LAS VEGAS (Dec. 20, 2016) — American Kenda Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd. has developed an all-season ultra-high-performance tire, the Z-rated Vezda UHP A/S KR400, that it plans to roll out this coming spring.
Kenda describes the new tire as a "value-priced" UHP all-season for drivers of sports cars, sedans and coupes who are looking to drive their cars year-round. As such, it features a special silica-based tread compound that combines summer levels of wet and dry performance with strong cold weather and light snow capability, Kenda said.
It was designed with input from Kenda's American Technical Center in Green, Ohio, which opened in 2015.
"The UHP market is one of the largest niche markets for our dealers and distributors in North America," said Jimmy Yang, president of Reynoldsburg, Ohio-based Kenda U.S.A.
"The KR400 is a cutting-edge UHP product that showcases the capability of Kenda's North American Technical Center and Engineering team."
The KR400 line will feature 43 sizes fitting wheels with rim diameters of 16 to 20 inches, covering more than 85 percent of North American UHP fitments.
The KR400 offers a five-rib asymmetric tread pattern with 3D siping for snow traction while maximizing dry-handling performance. Kenda backs the tire with a 50,000-mile limited warranty.
Dan Shavers, chief engineer of Tire Engineering Development for Kenda, said the company sought to achieve a "well-balanced" performing tire, something normally not associated with Tier 2 or 3 all-season products.
Sizes will range from 195/55ZR16 to 255/45ZR20 and include four 16-inch sizes; 14 17-inch sizes; a dozen 18-inch sizes; seven 19-inch sizes; and six 20-inch sizes.