PALM SPRINGS, Calif.-Pirelli Armstrong Tire Corp. has introduced two new light truck tires, including the first Pirelli-brand LT tire to the North American market and an all-terrain addition to the Armstrong Formula line. The company called its Pirelli Scorpion I and Armstrong Formula A/T the first of a new breed of LT tires that will deliver sedan-like performance-with equivalent quietness and comfort-while being sure-footed on- and off-road in all weather conditions.
The tires bowed during the tire maker's national dealer meeting, Jan. 27-31 in Palm Springs, where PATC said it is making a substantial commitment to the LT business in order to establish a strong presence in this fastest-growing segment of the U.S. tire market.
PATC calls the Scorpion I North America's first reversible LT tire. With its asymmetric tread in the normal operating mode, with the more-solid tread blocks toward the outside, the tire delivers good all-season performance, the company said. But, in anticipation of heavy snow, the tire can be reversed, moving those tread blocks in-board and increasing traction by up to 17 percent.
The Scorpion also features an S speed rating, tread block variable pitch sequence and zero-degree nylon belting, which the company said increases the tire's footprint and improves handling.
Made in PATC's showcase factory in Hanford, Calif., the tire comes in eight sizes-five 75-series, LT-metric sizes and three RV sizes-in 15- and 16-inch diameters. The first will be available in April; the remainder by August.
Bolstering its LT offering in the Armstrong brand, the Formula A/T is available in 12 sizes, covering almost 75 percent of the light trucks on the road today-seven 75- and 85-series LT-metric sizes; five RV- in 15-, 16- and 16.5-inch rim diameters.
The all-season, all-terrain tire carries a 40,000-mile limited treadwear warranty (not valid in commercial use).
The Formula A/T has two-ply polyester cord casing construction. The tread design features hexagonally shaped central blocks, interconnected at their base, to enhance steering response, PATC said, while the blocks' differentiated pitch sequence and even sipe distribution minimize noise.