Michelin North America Inc. has introduced a new line of ultra-high performance tires -- the Riken Raptor ZR.
Twenty-seven sizes of the Riken Raptor ZR line are now available for the company's Alliance dealers in eight 16-inch, 12 17-inch and seven 18-inch sizes. Following early in July will be two 20-inch sizes.
When fully introduced, the Raptor ZR line will cover 78% of the UHP marketplace, the company notes.
"This tire line is designed to provide our dealers with a tire that will deliver the right performance at the right price for the consumer looking to customize and improve the look and performance of their vehicle," said Thom Peebles, brand director Riken Tires.
"This is a significant step for Riken as we are introducing the deepest UHP line in the brand's history and we won't stop there. We will continue to build Riken by introducing new sizes and new lines to provide our customers with the product they need to capitalize on the profitable lower price tier of the UHP market."
The Riken Raptor ZR tire has a directional tread design and a "waved" center rib to help channel water away from the footprint; oversized swept-back lateral rib elements for maximum grip during cornering; and rubber compounds that help the tire maintain its shape "and deliver added progressivity feeling to the driver in both high- and low-speed driving situations," says the company.
