Thu September 5 12:45 pm 2019 in categories Product news, Company news

Peace of mind for Central European summer roads:

New Nokian Powerpoof SUV and Nokian Wetproof SUV are based on test-winning technology

Scandinavian premium tire manufacturer Nokian Tyres is introducing new summer tires for sport utility vehicles and crossovers. Designed for safe and carefree driving, the new Nokian Powerproof SUV offers peace of mind for both high-speed lane changes and sudden braking, while the new Nokian Wetproof SUV provides excellent wet braking abilities and powerful aquaplaning resistance. Both new products feature the Dual Zone Safety technology familiar from the test-winning passenger car models.

The increasing popularity of powerful SUVs and trendy crossovers means there is a growing demand for premium SUV tires. Nokian Tyres is launching two new SUV products based on the test-winning passenger car models Nokian Powerproof and Nokian Wetproof.

According to Nokian Tyres’ consumer survey, European drivers especially value good driving stability and excellent grip in their SUV summer tires. SUV tires must also be strong enough to keep tall, heavy vehicles stable even in high speeds. Coming with strong and improved SUV structure, the new SUV tires are equipped with Nokian Tyres’ unique Aramid Sidewall technology. The sidewall structure contains extremely strong aramid fiber, which makes the tires more resistant to sudden impacts and cuts that could otherwise easily interrupt a trip. Such damage usually requires fitting a replacement tire.

- Safety is always the main principle of our development philosophy. We know that summer tires need to work safely and reliably from spring mornings to late autumn. When developing our new SUV products, special attention was paid to functionality in any weather and under any circumstances. The Aramid reinforced sidewalls offer peace of mind and exceptional protection against potholes and cuts, says Jarno Röytiö, Development Manager at Nokian Tyres.

The new SUV products are a natural continuum of expanding Nokian Tyres’ summer tire selection in the Central European market. As a proof of excellence, Nokian Powerproof SUV and Nokian Wetproof SUV have both been granted the TÜV Tire Performance Mark. This mark from the independent TÜV SÜD testing organization certifies that the new SUV tires compare favorably with premium competitors in terms of quality and performance. The new products will be available to consumers in the spring of 2020.

New Nokian Powerproof SUV – precise handling, enjoyable driving feel

The new Nokian Powerproof SUV is a UHP summer tire designed for powerful SUV’s cruising the Central European autobahns. Familiar from the passenger car models, the Dual Zone Safety concept ensures that the contact surface of the Nokian Powerproof SUV remains exact and predictable.

The Dual Zone Safety concept consists of two functional zones. The Power Zone on the tire’s outer shoulder ensures precise handling. The firm tread blocks coupled with the Slope Groove Design deliver precise handling on dry asphalt even at high speeds.

The Wet Safety Zone on the inside maximizes safety on wet roads. The logical and stable handling is combined by optimized wet grip, as the tire’s wet grip is in class A. The Trapezoidal Flow Grooves divide the wide SUV tailored center rib and the rib closest to the inner shoulder. This sweeping, winding design of the groove bottoms allows for effective aquaplaning prevention by storing water and accelerating the removal of water from between the tire and the road surface.

Grooved inner shoulder blocks also support agile aquaplaning resistance. The groove ends formed in the tread blocks have been spread out and their sides have a horn-like indentation. These Swoop Grooves further facilitate the removal of water. The wide and Polished main grooves also effectively store water, improving safety in rainy weather.

Durable structure and sturdy handling

The new strong and durable SUV structure, developed especially for fast driving, offers stability from the first moments of spring to the hot asphalt of late summer.

The tire tread is developed for demanding use and higher speeds. The new Dynamic Grip SUV compound is optimized for SUV use and offers excellent grip and maximum durability. The multi-layered tread structure also reduces rolling resistance, allowing the new Nokian Powerproof SUV to roll lightly while saving fuel.

- The tread pattern and structure work together to create a contact pattern for the tire that provides logical and predictable road feel and quick steering feedback in both rain and shine. The road contact is steady and dynamic, which means excellent grip and even better durability on high-speed motorways and poorly maintained alpine routes, Development Manager Röytiö explains.

Versatile testing and uncompromising teamwork

All Nokian Tyres’ products go through extensive laboratory and indoor testing. The demanding development work also utilizes computer modelling and high-speed cameras. Field testing under real road conditions took place in Germany, Spain and Finland. Nokian Tyres has also had the pleasure of working with F1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen.

- His tire expertise was first applied with the passenger car model Nokian Powerproof and continuing this cooperation along our in-house test teams with Nokian Powerproof SUV only felt natural, Jarno Röytiö reveals.

- Like the little brother, Nokian Powerproof SUV feels very precise and predictable, says Mika Häkkinen, comparing the tire to the Nokian Powerproof.

