Special Equipment: Very Hush-Hush
August 1, 2007
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The words are written on the
sidewall: Luxury
Touring. Make no mistake, Toyo’s latest tire,
the Versado LX, is not an addition to the Proxes performance line, it is the
first premium tire offered by the Japanese brand. Built for a comfortable and
quiet ride, the Versado LX boasts Toyo’s patented Silent Wall technology. In
many conventional tires, sound waves called "pipe resonance" emanate from the
tread channels. (Click image to enlarge)
"A lot of tires create an annoying hum in the cabin, like a
flute," says Toyo Engineer Kevin Arima. "The new groove technology in the
Versado LX reduces that tire noise." The innovative technology stifles that
noise with thousands of vertical serrations along what Arima calls the "groove
wall." The silencing effect is notable even on the already quiet BMW 750Li. The
high speed-bumps that separate the four-lane San Diego freeway can still be felt
when changing lanes, but tire noise remains unheard. And with a larger rubber
contact patch on the outside of the tire, for increased lateral grip, Toyo does
not overlook the performance requirements of a premium tire.
Designed as an all-season tire, the Versado LX is currently
available at over 2,000 dealers nationwide. The new tire comes in four
sizes—from 15-inches to 18-inches—and four speed-ratings, ranging in price from
$91 to $200 per tire.
Toyo Tires
www.toyo.com
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