Wider steer axle tyres
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• Pirelli is introducing a wider truck tyre for steer axle applications along with a low-profile on/off-road design. It has also announced a low-rolling resistance "Energy" tyre for 1997.
The FH55 is already available as a ''super single"for rearaxle use. The new front-axle fitting is a 385i65R22.5 size, rated at up to 9,000kg per tyre— intended for heavily-laden haulage use. Claimed advantages include improved handling, braking and comfort and longer life. But not all chassis will allow sufficient clearance.
The AP05 is another "super single" in the same size and rating but is meant for front or trailer-tyre fitment in on/offroad applications.
These new tyres fit in with Pirelli's strategy in the European truck market. Rather than attacking the mass market, in which Michelin is the clear leader, the Italian firm has concentrated on low-profile tyres— a small but rapidly growing area of the market. Eventually, the firm intends to launch an ultra-low section super-single for all-round fitment.
Pirelli is likely to launch lowrolling resistance (1..RR) tyres next year. These will compete with Michelin's Energy range, which is claimed to deliver potential fuel savings of 4%.