Häkkinen finds the Nokian Powerproof SUV a perfect combination of high-class performance, extreme durability, and enjoyable driving feel. Above all, he values stability, reliability, and the ease of daily driving.

- The tire works reliably at high and low speeds and on wet and dry surfaces. It gives you driving confidence, which in turn offers safety, Häkkinen says.

During his Formula 1 career, Häkkinen has worked with several tire manufacturers.

- Nokian Tyres' strength lies in seamless teamwork and a strict focus on the details. You need to constantly learn and develop new things to stay on top and be a winner. That applies to me and Nokian Tyres, as well. It’s a pleasure to work with such a top Scandinavian brand, Häkkinen says.

Nokian Powerproof SUV - Peace of mind for tighter turns 

  • Precise and predictable high-speed handling on highway
  • Maximum stability and enjoyable driving feel
  • Extra tough Aramid Sidewalls for all life’s adventures

The Nokian Powerproof SUV belongs in the top tier of SUV tires: the UHP category. The size selection offers 29 products from 17 to 21 inches, with speed ratings of V (240km/h), W (270 km/h) and Y (300 km/h).

Main innovations: 

Dual Zone Safety. Stability and precise handling on dry and wet roads. The Power Zone on the outer shoulder improves handling, while the Wet Safety Zone on the inner shoulder improves grip and aquaplaning resistance on wet roads.

Power Zone. Precise handling. New durable SUV structure, streamlined tread pattern, sturdy tread blocks and the Slope Groove Design with sloped groove edges make driving on dry asphalt precise and controlled.

Wet Safety Zone Controlled grip on wet roads. The Trapezoidal Flow Grooves divide the center rib and the rib closest to the inner shoulder. The sweeping, winding design of the groove bottoms allows for effective aquaplaning prevention by storing water and accelerating the removal of water from between the tire and the road surface. The Swoop Grooves also support agile aquaplaning resistance. The groove ends formed in the inner tread blocks have been spread out and their sides have a horn-like indentation to accelerate the removal of water.

Dynamic Grip SUV compound. Reliable grip on wet and dry roads. The functional molecule chains and polymers form a dense and flexible mesh-like structure that ensures reliable grip even at high speeds. The multi-layered structure also reduces rolling resistance.

Aramid Sidewall technology. Extreme durability. The extremely strong aramid fibers strengthen the tire’s sidewalls providing more durability and protection for demanding driving situations. The fiber makes the tire more resistant to impacts and cuts that could otherwise easily damage it.

Silent Groove Design. Improved driving comfort. Controlling both the interior and exterior rolling noise of the vehicle, this design controls the airflow and prevents the creation of an unpleasant, howling sound. The design also reduces air resistance, which cools the surface of the tire. This improves the wear resistance of the tire and provides the driver with more kilometers.

New Nokian Wetproof SUV - Extreme safety for wet and dry roads 

The new Nokian Wetproof SUV is a safe and reliable summer tire for small and medium-sized SUVs

navigating Central European roads. The tire’s most important features are excellent wet braking abilities and powerful aquaplaning resistance, which makes driving easy and comfortable even in rainy days. Like its test-winning smaller brother, it features a unique safety zone technology, specially developed for varying summer conditions.

- We know European drivers hold good grip on both wet and dry roads as especially valuable. Nokian Wetproof SUV offers the best possible combination of wet and dry properties. We have been able to improve wet grip and aquaplaning resistance a lot, which means we can offer more safety for the

customers driving in wet conditions. The wet grip of Nokian Wetproof SUV is on a top level, explains Jarno Röytiö, Product Development Manager for Nokian Tyres.

Dual Zone Safety - Total control over wet and dry conditions

The Nokian Tyres’ summer tires are specially developed for varying conditions. Summer in Europe is often hot but also volatile, and summer rain may pour down in heavy showers.  It’s easy to forget the danger of aquaplaning during sudden changes of weather.

– Central European roads can be very rutted at times and a sudden rain shower may cause the car to aquaplane, especially if there is a lot of water on the road and in its ruts. As driving speeds increase, the mass of water pushed below the tire may lift the tire completely off the road surface. The tire must be able to route water to the sides and away from under the tire, Röytiö points out.

The secret behind the fine-tuned balance of wet and dry properties is the Dual Zone Safety concept, which offers security and driving confidence in all conditions. The tread area of the tire is divided into two functional zones. This new technology called Dual Zone Safety offers an excellent combination of dry and wet performance. The Stability Zone is on the outside of the tire and makes manoeuvring easy and confident by offering good stability and handling properties, while the Wet Safety Zone on the inside improves the wet grip and aquaplaning resistance.

