Peace of mind for rainy days: New Nokian Wetproof is the enemy of aquaplaning

The new Nokian Wetproof is a safe and reliable summer tyre for passenger cars navigating Central European roads. The tyre’s most important features are excellent wet braking abilities and powerful aquaplaning resistance, which makes driving easy and comfortable even in rainy days. The new summer tyre generation of Nokian Tyres features a unique safety zone technology, specially developed for varying summer conditions.

The new member of the Nokian Tyres’ modernised summer tyre family, Nokian Wetproof, is well balanced between maximum comfort and extreme safety. Nokian Wetproof offers steady performance on rainy days and added comfort for poor road conditions. The secret behind the fine-tuned balance of wet and dry properties is the new Dual Zone Safety concept. This unique safety zone technology offers security and driving confidence in all conditions while reduced rolling resistance enhances fuel-efficiency and supports eco-friendly driving.

As proof of excellence, Nokian Wetproof has been granted the TÜV Tire Performance Mark. This mark from the independent TÜV SÜD testing organisation certifies that Nokian Wetproof compares favourably with premium competitors in terms of quality and performance.

The new Nokian Wetproof is offered in the speed categories T (190km/h), H (210 km/h), V (240 km/h) and W (270 km/h), and its comprehensive size range covers 46 items from 14-inch to 20-inch. The new Nokian Wetproof will be available to consumers in spring 2019.

Rigorous testing for first-class safety

Summer tyres need to work safely and reliably from spring mornings to late autumn, which means summer tyres are not one-season products. Nokian Tyres’ special expertise, sustainable safety and environmental friendliness ensure the new Nokian Wetproof offers steady performance and peace of mind for all three seasons.

When enjoying the sunny and beautiful summer days, it’s easy to forget the dangers of rain-soaked roads. It’s also more than typical these days that the weather varies from extreme heat to abrupt rain showers and the forecasts can change unexpectedly. Sudden and heavy rain may cause the car to aquaplane, especially if there is a lot of water on the road and in its ruts.

According to Nokian Tyres’ consumer survey, safety characteristics are clearly the most important features when purchasing tyres. European drivers consider good grip on both wet and dry roads as especially valuable. The core of Nokian Tyre’s product development is always safety.

- Nokian Wetproof 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 development has taken us over 4 years and we have tested dozens of different prototypes across Europe, explains Jarno Röytiö, Product Development Manager for Nokian Tyres.

Dual Zone Safety - Total control over wet and dry conditions

In order to achieve better performance balance, Nokian Wetproof has a new asymmetrical tread pattern. The new tread pattern improves traction and provides good balance between wet and dry properties, also improving durability and tyre wear.

To provide maximum comfort and first-class safety, the tread area of the tyre 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 tyre 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.

Reinforcing the excellent handling and wet properties, the Responsive Lock concept supports the longitudinal ribs while allowing the water to flow away from the tyre 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.

Stability Zone – Silent and comfortable rolling

Controlling both the interior and exterior rolling noise of the vehicle, the Silent Groove Design is an innovation on the tyre 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 tyre. This improves the wear resistance of the tyre and provides the driver with more kilometres.

The special zone on the tyre sidewall, The Silent Sidewall Technology, is a unique combination of compounding and structural design on the wing area of the tyre and helps to filter the noise and vibration from the road surface. This creates a reduced noise level for drivers and passengers. 

Wet Safety Zone - Aquaplaning resistance deluxe

When moving fluid, such as water, meets a curved surface, it will try to follow that surface. A phenomenon also known as the Coandă effect means water can be directed to follow the curve of the surface rather than flowing in a straight line. When a tyre encounters more water than it can disperse, aquaplaning occurs. The Nokian Tyres Coanda Technology accelerates the removal of water by guiding and moving the water flow away from the tyre and effectively preventing dangerous aquaplaning.

The Aqua Hybrid 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.

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

Patented safety

For added safety, the tread contains a Driving Safety Indicator (DSI) patented by Nokian Tyres. The location and pressure indicators on the information area on the tyre’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.

New Nokian Wetproof – Peace of mind for rainy days 

• Extreme safety for wet roads 
• Maximum comfort 
• Easy rolling saves fuel and preserves the environment 

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.

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

Nokian Tyres Coanda Technology: Effective aquaplaning prevention. A curved, ramp-like design guides and accelerates the removal of water from between the tyre and the road.

Polished grooves. Stylish and functional: water flows easily and efficiently off the slick and polished main grooves.

Silent Groove Design: Improved driving comfort. The hemispherical indentations, reminiscent of a golf ball’s surface, and control the airflow of the tyre. The indentations prevent the creation of an unpleasant, howling sound. The design controls both the interior and exterior rolling noise of the vehicle.

Silent sidewall technology - A unique combination of compounding and structural design. The special zone on the tyre sidewall helps to filter the noise and vibration from the road surface, reducing noise inside the vehicle. 

Download product photos and videos

Further information:

Nokian Tyres plc

Communications Manager Teemu Sainio, tel. +358 10 401 7296, teemu.sainio@nokiantyres.com

Product Development Manager Jarno Röytiö, tel. +358 10 401 8552, jarno.roytio@nokiantyres.com

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Nokian Tyres is the world’s northernmost tyre manufacturer and one of the most sustainable companies in the industry. We offer peace of mind in all conditions by developing high-quality, safe and eco-friendly tyres for passenger cars, trucks and heavy machinery. We are especially well known for our innovative winter tyres. Our group also includes the Vianor chain, specialising in vehicle maintenance and tyre services. In 2017, the company’s turnover was approximately EUR 1.6 billion and it employed some 4,600 people. Nokian Tyres is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. Further information: www.nokiantyres.com

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