Company by company, here’s aquick rundown on the action:
Cooper
Cooper introduced two tires:the Zeon RS3 and the fuel efficient Cooper GFE. The Zeon RS3, anon-directional, asymmetric max performance tire developed for the new RoushMustangs, comes in a 275/40ZR18 with a UTQG of 220AAA.
The Cooper GFE – thecompany’s first low-rolling resistance tire – combines state-of-the-art mixingtechnology with an enhanced polymer and silica tread compound to provideexceptional wear, fuel economy, improved wet traction and a smooth, quiet ride,the company said.
The tire will be availablein mid-2009 in 14- to 16-inch sizes.
Goodyear
Goodyear’s Dunlop brandadded a number of sizes to its Dunlop SP Sport Signature line. The new sizes ofthe UHP line include 225/50R16, 215/45R17, 215/50R17, 235/50R17, 235/55R17,235/40R18, 225/45R18, 235/50R18 and 255/35R20. Of the new sizes, five areW-rated, and one is Y-rated.
The Dunlop SP Winter Sport3D added four new sizes – 285/35R18, 235/40R18, 295/30R19 and 235/35R19 – forcars such as the Audi R8, Acura TL, Porsche 911 Carrera and Volkswagen Eos VR6.
In addition, Dunloppresented its 5th annual Maxed Out Awards at SEMA, judging auto restylers andtuners showing their vehicles at the show.
Continental Tire NorthAmerica
The Continental brand gainedthree new tire lines, part of the companies North America-only ExtremeContactline.
The ExtremeContact DW UHPtire focuses on traction and responsive handling in both wet and dry, ridecomfort, low rolling resistance and driver safety. The tire features a unique“DW” performance indicator in the tread: D for dry and W for wet. As the tirewears and the letters are still visible the tire performance remains optimizedfor that particular weather condition.
The tire comes with a 60-daycustomer satisfaction guarantee, a 72-month workmanship warranty, and freereplacement and road hazard coverage for up to 12 months. The tire will launchin the second quarter of 2009 in 88 sizes covering 16- to 22-inch diameters.
The ExtremeContact DWS addsall-season performance to the UHP tire. The ExtremeContact DWS featuresimproved grip and braking in both dry and wet conditions with an asymmetricaltread, an advanced tread compound for traction in all-weather conditions, andlow rolling resistance for better fuel economy.
The tire also carries theletters DWS in its tread, same as the DW, indicating performance levels; the Sstands for snow. The ExtremeContact DWS comes with a 50,000-mile treadlifewarranty, 60-day customer satisfaction guarantee, a 72-month workmanshipwarranty, and free replacement and road hazard coverage for up to 12 months.
The tire will launch in thesecond quarter of 2009 in 89 initial sizes covering 16- to 24-inch wheels.
The ExtremeWinterContactrounds out the line with an advanced treadcompound and siping for ice and snow traction. The tire also delivers wetperformance, fuel efficiency, extended wear, ride comfort and improvements indry performance.
The tire,available for the 2009-10 winter season in 52 sizes covering 13- to 17-inchdiameters, comes with a 30-day customersatisfaction guarantee, a 72-month workmanship warranty, and free replacementand road hazard coverage for up to 12 months.
The General Grabber linewill see the addition of the Grabber Competition, an off-road oriented radial.The DOT-approved tire features a three-ply reinforced body construction and arace-proven tread compound, an optimized tread design with multiple tread edgesfor off-road conditions.
The Grabber Competition willbe available in third quarter 2009, with 14 popular 15- to 17-inch light trucksizes.
Yokohama
Yokohama introduced AdvanNeova AD08, which will be available in the second quarter of 2009. Replacingthe popular AD07, the new line will cover 15- to 19-inch wheel sizes, with aninitial launch of 39 sizes.
The street performance UHPdelivers sustained high-speed cornering on dry
surfaces, stability and gripon wet surfaces, uneven-wear resistance and long tread life, the company said.
Hankook
The company launched its new“Kontrol Technology” to “make it easier for customers and dealers to understandthe advanced technology behind its tires.”
Hankook said KontrolTechnology “is a philosophy as well as a set of proprietary innovations appliedthroughout research, development and production to ensure controlled drivingexperiences.” The result is tires that deliver key consumer desires:performance, safety, comfort and low impact on the environment.
Hankook also launched the VentusR-S3 Z222 UHP. The tire will replace the Ventus R-S2 Z212 and compliment theVentus Z214 racing tire, Hankook said, with improved traction and handling.
With a unique flame designmolded into the tread, the tire will be available next April in seven sizescovering 15- to 18-inch diameters.
Hankook also announced theaddition of 24 sizes to its Dynapro ATm RF10 all-terrain light truck line. Thenew 16- to 22-inch sizes will be available in early spring 2009.
Launched a year ago,Hankook’s Ventus V12 evo K110 will gain a dozen new 18- to 21-inch sizes. Thenew sizes will be available on early spring, Hankook said.
Pirelli
Pirelli Tire North Americaformally introduced the new P Zero Nero All-Season, part of its new P Zero Nero“powerline.”
The tire will be availablein early 2009 in 29 initial sizes, including XL and run-flat sizes, covering17- to 19-inch wheel sizes, the company announced.
The tire, which has alreadygained a number of OE fitments, features an asymmetrical tread design, silicatread compound and siping for wet/dry grip in all-weather conditions, and fourcircumferential grooves for on road stability and water dispersion.
The tire has a UTQG of400AAA and comes with a 45,000-mile treadwear warranty, Pirelli said.
