Jaguar Chooses Two Dunlop SP Sport Tyres for New XKR

Jaguar Cars has selected two Dunlop SP Sport performance tyres for its new supercharged XKR, a 420-horsepower sporting Grand Tourer. Dunlop tyres, standard on the 2007 Jaguar XK, have also been specified for the XKR, which delivers 120 more horsepower. The XKR will jet to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds; the car arrives in showrooms by year’s end. The convertible model takes 5 seconds.

Jaguar uncovered the 420-horsepower car at the British International Motor Show last week. One thousand buyers have already signed purchase papers.
Dunlop SP Sport 01 high-performance tyres are standard equipment in 245/40R19 94Y (front) and 275/35R19 96Y (rear). Twenty-inch SP Sport Maxx ultra-performance tyres are optional in 255/35R20 97Y XL (front) and 285/30R20 99Y XL (rear).

Silvana Valencic, segment product manager for Dunlop in North America, said the two tyre models are a perfect match for Jaguar’s horsepower and stiff suspension. “The supercharged XKR and its max-traction Dunlop tyres will deliver every horse to the pavement. The Grand Tourer is a serious performance sports car – with serious performance rubber.”

The all-aluminum XKR borrows the six-speed paddle automatic from its XK cousin. But its enhanced front bumper, hood slots, grilles and side vents, unique 19- and 20-inch alloy wheel designs and quad exhaust system make a powerful statement, Jaguar said. The 4.2-litre V8 supercharged engine has a top speed of 155 mph.

Refined exhilaration is a key feature for the new Jaguar XKR, and both SP Sport Maxx and the SP Sport 01 tyres feature tread patterns with directional-transfer variation for reduced road noise and improved driving comfort, Valencic said.

SP Sport Maxx ultra-performance tires feature Multi Radius Technology, which places more tire on the pavement for maximum dry traction. The tire also uses a twin Hydro Paddle tread design for excellent wet traction, she said.

SP Sport 01 high-performance tyres use JointLess Band Technology for dependable ride uniformity and treadwear. A highly specialized silica tread compound improves dry and wet traction as well as rolling resistance, she concluded.