RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif.—Fiat Chrysler Automobile's 2016 Dodge Viper ACR will be rolling on Kumho tires.
Kumho Tire USA Inc. said it has been awarded the original equipment manufacturer contract as the sole tire supplier for Dodge's flagship supercar and fastest street-legal Viper track car ever.
A specially designed version of Kumho's ultra-high-performance summer tire, the Ecsta V720, has been selected by FCA for the ACR—the fifth generation Viper. Rancho Cucamonga-based Kumho said the Viper edition of the Ecsta V720 “has tested to provide lap times that are 1.5 seconds faster than every other competitive benchmark tire due to its unique compound and tread design targeted specifically for the Dodge Viper ACR.”
The tire features a large road contact patch with a staggered fitment of 295/25R19(F) and 355/30R19(R), providing sustainable cornering even at 1.5-G's, according to the company.
The Ecsta V720 (Viper edition) is built with reinforced outside shoulder blocks for driving stability and features an asymmetric pattern for increased stability and control. Kumho said it has been optimized “to provide the enthusiastic driving habits of Viper owners the confidence that they need to maximize their high-speed, aggressive travels on and off the track.”
As an added feature, the Ecsta V720 destined for the Viper is cosmetically designed with a unique sidewall showcasing the ACR logo along with a snakeskin detailed pattern, Kumho said.
“It is a considerable feat for Kumho to supply OE tires for the Dodge Viper ACR since it means our technological prowess has been recognized in the global high-performance car market,” said Hyun-Ho Kim, senior vice president at Kumho Tire Co. Inc.
“The Ecsta V720 holds great significance to us as it is built on our racing technology accumulated through the aggressive motorsport campaigns we have conducted over the years at home and abroad.”
The South Korean tire maker said the new Viper joins a group of FCA vehicles fitted with Kumhos, including the Chrysler 200, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Journey.
Production of the ACR is slated to begin this month at the FCA U.S. Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit.