12
May
2016
|
21:59 PM
Europe/Amsterdam

Ready for Whatever’s Ahead - Dunlop Launches New On Road Truck Tyre Range

High mileage and fuel efficiency, long haul and regional haul, summer and winter; all road performance is the key ingredient

Luxembourg, May 11, 2016 – Dunlop is launching a brand new truck tyre range that offers better all road performance than ever before. The new on road range comprises the SP346 steer tyre, SP446 drive tyre and SP246 trailer tyre. Not only do these tyres offer up to 10%higher mileage[1] and improved fuel economy compared to their predecessors[2] but also they provide winter performance. This is thanks to meeting the stringent EU requirements for truck snow tyres carrying the 3-Peak-Mountain-Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol on the steer and drive tyres as well as M+S marking on all tyres. The performance of the new Dunlop on road range in long haul and regional haul applications as well as during the summer and winter gives fleet operators peace of mind, making their trucks ready for whatever´s ahead.

The new Dunlop premium truck tyre range is for fleets that operate in all sectors of on road haulage and offer both up to 10% higher mileage[3] for distribution operations and low fuel consumption for long haul work. The new Dunlop on road range ensures that mobility can be maintained in winter road conditions. This is thanks to them meeting the strict 3PMSF performance requirements for truck snow tyres as defined by the European Union on the new steer and drive tyres as well as M+S marking on all tyres. In addition, winter tyre regulations can be met in all European countries where they may be applicable as steer and drive tyres are M+S rated as well as 3PMSF homologated.

“The new Dunlop range offers high mileage, low fuel consumption and winter capabilities in long haul and regional haul operations like never before,” said Michel Rzonzef Vice President Commercial Business Goodyear Europe Middle, East and Africa. “These tyres offer peace of mind for fleets which need tyres that offer a balance of good mileage and low fuel consumption to ensure low Total Cost of Ownership from their tyre investments. An additional bonus is the winter performance that can prevent trucks being caught out by unpredictable winter conditions. The SP346, SP446 and SP246 are ready for whatever’s ahead.”

Dunlop SP346 Steer Tyre

The new Dunlop SP346 steer tyre offers higher mileage and lower fuel consumption than its predecessor the SP344 as well as excellent handling and control in all conditions. The innovative tread design delivers the performance required to meet the stringent 3PMSF EU homologation requirements for truck snow tyres and the M+S marking. The sipes, which are deeper than those of the SP344, are key to this as they increase the flexibility of the tread blocks allowing better snow compaction. The design of the sipes and their frequency have been engineered to simultaneously target low wear, winter performance and aim high in wet grip index. The wear characteristics designed into this tyre mean that the tread pattern is maintained throughout its life until it is ready for regrooving. In order to help optimize vehicles’ operational capabilities, where increased load carrying capacity is required, the new Dunlop SP346 steer tyre is available as High Load versions in some sizes. The steer tyres help compensate for increased front axle loads due to extra equipment such as is demanded by Euro VI requirements.

Dunlop SP446 Drive Tyre

Like the new steer tyre, the Dunlop SP446 drive tyre offers higher mileage and at the same time lowers fuel consumption compared to its predecessor the SP444. It also delivers excellent traction in all conditions. A key feature that gives performance advantages is the ‘raindrop’ shape of the base of the sipes. The special raindrop design helps achieve the M+S and 3PMSF requirements and at the same time helps reducing the stresses around the bottom of the sipes. A further advantage from the sipes is robustness in regional service conditions. The size of the tread blocks and the width of the grooves are designed to distribute tread stiffness to give higher mileage and high grip in wet conditions.

Another feature is the new Dual Layer Technology. The outer layer of the tread is highly resistant to abrasion while the inner layer reduces rolling resistance thanks to its low hysteresis properties. This gives higher mileage and delivers fuel saving thanks to low rolling resistance over the life of the tread. The V-shaped tread pattern contributes to lower noise and higher mileage. This allows the blocks to enter the footprint gradually and reduces exterior noise. This further contributes to the mileage improvement thanks to its wider tread and higher net-to-gross ratio. These two features provide more rubber volume, without changing the distribution of stiffness across the tread blocks. Tie bars increase tread stiffness reducing tread block slip when going through the footprint. Like the SP346 steer tyre, the SP446 drive tyre tread provides a high grip level throughout its life until it is ready for retreading.

Dunlop SP246 Trailer

New Dunlop SP246 trailer tyres with M+S marking, which will complement the brand-new SP346 and SP446, will be available later in the year. These will be available in sizes 385/55R22.5 160 (158) and 385/65R22.5 164 (158) HL as High Load version providing an axle weight capacity of 10 tonnes, allowing more payload and therefore higher efficiency to fleet operators.

Dunlop TreadMax Premium MoldCure Retreads

The new Dunlop tyres are all retreadable and regroovable helping fleets to reduce their operational costs by using these options. Simultaneously with the launch of the new tyres, premium Dunlop TreadMax SP446 mold cure retreads are also released on the market and the Dunlop TreadMax SP246 will follow later this year.

Dunlop’s new on road truck tyre range and mold cure retread TreadMax options are an excellent solution for transport companies with vehicles operating in both long and regional haul and which are looking to optimize their Total Cost of Ownership. With all the economic and operational benefits as well as the high versatility they offer, including their winter capabilities, the new Dunlop SP346, SP446 and SP246 make fleets ready for whatever’s ahead.

Sizes and availability

Dunlop SP346 Steer TyresAvailableDunlop SP446 Drive TyresAvailable

315/80R22.5 156/150L (154/150M)

May315/80R22.5 156/150L (154/150M)May
315/70R22.5 156/150L High LoadJune315/70R22.5 154/150L (152/148M)June
295/80R22.5 154/149M High LoadJuly295/80R22.5 152/148MJuly
385/65R22.5 160K (158L)July315/60R22.5 152/148LAugust
295/60R22.5 150/147K (149/146L)August295/60R22.5 150/147K (149/146L)August





Fuel EfficiencyWet roadsNoise
SP346315/80R22.5 156/150L (154/150M)CB73 ))
SP346315/70R22.5 156/150L High LoadCB73))
SP346295/80R22.5 154/149M High LoadC (*)C (*)72 )) (*)
SP346385/65R22.5 160K (158L)BB73 ))
SP346295/60R22.5 150/147K (149/146L)C (*)C (*)73 )) (*)
SP446315/80R22.5 156/150L (154/150M)C72 )
SP446315/70R22.5 154/150L (152/148M)CC71 )
SP446295/80R22.5 152/148MDC72 )
SP446295/60R22.5 150/147K (149/146L)C (*)C (*)72 ) (*)

* provisionally 

About Dunlop

Dunlop is one of the world’s leading tyre manufacturers developing, manufacturing and selling tyres for cars, commercial vehicles and motorcycles as well as off road and industrial purposes. For more information on Dunlop, visit www.dunlop-tyres.co


[1] Predictive and actual tests made by Goodyear GIC*L on size 315/80R22.5 show that the new SP346 steer tyre offers an improvement in mileage of up to 5% against the SP344 steer tyre and the new SP446 drive tyre offers an improvement in mileage of up to 10% against the SP444 drive tyre.

[2] The new tyres will replace the Dunlop SP344, SP444 and SP244.

[3] Predictive and actual tests made by Goodyear GIC*L on size 315/80R22.5 show that the new SP346 steer tyre offers an improvement in mileage of up to 5% against the SP344 steer tyre and the new SP446 drive tyre offers an improvement in mileage of up to 10% against the SP444 drive tyre.