Tire Buying Guides
Dunlop is one of the most respected names in the tire world. Dunlop Tyre was founded way back in 1888 by Scots veterinary surgeon and inventor John Boyd Dunlop, the man responsible for the invention of the pneumatic tire (albeit for bicycle tires originally). Today, Dunlop is part of the Goodyear family of brands and can fully leverage Goodyear’s engineering, production, and distribution resources. The SP Sport family of performance-oriented tires for sedans, coupes, minivans, crossovers, and SUVs is designed in collaboration with major automakers. These are next-generation tires whose design is centered around the weight, power, torque, center of gravity, and overall driving dynamics of this generation of vehicles. Let’s take a little closer look at what the Dunlop SP Sport product family is all about:
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx
The SP Sport Maxx from Dunlop is an ultra-high-performance (UHP) tire for sporty sedans, coupes, and CUVs. The SP Sport Maxx features motorsports-inspired design and materials for sharp and crisp handling and braking performance, but at temperatures above 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Its internal construction features twin steel belts, Dunlop’s Jointless Band (JLB) spiral-wrapped nylon ply, and a rayon cord casing. The advanced tread compound of the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx is rich in carbon black and silica for glue-like adhesion to the road and long wear. Its directional tread pattern efficiently whisks water away from the tire’s contact patch for enhanced wet-weather grip, and large independent shoulder blocks are designed for quick steering response and predictable cornering. This UHP-summer tire is designed with Dunlop’s innovative Touch Technology which evens out air pressure across the tire for better road contact and improved tactile driver feedback. The built-in Max Flange Shield helps protect the sidewall and expensive rims against scuffs and curb damage. Select sizes of the SP Sport Maxx feature run-flat technology with a reinforced sidewall that enables a driver to go up to another 50 miles at up to 50 mph even after tire failure and complete loss of air pressure. The SP Sport Maxx is a great choice for high-end crossovers like the Audi Q7, Jaguar XFT, and Mercedes-Benz G65 AMG.
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT
Get thrilling all-out performance with the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT, a UHP tire that’s designed for summer driving (note: the tread formulation of tires like the SP Sport Maxx GT will stiffen and lose grip in colder weather; these tires should not be used if temperatures are below 40-45 degrees F). The Sport Maxx GT’s racing-inspired design is packed with innovations and performance features like its carbon black-rich tread compound that delivers great wet or dry-weather traction and long wear. Internal construction includes Dunlop’s Jointless Band technology and Aramid fibers to help promote high-speed stability while also cutting weight and reducing flat-spotting. Touch Technology heightens driver feedback and steering response, and its asymmetric tread design is split into two segments; the inboard side is optimized for dry-weather performance, while the outboard part delivers traction on wet roads. Select sizes of this UHP-summer tire also include Dunlop’s Noise Shield Technology, a layer of foam in the sub-tread that helps absorb road noise and vibrations/harshness for a quiet ride. The SP Sport Maxx GT is featured as OEM on vehicles like the Nissan GTR, BMW 6 Series, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, and Audi A5 Quattro.
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050
Designed for maximum performance in warmer weather, the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 is a UHP-summer tire that delivers great braking and handling performance on wet or dry roads. The SP Sport Maxx 050 features Dunlop’s Hybrid Kevlar Nylon Band construction that helps maintain the tire’s shape and stability at high speeds on luxury vehicles, and its directional tread grooves help deliver versatile performance while managing even tread wear and durability. Summer heat is not a problem, as its tread compound is designed for good heat dissipation (note: As a UHP-summer tire, the SP Sport Maxx 050 should not be used when temperatures are below 40-45 degrees F). Select sizes of the SP Sport Maxx 050 feature run-flat technology with a reinforced sidewall that enables a driver to go up to another 50 miles at up to 50 mph even after tire failure and complete loss of air pressure. Apart from the above, the SP Sport Maxx 050 is also an OEM tire for Lexus IS, LS, GS, and RC series of vehicles.
Dunlop SP Sport 7000 A/S
The SP Sport 7000 A/S from Dunlop is designed for year-round traction without sacrificing the UHP levels of braking, cornering, steering response, and overall handling that you’ve come to expect from other tires in the SP Sport family. As an all-season tire, the SP Sport 7000 A/S is designed with Dunlop’s Multi-Radius Tread Technology and 5-Pitch Tread Technology for a great blend of wet- and dry-weather handling, along with a quiet, refined ride. Its asymmetric all-season tread is designed with a system of independent outer tread blocks towards the shoulder, semi-solid intermediate ribs, lateral notches, and circumferential grooves for dependable wet-weather performance, and its network of sipes multiplies surface area and grip in wintry conditions with hundreds of thin biting edges to slice through snow or slush. Select sizes of the Dunlop SP Sport 7000 A/S feature run-flat technology with a reinforced sidewall that enables a driver to go up to another 50 miles at up to 50 mph even after tire failure and complete loss of air pressure. The Dunlop SP Sport 7000 A/S is also an OEM tire for vehicles like the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Chevrolet Malibu, Toyota Camry, and Acura RI.
Dunlop Sport Maxx RT
The Dunlop Sport Maxx RT might be the ultimate UHP-summer tire in this SP Sport tire family. The Sport Maxx RT starts from the ground up, with Dunlop’s adaptive tech tread compound, a motorsports-derived tread formulation that’s rich with silica and polymers for enhanced grip and adhesion regardless of the road surface. Multi-Radius Tread Technology keeps the tire’s footprint firmly planted on the road whether on straightaways or corners, and Jointless Band spiral-wound cord construction delivers great stability and uniformity at high speeds. The asymmetric tread design of the SP Sport Maxx RT features a continuous center rib for great straight-line road manners and quick, direct steering response. The lighter weight of the Sport Maxx RT helps to cut rolling resistance and enhance fuel economy, while its reinforced shoulder blocks give it enhanced cornering ability. The SP Sport Maxx RT is a run-flat design with a reinforced sidewall that can allow a driver to go up to another 50 miles at up to 50 mph even after complete tire failure and loss of inflation pressure. The SP Sport Maxx RT is OEM for vehicles like the Audi A4, Audi A6, Subaru WRX, Mercedes-Benz C63 S AMG, BMW 330i, and Volkswagen GTI.
Other Dunlop SP Sport tires
In addition to these great tires, the Dunlop SP Sport tire family contains other great tires too, including:
- Dunlop SP Sport 01A DSST ROF
- Dunlop SP Sport 2000
- Dunlop SP Sport 3000A DSST
- Dunlop SP Sport 4000 DSST CTT
- Dunlop SP Sport 5000 (Symmetrical)
- Dunlop SP Sport 5100
- Dunlop SP Sport 7010 A/S DSST
- Dunlop SP Sport 8000
- Dunlop SP Sport 8090
- Dunlop SP Sport 9090 N-O
- Dunlop SP Sport A2 Plus
- Dunlop SP Sport D8Z
- Dunlop SP Sport Fast Response
- Dunlop SP Sport FM901
- Dunlop SP Sport LM705
- Dunlop SP SPort Maxx 050 DSST
- Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 DSST NRT
- Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060
- Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060 Plus
- Dunlop SP Sport Maxx A1
- Dunlop SP Sport Maxx A1 A/S DSST
- Dunlop SP Sport Maxx A2 A/S
- Dunlop SP Sport Maxx DSST ROF
- Dunlop SP Sport Maxx DSST ROF
- Dunlop SP SPort Maxx GT NST
- Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT ROF
- Dunlop SP SPort Maxx GT600 DSST
- Dunlop SP Sport Maxx OE
- Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT
- Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT DSST
- Dunlop SP Sport Maxx Signature
- Dunlop SP Winter Sport
- Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D
- Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D ROF
- Dunlop SP Winter Sport 4D
- Dunlop Winter Sport 4D NST
- Dunlop Winter Sport 4D NST ROF
- Dunlop Winter Sport M3
- Dunlop Winter Sport M3 DSST
Dunlop SP Sport OEM tires
The Dunlop SP Sport tire family is selected as original equipment for vehicles such as:
- SP Sport 01: Mini Cooper (2008-2024), Subaru Impreza WRX (2008-2014), Audi A4 (2013-), BMW X3 (2004-2006), Mercedes-Benz S550 (2008-2012), Infiniti FX50 (2010-2013), Mercedes-Benz S550, Mercedes-Benz S600, BMW 750i
- SP Sport 01A: BMW 760i
- SP Sport 01 A/S: Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen Golf SportWagen, Audi TT
- SP Sport 01 A/S DSST ROF: Audi TT Quattro (2015-2022), BMW 525i, BMW X3 (2009-2013), BMW 650i
- SP Sport 01 DSST ROF: Mini Cooper (2008-2015), BMW 535i, BMW 528i, BMW 135i, BMW X5
- SP Sport 2030: Lexus SC430
- SP Sport 2050: Lexus IS250, Lexus IS300, Lexus IS350, Mazda RX-8
- SP Sport 300A DSST: Mini Cooper (2005-2008)
- SP Sport 4000: Toyota Celica, Toyota Avalon, Toyota Camry, Toyota Solara, Mazda MPV
- SP Sport 4000 DSST CTT: Toyota Sienna (2004-02010)
- SP Sport 5000: Scion xD, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Toyota Avalon, Toyota Camry, Toyota Solara, Toyota Corolla, Lexus IS350, Mazda 6, Toyota C-HR, Saab 9-7x
- SP Sport 5000 DSST CTT: Inifiniti Q50, Infiniti Q60
- SP Sport 5000M: Mitsubishi Lancer, Hyundai Genesis, Toyota Tundra, Toyota Sequoia
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