FUTURE

The future is now

It's official: Dunlop makes tyres for the cars of tomorrow, today. In Hollywood the sci-fi blockbuster, Minority Report, features Tom Cruise's Lexus concept coupe features our Ultra High Performance SP 9000 tyres. A fully working model, this Lexus SC430 sports futuristic dashboard screen projections. But don't expect to see the Lexus on the roads just yet... its launch date is 2054!

PRESENT

Self-supporting technology

Back in the 70s, Dunlop created Denovo - the world's first 'fail safe' tyre - giving driver's total long-distance and high-speed control, even following punctures or blowouts.

Our innovation continues to this day with DSST (Dunlop self-supporting technology) tyres. The technology can support a vehicle's entire weight when the tyre is flat, even if there is no tyre pressure, for up to 80km at 80 km/h. The tyres are also simple and convenient... they can be used on all standard wheel rims and be fitted without special tools or equipment. Find out more.

In case of emergency

With Fill & Go - Dunlop's groundbreaking emergency temporary repair system - drivers can now mend punctured tyres without going through the hassle of changing wheels on route. Within minutes, Fill & Go plugs any puncture with natural rubber sealing fluid as you drive. In fact, it's all so light, compact and simple, anyone can use it.

Miles better than the rest

No other tyre company in the world comes close to Dunlop's success in Le Mans - the oldest, toughest and longest motor race ever staged. Since 1923, we've garnered 34 victories in the 69 races held so far - a fitting testament to Dunlop's tyre technology and teams of technicians. Find out more.

PAST

Built for speed

The Railton Mobil Special is simply a legend on four-wheels. Designed by Reid Railton in 1938 and fitted with Dunlop tyres, the car smashed the world land-speed record that same year. It made the record books again in 1947, when driver, John Cobb, became the first man to break the 500mph barrier on land. He held the world record for 25 years.

Smaller and indeed half the size of its nearest competitor, the Railton Mobil Special's aluminium body weighed only 180 kilos and completely enclosed the chassis beneath, where two Napier Lion aero engines provided an incredible 2,500 horse power.

Dunlop designed and produced the car's ultra-smooth tyres to withstand speeds of up 500 mph. The tyres also featured a tread thickness of just 0.5mm - no thicker than the lead in many propelling pencils!

Today, the legendary Railton Mobil Special takes pride of place at 'Thinktank' - the Birmingham museum of science and discovery.

Windows users: Click here to view a Windows Media Player movie of the Railton in action. The movie is 1.2Mb so may take some time to download.

Mac users: Click here to view a Quicktime movie of the Railton in action. The movie is 2.8Mb so may take some time to download.

Discovery of aquaplaning

In the early sixties, the Dunlop Technical team faced the huge challenge of making tyres grip at high speeds on wet roads. At the same time, laboratories and research stations the world over realised worn tyres suffered 'aquaplaning' - a phenomenon where a tyre floats on water and loses all braking grip.

With its circumferential grooves and rigid structure, Dunlop's SP 41 radial ply tyre, gave drivers complete protection from aquaplaning, assuming moderate speeds and reasonable pattern depth. In 1964, Dunlop technician, Tom French patented a breakthrough advance in tyre tread design. The tyre included a system of 'microslots' that soaked up surface water like a sponge and expelled it later.

The design's legacy remains with Dunlop's SP Sport 01 tyres, featuring longitudinal grooves that allow low-turbulence water drainage. Find out more.