Dunlop launches new Sport Maxx Race, Sport Maxx RT

At the end of February Dunlop announced the launch of its Sport Maxx Race and Sport Maxx RT products at Spain’s Ascari Race track. Designed to help some of the world’s fastest cars perform, Dunlop says the Race iteration will fit key models such as the Mercedes SLS and C63 AMG Black Series, Audi’s TT RS and R8, the Porsche 911 GT3 and the BMW M5. The RT is aimed at original equipment manufacturers that are introducing 17” and 18” rims ahead of 16”; the Sport Maxx RT is the brand’s attempt to capitalise on the market expansion in these sizes on leading performance brands such as Audi, Maserati, Mini, BMW, Jaguar, and Mercedes AMG.

“Throughout its long history, Dunlop has always had a racing tyre for the track enthusiast and today we are putting ourselves back in pole-position in this category with the introduction of the Sport Maxx Race” explains Sanjay Khanna, managing director, Dunlop Brand. “With thousands of hours of development work behind us, we are confident that we have taken into account even the smallest details to ensure we deliver a tyre that can transfer the car’s power to the road with maximum impact.

“Our new Sport Maxx Race tyres are the perfect choice for the serious sportscar driver that wants to take his car to and on the track. Delivering some of the best on-track performances for a tyre that is also roadworthy was a key requirement for Dunlop when it first started developing the Sport Maxx Race and we have delivered on this,” Khanna says.

On the Sport Maxx RT, Khanna said the tyre represents “a new breed in the field of performance road driving… It combines the very best of our over 120 years of experience on the track and on the road. It is a tyre with heritage and power is just bursting to get out.”

Dunlop says the tyre performed well in recent TÜV tests: compared to its closest competitors, the Sport Maxx RT showed a 7 per cent lead over competitors in wet and dry braking. Additionally, the independent tests showed 11 per cent better rolling resistance, compared those of its competitors Dunlop considered key.

More details will be available alongside a full report from the launch in the March issue of Tyres & Accessories.