Winter test: Stig Blomqvist drives the S4 and many other nice cars.

[Erik]

Former rally driver Stig Blomqvist together with Auto Motor & Sport tested some fine automobiles on a frozen lake.
The track was icy and snowy and 3400 meters long.

The test was all about how fun the car is to drive.
Here is their conclusion.

1) Impreza WRX STI PSE
2) Audi S4
3) Porsche 911 Turbo

Car running on studded tires.
Impreza WRX STI PSE: 2.44,82 min
BMW Z4: 2.5i 2.49,89 min
Smart Roadster-Coupé: 2.55,53 min

Car running on friction tires
Audi S4: 2.52,73 min
BMW X3: 3.0i 2.54,73 min
Toureg V10 TDI: 2.56,52 min
Cayenne Turbo: 2.59,39 min
Cooper S: 3.01,63 min
Volvo S60R: 3.02,50 min
Porsche 911 Turbo: 3.13.63 min

They absolutely did not like the four wheel drive system of the X3
and it's 40/60 power distribution. Apparently the car starts to understeer, power is then distributed to the rear wheels to increase understeer. :vhmmm:

[Hawk]

Do you have a link of this article?

[Erik]

Originally posted by Hawk
Do you have a link of this article?

No, sorry. I've searched but couldn't fint anything.

[CarbonFibre]

What are studded and friction tires?

[Erik]

Originally posted by CarbonFibre
What are studded and friction tires?

Winter tires "with spikes" for added grip or "without."

What is the correct english term?

Example:
http://www.nokian.com/passenger_car_winter_tyres_en.html

[CarbonFibre]

I was just making sure. I assumed that's what those terms meant. Wouldn't studded tires have a big advantage over regular friction tires?

[Erik]

Originally posted by CarbonFibre
Wouldn't studded tires have a big advantage over regular friction tires?

Oh YES! Big difference the more icy it gets.
That's why I made two lists so that people don't jump to wrong conclusions.