GREENVILLE, S.C. — Michelin North America Inc. is launching upgraded versions of two of its more popular Uniroyal-brand tire lines, the ultra-high-performance (UHP) Tiger Paw and all-terrain Laredo, and is backing them with improved mileage warranties.
The latest Tiger Paw line is the Tiger Paw GTZ All-Season 2, which Michelin said features Uniroyal's "Tru-Last" technology that distributes stress evenly across the tire footprint for consistent wear, enabling the tire maker to offer a 50,000-mile limited treadwear warranty.
"The Tiger Paw GTZ All-Season 2 represents an unprecedented combination of performance and value offered by the Uniroyal brand," Alonso Tiscareno, brand director for Uniroyal, said.
"The increased speed rating, warranty and range of available sizes on our next-generation ultra-high-performance tire will reach an underserved segment of performance drivers."
The tire launches with 42 sizes — 10 more than the predecessor model — covering 82 percent of the UHP market, Michelin said. The range covers rim diameters from 16 to 20 inches.
Other features include:
- Wide circumferential tread grooves for better performance in rain;
- Traction snow bars designed to compact loose snow for enhanced starting and stopping traction;
- All-season rubber compound; and
- "Y" speed rating on certain sizes, expanding the potential customer base.
The Tiger Paw GTZ All-Season originally launched in 2010.
Michelin sees the new Laredo AWT 3 as an affordable all-terrain tire that delivers "outstanding" on- and off-road performance. The tire provides dependable all-terrain traction at a reasonable price and is backed by a 50,000-mile limited treadwear warranty.
"The Laredo AWT 3 demonstrates Uniroyal's commitment to increase all-terrain tire offerings," Mr. Tiscareno said. "We want to offer a tire that performs on- and off-road and delivers the Uniroyal value our consumers expect."
The tire is built with Uniroyal's "Tru-Last" technology for even treadwear and "DuraShield" technology for on- and off-road durability. The tread features large "aggressive" independent tread blocks with a high sipe density.
The AWT 3 launches with six sizes in 15-, 16- and 17-inch rim diameters. It replaces the Laredo AWT II, which launched in 2008.
Both new lines will be available in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Manufacturers suggested retail pricing for the Tiger Paw GTZ All-Season 2 starts at $74 and for the Laredo AWT 3 at $100, Michelin said.
Michelin did not release pricing information at this time.