Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has introduced the CS5 Touring, a premium touring tyre with two all-season tread options and four speed ratings, including W.
The CS5 is available in 78 sizes in Grand Touring (T-rated) and Ultra Touring (H-, V- and W- rated) tread options.
The CS5 Grand Touring T-rated tyre has an 80,000-mile tread wear warranty and is available in 30 sizes.
Speed ratings, tread wear and sizes for the CS5 Ultra Touring tyre are:
* H-rated – 60,000 miles in 23 sizes;
* V-rated – 60,000 miles in 20 sizes; and
* W-rated – 50,000 miles in five sizes.
The company says a new silica tread compound significantly improves the wet handling performance of the CS5 versus the tyre it replaces, the CS4. The CS5 has four times more silica than the CS4, enabling improvements in wet traction without giving up tread wear.
“We targeted wet performance from the beginning. It rains almost everywhere we sell products. So we need to be really good in the rain. That’s when consumers realize tyres might not stop in time. They lose grip more often. That’s why we put such an emphasis on it. Almost everyone can relate to wet performance,” says Bruce Sanborn, product segment manager.
The CS4 also had two tread patterns, but this is the first time Cooper has put two different compounds in the two lines, according to Sanborn.
“The Grand Touring has a compound that is tuned for the consumer set, such as the Dodge minivan customer. The Ultra Touring compound is tuned for, say a Toyota Camry V-rated, a little more sporty, a little more responsive. The characteristics of the car and driver are different so we have two unique compounds between the lines.”
To boost consumer confidence in the tyre, Cooper added a tread wear indicator called “Wear Square.” As the tyre wears, the shape of the visual wear indicator changes to help consumers approximate the tread life remaining on the tyre. The tread wear indicator also helps dealers begin conversations with their customers on the condition of tyres or vehicle components, according to Sanborn.
The company also optimized the overall profile and tread contact patch of the tyre to improve ride quality and wear evenly and quietly. The use of lighter and stronger materials in construction reduced weight, which improves responsiveness and lowers rolling resistance.
The CS5 includes Cooper’s Stabiledge technology, which was developed for the CS3 mid-range tyre and provides improved response and traction.
The tyre also has proprietary 3D Micro-Gauge Siping, which maximize surface contact and improve wet and dry performance throughout the life of the tyre.
The CS5 replaces the CS4, which has been the company’s best-selling tyre line. The CS5 will be priced the same as the CS4.
“We have cutting edge technology and leading performance all at the traditional Cooper brand price point,” says Sanborn.
The tyres are produced at the company’s Tupelo, Miss., manufacturing plant and are available now.