Continental Viking Contact 7 vs Pirelli Ice Zero FR: After an impressive performance against Michelin’s X-Ice Snow, & Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 its time for Pirelli Ice Zero FR to challenge Continental’s Viking Contact 7 which is arguably the best Nordic tire right now. In this article we will run a head to head comparison of Ice Zero FR against Viking Contact 7 . Ice Zero FR was launch in 2015, which makes it one of the oldest tire among the top premium brands for this segment. It is up against Viking Contact 7 which was launch in 2018 giving it a gap of 3 years between the each other. We will use the test magazine results of 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test as our basis for comparison.
The graph above shows the comparison between Viking Contact 7 vs Ice Zero FR based on the relevant performance category. The Viking Contact 7 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark. Note that for handling evaluation, we equate 1 point as 5%. Hence for example if the tire A is graded 4 while tire B is graded 3, A is better than B by 5%. The natural scaling does not really make sense in evaluation whereby the max number is 5. The tire size chosen for the test is a 205/60R16 which is commonly used by Mazda 3 and Ford Focus.
Table of Contents
Ice
In order to be consider a top Nordic tire, you got to be able to “dance” on the ice. The best Nordic tires are usually outstanding in ice while capable to mange other target conflicts at a high level. This leads us directly into the results whereby the Ice Zero FR was miles away (-10.8%) in ice braking distance compare to Viking Contact 7. This also continued in the ice handling results, where the deficit of Ice Zero FR is much smaller (-1.2%) but nonetheless lacking behind Viking Contact 7.
Pirelli Ice Zero FR:
- -10.8% in ice braking
- -1.2% in ice handling
Snow
Things are much more closer in the snow test but it can be seen that the Ice Zero FR lacks the snow power in comparison with Viking Contact 7.
Pirelli Ice Zero FR:
- -0.7% in snow braking
- -1.1% in snow handling
Wet
We know from our previous comparisons that the Ice Zero FR is really good in the wet. This is also true in this case as it beat the Viking Contact 7 on both wet braking & wet handling. However the advantage in wet braking did not translate into better aquaplaning performances as it losses out to Viking Contact 7 in this case.
Pirelli Ice Zero FR:
- +1.5% in wet braking
- +1.9% in wet handling
- -1.2% in aquaplaning
Dry
The Ice Zero FR was 2.2% down in dry braking while the tables were turn on dry handling as the Ice Zero FR was rated subjectively 1 points higher. The Ice Zero FR obtained the highest subjective dry handling score of 5/5.
Pirelli Ice Zero FR:
- -2.2% in dry braking
- +5% in dry handling
Rolling Resistance
When it comes to rolling resistance, the Ice Zero FR just slightly lag behind the Viking Contact 7 by 1.3%. Both tires are ranked label “C” in the EU label.
Pirelli Ice Zero FR:
- -1.3% in rolling resistance
Noise & Comfort
Viking contact 7 scored a prefect score of 5/5 in the subjective noise & comfort test while the Ice Zero FR only managed a 4/5.
Pirelli Ice Zero FR:
- -5% in noise & comfort
Price
Based on the test report, the prices of the tires were also noted down.
Tire size: 205/60 R16
Ice Zero FR: € 132
Viking Contact 7 : € 160
Difference: -21% cheaper for Ice Zero FR
Summary
From the overview of the results, it is clear the Viking Contact 7 dominates in almost all categories except for wet & dry handling. With the superior ice braking capabilities, Viking Contact 7 is the best overall winner!