From Tire Review staff and wire reports

LAS VEGAS -- Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is looking for big things from its storied Dunlop brand in the near future, and gave the nameplate a major boost with the launch of three new high end tires just before the opening of the 2004 SEMA Show.

Revealed at a special launch program at the Las Vegas Speedway were the Dunlop Direzza DZ101 for the sport compact market segment, the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx for the luxury UHP segment, and the Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 for the high-end luxury SUV segment.

Calling it a “performance tire with no manners,” Warren Croyle, Dunlop consumer tire marketing manager, said the Direzza DZ101 not only makes its own statement, it is the perfect complement to Dunlop’s existing tuner tire - the Dunlop SP Sport FM901.

Set for 12 various 15- through 19-inch sizes, the Direzza DZ101 features two wide center channels to disperse water, a wide continuous center rib for handling and stability, large shoulder blocks and a tread pattern optimized to reduce low end noise, silica tread compound for wear and traction, a reinforced lower sidewall and rim protector, and a spiral wrap nylon cap ply for high speed stability and durability. The tire has a UTQG rating of 300 AA.

Targeting the luxury ultra-high performance segment, the new SP Sport Maxx is Dunlop’s new flagship UHP tire in North America and has already earned two key OE fitments. “It was a real challenge to improve a tire - like the SP Sport 9000 - that is still well regarded among driving enthusiasts,” said Croyle. “We focused our research and development efforts on dry handling capabilities, because that’s what sport-oriented, passionate drivers of powerful cars expect most from their tires.”

Featuring Dunlop’s new Multi Radius Tread technology - and a host of other innovations - the SP Sport Maxx delivers the dry and wet traction required, said Croyle. In addition, the tire features noise reducing tread block alignment, a spiral wrap nylon cap ply for stability and handling, and new Silica Plus tread compound for traction and braking performance.

The SP Sport Maxx is available in 26 sizes covering 16- through 22-inch sizes, including 21 extra load sizes, and has a UTQG rating of 240 AA A.

On the top end of the SUV tire market are a wide range ofdriver options - BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Infiniti and so on. Set to tackle that segment is the new Dunlop Grandtrek AT20, “for those tired of the truck ride of a SUV,” according to Croyle. The Grandtrek AT20, he said, is loaded with Dunlop‘s latest tire technologies, all focused on combining the best elements of a passenger tire with those of a light truck tire - comfort, ruggedness, aggressive appearance, quiet ride, etc.

Full depth, crosscut grooves provide all-season traction and driving control in inclement weather, Dunlop said, while wide tread grooves and an open shoulder tread design ensure enhanced wet grip and snow traction. Added ride comfort comes from a new breed of polyester body plies, and VersaLoad Technology helps maximize the tire’s footprint for predictable traction and handling.

The Grandtrek AT 20 is available in 18 different 15- through 17-inch sizes. The tire has a UTQG rating of 500 AB, and comes with a 60,000-mile limited treadwear warranty.

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