More than a century after John Boyd Dunlop invented the pneumatic tyre, and shortly before the weekend's Le Mans 24-Hour race, his successors launched a new range of truck tyres in the shadow of one of the most famous landmarks in motorsport - the Le Mans Dunlop bridge. The 22.in SP344 steer tyre and the directional SP444 drive tyre cover both long-haul and regional applications, giving better flexibility for fleet operators and less inventory for suppliers.
Dunlop
claims significant improvements in tyre life, better driver feel and all-weather grip and maintenance of traction performance towards the end of its life. The most popular sizes, 295/80R22.5, 315/80R22.5 and 315/70R22.5, will reach the market in September with the full range being available by mid 2009.
The only downbeat part of the presentation was Dunlop truck tyre vice-president Henry Johnson's attack on European Union proposals for lower tyre noise, which Dunlop feels are totally unrealistic. This is a view shared by much of the industry, which is lobbying for a review. Johnson says the only current Dunlop products that get anywhere the proposed levels are truck racing tyres, which have virtually no tread.
Reed Business Information Limited.©2009
