Held at the Las Vegas Speedway, the event saw the official unveiling of the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1, described as a “extreme performance summer tire for hard-core driving enthusiasts and car-club members,” and the SP Sport MAxx GT, a premium UHP summer tire targeting supercars and pure sports cars.Dunlop also announced the addition of seven new sizes to its Signature power line.The new Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 was designed to “deliver superb dry traction and handling in autocross and for car-club track days,” according to Janice Consolacion, Dunlop manager of marketing. “Extreme sports performance is very specialized, focused – and growing. Automotive enthusiasts will immediately experience the tire’s grip; its Asian influence and reputation for dry traction precede its introduction here.”The Direzza Sport Z1 has a directional tread pattern with circumferential grooves for water dispersion. Its wide profile helps provide a consistent footprint shape and uniform pressure distribution for cornering, she said. The tire also features Dunlop’s “jointless band” technology, a single wrap nylon cap ply.Direzza Sport Z1 is now available in 20 sizes covering 15- to 18-inch wheel diameters. The tire carries a UTQG of 200AA and is DOT approved for street use.The SP Sport Maxx GT was developed to deliver enhanced dry grip and responsive steering, high-speed and cornering stability and handling capability, combined with excellent driver feedback, according to Consolacion.Available in May 2008, the SP Sport Maxx GT features a stiff sidewall to reduce flex during cornering, rigid tread blocks and a lower tread profile for a larger road-tire contact patch and a nylon-aramid hybrid jointless band to help maintain tire shape at highway speeds.Even with an asymmetrical tread, the tire is non-directional, allowing for rotation even on staggered fitments, Dunlop said.The SP Sport Maxx GT will initially be available in is eight 18- and 19-inch sizes to fit cars, such as Lamborghini Gallardo, Porsche 911 Carrera S, Audi S5, BMW M5 and M6 and Jaguar S-Type 4.2. Additional 18- to 23-inch sizes will arrive in August 2008.Dunlop’s Signature all-season performance power line gained seven new SP Sport Signature sizes, covering 17- and 18-inch fitments. A 20-inch model will be available later this year, as well, Dunlop said.
