Nokian Introduces HT SUV Tyre for Urban 4x4s

Nokian’s product range has grown with the addition of the Nokian HT SUV, a summer tyre intended for urban use 4×4 vehicles. The HT SUV is, says the manufacturer, most at home on asphalt roads, however it is said to also function excellently off on “twisty small roads” and “tracks that are covered in sand and gravel and difficult to drive on.” The T and H speed rated range will be available in a wide range of sizes covering all popular 4x4s sold in Europe, with sales starting in the spring of 2009.

The structure of the Nokian HT SUV has reportedly been designed for versatile 4×4 driving. The steel belt is covered with a jointless nylon belt that improves the tyre’s road response. The reinforced edge areas of the belt and the single wire bead ensure it can cope with hard use. The tyre’s asymmetrical tread is said to give it precise and safe control on dry roads and in wet conditions. The stone removers in the tread’s main grooves prevent small stones from becoming embedded, and on soft terrain the tyre cleans itself as the rotation of the tyre throws excess soil out of the grooves.

The tyre features an inside-outside tread pattern. These differing inside and outside shoulder tread patterns, says Nokian, guarantee excellent drive stability and good aquaplaning properties The stiff outer shoulder improves the tyre’s stability, while grooves in the inside shoulder clear water from the tyre quickly. For driving on sandy roads and other soft surfaces, off-road claws are moulded into the shoulder area, bevels and straight cornered protectors. The off-road claws grip the surface of the road, which makes traction and braking more efficient.

The new ‘Double Mud Stopper’ contact area construction is said to increase the operational life of the tyre and rims. The mud stopper prevents dirt, mud and small stones getting caught between the tyre and the rim. A rim protector is standard on all 55 series and low profile tyres, preventing dents to the rim if the wheel hits the curb when parking.

During the long summer tyre season the air temperature can fluctuate from the burning heat of mid-summer to almost zero in the autumn. Therefore, says the manufacturer, a new silica wear surface composite, Nokian Cool Silica, has been designed for particularly demanding and changeable conditions where such large fluctuations in temperature are typical. And the compound used in the HT SUV is also green, reports Nokian: The birch leaf symbol on the tyre’s sidewall represents environmental friendliness. As in the manufacture of other products from Nokian Tyres, only pure low aromatic oils are used in the Nokian HT SUV.