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Dunlop SP Sport Maxx Takes Performance To The Maxx
LAS VEGAS, Oct. 31, 2004 — Dunlop, one of the world's leading high-performance tire brands, announced today its new flagship tire in ultra-performance for North America.
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx is designed for luxury sport/performance drivers. Warren Croyle, marketing manager for Dunlop consumer tires, said the new tire strengthens the brand's position in luxury sport performance, assuming a leadership position established by its predecessor, the SP Sport 9000.
"The SP Sport Maxx enables drivers to experience pure racing-inspired technology every day," Croyle said. "It was a real challenge to improve a tire - such as the SP Sport 9000 - that is still well regarded among driving enthusiasts. 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."
Dunlop's sophisticated Multi Radius Tread technology delivers the dry and wet traction required. By distributing pressure across the contact patch evenly from shoulder to shoulder, the SP Sport Maxx provides more tread rubber on the road, said Ben Hyder, Dunlop account engineer.
The larger contact patch improves dry handling capabilities. Consistent pressure distribution facilitates a smooth transition from straight line driving into cornering. In fact, the SP Sport Maxx's traction advantages are emphasized on straightaways and when cornering, Hyder said.
Multi Radius Tread technology enables SP Sport Maxx to deliver 15 percent improved dry handling and 10 percent better steering response than the SP Sport 9000, he said.
Due to strict requirements from global vehicle manufacturers, Dunlop engineers minimized any compromise from this dry traction strength. Multi Radius Tread technology, so important in keeping the tread in contact with the pavement, also maintains directional grooves and wave-shaped Hydro-Paddle grooves in position to evacuate water efficiently, the engineer said.
Hydro-Paddles give the SP Sport Maxx 10 percent improved wet handling than the SP Sport 9000, he added.
Dunlop engineers from Hanau, Germany, achieved their objectives by dramatically improving compounds and components. The team improved high-speed straight-line stability with a stiff continuous middle rib that - as an elegant design element - also features the brand and product name, Hyder said.
Five blocks of rubber in different lengths were arranged randomly around the tire to reduce noise and improve driving comfort. German compounders then turned to a new Silica Plus tread compound for excellent acceleration and braking performance.
SP Sport Maxx features higher than normal silica content to ensure superior wet grip and low rolling resistance. To counter low wear resistance and low dry traction, engineers completed the compound with a high structured carbon black reinforcement, he said.
"SP Sport Maxx compounding comes from Dunlop's extensive racing experience. High structured carbon blacks have been used in Dunlop race tires for several years in Germany's prestigious Touring Car Masters series - also known as the DTM series - where Dunlop is the exclusive tire supplier," Hyder said.
To meet the demand for a wide variety of fitments, the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx is available in 26 sizes from 16- to 22-inch wheel diameters.
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