Falken launches all-terrain Wildpeak tyre

Sumitomo Rubber Industries subsidiary, Falken has launched a new all-terrain tyre onto European markets. Available from spring 2012, the Wildpeak WP/AT01 blends off-road operational performance with construction and design features typically reserved for high performance road tyres. The tyre marks a new venture into the European all-terrain tyre market for the Japanese manufacturer; the tyre was previously launched in the USA, where a derivative of the Wildpeak won the 2011 Pikes Peak mixed surface hillclimb.

“The Wildpeak is designed to appeal to off road vehicle owners requiring a single tyre to provide a safe, refined ride on the road yet still provide performance in a range of off road conditions,” says Yukio Yoshida, Falken’s European corporate planning director. “This is the first time Falken has sold an all terrain tyre in Europe specifically developed to fulfil the stringent requirements for off-road and utility vehicles. It continues our aggressive growth plan in Europe that saw us achieve record sales last year.”

In order to balance the tyre’s on and off-road performance characteristics, Falken’s engineers mixed high-performance and off-road features. The tyre has four multi-angled grooves to clear mud and snow, while the tread block edges have been formed to maximise traction and reduce clogging. Also incorporated for off-road application are larger circumferential voids to aid off-camber traverses. For on road safety, the open shoulder pattern design increases effective water dispersion, resisting hydroplaning, while phase-shifted tread bars reduce noise at higher speeds.

Falken says the Wildpeak’s design also satisfies the demand for a controlled and comfortable ride, with two stiff extra-wide steel belts providing stability on and off-road. The tyre’s hard bead apex and joint-less nylon band stiffen the sidewalls and minimise the wallowing effect that can lead to great steering input, ultimately upsetting the car’s balance.

To satisfy a large number of vehicle fitments, the Wildpeak is available from 15” to 18” with R, S, T and H speed ratings. Falken lists the following as example fitments:

•    215/60R17     Nissan X-Trail, Jeep Patriot
•    285/60R18     Toyota Land Cruiser
•    255/65R16     Nissan Navara
•    245/65R17     VW Amarok
•    265/65R17     Toyota Land Cruiser / Prado, Mitsubishi Pajero
•    275/65R17     Toyota Land Cruiser
•    215/75R15     Suzuki Jimny
•    235/75R15     SsangYong Rexton

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• Market view: MTS/Southam on 4×4 tyres
• Falken Tyre Europe corporate planning director