CEAT Kelani strengthens SUV tyre portfolio with two new high-performance additions

CEAT Kelani Holdings has expanded its radial tyre portfolio in Sri Lanka with the launch of two new SUV-focused products engineered to deliver a superior blend of control, comfort and durability across the country’s diverse driving conditions. 

The launch introduces the SecuraDrive SUV tyre in size 215/65 R16 and the CrossDrive AT tyre in size 245/70 R16, taking CEAT’s total radial tyre portfolio in Sri Lanka to 82 variants. Designed and tested at CEAT’s R&D Centre in Frankfurt, Germany, these tyres bring globally benchmarked engineering to local roads, combining advanced compound technology and tread design with practical performance benefits for everyday driving. 

The SecuraDrive SUV is positioned for modern urban and highway-driven SUVs such as the Toyota Rush, Suzuki Vitara, Nissan Qashqai, Juke and X-Trail, Kia Sportage and even utility vehicles like the Toyota Hilux. It has been engineered to deliver high-speed stability, precise handling and consistent grip across wet and dry surfaces. 

At a technical level, the tyre’s wide face cavity and five-rib tread design increase the contact area with the road, ensuring more even pressure distribution. For users, this translates to better grip, improved braking confidence and longer, more even wear. Its optimised cavity shape reduces rolling resistance, which not only enhances fuel efficiency but also contributes to a smoother, more controlled drive. 

Noise and ride comfort, two critical factors for SUV owners, have been addressed through a combination of pitch sequencing and advanced tread geometry. By using an optimised pitch distribution developed through algorithm-based design, the tyre significantly reduces road noise and vibration, resulting in a quieter cabin experience. Complementing this is an optimised ply line and reduced belt deflection, which work together to minimise vibration and improve handling stability.

Wet weather performance, a key concern on Sri Lankan roads, is enhanced by fluidic sipe designs that efficiently channel water away from the tyre surface. This improves traction and reduces the risk of aquaplaning, giving drivers greater confidence in heavy rain. Reinforced construction, including a two-ply build and rim flange protection, further improves durability and resistance to road damage, making the tyre well suited to both city use and rougher road conditions. 

For more rugged applications, the CrossDrive AT has been developed as an all-terrain solution for vehicles such as the Mitsubishi Triton, Mitsubishi L200, Isuzu D-Max, Mitsubishi Montero and Kia Sorento. Designed to appeal to drivers with a more adventurous lifestyle, this tyre combines off-road capability with on-road refinement.

Its aggressive zig-zag groove pattern is engineered to bite into loose and soft surfaces, delivering strong forward traction when driving on gravel, mud or uneven terrain. At the same time, surface-adaptive 3D sipes flex in response to the road, maintaining stability and grip on wet tarmac as well as loose trails.

A key technical feature is its self-cleansing tread design, which actively ejects mud, stones and debris through an optimised open pattern. This prevents tread clogging, ensuring consistent traction and preserving the integrity of the tyre over time. In practical terms, drivers experience fewer interruptions in grip when transitioning between terrains.

Despite its off-road emphasis, the CrossDrive AT has been engineered for everyday usability. Tighter lateral grooves improve block stability and reduce air pumping, which lowers road noise and delivers a more composed, quieter ride on highways, an important balance for SUVs used both in the city and beyond.

Both new tyres benefit from CEAT’s ongoing investment in research and testing, with rigorous evaluation conducted across wet, dry and extreme conditions to optimise compound mix, tread performance and overall durability. Specially designed sidewalls and tread patterns help absorb shocks and vibrations, ensuring better control and ride comfort on Sri Lankan roads.

Every CEAT tyre undergoes stringent quality checks, and the company remains the only tyre manufacturer in Sri Lanka certified with IATF 16949:2016, reflecting adherence to globally recognised automotive quality standards. 

Backed by a comprehensive four-year warranty and supported by a network of more than 550 dealers island-wide, the new SecuraDrive SUV and CrossDrive AT tyres are now available at authorised CEAT outlets with introductory pricing. 

Ranked Sri Lanka’s most valuable tyre brand by Brand Finance and named the ‘Most Loved Tyre Brand’ in Sri Lanka in 2025 and 2026 by LMD, CEAT sells more than 1.2 million tyres annually. CEAT Kelani’s rise to market leadership is driven by sustained investments in technology, innovation and capacity, with manufacturing operations spanning tyres for passenger cars, vans, SUVs, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, three-wheelers and agricultural vehicles. 

Besides meeting around half of Sri Lanka’s automotive tyre demand, CEAT Kelani exports approximately 20 per cent of its output to 16 countries. The company has invested more than Rs. 8.5 billion in Sri Lanka over the past decade and recently committed a further Rs. 4.5 billion, reinforcing its role as a key contributor to the national economy and a trusted partner to the transport sector.