Dunlop expands Direzza line to US sports tuners

Akron, Ohio -- Goodyear has expanded its range of Dunlop-branded Direzza tyres, aimed at street racers, to sports compact cars, with some new sizes. These tyres are designed for very specific functions such as straight-line racing, with no compromises on lateral (for example) grip. While they are street-legal, Andy Traicoff, director of Dunlop marketing in North America advises purchasers that, "the Direzza DZ101 is a performance tyre with no manners."

The tyre targets the fast growing vehicle personalisation segment, those who bolt on aftermarket parts to make a statement. Between 1997 and 2002, retail dollars spent on performance products used to modify sport compact cars skyrocketed 894 percent. According to Dunlop research, auto enthusiasts buy up to 10 percent of U.S. replacement tyres -- 22.5 million tyres -- to upgrade sport compacts.

The tyre was developed with a numerical simulation model that helped design engerrs to minimise rolling noise. Ben Hyder, Dunlop

account engineer, said the package, dubbed Digital Rolling Simulation II -- was used to reduce pattern noise and improve wear uniformity by optimizing the angle and distribution of grooves on the Direzza DZ101.

In a statement, Diunlop said "The technology simulates driving a vehicle with tyres while in early design stages, reproducing both tyre behaviour and road conditions digitally. Hyder said, "The Digital Rolling Simulation reduced design and development lead time and made it possible to develop an excellent performer without tradeoffs in handling, comfort and traction. Ultimately, data from road tests on real vehicles were very close to simulation results."