Ever wondered how they test winter tyres in summer?

Updated: 26 January 2015

Our man with the long lens at the Nurburgring got more than he bargained for recently. During the recent blazing hot Indian summer, he spied a car covered in snow.

After a double-take and a quick pinch, he rattled off a few photos of the snow-covered BMW 1-series as it trundled past in the late summer sun.

Artificial snow? At the Nurburgring? In summer?

Turns out said snowy 1-series was a test hack for tyre manufacturer Fulda, according to our photographer.

‘Seems they were testing winter tyres in their lab – and the car was covered in artificial snow,’ said our man with a Ringside seat.

Testing winter tyres in summer

We guess the tyre manufacturers have to test their winter rubber all year around – and they don’t always fly to Scandinavian snowy climes to do the tests. Perhaps Fulda has an indoor ski slope or lab near the Nordschleife.

It’s just a shame they don’t cover the entire Nurburgring in artificial snow in the summer. We’re sure there must be a few snow machines and piste bashers lying dormant in the Alps at this time of year!

>> Will you be fitting snow tyres this winter? Don’t forget to vote in our poll on the homepage of CAR Online

By Tim Pollard

Group digital editorial director, car news magnet, crafter of words

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