Yokohama Displays Wide 4×4 Range

While the Japanese tyre marque Yokohama is mainly known for its high performance road, race and rally tyres, the manufacturer also produces a large range of tyres for the off-road and SUV market. The latest crop of SUVs as well as genuine off-roaders includes the ADVAN ST and Sport – part of the manufacturer’s flagship range – the Parada Spec X for the tuner market, and the Geolander range, designed for everything from on-road and light off-road to “hardcore” OTR usage.

The UK distributor, Yokohama HPT has recently introduced several new sizes across all ranges and now lists a further eight sizes for the Geolander A/T-S from 15” to 20”, four for the Prada SpecX from 20” to 24” and four for the ADVAN Sport XL from 17” to 21”. The M/T+ is available from 15” to 17”, allowing the off-road market to fit larger tyres than traditionally possible while the H/T-S ranges from 15” to 18” and the ADVAN ST, from 17” to 24i”.

Yokohama says that mostly the company’s flagship ADVAN range has provided the best options for off-road applications. The ADVAN ST was specifically designed for the SUV, providing larger vehicles with sports car-like levels of safety, grip and response. However, the company has also introduced several other options for SUV owners.

The ADVAN Sport, intended for high-performance road cars, has been modified to cope with extra load generated by heavier vehicles and is now available in this extra load (XL) specification. It has received OE fitments on the Audi Q7, Mercedes AMG ML and Porsche Cayenne.

The Parada Spec X tyre is aimed at the SUV modifying market. It allows tuners to fit larger wheels yet ensure that they can specify a tyre which will fit within the confines of the car’s original wheel arches. The Geolander H/T-S is a direct replacement tyre, aimed primarily at on-road SUVs with an ability to cope with light off-road applications. The company says that it “combines excellent road grip and safety with traction to allow the user to negotiate tricky conditions with confidence.”

The Geolander A/T-S features a much more aggressive tread pattern than the H/T-S, making it a genuine all-terrain tyre. The large tread blocks and wide grooves provide increased traction in all conditions, without sacrificing on-road confidence and safety. For the best of both worlds, the A/T-S is the perfect choice, with more than 70 size options available.

The self-styled “most hardcore” off-road tyre from Yokohama is the Geolander M/T+. Designed to provide greater levels of grip in mud, dirt and sand, the large tread blocks and stepped central groove give rise to a large surface area for traction. The wide grooves allow dispersal of soft and fluid material, allowing the tread to cut down into the surface and exploit whatever grip is available.

Yokohama is proud of its ability to transfer its motorsport knowledge to the research and development of its road car products. The company supplied tyres to Ukyo Katayama for his entry in this year’s Dakar Rally, arguably the most demanding endurance rally there is, with matching benefits to its off-road tyres.

The development and innovation in these ranges has led to Yokohama tyres being adopted as OE fitment across a wide range of SUVs and off-roaders. Models such as the Audi Q7, Mercedes AMG ML63, Mitsubishi Pajero and Outlander, the Porsche Cayenne, VW Toureg and the Subaru Forester and Legacy are all originally fitted with Yokohama products.