December 17, 2010
Tires, tires, tires!
HP, UHP, touring, LT, SUV -- even eco tires -- took center stage at show
By: Mike Manges and Bob Ulrich
Falken Tire Corp.’s first premium ultra-high performance tire, the Azenis PT722, will be available in early March.
Amidst all of the press conferences and announcements, new tires remained the heart of this year’s Global Tire Expo/Specialty Equipment Market Association Show.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. introduced four new premium tires, including two additions to its Zeon line. The Zeon RS3-A, an ultra-high performance all-season tire, combines large tread elements with an asymmetric design. Initially it will be offered in 31 sizes when it rolls out in April 2011. The tire replaces the Cooper Zeon Sport A/S.
The Cooper Zeon RS3-S will replace the Cooper Zeon 2XS when it launches in April 2011. The tire builds upon the technology of the Cooper Roush RS3 tire and contains a silica compound for “superior wet driving performance,” according to Cooper officials.
Cooper also displayed the new Discoverer A/T 3 during the show. This light truck/SUV tire contains a silica tread compound for improved traction and longer tread life. It will be available in 32 light truck and 30 SUV sizes, ranging from 15 inches to 20 inches in diameter.
Also new is the Discoverer S/T MAXX, which contains the company’s Armor-Trek carcass, a new cut- and chip-resistant compound “and a progressive tread design.” Available in February 2011, the tire will come in eight sizes, ranging from 16 inches to 18 inches in diameter. It will replace the Cooper Discoverer S/T-C, plus select sizes of the Discoverer S/T.
Falken Tire Corp. introduced its first premium ultra-high performance tire, the Azenis PT722, which will be available in March 2011. The tire sports an asymmetric tread pattern for ride comfort, plus a deep tread depth and long lateral groove for traction on wet surfaces. In addition, it contains Falken’s Rotation Wear Indicators, which are designed to regularly inform drivers when they need to rotate their tires.
“We have targeted the PT722 as an ideal original equipment replacement tire for BMW 6- and 7-series models, Lexus LS sedans, and Mercedes CLs, as well as a number of plus-size fitments,” says Andrew Hoit, Falken director of marketing. “We will quickly roll out 44 sizes in diameters ranging from 16 to 20 inches.”
Sign up for our Enews and receive the latest news, trends, and product information right in your e-mail inbox.