Vee Rubber Corp. Ltd. has added the Nika associate brand to its consumer tire lineup in the U.S.
The Nika Avatar all-season performance tire features an asymmetric tread pattern designed with "Dual Nature" technology. The result is a tire than can be mounted for either dry cornering performance or wet and snow performance -- without affecting straight-line acceleration or braking characteristics.
"It allows drivers to customize the tire to their driving preference," says Patrick Hyland, sales and marketing manager for Vee Rubber America Inc.
The tire is available in the following 23 sizes.
13-inch: 165/70R13 79T, 175/70R13 82T and 185/70R13 86T.
14-inch: 175/65R14 82T, 175/70R14 88T, 185/60R14 82T, 185/65R14 86H, 185/70R14 88T and 195/75R14 91T.
15-inch: 185/65R15 88H, 195/50R15 82H, 195/55R15 85H, 195/60R15 88H, 195/65R15 91H, 205/60R15 91H and 205/65R15 94H.
16-inch: 205/55R16 91V and 225/60R16 98H.
17-Inch: 205/45R17 88V, 215/45R17 91V, 215/50R17 91V, 225/45R17 94V and 225/50R17 94V.
The Nika Vastera is an all-season SUV and light truck radial that balances all-terrain characteristics with ride comfort, low noise and long tread wear, according to the company.
Five wide, circumferential zig-zag grooves not only help evacuate water, but also prevent snow from passing through the tread. The latter creates additional points of traction that help the tire "grab" the snow.
Large, reinforced shoulder blocks help the tire grip while cornering. Because they vary in size, pattern noise is reduced.
The Vastera is available in six sizes: P235/75R15 105S, P265/70R15 111S, 245/70R16 106S, P235/70R16 104T, P265/70R16 111S and P235/60R16 99T.
While the company's flagship Vee Rubber brand is sold through regional wholesale distributors and large dealers, Hyland says the Nika brand will be sold in the U.S. and Puerto Rico "through a separate distribution channel... different than existing Vee customers."
Vee Rubber introduced the new lines at the 2011 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show in Las Vegas, Nev., recently.