COOPERS WIN 4WD TYRE TEST

Steve Vickers with the winning Cooper ST tyre

In the comparison, three 4WD experts tested the tyres for "Australian 4WD Monthly" on a range of surfaces, including bitumen, gravel, sand and fire trails. Based in Newcastle, NSW, for eight days, the drivers used the nearby freeway, Watagan mountains and Stockton beach. Their test vehicle was a current model 3.2 litre Pajero turbo diesel, and the test team worked "blind" so they did not know which brand of tyre they were using at any time.

At the finish, Cooper Sure Trac tyres came out the winners, rating five out of five for gravel roads, and four points in the categories for fire trails with rocks and mud, as well as for sand and beach driving.

Product manager for Cooper Tyres in Australia, Steve Vickers, said the test was proof that American research and development, combined with input from Australia and South Africa, had resulted in the Cooper Sure Trac being the market leader in both performance and value for Australian 4WD owners.

"Unfortunately, they couldn't test for 12 months," he said, "but if they had, Cooper's reputation for extended mileage would have further consolidated their top position."

The 4WD tyre test comparison is in the March issue of "Australian 4WD Monthly" and details of the Cooper 4WD tyre range are on www.coopertires.com.au