THE NEW NOKIAN WRG5 HARNESSES THE POWER OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

(Article published in L’Automobile Mechanic magazine, February 2024)

By Éric Descarries

Finnish tire manufacturer Nokian has just unveiled its latest product, the WRG5 Remedy (the “cure”), an all-season tire, manufactured at its huge new Dayton, Tennessee plant.

Obviously, while Nokian has been accustomed to producing highly efficient winter tires, this time it is in the manufacture of “all-season” tires that it starts to specialize. This relatively new technology is attracting more and more tire manufacturers. But the advantages of the Remedy WRG5, which features the winter logo of a mountain silhouette with a snowflake at its centre, don’t stop there.

The Other Technology

If there’s another technology that’s beginning to make waves on the market, it’s tires specifically designed for electric vehicles (EVs). And, once again, many tire manufacturers are embarking on this adventure. These tires are designed to support the greater weight of EVs (due to their larger, heavier batteries) and to withstand the high stress caused by the intense, almost spontaneous torque of the electric motor(s). Finally, they must provide as little rolling resistance as possible to ensure maximum battery range. Believe it or not, Nokian engineers have succeeded in combining EV specifications in the new WRG5 which, incidentally, bears the ELECTRIC FIT identification for this purpose.

A Summer-Friendly Winter Tire

Many motorists will see the benefit of not having to change tires seasonally, but there’s more to it than that. If you look at the WRG5’s tread pattern, you’ll notice the Dual Performance Siping and Venturi Grooves technologies. These provide superior grip in snow or ice by quickly clearing the tread grooves (which are covered by a 100,000 km warranty). Add to this the walls protected by aramid fibre reinforcement. This feature allows Nokian to include a warranty against damage resulting from a pothole.

It’s a safe bet that the competition will respond to Nokian with one or more equivalent products. It has to be said, however, that the Finnish manufacturer, who has already impressed us with its WRG4 – still produced under the name Nordman Solstice 4 – is at the forefront of modern car tires. And if the manufacturer is to be believed, there’s more to come!