Stability Zone – Balanced driving feel and comfortable rolling

Reinforcing the excellent handling and wet properties, the Responsive Lock concept supports the longitudinal ribs while allowing the water to flow away from the tire more freely. The grooves of the ribs are equipped with interlocking counterparts, which respond by setting firmly against each other when the tyre presses against the road surface. This new innovative design increases driving stability without compromising wet safety.

Controlling both the interior and exterior rolling noise of the vehicle, the Silent Groove Design is an innovation on the tire walls that improves driving comfort. The golf ball surface like design controls the airflow and prevents the creation of an unpleasant, howling sound. The design also reduces air resistance, which cools the surface of the tire. This improves the wear resistance of the tire and provides the driver with more kilometers.

Wet Safety Zone - Aquaplaning resistance deluxe 

When a tire encounters more water than it can disperse, aquaplaning occurs. To maximize aquaplaning prevention, the shoulder areas of the tire come with Trumpet Grooves, bullet-type indentations that have been optimized for flow; they store water from between the tire and the road, accelerating its flow from the main grooves towards the transverse grooves and maximizing grip.

The Aqua Hybrid SUV compound also offers added safety for rainy weather. This new-generation rubber compound with advanced polymer types and improved silica structure provides excellent wet grip and lower fuel costs. The tire’s wet grip is among the best in the industry, in class A.

Also preventing the dangers of rainy weather, the Polished main grooves give the tire a stylish appearance and serves an important function, as the water flows easily and efficiently off the slick and polished main grooves.

Improved grip and maximum durability 

The robust and durable structure of Nokian Wetproof SUV is combined with the specially reinforced Aramid sidewalls to ensure that the tire can withstand the impacts and cuts that may occur while driving. The Stone Ejectors on the main grooves provide added durability, while the Grip Claws on the edge areas increase grip.

The Aramid Sidewall technology offers a new type of durability. The tire’s sidewall structure contains extremely strong aramid fiber. The fiber makes the tire more resistant to impacts and cuts. Stone ejectors prevent sharp stones from attaching to the tire and penetrating the tire structure.

As well as urban traffic, the tire must also work reliably on gravel and dirt roads. The Grip Claws between the tread blocks on the surface of the tire improve grip, especially when braking and accelerating. These special claws were designed to assist moving on sandy roads and other soft surfaces. The claws grip the surface of the road in a controlled manner and ensures better traction and braking grip for the tire.

Nokian Wetproof SUV - Peace of mind for rainy days 

  • Extreme safety for wet and dry roads
  • Top-level stability and comfort also in rough roads
  • Extra tough Aramid Sidewalls for maximum durability

The new Nokian Wetproof SUV is offered in the speed categories H (210 km/h), V (240 km/h) and W (270 km/h), and the size range covers 27 items from 16-inch to 19-inch.

Main innovations:

Dual Zone Safety: Stability Zone
offers easy manoeuvring and confident driving with excellent stability and handling properties, while Wet Safety Zones advanced aquaplaning resistance provides safety and peace of mind when on rain-soaked roads.

Responsive Lock concept: The grooves of the longitudinal ribs are equipped with interlocking counterparts, which respond by setting firmly against each other when the tyre presses against the road surface. These parts support the longitudinal ribs increasing driving stability and provide effective aquaplaning resistance by allowing the water to flow away from the tyre more freely.

Aramid Sidewall technology.  Extreme durability. The extremely strong aramid fibers strengthen the tire’s sidewalls providing more durability and protection for demanding driving situations. The fiber makes the tire more resistant to impacts and cuts that could otherwise easily damage it.

Aqua Hybrid SUV compound: Added safety for rainy weather. A new-generation rubber compound provides excellent wet grip and lower fuel costs.

Trumpet Grooves: For optimized flow. The grooves store water from between the tire and the road, accelerating its flow from the main grooves towards the transverse grooves and maximizing grip.

Silent Groove Design. Improved driving comfort. Controlling both the interior and exterior rolling noise of the vehicle, this design controls the airflow and prevents the creation of an unpleasant, howling sound. The design also reduces air resistance, which cools the surface of the tire. This improves the wear resistance of the tire and provides the driver with more kilometers.

Patented safety

For added safety, the Nokian Powerproof SUV and the Nokian Wetproof SUV both feature a Driving Safety Indicator (DSI) patented by Nokian Tyres. The location and pressure indicators on the information area on the tire’s sidewall also improve safety. The information area allows for recording the correct inflation pressure and installation location when changing the tyres. Comfort and safety are further improved by an additional section that can be used to record the tightening torque of bolts.

Download product photos and videos

Further information:

Nokian Tyres plc, PR Marketing Manager Zuzana Seidl, tel. +420603578866
[email protected]

Product Development Manager Jarno Röytiö, tel. +358104018552 
[email protected]