Nokian launched the Surpass AS01 to North American dealers, and it didn’t play around, bringing a new model to the ultra-high-performance category. Armed with technology that raised eyebrows and specs just daring drivers to give it a go.
The first thing that catches your attention is the sidewall. Not due to the way it looks, but because of its unique construction with “Aramid fibers,” the same material you’ll find in bulletproof vests.
Sure, you’re not dodging gunfire on your daily commute, but potholes are always a hazard, and with Nokian’s Pothole Protection program included in the rollout, we get a sense they weren’t fooling around.
The Grip that Doesn’t Feel Seasonal
Tires that attempt to handle all weather and seasonal conditions usually provide average performance, but this model is something different.
Nokian built the Surpass AS01 with the highest-silica compound in their lineup of all-season tires—more, incidentally, than you might anticipate coming from a company renowned for its ice-and-snow heritage.
Surprisingly, this tire doesn’t go soft in the heat and it won’t slip out in the rain—it’s the perfect high-performance all-rounder built for any season and all road conditions.
Rainy Roads and Rough Pavement—No Problem
Rain-soaked roads and potholed pavement fail to upset it when the weather turns south, and the Surpass won’t flinch in wet road conditions. The water courses are aggressive and wide, flanked by sharp shoulder claws.
That outside shoulder grips the road with plenty of attitude, and the outside-middle rib—it’s stiff enough to handle the tightest turns at speed without feeling sketchy. The center rib features Nokians 3D siping technology, not built exclusively for water management but to hone in on driver input across the entire tread surface of the tire.
When the rain comes down and you’re on the road—there’s no slipping out, it just holds your line and grips the road. There’s no lag in performance—step on the brake and it bites in, when you turn the wheel—it listens, with no vague feedback.
Designed to Handle Speed—and Plenty of Abuse
What sets the Surpass AS01 apart from the other models in this category is Nokian’s decision to combine high-performance capabilities with genuine driver safety in real world driving conditions.
Those Aramid-reinforced sidewalls aren’t a publicity stunt—they provide excellent sidewall protection without making the tire feel like it’s a rock. You get to drive the way you want in all conditions—and you won’t have to cringe in fear when the weather and road turn bad.
Nokian is prepared to put their reputation on the line with this model, giving you a tire built for punishment. Hit a pothole with this model and your first inclination might ne to pull over and call AAA, but this tire just keeps moving as if nothing happened.
The Surpass AS01 didn’t tiptoe around UHP expectations. It showed up ready for the corners, the chaos, and the types of roads that show the flaws in other tire brands and models. Nokian really threw every ounce of tech they had into this tire—and it shows.
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