Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. introduced two new Dunlop ultra-high performance summer tires to tire dealers at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Oct. 29, two days before the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show's trade show opened.
1. Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1. The company describes it as an “extreme” performance summer tire. (The Tire Rack coined the term "extreme performance," which refers to a tire that is more than an ultra-high performance tire.)
The street-legal tire is available in the following sizes:
15-inch size: 195/55R15.
16-inch sizes: 205/50R16, 205/55R16 and 225/50R16.
17-inch sizes: 215/40R17, 235/40R17, 245/40R17, 255/40R17, 215/45R17, 225/45R17, 235/45R17 and 245/45R17.
18-inch sizes: 255/35R18, 265/35R18, 275/35R18, 225/40R18, 235/40R18, 235/40R18, 245/40R18, 225/45R18 and 245/45R18.
2. SP Sport Maxx GT. Introduced earlier this year in Europe, it is a premium tire targeting exotic luxury sports cars like the Lamborghini Gallardo, Porsche 911 Carrera S, Audi S5, BMW M5 and M6, and Jaguar S-Type 4.2.
The Sport Maxx GT features "Touch Technology" -- a bundle of tire components that offers faster driver feedback and precise steering response.
It will be available in North America in May 2008. The line initially will consist of the following eight Y-rated sizes:
18-inch: 235/40R18, 245/40R18, 255/35R18 and 285/35R18.
19-inch: 235/35R19, 255/40R19, 285/35R19 and 295/30R19.
Additional 18- through 23-inch sizes will be available in August 2008.
