 The AZENIS FK453CC SUV tyre is the first of a new generation of Falken tyres. Its excellent handling characteristics make it the perfect link between the power of the current SUV generation and the street: a direct and undiluted feel. From early 2012 the Ultra-High-Performance tyre will be offered in 14 sizes for vehicles such as the Audi Q7, BMW X6, Porsche Cayenne, VW Touareg and other SUVs.
The Azenis FK453CC Falken High Performance Tyre was specifically developed for the exacting demands of the European SUV market. Apart from the driving enjoyment which Falken customers have come to expect, the FK453CC provides exceptional high-speed and cornering stability. “With its tread pattern design and unique construction, the new Falken tyre surpasses its competitors in terms of hydroplaning resistance, wet and dry handling, and above all, high-speed stability,” as Markus Bögner, German Sales Director of Falken Tyre Europe GmbH, explains. “The market for the current generation of high-performance SUVs like the Porsche Cayenne will continue to grow , and we are offering one of the sportiest tyres in this segment.”
According to a statistic compiled by the Federal Motor Transport Authority (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, KBA) SUVs have a market share of 11.1 percent (as at August 2011), making them the fourth most popular vehicle category in Germany. The segment improved by 31.3 percent over the previous year.
New “NUR-Spec” design and enhanced rubber compound
The AZENIS FK453CC was developed on the Nürburgring Nordschleife race circuit and features a more warp-resistant casing construction than comparable tyres in its segment. The “NUR-Spec” design incorporates an additional, nylon-reinforced cover ply improving high-speed stability. This construction is complemented by a rounder tyre shoulder shape which optimises pressure deployment on the tread area. With the AZENIS FK453CC’s design, which is specifically tailored to the latest, powerful SUV generation, the tyre engineers were able to increase steering stability, particularly at top speeds, by 21 percent over the predecessor, the S/TZ01. The stability improvement yields an outstanding level of safety during lane changes and high-speed turns.
The increased silica percentage in the newly developed “NUR-Spec” rubber compound of the AZENIS FK453CC tread achieves stronger interaction with the road surface, resulting in enhanced high-speed stability and handling. Dry handling, in particular, benefits from grip being increased by up to 14 percent compared with the previous S/TZ01. Hydroplaning resistance also shows a seven-percent improvement.
Sporty and functional tread pattern design
Three central tread grooves in the tread design allow efficient water deflection. In addition, the staggered sipes integrated into the first tread bar at the tyre shoulder break up the water film more effectively than conventional tread patterns. In conjunction with the phase-shifted tread bars, pass-by noise is reduced by 15 percent compared with the tyre’s predecessor. The rigidity of the sidewall was also increased, and cornering stability thus optimised. This also means that the new model shows a ten-percent improvement in wet braking performance.
Sizes available from spring 2012
The new AZENIS FK453CC will be available in 14 different sizes with V, W and Y speed ratings.
235/65R17 108W Audi Q5, Land Rover Freelander
245/55R17 102W BMW X3
235/50R18 101V BMW X3, Land Rover Freelander
235/55R18 100V Audi Q5, Opel Antara, Lexus RX
255/55R18 109W Porsche Cayenne
235/60R18 107W Audi Q7, Cadillac SRX, Land Rover
275/45R19 108Y Porsche Cayenne, AUDI Q7
285/45R19 111W Mercedes M-Klasse, BMW X5, BMW X6
255/50R19 107W Porsche Cayenne, VW Touareg, BMW
235/55R19 105W Audi Q5, Mazda CX7, Volvo XC60
315/35R20 110W BMW X5, BMW X6
275/40R20 106Y Porsche Cayenne, VW Touareg
295/40R20 110W Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7
255/50R20 109W Cadillac SRX, Range Rover, Mazda CX9
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