Coming in 2022: Falken WildPeak RT and Azenis FK460

Aug. 16, 2022

Sumitomo Rubber North America Inc. will complete its Falken WildPeak tire lineup in 2022 with the introduction of the WildPeak RT, a rugged tire with heavy duty construction designed for lifted trucks and SUVs.

The first 18 sizes are expected to arrive in the U.S. by November, and 32 additional sizes will follow by the first quarter of 2023.

Rick Brennan, vice president of marketing, said the tire’s fitments cover trucks that tow, haul, work and crawl. Applications include a Ford F-250 Tremor towing a trailer, a Ram 2500 PowerWagon, Jeep Gladiator, Ford Raptor and Ram TRX.

New all-season UHP tire

Beginning in September tire dealers will be able to begin ordering the newest Falken ultra-high performance tire, the Azenis FK460.

The UHP tire is an all-season product for sport coupes, sedans and CUVs. It will come with a 50,000 mile warranty (25,000 miles on staggered fitments) and offer “light” snow capability.

Brennan said the tire “is a huge leap for us in performance level in ultra-high performance.”

The Y-rated tire will offer balanced wet and dry performance, and Brenna said it was designed to compete against the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06+ and the Michelin Pilot Sport AS4.

The tire will launch with 61 sizes, with 24 additional sizes already planned for a full 85-size lineup. The sizes also match the needs of Tesla, and covers 82% of all electric vehicle fitments in use today.

Brennan said the goal is to “cover 100%” of the EV market. By the middle of 2023, coverage will extend to 90% of that market.

The FK460 does share some attributes with the Falken Ziex ZE960, including 29 common sizes — though there are some load index differences. Brennan said the ZE960 will remain in the Falken portfolio. It’s designed for coupes and sedans and more of a standard commuter, while the new Azenis FK460 has CUV fitments, and offers characteristics for a more “spirited” driving behavior. Vehicle application and driving behavior will dictate which is a better option for the consumer.

Size expansions

In addition to those two new passenger and light truck products, the Falken lineup is growing in 2022 thanks to new sizes in both consumer and commercial applications.

The Ziex CT60 all-season tire will have 14 sizes — all designed for large CUVs and SUVs. Three of those new sizes have been delayed until 2023: 275/55R19, 275/50R22 and 285/45R22.

The Winterpeak F-ICE 01 is adding 15 sizes to the winter tire portfolio, with a focus on more coverage for trucks and SUVs. One of those sizes, 275/60R20 has been delayed to 2023.

The WildPeak A/T Trail size offerings are expanding from 30 to 45 options, ranging from 15-inch wheels all the way up to the 21-inch tire, in size 265/45R21 that targets the 2021 Blazer, Velar and Atlas vehicles. The new sizes are expected to arrive in the North American market beginning in September.

Falken’s wildly popular WildPeak AT3W is adding one more size, for applications like the Ram ProMaster. The new size is on its way to the U.S. — 225/75R16C.

By the end of the year two new sizes of the WildPeak AT/02 are expected to be available: 235/65R16C and 225/75R16C. Plus, two more sizes are coming in 2023: 195/75R16C and 185/60R15C.

In the world of medium truck tires, the company’s plant near Buffalo, N.Y. is producing three new TBR products and sizes:

BI850 Plus 225/70R19.5 and 245/70R19.5 (coming in September)

SI011 11R22.5, and coming in July 2023: 11R24.5, 295/75R22.5 and 285/75R24.5

RI151 Plus 225/70R19.5 and 265/70R19.5

Two sizes of the RI151 joined the lineup, and are being produced overseas: 245/70R17.5 and 425/65R22.5.

Read more about SRNA and Falken's view of the U.S. market here: SRNA Is 'Laser Focused' on Dealers & Falken Brand.

About the Author

Joy Kopcha | Managing Editor

After more than a dozen years working as a newspaper reporter in Kansas, Indiana, and Pennsylvania, Joy Kopcha joined Modern Tire Dealer as senior editor in 2014. She has covered murder trials, a prison riot and more city council, county commission, and school board meetings than she cares to remember.