Yokohama Launches First in New Truck Tyre Range

Yokohama has announced the release of two new truck tyres, the first in its new “ZEN” series of tyres for trucks and buses. The first of these, the ZEN 102ZE, is a rib tyre featuring a 5 rib radial pattern that Yokohama claims will reduce rolling resistance and provide more even wear – tests conducted by the manufacturer shows wear in the (11R22.5 size) ZEN 102ZE to be 22 per cent lower than that of Yokohama’s Pro Force RY237 truck tyre.

The ZEN 102ZE, scheduled for release in April, will be sold in the following four sizes:

295/80R22.5
275/80R22.5
245/70R19.5
11R22.5

The ZEN 701ZE is an all-season tyre featuring a z-block centre tread pattern and Yokohama’s patented stress wear control grove near the sidewall, reducing shoulder step down wear. Again, rolling resistance has been reduced, with tests showing the ZEN 701ZE to perform 12 per cent better than the comparative Pro Force TY787 tyre.

Yokohama has designed the ZEN 701ZE (and the ZEN 102ZE) using what it calls the “C’ Roll” or “Cold & Roll” manufacturing method – a mixing of the rubber compound at colder temperatures, which acts to suppress the molecular breakdown of tyre’s rubber and distributes the carbon strengthening agent more evenly across the tyre’s surface.

The ZEN 701ZE will ultimately be made available in seven sizes. The following three sizes will be released in April 2007:

275/80R22.5
245/70R19.5
11R22.5

The remaining four sizes, as below, will be available in September:

295/80R22.5
12R22.5
275/70R22.5
265/70R19.5