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Nokian tires claims it's already beaten Bentley's new ice speed record with Audi [w/video]

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Europe, Videos, Audi

Nokian Tires slides past Bentley's Ice Speed Record - Click above to watch video after the jump

Nokian Tires was paying close attention to Bentley's Ice Speed Record. If you don't recall, Bentley used a Continental Supersports Convertible to dash across a stretch of ice last month at 205 miles per hour, 205.48 to be exact. Nokian strapped a set of its Hakkapeliitta 7 studded tires on to an Audi RS6 and decided to have its own icy blast. Thanks to the grippy rubber and aerodynamic mods (as well as a curious lack of detail regarding performance mods), the Nokian team and driver Janne Laitinen upped the ice-speed ante with a trap figure of 206.05 miles per hour.

The Nokian team previously set an Ice Speed Record using its Hakkapeliitta 5 tires. During that run, a Bentley was used, but this time Nokian preferred Four Rings, Quattro all-wheel-drive and its latest generation of studded snow tires. Click past the jump to watch the new record and Nokian's previous 199.86 mile per hour record run. Thanks for the tip, Ville!

Gallery: Nokian Tyres sets new Ice Speed Record

[Source: Nokian Tires]

Continue reading Nokian tires claims it's already beaten Bentley's new ice speed record with Audi [w/video]

Nokian tires claims it's already beaten Bentley's new ice speed record with Audi [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Quebec drivers face hefty fine if they don't drive on snow tires

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Safety, Canada

Ah, Quebec. Beautiful women, beautiful city, fantastic food. But there is a dark side. No, not poutin and steamies. We're talking about the language police! Answer your phone incorrectly, write something in English more than 50 percent the size of the equivalent French phrase or - worst of all - if you forget to bother with French at all, it's ~~off with your head~~ an annoying fine. Joining the Québécois language police are a new group of cops - the tire police.

Basically, according to Wired, if you, a Quebec resident, drive between December 15 and March 15 on all-season tires, you get hit with a $300 fine. But what if you have all-wheel drive? Low gears and a transfer case? A Hummer H1? It doesn't matter. No snow tires = a $300 lighter wallet within the province of Quebec.

There is a bit of rationale behind this law. Fully 90 percent of drivers in Quebec have historically fitted snow tires to their rides anyhow. And it is estimated that the 10 percent that doesn't bother causes 38 percent of the winter accidents. Quite disproportionate, no? But really, this shouldn't come as any shock. Snowy conditions require winter tires. If this does come as a shock to you, check our recent feature on winter tires. And... uh, stay out of Quebec if you're still rollin' on summer meats.

[Source: Wired | Image: Roland - C.C. License 2.0]

Report: Quebec drivers face hefty fine if they don't drive on snow tires originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: Proper winter tires are more important than all-wheel drive

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Technology

With the adoption of front-wheel drive as the mainstream power delivery system of choice, the semi-annual ritual of swapping snow tires has largely disappeared for most Americans. In many northern areas, all-wheel drive has become an increasingly popular choice when offered as an option. But as much help as putting power through all four wheels can be, it simply can't substitute for a good set of snow tires.

Ultimately, grip comes down to four patches of rubber and if they're unable to make solid contact, the number of drive wheels becomes irrelevant. This became abundantly clear this past weekend while driving a new 2010 Subaru Legacy. The Legacy is a plush, roomy mid-size sedan with excellent outward visibility and Subaru makes an excellent symmetrical all wheel drive. Unfortunately, its all-season tires lacked traction. Read on after the jump for more.

Continue reading PSA: Proper winter tires are more important than all-wheel drive

PSA: Proper winter tires are more important than all-wheel drive originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Q Tires testing Celsius retractable-stud snow tires

Dan Roth — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:19:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Safety, First Drives

click the pic to view a video about the Q Celsius tire

Studded snow tires can be a godsend when the going is on glare ice. When roads have been cleared, though, they chew up pavement and can produce some exciting though unanticipated handling characteristics. Japan's ban on studded tires led directly to a new generation of snow tire technology like Bridgestone's Blizzak line. Q Tires, taking its name from James Bond's high-tech quartermaster, has developed a new set of tires called Celsius with studs that can be deployed or retracted with a dashboard switch. Two air chambers in the tires allow the studs to extend or retract without leaking off much inflation. Q Tires is preparing to send its product out into testing soon, and part of that process involves making sure that it doesn't run afoul of any state regulations that prohibit studded tires of any sort for all or part of the year. If the tests prove successful, the tires will likely command a 30-percent premium over other black, round and rolly-things. The increased cost is mitigated by the fact that a separate set of winter tires, and the attendant seasonal mounting chores, are eliminated. Of course, none of this will matter to that knucklehead trying to climb hills in the middle of a blizzard with low-profile summer tires.

[Source: Detroit News]

Q Tires testing Celsius retractable-stud snow tires originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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