New Nexen Tires for Harsh Winters

Nexen Tire has revealed details about its new non-studded Scandinavian-type tires, the Nexen WinGuard Ice 3, which premiered at The Tire Cologne 2024, where the new "European" tires called WinGuard Sport 3 were also presented.

The new Nexen tire for the northern climate features a directional V-shaped tread pattern that improves handling in various cold-weather conditions and includes numerous micro-grooves that increase traction on slippery surfaces. Additionally, the saw-toothed sidewall grooves enhance the edge effect and increase traction on icy roads, while the new sidewall design with a snowflake and ice crystal pattern indicates the tire's specialization.

The sidewalls also feature the 3PMSF marking (a mountain with three peaks and a snowflake) and the Ice Grip symbol, which confirms that the tires are suitable for use in northern winter conditions. The tread width has been increased to improve the contact area with the road and enhance traction. Furthermore, the even distribution of loads in the contact patch reduces the braking distance on ice, which is also facilitated by the three-dimensional structure of the lamellas.

Compared to the previous generation tires — Nexen WinGuard Ice Plus — the ice braking performance has been improved by 12% (tests were conducted in Finland at the Test World facility). The multi-component tread simultaneously improves handling and reduces rolling resistance, which affects fuel consumption. Additionally, a hydrophilic filler has been added to the rubber compound, which increases traction on water- or snow-covered roads.

The manufacturer will reveal information about the size range of the new tire closer to the upcoming winter season.