Drivers of SUVs and crossovers will soon be able to fit their vehicles with tyres based upon the 2018-launched Nokian Powerproof and Wetproof ranges. Nokian Tyres says it developed the Powerproof SUV and Wetproof SUV to meet a “growing demand for premium SUV tyres”. Both products will be available from spring 2020.
Kumho’s 4×4 tyre range has was recently extended by the addition of the Road Venture AT61 tyre. While there are a range of Kumho 4×4 products from which to choose, the majority of requirements are covered by on-road products as the Crugen HP91 and KL33, plus the cross-functional Road Venture patterned MT51 and newly-launched AT61. Between them they cover everything from such top end SUVs as the Range Rover and BMW X5 to the ever-popular Land Rover Defender.
Pirelli describes recent SUV market growth as “one of the automotive trends that perhaps few people saw coming – given that the very top prestige brands are only just hopping on the bandwagon now”. However, Pirelli has always been at the forefront of all-terrain 4×4 and SUV tyre development.
Larger capacity, increased comfort in the cabin and multi-terrain capabilities are just some of the reasons why motorists are continuing to choose SUVs when purchasing a new vehicle.
Indeed, SUVs and crossovers currently account for a third of the UK’s best-selling cars list of 2019 to date, with offerings from Nissan, Ford and Kia among the biggest sellers.
With SUVs and crossovers currently accounting for a third of the UK’s best-selling cars of 2019 to date, and with the demand for SUVs increasing, Yokohama has extended its range with additional 4×4 products and sizes – specifically the Geolandar X-CV G057.
The Kia range recently grew with the arrival of the Seltos. The compact SUV officially debuted in India on 20 June, and in addition to spearheading Kia’s planned growth in that market, Seltos models will be exported around the world. The Seltos is heading our away soon and will reach Europe from September. It will be wearing Kumho tyres when it arrives in showrooms.
Avon Tyres is launching its third generation of all-terrain performance tyre, the Avon AX7. This latest addition to the Avon line-up is aimed at crossovers and SUVs of all sizes and is available in eight sizes for 16- to 20-inch rim diameters.
One of the outcomes of today’s Board of Directors meeting at Toyo Tire Corporation is the decision to invest in ramping up capacity at the company’s tyre factory in North America. Approximately 7 billion yen (£51.6 million) will be invested in this project.
Markus Bögner, COO and president, Falken Tyre Europe, has told Tyres & Accessories that the brand reached a “turning point” in 2018, marked by “strong sales in an increasingly competitive market, with volumes exceeding expectations.” He said that the “Falken brand has become a genuine player in the premium tyre field, with OE sales continuing to grow over the past two to three years, particularly with premium manufacturers.
Falken has won original equipment approval from Porsche, demonstrating the increasing premiumisation of the Sumitomo Rubber Industries’ brand. Falken is supplying the current generation of the Porsche Macan with the SUV version of the Falken Azenis FK510 in sizes 235/60R18 and 255/55R18. The tyres are rated W for speed (up to 270 km/h) and have load indexes of 103 and 105 respectively.
Cooper Tire Europe has introduced its new Discoverer ATT. The new 4×4/SUV tyre is designed for 60 per cent on-road, 40 per cent off-road applications, with fitments available for a wide range of CUVs and SUVs.
The General Tire brand has been approved as original equipment (OE) fitment for the latest BMW X5, according to Continental Tyre South Africa. The manufacturer reports that the all-terrain Grabber AT3 has been recommended in size 275/45 R20 110V XL on the Bavarian automaker’s latest X range model for its optional ‘Off-Road Package’.
Past tyre tests have on occasion presented all-season tyres as a compromise solution, a jack of all trades but master of none. But is this always the case? German car magazine Auto Bild Allrad doesn’t think so – in its current test of seven size 235/55 R19 SUV tyres, the publication opines that all-season products are no longer a “lazy compromise”. While noting that a single tyre that can do everything well at all times of year still doesn’t exist, Auto Bild Allrad found one that came close.
On the other side of the Atlantic, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. has launched the new Toyo Open Country H/T II road-going all-season tyre for pickups and SUVs. According to the company, this tyre features “added technology and design that deliver improved wet braking performance and handling, longer tread life, and more consistent traction performance throughout the life of the tyre”.
In the USA, Ford Motor is supplying Michelin Selfseal tyres for the new Ford Explorer. The 2020 Explorer is the first SUV to offer Michelin Selfseal tyres, according to Ford.
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