Nokian Tyres plc has added the WR G4 SUV for sport utility vehicles and crossover models to its all-weather product line.
The new Nokian WR G4 SUV is tailored for year-round SUV use and combines high-performance all-season handling and reliable winter grip to serve as a true all-weather tire. The company says unique next-generation technology provides enhanced performance on rainy, dry and wintry roads.
Nokian has equipped its newest SUV tire with improved wet and snow handling, lower rolling resistance and technology that creates a quieter ride. The Nokian WR G4 SUV’s sidewalls are reinforced with Aramid Sidewall technology that helps the tire withstand cuts. Nokian says Aramid fiber, a material used in the defense and aerospace industries, makes the sidewall compound puncture-resistant and has become an integral feature throughout its SUV & LT products.
Earlier this year, the company introduced the Nokian WR G4 for passenger cars. With the new SUV offering, the Nokian WR G4 all-weather product range covers 78 sizes from 14 to 20 inches with speed ratings from H up to V. The full size selection of this new premium SUV tire will be available to consumers in early 2019.
Rigorous testing
The Nokian WR G4 SUV is designed to work safely and reliably year-round, from heavy winter storms and wet spring days to blistering summer heat.
“The basis of Nokian Tyres’ product development is always safety. Our passion for keeping drivers safe in all conditions and our heritage of sustainable innovation were our focuses as we crafted the Nokian WR G4 SUV to achieve balanced all-weather performance,” says Olli Seppälä, Nokian Tyres R&D operations.
He says the secret behind the fine-tuned balance of the Nokian WR G4 SUV is rigorous testing performed around the globe. The wet and dry properties were refined on test tracks in Germany and Spain, with tread wear performance tests in the United States. Nokian Tyres tested the tire’s winter capabilities in demanding conditions at Nokian Tyres’ White Hell winter testing facility in Ivalo, Finland, 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The company improved this tire generation’s unique slush planing properties at its Nokia proving ground.
Premium green tires
The Nokian WR G4 SUV is the latest all-weather offering from Nokian Tyres aimed at ensuring peace of mind in all four seasons. To support eco-friendly driving, Nokian says its engineers have reduced the tire’s rolling resistance. Easy rolling saves fuel and preserves the environment, as rolling resistance affects the environment throughout the tire’s useful life.
Fourth-generation technology
Designed to increase grip on snow and slush, the longitudinal rib at the center area of the WR G4 SUV is equipped with jagged sipes that resemble the footprints of a centipede. The Centipede Siping works effectively at the multitude of turning angles, maximizing contact surface and improving control.
Winter grip is stronger than ever before thanks to the inner shoulder’s fan-like rib pattern. Functional tread blocks with Blade Grooves efficiently route rain, snow and slush away from the contact surface.
The Nokian WR G4 SUV also features Snow Claws, which improve longitudinal grip especially on snow. In addition to snow grip, this precise design improves the driving feel required for cornering and lane changes.
The Nokian WR G4 SUV meets specific traction performance qualifications and carries the Severe Service Emblem designation. This mountain snowflake symbol indicates the tire meets requirements for snow traction and ensures predictable grip in all North American winter conditions.
Durable structure and sturdy handling
Nokian says its Aramid Sidewall technology is designed to bring added durability for challenging conditions and surprising events.
“The strong core of Aramid Sidewall technology is the aramid fiber contained in the innovative sidewall structure. The fiber reinforces the sidewall to better withstand cuts that could otherwise easily break the tire and interrupt your trip,” says Seppälä. “Nokian Tyres’ Aramid Sidewall technology is yet another innovation aimed at offering peace of mind for North American drivers. SUV drivers find themselves in many challenging situations, but they can take heart that the WR G4 SUV is built to thrive in adverse conditions.”
For safety and comfort
Nokian says the WR G4 SUV steers as precisely on wet highways or rural roads as it does in busy urban traffic. The exceptional combination of winter and summer performance comes with the new Dual Performance SUV Compound. With increased stiffness, more silica and a completely new SUV performance resin, this new-generation SUV compound provides a perfectly balanced combination of winter and summer properties. The new compound leads to strong wear resistance and provides the extra level of stiffness required by heavy and powerful SUVs.
To combat the threat of hydroplaning, the Nokian WR G4 SUV comes equipped with Nokian Tyres Coanda Technology.
When moving fluid, such as water, meets a curved surface, it will try to follow that surface. A phenomenon also known as the Coanda effect means water can be directed to follow the curve of the surface rather than flowing in a straight line. Nokian Tyres Coanda Technology is designed to accelerate the removal of water by guiding and moving the water flow away from the tire.
The special zone on the tire sidewall is a unique combination of compounding and structural design and helps filter the noise and vibration from the road surface. Silent Sidewall Technology reduces noise levels improving driving comfort for drivers and passengers.
For more information, visit www.nokiantyres.com.
