Cooper Evolution H/T judged 'best' new tire at SEMA

LAS VEGAS — The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has selected Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.'s Evolution H/T all-season highway light truck/SUV tire as the best new tire/related product at the 2017 SEMA Show.

The Cooper tire — part of the tire maker's new Evolution "mid-tier" price point tire line — won out over a pair of General Tire-branded products, the G-Max RS and AS 05 — SEMA announced at the New Product Awards Breakfast Oct. 31.

Cooper launched the Evolution H/T in May as replacement for the Discoverer H/T, saying it offers "outstanding" grip, stability and comfort. The line covers 28 tire sizes to meet the needs of crossover vehicles, sport utility vehicles and light duty pickup trucks.

Among the tire's features are StabilEdge, a technology for "enhanced" handling and dry tracking stability, and 3D Micro-Gauge to maintain wet traction and superior handling. The tire carries a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty.

The Evolution H/T soon will be joined by the Evolution Tour and Evolution Winter tires, designed to offer consumers the performance, handling and durability synonymous with Cooper at a mid-tier price point in the Cooper portfolio.

"Evolution is, by definition, the process of change or development," said Scott Jamieson, director of product management for North America. "Cooper launched the Evolution tire line as part of our movement toward demystifying the tire selection process. We are streamlining our product offerings to make tire buying less complicated for consumers.

With this addition, Mr. Jamieson said, consumers will be able to choose which Cooper product is right for them based on features such as mileage warranty and technology."

The Evolution Tour is an all-season passenger tire designed for a smooth and comfortable ride, offering reliable traction, long life and fuel efficiency, Cooper said. A five-rib tread pattern and wide lateral shoulder grooves help prevent hydroplaning, and Cooper's Stabiledge technology holds the tread steady for better dry traction, enhanced stability and a solid feel.

It is backed by a 60,000-mile warranty for H/V-rated tires and a 65,000-mile warranty for T-rated tires. The Evolution Tour will be available in 48 popular sizes when launched for consumers in April.

The Evolution Winter is designed to perform in the variable conditions that come with winter driving, thanks to Cooper's "SnowGroove" technology, which channels snow into the tire tread for biting snow-on-snow grip.

The Evolution Winter carries Cooper's Weather-Master certification, joining the best-performing winter tires Cooper has to offer.

It replaces the Weather-Master S/T2 and will be available in fall 2018 in 48 popular sizes for passenger cars and crossover vehicles.