Nokian Tyres, a company known for its innovative products, has finally turned its attention to the owners of crossovers and SUVs. They are the primary target audience for the Nokian WR SUV3 winter friction tire. Another distinctive feature of this model is its climate conditions. It was specifically designed for vehicles operated in countries with so-called "mild winters". Typically, these regions are characterized by a large amount of precipitation, both in the form of rain and wet snow. Additionally, in these countries, there are very frequent sharp temperature transitions from plus to minus and vice versa. In our country, such climatic conditions are typical for the southern regions.
Innovations
Among the innovative developments, the original tread pattern with polished drainage grooves should be particularly noted, thanks to which the tread perfectly resists aquaplaning and slushplaning.
The rubber compound was created taking into account the specifics of operating the tire on heavy crossovers and SUVs. Thanks to it, the tire demonstrates excellent traction on any surfaces with high resistance to abrasive wear. At the same time, the coupling properties are highly stable over a very wide temperature range, which is ensured by excellent elasticity.
Rapeseed oil
One of the components of the rubber compound of this model is rapeseed oil. It allowed to significantly increase the strength of the tread on the tear, reduce the rolling resistance, and also increase the coupling properties on ice and snow.
Groove Lifts stepped grooves
The longitudinal drainage grooves located in the central part of the tread have a stepped profile. This original technical solution made it possible to significantly increase the stiffness of the longitudinal ribs, due to which the tire demonstrates precise and predictable reactions to steering wheel turns. This ability is equally vividly manifested both on dry asphalt and on ice. Another advantage of the stepped grooves Groove Lifts can be guessed by translating this English phrase into Russian. Thanks to this profile, the drainage grooves easily get rid of small soil particles, literally pushing them out of the tread.
Closing 3D-lamellas
Another feature of this model is the special 3D-lamellas located throughout the tread area. When in contact with the road surface, their walls are tightly fixed to each other, which significantly increases the stiffness of the blocks. As a result, the tire reacts much faster to steering wheel turns, allowing for safe sharp maneuvers.
High resistance to aquaplaning and slushplaning
The Finnish tire makers have equipped the Nokian WR SUV 3 with an extremely efficient drainage system. It consists of two parts - longitudinal grooves that serve as a kind of accumulators, and a multitude of transverse channels with polished walls, through which water and meltwater are removed outside. Since there are enough of these elements, the tire provides excellent traction with the road, both in heavy rain and in a snowstorm.
Snow Claws
Snow Claws or "snow claws" are special protrusions located on the corners of the tread blocks in the central part of the tread. The operation of these tread elements is manifested when driving on snowy roads. Such "claws" grip the snow, which increases the reliability of traction with the road. At the same time, they are located both in the transverse and longitudinal direction, which ensures maximum efficiency.
Tread wear indicator
Like all other modern Nokian tires, the WR SUV3 model has a tread wear indicator. It is located on the central rib and shows the remaining tread depth in millimeters. As the tread wears out, the numbers change in reverse order. This allows you to objectively assess the need to replace the tire, which significantly increases safety on the road.
Size range
Since this model is designed for crossovers and SUVs, its size range is selected based on the specifics of operation on passenger cars of this category. It includes 37 sizes for wheels with a mounting diameter from 15 to 21 inches. Such an assortment provides the Nokian WR SUV3 with excellent applicability, which is expressed in the possibility of installing it on almost any passenger car with increased cross-country ability.
Main features of the Nokian WR SUV 3 tire
- an innovative V-shaped directional tread pattern was specially developed for "mild winter" conditions, taking into account the specifics of operation on crossovers and SUVs;
- a rigid central rib, thanks to its massive size and high structural rigidity, provides the tire with lightning-fast responses, thus improving handling;
- a stepped profile of the longitudinal grooves in the central part of the tread, which provides excellent self-cleaning abilities;
- self-locking 3D-lamellas allow for more confident sharp maneuvers;
- a block structure in combination with a high density of lamellas provides excellent traction on snow;
- a rubber compound with the addition of rapeseed oil and a number of other components made it possible to achieve high strength on the tear, resistance to abrasive wear, excellent elasticity in a very wide temperature range.