Semperit Speed-Grip 5

Hanover, September 2021. Just in time for refitting season, Semperit has developed the new Speed-Grip 5, a new tyre for a safe journey through winter. Available from this autumn, Semperit is producing the new Speed-Grip 5 in sizes ranging from 14 to 20 inches with approvals of up to 270 km/h. This new winter specialist is thus suitable for a broad number of cars and SUVs, and will gradually replace the Master-Grip 2 and Speed-Grip 3 models.

Semperit’s tyre engineers have come up with many new solutions to improve the handling characteristics of the new, directional Speed-Grip 5 with its V-shaped tread pattern. For dry handling, these tyres use solid, connected tread blocks in the shoulders to support the change of direction. The outer area of the tyre, which is designed for block stiffness, offers high stability when cornering. The developers have also achieved safe wet characteristics through sipe edges with microcuts, which break up the water film when braking and cornering, and thus maintain contact with the road. The attractive V-design, which opens to the tyre sides, is used to divert water and slush from the contact area. Driving on snow is the speciality of Semperit winter tyres, with longitudinal grooves in the shoulder area and diagonal grooves in the middle of the tyre ensuring stable grip on bends. Snow hooks – rhombus-shaped recesses in the tread grooves – support directional control in deep snow. A tight system of sipes arranged at different angles on the tread blocks offer safe braking and good acceleration. When designing the sidewall, the developers added additional grip edges to the area between the tread support and the tyre flank. These offer additional support for good traction in deep snow. The attractively designed sidewalls show a mountain silhouette, in reference to the Austrian tradition of the tyre brand.

Compared with its tried-and-tested predecessor, the Speed-Grip 3, Semperit’s tests show a 5 percent improvement in dry handling by the new winter specialist, with braking distances on dry roads reduced by 2 percent. The risk of aquaplaning has been reduced by 4 percent, and braking distances on wet roads by 2 percent. In addition, handling and traction on snow have increased by 6 and 2 percent, respectively. At product launch, Semperit is producing 66 articles, 19 of which are new in the product range. The portfolio offers between 14 and 20 inches in size, 165 and 245 millimetres in width, and cross sections between 70 and 40 percent. The speed approvals are between 190 km/h and 270 km/h, depending on the dimensions. Semperit also intends to expand the size assortment for the next season. The current sizes allow 95 percent of commonly available cars and 70 percent of SUVs to be fitted. For the product launch, Semperit commissioned an independent competitive comparison by TÜV SÜD. In most test criteria, the Speed-Grip 5 beat the four competitors (a German, an American, and two Asian brands) with its solid winter characteristics.