COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. — Nokian Tyres P.LC. used an appropriate setting — the snowy, scenic mountains of the Colorado Rockies — to debut three products designed to perform well in wintery conditions.
The new products are the WR G4, the fourth generation of its all-weather line, and the Hakkapeliitta R3 and R3 SUV, third generations of its winter passenger line.
Selected Nokian dealers were invited the week of Feb. 11 to the Copper Mountain resort — operated by Nokian's official tire partner, POWD'R Adventure Corp. — to test the tires while driving on tracks in snow- and ice-covered conditions.
"These tires perform extremely well in the worst conditions," said Steve Bourassa, business manager for passenger and light truck products, for Nokian Tyres Inc., the Finnish tire maker's North American subsidiary.
"We think our dealers — and ultimately our tire customers — will love the improvements we've made."
The WR G4, which is ready to ship, offers a reliable winter grip, officials said, performing well in snow, slush, heavy rain or sunny asphalt. The tire has the mountain snowflake severe service emblem designation for driving in winter.