LONDON (July 20, 2006)—Jaguar Cars Ltd. has selected two Dunlop SP Sport performance tires—one as original equipment and the other as an option—for its new supercharged, 420-horsepower Jaguar XKR.
The new Jaguar, which delivers 120 more horsepower than the 2007 Jaguar XK, was unveiled this week at the British International Motor Show and will be in showrooms by year-end.
So far, 1,000 buyers have signed purchase papers for the vehicle, which can reach 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph, according to Goodyear, which owns the Dunlop brand in North America and Europe.
The XKR comes standard with Dunlop SP Sport 01 Ultra high-performance tires, sizes 245/40R19 94Y (front) and 275/35R19 96Y (rear). The tires feature JointLess Band Technology and a specialized silica tread compound that improves wet and dry traction and rolling resistance, Goodyear said.
As an option, owners can fit 20-inch SP Sport Maxx ultra-high-performance tires on the vehicle in sizes 255/35R20 97YXL (front) and 285/30R20 99YXL (rear). The Dunlop Sport Maxx feature Multi Radius Technology, which places more of the tire on pavement providing maximum dry traction, Goodyear said.
Both tires feature tread patterns with directional-transfer variation for reduced road noise and improved driving comfort, said Silvana Valencic, segment product manager for Dunlop North America.
Both tire models are a perfect match for Jaguar's horsepower and stiff suspension, she said.
“The supercharged XKR and its max-traction Dunlop tires will deliver every horse to the pavement,” Ms. Valencic said. “The Grand Tourer is a serious performance sports car with serious performance rubber.”