Hercules adds 'affordable' version to Roadtour line

FINDLAY, Ohio — Hercules Tire & Rubber Co. has added an "affordable" all-season version of its Roadtour touring tire series with the launch of the Roadtour 455.

Available in 33 T- and H-rated sizes for wheel diameters of 14 to 18 inches, the Roadtour 455 is a fitmet for vehicles like the Chevy Cruze, Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla and Buick LeSabre, Hercules said.

A Sport version, featuring a more aggressive appearance and asymmetrical tread pattern, also is available in five V-rated sizes for 17- to 19-inch rim diameters.

The tire's T-rated sizes are backed by a 50,000-mile limited treadwear warranty and the V- and H-rated sizes are backed by 45,000-mile coverage. All tires in the Roadtour Series offer road hazard protection and Hercules' exclusive 30-day "Trust Our Ride" test drive.

The new tire complements the Roadtour 655 MRE premium touring and Roadtour 855 SPE grand touring tires, Hercules said, without disclosing the products' manufacturer or country or countries of origin.

"With this tire, dealers can now offer a full range of options to consumers. This is an affordable touring tire appropriate for a wide range of vehicles," said Jedd Emans, vice president of marketing for Hercules, without disclosing pricing information.

Findlay-based Hercules is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Tire Distributors Inc.

The tire's features include:

• Strategically placed full-depth siping;

• Optimized four-pitch sequence for reduced road noise;

• Solid center rib for added stability and grip; and

• An updated tread profile that optimizes surface contact.

"At Hercules, we are very invested in creating value for our independent tire dealers, and their customers," Mr. Emans said.

Additional information about the Roadtour 455 and other tires in the Roadtour series is available at herculestire.com/roadtourseries.