General Tire has built its reputation on effective tyres for off-road vehicles, focusing on grip while maintaining daily drivability. They have adjusted their aim and have developed a new tyre to fit the needs of most South African crossover and SUV owners. The new versatile range is called the Grabber Cross A/S, and some of the sizes are already being produced locally.
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Who is General Tire?
General Tire is a traditional American tyre manufacturer founded in 1915 in Ohio. However, in 1987, the German tyre producer Continental took over the brand and positioned it to focus on passenger cars, trucks and industrial applications, as well as special tyres for 4x4 vehicles. Now, locally, General Tire products are sold alongside Continental ranges but are more focused on off-road, 4x4, transportation, and industrial applications.
Tyre application explained
Different tyres are developed with different applications in mind; this is dictated by the vehicle and where it is most likely to be used. Below is a table to help explain the application:
| 0% road driving | 100% off-road driving | Purpose-made for 4x4 and overlanding |
| 20% road driving | 80% off-road driving | 4x4 focused with minimal road driving |
| 50% road driving | 50% off-road driving | All-Terrain tyre for an even split between dirt and road. |
| 80% road driving | 20% off-road driving | SUVs and crossovers spend most of the time on the road. |
| 100% road driving | 0% off-road driving | For vehicles that will almost never drive on a dirt road, like sedans and hatchbacks. |
Highlighted in the table above is the 80/20 application, which previously didn't exist in the General Tire ranges; however, the company has now introduced the Grabber Cross A/S range, which fills this gap.
Why this new tyre?
The sales charts don't lie: the majority of new and used vehicles purchased in South Africa now take the form of a crossover, compact SUV, or SUV. This is not just due to the influx of options from new Chinese entrants into the market, but also for practical reasons such as space, a high seating position, and a more rugged suspension for deteriorating roads.
But if you pay attention to the crossover, compact SUV and SUV offerings, most are sold with road-biased tyres with a 100/0 application. This is because the more rugged a tyre, the more material is used, the more expensive the tyres are, and ultimately the more expensive the car. General Tire asked: What is the point of owning a vehicle that can either tackle light off-roading tasks or perhaps take a knock from a pothole if the tyres fitted can't do that?
This is where the new Grabber Cross A/S range comes in. Like the road-biased Grabber GT Plus, the all-terrain Grabber AT3, ATX, and even the extreme-terrain Grabber X3, the new Grabber Cross A/S range was developed with the latest Duragen Technology. So how does it differ from a 100/0 road-biased tyre?
General Tire Grabber Cross A/S specifications
General Tire has designed the tyre pattern to include hexagonal block sections to improve grip on dirt and rocky terrain and reduce slip. There are also bolstered support elements between these hexagonal blocks, as well as chamfered tread grooves. All of the above will improve pressure distribution and grip on loose surfaces while retaining light, precise steering control and the ability to maintain higher wheel speeds.
But do not despair; there are still prominent longitudinal sipes, as well as open tread shoulders, for better water displacement and evacuation, mitigating aquaplaning and improving wet-road performance, resulting in a C wet grip rating. In combination with the tread pattern and tyre compound, General Tire managed to retain low rolling noise (B rating) and a C or D rolling resistance classification, depending on the tyre size or specification.
Speaking of the compound, it has been formulated for high cut and chip resistance and is supported by thicker steel belts for a stronger overall construction. Of course, the tread and sidewall sections have been thickened, and the tyre shoulder radius has been reduced for better off-road performance. Depending on the size, the Grabber Cross A/S is approved for speeds of up to 240 km/h (V-rated).
For those with hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or battery-electric vehicles, the Grabber Cross A/S range is also compatible with your vehicle, as indicated by the "EV Compatible" logo on its sidewall. As for size, in the South African market, General Tire offers 32 sizes ranging from 16 to 22 inches in diameter. At this time, a handful of sizes are produced locally, with more planned as the most popular sizes emerge from sales figures.
Driving with the new General Tire Grabber Cross A/S range
At the launch of the new tyre range, we had the opportunity to test the tyres in a variety of conditions, including smooth, pot-holed, and dirt roads, as well as rocky terrain with inclines. The vehicles used were the new Ford Territory, a 4x2 like most crossovers on the market today. On the smooth and pot-holed roads, the road noise was very good, and if there were any changes in comparison to a road-biased tyre, it is imperceptible.
As for the off-roading part of the tyre test, we climbed steep inclines and traversed over sharp rocky terrain, generally conditions one would avoid with a 4x2, and yet the tyres kept up well with no visible cuts or chips and provided really good levels of grip.
Overall, this new tyre will suit most of the needs of most South Africans who either commute regularly on dirt roads or are adventurous and fill their weekends with off-road exploring. But with thicker steel belts and compounds, this tyre should appeal to anyone with a crossover, compact SUV, or SUV who commutes on roads that have plenty of potholes.
