire is made by the same technologies, but is capable of tackling heavier loads. Between the tread blocks, there are bridges that are meant to reduce their loose motion; the rubber compound was further upgraded to increase wear resistance, and the sidewalls were reinforced with aramid fibers, which decreases the risk of puncture and other mechanical damages. The line includes sizes from 215/70 R16 to 285/40 R22.
Quick TakeNokian Hakkapeliitta 10 SUV
- This tire replaced Nokian / Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV
- Available Sizes in Line: 70
- Year Released: 2021
- Studded
- Regions for sale: USA+, Canada, Europe
Nokian / Hakkapeliitta 10 EV. This time around, following the trends of the automotive market, Nokian also presented a dedicated tire model for EVs and hybrid cars. The 10 EV model is characterized by a still quieter ride — the tire structure includes a special noise-absorbing layer, which is particularly important in the case of noiseless electric motors; due to the fact that EVs are generally heavier, the tire also features a reinforced construction. Hakkapeliitta 10 EV comes in a variety of sizes from 235/45 R18 to 295/30 R21.
Quick TakeNokian Hakkapeliitta 10 EV
- Available Sizes in Line: 22
- Year Released: 2021
- Studded
- Regions for sale: USA+, Canada, Europe, Russia+
Nokian / Nordman 8. The Finnish tire maker also renewed the line of its Nordman brand, presenting a new studded model called Nordman 8, which inherited the tread pattern from the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8, which back in the day was head and shoulders above the competition in numerous tire tests. Compared to Nordman 7, the number of studs grew by half, and they are evenly distributed across the tread surface, which makes ice traction better balanced. In addition, the modified tread compound of the basic tread ply strengthened the stud retention. The company says that these tires will fit both family and more powerful cars. Nordman 8 comes in sizes from 175/70 R13 to 245/45 R19.
Quick TakeNokian Nordman 8
- This tire replaced Nokian / Nordman 7
- Available Sizes in Line: 39
- Year Released: 2021
- Studded
- Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+
Nokian / Nordman 8 SUV. The 8 SUV version is designed for heavier SUVs with a higher center of gravity; some of its sizes have an XL sign, which indicates increased carrying capacity (XL standing for «extra load»). The tire comes in sizes ranging from 215/70 R15 to 265/50 R19.
Quick TakeNokian Nordman 8 SUV
- This tire replaced Nokian / Nordman 7 SUV
- Available Sizes in Line: 48
- Year Released: 2021
- Studded
- Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+
Pirelli / Cinturato Winter 2. Our list is completed by the touring Pirelli model, designed for operation in mild winter conditions. The new model received adaptive sipes that change their shape as the tire wears, stabilizing the traction level, while the rubber compound was improved for better wet and snow performance. The engineers also reduced the tire’s rolling resistance, increasing its fuel efficiency. The new Pirelli model is offered in sizes ranging from 155/65 R14 to 215/50 R17.
Quick TakePirelli Cinturato Winter 2
- This tire replaced Pirelli / Cinturato Winter
- Available Sizes in Line: 30
- Year Released: 2021
- Regions for sale: Europe
Auto Zeitung 2021: All-Season Tire Test R16
The German magazine tested all-season tires in a popular size, evaluating, among other things, the correlation between grip and the ambient temperature. List of models tested: Bridgestone Weather Control A005 Evo Continental AllSeasonContact Falken EuroAll Season AS210 Goodyear Vector 4Seasons gen-3 Hankook Kinergy 4S2 H750 Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3 Michelin…
Auto Bild 2021: Winter Tire Test R16 (The Final)
The biggest test of 2021 conducted by the expert team of the German publication Auto Bild was devoted to winter tires of one of Europe’s most popular sizes, 205/55 R16. The test began with a qualification round, during which the experts evaluated the snow and wet braking performance of 50 models, purchased anonymously in a retail network. Models disqualified after the…
Moottori 2021: Test of studded commercial tires in size 215/65 R16C
The Russian Viatti tires took part in the new test conducted by the Finnish magazine, showing quite decent snow and ice performanceList of models tested: Bridgestone Noranza Van 001 Continental VanContact Ice Gislaved Nord*Frost Van 2 Goodyear Cargo UltraGrip 2 Hankook Winter i*Pike LT RW09 Michelin Agilis X–Ice North Nokian Hakkapeliitta C3 Viatti Vettore…
ADAC 2021: Winter Tire Test R17
How the tires will behave on wet and dry pavement, as well as on snow and ice, you can find out only by subjecting them to extensive testing. The experts of the German motoring association ADAC in partnership with other European consumer rights organizations, and in full accordance with precisely defined methodology, tested 18 winter tire sets, purchasing them…