2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line long-term update: Blizzaks carry us through the winter
2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line long-term update: Blizzaks carry us through the winter
#Kia #EV6 #GTLine #longterm #update #Blizzaks #carry #winter Welcome to InNewCL, here is the new story we have for you today:
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Our long-term tester Kia EV6 AWD GT-Line 2022 whizzes through winter with little fuss, and part of its success is due to the rubber coating on its 20-inch wheels. We acquired a set of Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 tires for the cold months here in Michigan and the results were what you would expect from a Blizzak tire and more.
The specific model of Blizzak winter tire we’re testing, the LM005, isn’t what you’d typically expect on a family crossover/SUV/whatever the EV6 is. Bridgestone says the LM005 is a “high performance” winter tire designed for high performance cars to ensure the vehicle retains the handling and mobility on dry roads and offers the snow grip we’ve come to expect from the more traditional Blizzak lines and love.
How does the LM005 provide that dry boost of performance? The answer involves a lot of nerd stuff if you allow us. Its rubber compound is made from a unique high-silicate material and is molded into a directional pattern with 2D and 3D sipes – Bridgestone says this design improves dry grip and traction under braking. The internal structure also features a special nylon reinforcement for improved steering response and high-speed capability. This is the Blizzak model that Bridgestone recommends to drivers with high-performance cars who drive on the highway in winter. Unlike many winter tires with low top speeds, the LM005 is V-rated for up to 240 km/h. For comparison purposes, the venerable Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 is only R-rated for around 105 mph.
In practice, all of this ultimately means that the Blizzak LM005 hardly feels like a winter tire on dry roads. The squishy, instability and general softness of the tread that you might be used to from an underperforming winter tire is simply not present on the LM005. Driving the EV6 GT-Line with these tires installed does little to dampen the harshness of its steering or reduce its roadholding compared to the standard all-season tires. They can carry a surprising amount of speed through sweepers and freeway shamrocks before the rubber starts crying uncle. Plus, the tire is friendly and predictable once you get to its talkative limit.
When riding without concern for performance, the Blizzak LM005 rides straight and comfortably. Steering feel remains tight and reactive, and there’s no discontinuity at highway speeds.
Our EV6 is factory-fitted with low-rolling-resistance Continental all-season tires. Of particular note, however, is the layer of vibration-damping polyurethane foam in the tire inner surface, which reduces tire noise in the cabin. This Blizzak doesn’t have similar technology, and when driven back-to-back, more tire noise is noticeable in the cabin. However, the additional noise is minimal and in line with our expectations for a winter tyre.
But how about the snow performance of the EV6 with these tires? With all-wheel drive and powerful electric motors, starting is effortless and fun. Stability control will attempt to curb acceleration, but the more powerful rear engine still gives the EV6 a rear-wheel drive orientation to the four-wheel drive system. Put it in “Sport” mode and you can shoot out of line on snow-covered pavement. Making donuts in a car with a great-sounding engine is great fun as you can work through the rev range and really spin the tires, but also don’t discount the entertainment that comes from having torque in the snow at all times.
Corners and braking are handled without much effort, but you’ll definitely feel the EV6’s weight in the snow. Those tires dig in and get you where you point the car, but the EV6’s 4,661-pound mass can’t be ignored. Using regenerative braking in snow didn’t lead to any fun affairs either, as the tires never struggled to provide enough traction to slow down in a controlled and safe manner.
Picking up a topic here, there are very few bad things to say about how these Blizzaks performed on the EV6 – cold weather charging and winter driving efficiency are another topic for another time. But when it comes to tires, it’s no surprise that these Blizzaks met the design brief.
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