BUFFALO, N.Y.-Dunlop Tire Corp. is marketing what it believes is the first commercially available performance radial built without steel reinforcement-including the tire's beads. Eliminating steel in the new SP Sport 8000 ULW reduced reduced weight by 25 percent and improved fuel efficiency. Performance and handling also were improved thanks to the reduction in unsprung and overall weight, Dunlop said.
Using spiral-wound aramid cord in the bead core also makes for a stronger tire, the company said. Aramid is one-sixth the weight of steel, while boasting up to 10 times the tensile strength.
The SP Sport 8000 ULW is available in sizes 225/45ZR17, 235/45ZR17, 245/40ZR17 and 235/40ZR18.