Audi Q7
Audi drivers can benefit from a range of factory-approved winter wheel and tyre options to provide protection against snow and ice.
The past few winters have been extremely cold; in fact more extreme than the UK has experience for 30 years. Heavy snow was responsible for closing roads across the country for weeks at a time with temperatures dropping as low as -21 degrees centigrade. Records show that in an average 365 day period, some form of precipitation falls on the UK's key regional 'capitals' on up to 154 days, meaning seasonal tyres should be a serious consideration for motorists.
Audi centres across the UK offer winter tyre sets and wheel-and-tyre sets for all Audi models from the Audi A1 to the Q7 SUV. The winter tyres can be fitted to existing wheels, priced from £550 including fitting. The wheel-and-tyre sets are available in sizes ranging from 16 to 19 inch alloy wheels specifically designed to offer maximum anti-corrosion resistance to snow an salt, with prices starting from £792 including fitting.
The purposed built tyres are built using a special rubber compound which is optimised for temperatures below 7 degrees centigrade. The special tread design allows that to cut through snow with precision, grip and control.
In cold weather, conventional tyres become stiff and less flexible. The compounds used in winter tyres remain softer and more flexible offering better grip. The tread pattern optimises water displacement and the additional grooves 'sipes' located within the tread blocks interlock with the surface to maximise traction.
Grip on roads covered in snow, ice and slush or high levels of surface water is improved by up to 60 per cent, and braking distances can be reduced by 20 per cent - two car lengths. Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system, available across a large number of model lines, will benefit further.
The Audi wheel and tyre sets also come with heavy duty bags to protect 'summer' wheels and tyres during storage. Some Audi centres offer wheel and tyre storage facilities for an extra cost.
