Nokian, the tire manufacturer, unveiled its latest product today: the Surpass AS01, an all-season tire. Nokian says that the “ultra-high-performance” tire is made to allow driving in the rain and provide the grip needed for sports driving. Tire shops will be able to buy the Surpass AS01 this month in 65 sizes that fit wheels from 16 to 21 inches. Since tires are the only thing that links your car to the road, they are one of the most important parts of how well it performs on the road. However, different tire designs create trade-offs between grip and efficiency in wet weather. Nokian Tyres’ new Surpass AS01 tire is made to be an all-season “ultra-high-performance” tire that lasts long and stays stable in the rain. The Surpass AS01 from Nokian has a higher percentage of silica than earlier all-season Nokian tires. The company says this will make it easier to handle on curvy roads and give you the grip you need for quick acceleration. Nokian also says that the tire’s shape is great, saying that its outer shoulder and unique outer-middle rib will make turning at high speeds easier. A new tire design with wide grooves around the circumference should also work well on wet roads; Nokian says the new tread pattern will help with “responsive braking.” The low rolling resistance form of the tires should also make them more efficient, which means they can be used on electric cars like the Tesla Model 3 shown below. Because of this, the tires have the “Electric Fit” logo from the brand on the back. The Surpass AS01 is Nokian’s first ultra-high-performance tire. It is part of the company’s Pothole Protection program, which replaces tires for free for a year if they get damaged beyond repair by a pothole or other road danger. Nokian also says that the tires’ “puncture-resistant Aramid Strong Sidewalls” will last a long time. The tires also come with a guarantee that covers 55,000 miles of treadwear. The Driving Safety Indicator on the Surpass AS01 and other new Nokian products shows owners how much tread is left without the tried-and-true “penny test.” Tire stores all over North America will start carrying the Surpass AS01 this month. It comes in 65 sizes and fits wheels from 16 to 21 inches.
