General Tire: Tyres for SUVs and 4x4s

General Tire, Continental tyre brand with American heritage, is arguably best known for high-performance SUV and all-terrain tyres. Alongside its prominent off-road range, General Tire also offers a wide range of road tyres including the Grabber GT Plus and Grabber AT3.

The Grabber GT Plus is the latest tyre to join the General Tire line-up, joining the range roughly two years ago. Replacing the Grabber GT, the Grabber GT Plus is designed to offer a marked improvement in performance in all areas including economy and safety. Specifically, the tyre offers a substantial 12 per cent reduction in rolling resistance, with a five per cent improvement in mileage and enhanced wet-weather performance.

On dry roads, the Grabber GT Plus offers substantially shorter braking distances, improved handling performance over its predecessor. To make that possible, the tyre as given a redesigned pattern, mainly optimised for on-road use, combined with an innovative tread compound. Its silica-enriched compound features special damping properties that play a major part in delivering shorter braking distances on wet roads. A more even pressure distribution in the tyre footprint provides added stability, allowing for lower rolling resistance and reduced wear. Optimised siping and notched tread ribs present a greater number of gripping edges for further improved grip on wet and slippery surfaces.

In mid-February, Micheldever Tyre Services (MTS) confirmed that it now has stocks of the General Tire Grabber AT3. MTS is the exclusive UK distributor for the range, which it also supplies as an original equipment fitment for versions of the Isuzu D-MAX Huntsman Edition equipped with 18-inch tyres.

In addition, the Grabber GT Plus provides a more robust product across the board, particularly with a view to meeting the requirements of heavy SUVs in the best possible way. DuraGen technology, already employed in the Grabber GT, shields the tyre from damage caused by stones and sharp objects during off-road use.

The Grabber GT Plus is available for rims between 15 and 23 inches in diameter, with speed approvals for up to 186mph and featuring a rim protection rib. Additionally, many articles are available with the XL marking, indicating higher load capacity.

For those looking to take their SUV off-road, there’s the Grabber AT3. According to the manufacturer, the Grabber AT3 offers strong performance both off and on road, with the latest generation of tread compounds offering improved wet performance, alongside improved cut resistance specifically for SUVs on tyres with a width over 225 millimetres.

The Grabber AT3 features deep tread grooves for additional grip when the vehicle is traveling over muddy roads or slippery grassland. Aggressive shoulder blocks help reach into the side wall of the tyre to prevent side wall damage. The Grabber AT3 offers high tread strength for driving on the road and carries out steering and brake commands precisely.

General Tire manufactures the pattern for rims between 15 and 22 inches in diameter, with approval for speeds of up to 150mph. The manufacturer reports that additional sizes of the Grabber AT3 tyres, will continue to be rolled out including “some exciting niche fitments”. Recently the sizes 285/40R22 110V XL FR and 255/60R20 113H XL FR were added to the range.

Dave Dineen, Head of the Specialist Division for Micheldever Tyre Services said: “For nearly 30 years, we as a business have helped develop product patterns and niche fitments with General Tire. Listening to the needs and requirements of our customers and the end consumer has assisted in creating a range of 4×4 tyres which are market leading. The partnership between MTS & General Tire has helped develop even more new niche fitments, further reinforcing both companies’ dedication to developing this important segment”.