LAS VEGAS—American Kenda Rubber Co. has released the second generation of its all-season touring tire, the Kenetica Touring A/S KR217, designed for drivers of older and late-model touring cars.
Kenda said the Kenetica Touring A/S KR 217 combines the comfort and ride expected from a touring tire with the wet and dry handling required by drivers. The tire was developed at Kenda's American Technical Center in Akron and was shown at the recent Specialty Equipment Market Association Show in Las Vegas.
Shipments are expected to start in the first quarter of 2019.
The tire can handle all kinds of weather conditions in the U.S., Kenda said, and offers lower weight and reduced noise while providing strong wet braking and year round traction, including light snow.
Kenda Automotive Vice President Brandon Stotsenburg said the second-generation Kenetic A/S is designed to provide "significantly upgraded performance" compared with the KR17 at a comparable value price point."
Stotsenburg called the new tire a "high-volume, strong-margin" tire for Kenda's channel partners.
Kenda offers a 60,000-mile limited treadwear warranty on the new tire, up from 50,000 on KR17. The new Kenetica has an optimized tread compound and a symmetric tread design featuring Kenda's proprietary designed pitch sequencing for reduced noise and four grooves engineered to prevent hydroplaning.
The tire launches in 43 sizes initially, covering 13- to 18-inch rim diameters and 50 to 70 aspect ratios and primarily H speed ratings.