We might be more familiar with the performance range of rubbers from Toyo but let’s not forget that the Japanese tyremaker has a bread and butter tyre for a wide spectrum of passenger vehicles as well and that range has been updated with the new Proxes CR1 that now encompasses SUV sizing.

Officially dubbed an entry-level touring tyre, the CR1 takes over from the NanoEnergy 3 with sizing catering for A to D-segment passenger cars and SUVs. With a new product comes the obligatory new features and improvements over the outgoing item and the CR1 is no different. Toyo has touted improvements in safety, noise and comfort.

Wet performance is a key area given our tropical climate and the CR1 depends on its four large grooves (only three on tyres up to 185mm) for water dispersion and drainage. Compared with the NanoEnergy 3, aquaplaning is down by two per cent.

Dry performance is aided by a triple taper and rib design that improves the rib rigidity and reduces uneven wear by muffling circumferential fluctuation.

Translated into English, the para above indicates that the tyre is more rigid with less distortion under load and therefore there’s consistency in performance.

Additionally, the tyre incorporates multi sipes for better block stiffness and a jointless cap ply that comes in handy at high speeds.

On the noise side of things, Toyo has integrated a “silent wall” along the grooves to reduce road noise. Furthermore, the carcass of the tyre has a noise protection sheet integrated and the reason why is self-explanatory. Noise levels have been reduced by an impressive 11 per cent over the NanoEnergy 3 if Toyo is to be believed.

In fact, the new tyre was tested by our very own Tengku Djan Ley; the Prince of Drift. You can catch his feedback on the tyres below from the virtual launch held on Facebook last week. It’s quite a long video but skip to the 14:30 mark for Djan’s view on it.

If it’s time to get your ride some new rubbers, the Proxes CR1 is available at Toyo Centres and Silverstone Centres. With 36 sizes spanning 14-18 inch wheels, there’s something for almost all mainstream models on the road. Recommended pricing ranges from RM160-Rm440.

The CR1 SUV is a little more limited with sizes catering for 17, 18 and 19-inch wheels. Pricing is understandably on the higher wide, starting at RM380 and topping out at RM580.