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Firestone Launches Firehawk SZ90µ Light Sport Tyre

Firestone Launches Firehawk SZ90µ Light Sport Tyre

Firestone has launched the Firehawk SZ90µ (µ pronounced 'mew') light sport tyre to capture growing demand in the performance segment. Building further on Firestone's "Togetherness" campaign, the new tyre has been specially developed for younger people who enjoy their cars and love going out on the road together. It will progressively replace the Firehawk SZ80 high-performance sports tyre introduced in 2003.

The Firehawk SZ90µ has a great-looking new tread pattern with a fresh, dynamic asymmetric design that provides a perfect balance between wet and dry performance. The symbol 'µ' is not coincidental, as it stands for the engineering symbol of friction - in this case denoting the tyre's outstanding grip.

The tyre is focused more on the fun aspect of driving than pure sport, and targets cars such as the Peugeot 207, Renault Mégane, Opel Astra and Alfa Romeo 147, as well as sports models like the recent Opel GT. The new modern asymmetric pattern, inside wet- and outside dry-oriented, is specially designed to suit modern vehicles.

The groove layout has been optimised for efficient water clearance and balanced contact pressure distribution, thereby increasing stability and control in the wet, as well as resistance to straight-line hydroplaning.

The 3D tie bar on the wet-oriented part is a specially-designed connection between centre blocks to improve block stiffness, whilst retaining efficient water flow. It gives not only a unique character to the tyre, but also ensures maximum control and traction when cornering.

Newly designed high-stiffness shoulder blocks on the outer part of the tread provide maximum grip and traction, with excellent cornering control and steering response. This balanced performance provides the new Firehawk SZ90µ with a very forgiving character for sporty and fun driving.

The launch of the Firehawk SZ90µ will be in two phases: phase 1 in January 2008 with 12 sizes for 16" to 18" rims in series 40 to 55; phase 2 in January 2009 with 6 sizes for 15" to 18" rims, series 50 and 55.