Lion Sport HP3
In this short review, we will tell you about those tires that are inexpensive, but not cheap. We are talking about the Chinese Lion Sport HP3 tires.
These tires are manufactured by Shandong Linglong Tire Company from Zhaoyuan City in Shandong Province of China. And immediately we note that, unlike the cheap tires that are on the market today, Lion Sport is not a copy of old models from top manufacturers, but an independent development. These are technologically advanced and in some ways even progressive tires that will compete with many tires in the middle price segment.
So the Lion Sport HP3 tires are indeed designed and manufactured in the PRC. Like all products presented in the manufacturer's assortment, these tires can serve as a more affordable replacement for expensive tires of well-known brands such as Bridgestone, Goodyear, Michelin, etc. The question is, what explains the affordable price, and will it affect ride comfort and overall tire performance?
About price and guarantee
Perhaps we will start this review with the most optimistic news, namely the price and manufacturer's warranty.
The prices of the Lion Sport HP3 are very attractive, which, of course, cannot but please practical buyers. The affordable price is due to the fact that the Shandong Linglong Tire Company brand is still little known outside of China, and therefore is not so popular among overseas buyers who tend to trust the brands that they hear. Well, it's up to you to decide whether to buy practical tires or tires from well-known brands. Anyway, for the sake of interest, check the Lion Sport HP3 price at any dealer and you will be at least surprised.
Now, as far as the warranty is concerned, it is 40,000 miles. And it seems to us that this is a lot for Chinese tires that can be bought at affordable prices. According to numerous reviews, these tires will travel at least 40 thousand km before the tread is worn out.
About tires and their characteristics
Lion Sport HP3 is an all-season tire designed for passenger cars and crossovers. And while all-season tires are not considered by many to be the best solution for good handling, these tires do provide versatility. They travel well both in warm and cold seasons. These tires are positioned by the manufacturer as high-tech, efficient and, as the name suggests, sporty. And we repeat once again - all this, despite their not the highest cost!
Among the main characteristics, we note the following:
- Tubeless tires.
- Radial tire carcass.
- Symmetrical non-directional protector.
- Tread height 10-32 mm.
- Disc diameter 18 ".
- Tire outer diameter 7.7 ".
- The profile is average.
- The spot of contact with the road is increased.
- Sporty design.
- Speed index H (up to 130 mi / h).
About protector
The efficiency of an all-season tire is 80% dependent on the tread pattern. The Lion Sport HP3 tread features several technologies at once. Wide diagonal grooves are good for removing snow and water slurry. In this way, aquaplaning is prevented, when, when driving fast on a wet road, the wheel floats up to the complete loss of contact with the road.
Longitudinal grooves contribute to good directional stability. The transverse grooves are slightly narrower than the longitudinal ones, which provides additional rigidity to the tread blocks and this has a positive effect on the braking efficiency. Large blocks in the shoulder area increase the contact patch area, which is important when braking and maneuvering.
About the composition
The Lion Sport HP3 tire uses a rubber compound with silica fillers. This ensures sufficient friction between the tire and the road. In addition, this compound prevents the tire from hardening at low ambient temperatures.
Lion Sport HP3 advantages
There are many advantages, we will comment on the most important ones.
Durability. On the one hand, Lion Sport HP3 is positioned as high-performance and therefore almost sporty. On the other hand, such tires are offered to the buyer as practical and durable. And imagine, these qualities really can be combined in the same tires. It's all about the composition of the production materials, which simultaneously provide acceptable adhesion, and, on the other hand, demonstrate resistance to abrasion. As mentioned earlier, the tread can cover up to 40 thousand km without heavy wear. This is a characteristic of practical and durable tires.
Excellent grip on various road surfaces. Thanks to the effective tread pattern and a special rubber compound, the tires demonstrate a quick start without slipping and a short braking distance. Acceptable traction is provided on dry, wet, and snow-covered surfaces. Surprisingly, these tires perform better on loose snow and wet roads than on dry asphalt. As for driving on ice, you need to understand that these are all-season tires and you should not expect any special fight handling on ice. Therefore, if the winters are harsh, you can choose winter tires or buy snow chains instead of all-season tires.
Minimal aquaplaning. As already mentioned, on wet roads, these tires run just as well, if not better, than on dry surfaces. This is largely due to the features of the tread. As already mentioned, the tread consists of large longitudinal and wide diagonal grooves. Longitudinal grooves provide directional stability and allow the car to take turns more predictably. Diagonal grooves drain water away from the tire-to-road patch. The effectiveness of the tread affects not only when driving on wet roads, but also when moving on snow slush.
The possibility of high-speed driving. Most all-season tires are not designed for high speeds. But the Lion Sport HP3 rides confidently without excessive wear at speeds up to 210 km / h. This is due to the characteristics of the synthetic nylon carcass, which not only provides tire strength but also perfectly dissipates heat, preventing the tire from overheating. Again, the effective tread pattern provides acceptable handling even at high speeds.
Are there any disadvantages? The only drawback of these tires is that they do not match the tires presented in the premium segment in terms of their driving performance. On the other hand, you need to understand that you are choosing affordable tires, and therefore you should not demand any special performance from them.
To whom we recommend
It's no secret that the decision to buy an all-season tire is largely a compromise. However, there are temperate regions where summers are not too hot and winters are not too cold. And it is for such places that we recommend buying the Lion Sport HP3. These tires can be used comfortably and safely from the first days of autumn to the end of spring. For a hot summer, it is preferable to purchase a set of summer tires. However, you can ride them in the summer but be prepared for the fact that the handling will be slightly worse, and the wear is slightly higher than when using summer tires.
Otherwise, we recommend buying Lion Sport HP3 to practical buyers who are interested in a bargain price without sacrificing tire quality. And of course, we remember the manufacturer's warranty, which makes the purchase of these tires even more profitable.