Next year will be a big one for the Falken brand. Three new tire lines will be introduced, including a dedicated crossover vehicle line.
The tires were introduced at the 2011 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show in Las Vegas, Nev., during Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week Oct. 31-Nov. 4.
The Azenis FK453 ultra-high performance tire will be available nationally in March 2012. It eventually will replace the Azenis FK452 as the company’s flagship line.
“The FK453 brings ultra-high performance to a new level,” says Andrew Hoit, vice president of marketing. “We have incorporated advanced technology, the competitive personality of motorsports and the legacy of the FK453’s predecessors to create a benchmark of maximum performance for the street.”
Compared to the FK452, the tire features significant improvements in handling and reductions in road noise. It will be available in 64 sizes ranging from 235/55ZR17 103W to 295/25ZR22 97Y, broken out as follows:
* 14 17-inch sizes,
* 19 18-inch sizes,
* 17 19-inch sizes,
* 11 20-inch sizes and
* three 22-inch sizes.
The new Azenis FK453CC was designed for luxury crossover vehicles (as well as SUVs). It features a large shoulder block with a continuous outer rib that provides handling and stability. Its three wide continuous grooves “effectively evacuate water.” And it is engineered to deliver a comfortable, quiet ride.
The tire will be available in 2012 in 16 sizes ranging from 235/65R17 108W to 315/35R20 110W; 15 are extra-load sizes.
In the light truck segment, the WildPeak H/T also will be introduced early next year. The all-season light truck and SUV tire is M&S-rated, and combines “exceptional dry handling and ultra-responsive wet braking on multiple roadway surfaces.” In addition, the design of the tread pattern helps optimize traction, control, and durability.
“This newest addition to the WildPeak family delivers a 60,000-mile limited warranty from a tread pattern designed to provide a smooth, solid, stable ride in every all season weather condition,” says Hoit.
The WildPeak H/T will be available in 26 sizes. The 17 P-metric sizes range from P225/75R15 102S to P265/65R17 110S. The nine LT sizes range from LT235/75R15 to LT265/70R17.
In addition to new Falken products, the company soon will begin offering a second consumer tire brand under the Ohtsu label.
Falken also announced it was in the early stages of developing an associate dealer program.
