Recently launched in Australia, the Dunlop Rover M/T Maxx Traction tyre is an on- and off-road 4WD tyre with sidewall styling to match its bold performance. Thanks to its Asymmetric Integrated Tread Pattern, the Rover M/T Maxx Traction helps deliver outstanding performance on multiple
surfaces.

“Research indicates that most 4WD owners don’t take their vehicles off-road very regularly, but when they do, they need a tyre performance that can deliver. The new Dunlop Rover M/T Maxx Traction is a choice that works on the highway or in the dirt,” Dunlop Product Manager Blake Vincent said.

“Initially available in popular 16 inch sizes, the Rover M/T Maxx Traction features centre traction lugs for excellent start-up and braking traction in sand, dirt and wet conditions, along with self-cleaning channels that help expel mud and debris.

“Off-road traction is helped by the presence an interlocking centreline and zig-zag stripes.
The tyre also contains a rim flange protector sidewall edge elements to create a strong appearance while enhancing both off-road and on-road ride.

“For on-road performance, the tyre employs Dunlop’s Multi-Pitch Tread Design Technology, which helps reduce noise for a quiet ride.”

Already a much heralded product overseas, the M/T Rover Maxx Traction was honoured with a  ‘Global Media Award’ when first previewed in North America at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, the week of November 3, 2008.

Recognising the increasing global appeal of specialty automotive style and performance equipment, SEMA presented the fifth annual Global Media Awards to select member companies.

Winners were selected by a jury of international journalists, representing 51 media titles, which reviewed more than 2,000 new products introduced at the SEMA Show.

“Our goal was to have said Lindmedia experts from around the world determine which new products are likely to succeed in their home markets,”a Spencer, SEMA director of international and  government relations.

The SEMA Global Media Awards are given to automotive equipment companies whose products are selected by a voting panel of international automotive journalists. Votes go to products the journalists feel would generate the most interest in their home country, making the award a prestigious recognition of global appeal.

Featuring Goodyear’s latest technologies, Goodyear Brand Manager for Australia, Melissa Tilley, said that the new Wrangler DuraTrac is an extremely versatile tyre for work and play.

“The Wrangler DuraTrac is ideal for a wide range of job applications, like farming, construction and mining, as well as recreational activities like camping, fishing and caravanning,” Ms Tilley said.

“The DuraTrac is Goodyear’s first tyre with its proprietary TractiveGroove Technology, enhancing the performance in the deep mud.

“Also, a rugged tread rubber is used to help resist block chipping, chunking and tearing, while a combination of highly angled centre tread blocks and zig-zag microgrooves give the DuraTrac better lateral stability and enhanced wet traction, while also reducing road noise,” she said.

Wrangler DuraTrac tyre has earned the right to carry the European Commission Noise Symbol for passing stringent European standards for pass-by noise.

Other features assisting the DuraTrac in off-road conditions include self-cleaning, stepped shoulder blocks coupled with thousands of biting edges for increased traction and handling.

Additional features on the DuraTrac include a rim lock to help prevent wheel slip for minimal balancing throughout the life of the tyre, and a built-in rim protector to help protect wheels from curb damage.

Goodyear Brand Manager for Australia, Melissa Tilley, said as the name implies, the tyre’s sidewalls are reinforced with DuPont Kevlar®, providing market-leading cut and puncture resistance off-road in harsh terrain and stability on the road.

“The new Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar updates the legendary off-road performing namesake, which has had an explicit reputation among serious off-roaders,” Ms Tilley said.

“The three-ply, Kevlar reinforced sidewalls of this revolutionary new tyre are 35 per cent more puncture resistant than the tyre’s predecessor, the original Wrangler MT/R.

“This provides superb cut and puncture resistance to an area of the tyre that demands extra toughness when driving off-road, as well as helping to reinforce the sidewall for when drivers return to the pavement for the drive home,” she said.

However, sidewall toughness is not the only feature of the Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar.

It also includes a “wraparound” tread for enhanced sidewall traction in deep mud, sand and rocks; an innovative asymmetric tread design that offers aggressive off-road traction while maintaining handling on the road; and advanced rubber silica in the tread for superb off-road and wet traction.

Further, the Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar offers these features:

• Tread Guards, to help resist cuts from stones.
• Advanced Mud-Flow Geometry, to help provide self-cleaning and traction in mud.
• Traction Blocks, to help provide additional biting edges on rocks, mud, dirt and sand.
• A Three-Ply Sidewall, with opposing cord angles for enhanced side wall cut and puncture resistance.
• Ramped Tread Blocks, for toughness in off-road driving.
• Staggered Sidewall Shoulder Blocks, to help provide enhanced traction on rocks and in deep mud.
• Durawall Rubber, a Goodyear exclusive, which offers rugged toughness and helps resist cuts and punctures in the sidewall.
• Rim Protector, to help protect wheels from accidental curb-like damage.
• Rim Lock, to help prevent wheel slip for minimal balancing throughout the life of the tyre.

Each shoulder block of the Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar is stepped “in” and “out” to help give the tyre continuous biting edges as it turns through thick mud. Its self-cleaning asymmetric tread design also adds to the performance capability in mud.

Hunter Racing driver, Colin Hunter, six-time winner of the Finke Desert Race, praised the performance of the MT/R with Kevlar at this year’s Finke.

“Finke is a 460km multi-terrain desert race through dirt, sand, rocks and mud,” Colin said.

“We’ve won Finke three times on the Wrangler MT/R, however, the new MT/R Kevlars with superior grip and reinforced sidewalls gave us the extra confidence to push that little bit harder, without the risk of punctures,” he said.

Phil Poulter, Director of Training at 4WD Off Road Driver Training, offering driver training programmes and off-road tours, said that he’s been happy with initial testing.

“The extra grip that the new MT/R’s give our vehicle reduces the intrusion of the factory fitted traction aid, Active Traction Control, where good grip is required,” said Phil.

“I’m looking forward to using these tyres on one of our tours through the Kimberley, Simpson Desert or even Cape York where traction and reliability is the most important part of tyre selection.”

The addition of the Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar adds to Goodyear’s strong Wrangler family of tyres, which also includes the Wrangler DuraTrac and Wrangler SilentArmor.