Summer passenger tire Dunlop SP Sport 9000, produced by the well-known and respected British manufacturer, for rainy conditions. Despite the high-speed indices V, H, W and Y, the range of this model includes more than seventy sizes with a landing diameter from 13 to 22 inches, which allows us to talk about the exceptional applicability of this tire.
Hydro Max
The tire tread was developed in accordance with the unique technology of the British company Hydro Max, which includes not only the tread pattern but also the rubber compound. Therefore, the British tire makers equipped this model with a tread having a symmetrical directional pattern with a unique V-shaped design. A distinctive feature of the tread of this tire is the structure of the central part, where a large number of tread blocks of original shape are located.
The configuration of these blocks most resembles turbine blades, thanks to which the drainage channels located in the central part have an elliptical shape, which eliminates the occurrence of turbulent water swirls ejected from the tire's contact patch. As a result, it was possible to achieve exceptional resistance of the Dunlop 9000 tire to aquaplaning even at very high speeds. At the same time, the shoulder areas of the tread are also equipped with a large number of transverse drainage grooves through which water is ejected outward, which significantly improved the efficiency of the entire water drainage system as a whole.
Another component of the Hydra Max technology is a rubber compound with a silicon content twice that of ordinary tires. Thanks to the new composition of the rubber compound, the tread adheres more closely to the road surface, which made it possible to significantly improve the tire's grip on the road, especially in wet conditions. In addition, the double silicon content gave the tire significant resistance to wear and also provided a wider range of operating temperatures.
PSP-beta technology in Japanese tires
In the development of the tire's carcass design, the PSP-beta technology was widely used, which involves, in particular, the extensive use of computer modeling tools. In essence, the PSP-beta technology is a beadless carcass technology consisting of several technical solutions aimed at giving the Dunlop SP Sport 9000 tire strength, low rolling resistance, and a high level of comfort. One of the main components of the PSP-beta technology was the jointless band construction of the tire's casing, which made it possible to give the tire the necessary strength reserve without compromising its elasticity. As a result, the tire withstands the aggressive impact of road irregularities while being exceptionally soft.
This tire also features the Dunlop MFS system - Maximum Flange Shield, i.e., maximum protection of the rim flange from damage. This solution is a special rubber profile of the tire's sidewall located at the bottom, directly above the wheel rim. Passing along the rim of the tire, this rubber protector acts as a buffer that protects the edges of alloy wheels from damage when driving over, for example, a concrete curb.
Main features of the Dunlop SP Sport 9000 model
- A more flat tread profile allowed to significantly increase the contact patch area;
- A unique V-shaped design of the symmetrical directional tread pattern provides excellent grip in any conditions;
- The tread blocks located in the central part of the tread are made in the shape of turbine blades, thanks to which the water passing through the double drainage grooves does not create turbulent swirls;
- The rubber compound with a doubled silicon content allowed, due to the more dense adhesion of the tread to the road surface, to significantly improve the tire's grip on the road, especially in rainy conditions;
- Nanoparticles of carbon black in the rubber compound improved the adhesion indicators on dry and wet roads, which led to an improvement in traction and braking performance;
- The original design of the rim mounting seat provides more reliable fixation of the tire on the wheel disk, which improved the handling characteristics and maneuverability;
- A seamless multi-layer carcass construction, thanks to which the tire has excellent strength, elasticity, and low susceptibility to uneven wear;
- Effective protection of the wheel rim flange from damage by a special rubber buffer passing along the entire tire perimeter.
