The summer passenger tire Dunlop SP Sport LM704, despite being part of the "sport-oriented" model line, was created for the widest range of modern passenger cars. The main target audience for this model is car owners for whom not only excellent handling is important, but also a high level of comfort and a very long lifespan. These characteristics are typical of this novelty from the British manufacturer and are reflected in its name. The abbreviations SP and LM mean "Sport Performance" and "Le Mans" respectively.
Symmetrical non-directional tread pattern
Despite the fact that this model belongs to the Ultra Performance category, British tire manufacturers preferred not to follow the tire fashion, which today dictates the use of asymmetric tread patterns. By equipping this model with a tread with a symmetrical arrangement of elements, the British manufacturer was able to provide it with excellent operational qualities, as well as a very democratic cost, which will certainly be reflected in the form of excellent popularity.
Large contact patch area
The symmetrical pattern of this model consists of five longitudinal ribs, each of which has massive dimensions, especially those located in the central part of the tread. In combination with a relatively small number of individual blocks, this made it possible to maximize the contact patch area.
In addition, it is impossible not to note the specific shape of the Dunlop LM704 tire profile. It is practically flat. This made it possible not only to further increase the size of the contact patch but also to ensure tight contact with the road surface over its entire area. The practical result of all these devices was excellent traction on dry roads, as well as an even distribution of external pressure over the contact patch, which reduced the likelihood of premature tread wear.
Rigid central rib
Like most highway models with a bias towards "sport", this tire has a very wide longitudinal rib in the center of the tread. This element performs several functions at once. The most important of them is to provide excellent directional stability and stable behavior when driving at high speed. After all, the speed indices for this model are H, V, and W. Thanks to the absence of breaks throughout the entire length, as well as massive dimensions, the central tread rib is characterized by very high deformation resistance, which endows the tire with stability and reliability of behavior at any speed.
Similar elements in terms of purpose are located in the shoulder areas of the tread. However, these longitudinal ribs have much smaller dimensions. In addition, they start working when making sharp maneuvers, providing the tire with increased resistance to skidding and slipping.
Excellent traction on wet roads
As you know, today the company Dunlop is part of the North American tire giant Goodyear. Judging by the coupling properties on wet roads, the creation of this model widely used technological developments of the flagship company.
Like their North American colleagues, British tire manufacturers decided to solve the problem of traction on wet roads by applying several technologies at once. First of all, this is the tread rubber compound, the composition of which is characterized by a high content of silicon-containing elements. Their presence allows the tire to grip even very wet surfaces perfectly. In addition, the use of silica made the tire very soft on the go due to the increased elasticity of the tread, which acquired the ability to effectively dampen most of the irregularities on the road surface.
The second factor that provided the Dunlop SP Sport LM704 model with excellent traction on wet roads was a drainage system with very high efficiency. Its main elements are four longitudinal grooves that run along the entire tread. Their main functional purpose is to divert excess moisture from the contact patch. In essence, these drainage grooves are a kind of accumulators that, as they fill up, are freed from water, directing it outward through the numerous transverse drainage grooves.
Their design also contains many interesting technical solutions. First of all, it is a sickle-shaped shape that contributes to an increase in the speed of water circulation, which significantly improves the overall efficiency of the drainage system.
Another feature of the drainage system is the straight lamellas located on the surface of the central longitudinal rib. When in contact with a wet surface, these elements, like windshield wipers, literally "swipe" water, directing it into the longitudinal drainage grooves.
Main features of the Dunlop SP Sport LM704 tire
- the tire combines refined sports handling, high comfort level, and long lifespan, thanks to the wide application of various modern technologies;
- the symmetrical non-directional tread pattern provides not only excellent traction properties, both on wet and dry roads, but also a sufficiently low cost, which makes this tire a leader in terms of price and quality;
- excellent directional stability, reduced rolling resistance, thanks to the high deformation resistance of the central longitudinal rib;
- a large contact area, ensured by a flat profile and massive dimensions of the tread elements, allows the tire to demonstrate excellent traction on dry roads with high resistance to uneven wear;
- excellent traction on wet roads due to the rubber compound with a high silica content and an exceptionally efficient drainage system capable of quickly removing a large amount of water from the contact patch.
