Matt Lane

I saw that there was a new version announced and coming out soon.

Anyone know if these have been released yet, and how they compare?

Best,

Matt

sjfehr

Dunlop Direzza ZII has been out in Japan for nearly a year now, and is supposed to be released in the US next year. Grip is claimed to be 1-2% faster than the Star Spec (1 second faster around a 60 second autocross course is HUGE!) and last longer under track conditions. Haven't really seen much else besides what's on the Japanese website:

http://tyre.dunlop.co.jp/tyre/lineup...er/direzza/z2/

I've also heard rumors of a new successor to the Kumho XS, but have seen absolutely nothing on it yet.

Dr. No

I've noticed that the Z1 is now on "closeout" at TireRack. Hoping this means the Z2 is close, but who knows?

sjfehr

I may be in Japan next month, and am sorely tempted to try to pick up a set and send it back home...

N_Halbert

Ouch! I just check TR and 225x50-16's are $165.00 as closeouts. When I installed them it was $144 Mounted. Even in the Car-and-Driver test, July 2012 "Monsters of Grip", the 225/45R-17 they were using was quoted at $144. Now $169.00. I hope this is not a harbinger of what the Z2's will be.

sjfehr

I hope not, too! Was kinda hoping for more like Hankook RS-3 prices...

Did hear a rumor we might start seeing ZIIs in Feb. Dunno how accurate that is.

N_Halbert

HEY their in! I was just checking out TireRack to see what they had under New Arrivals. Best part they are holding at close to the old price.



http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....el=Direzza+ZII

Direzza ZII(Extreme Performance Summer)
Size: 225/50R16
Sidewall Style: Blackwall
Serv. Desc: 92V
UTQG: 200 A A Price: $145.00 (each)

sjfehr

Well, not as close to the old price as I'd have hoped. Cost me $600 for a set of star specs; costing me $700 for ZIIs. Constant cost creep I really hope they last longer under track conditions like Dunlop advertises; I'll be really upset if I'm down to the cords in 3000 miles.

brad@tirerack.com

The ZII's are getting very good reviews for wear compared to the Star Spec. Wet traction has been improved also. They do cost a bit more than the closeout prices the Star Specs were at in some sizes, but if you get 25% more life the cost is worth it. Unfortunately raw material cost have driven the entire industry up on pricing. We have done our best to keep ours down.

If you have any further questions or if you would like to place an order, please contact me directly!

sjfehr

Damon, I was at Wal-Mart today getting my ZIIs mounted and idly browsing their budget tires while I waited- I can certainly see how the cheapest of the cheap is sold for $46. Sidewall seemed more like a balloon than a tire, and more suited for a golf cart than a car. But my question was more about the top-tier. Why can tires like Sumitomo HTRZIII be sold so much more cheaply than tires that appear to be comparable in raw material price like the ZII, Rival, PSS, etc? What about the construction makes them so much more expensive than mainstream tires of the same size?

Great to hear tread life on the ZII is looking so good- I guess we'll have much more information by this point next year, won't we?

james6speed

FWIW Sumitomo is produced by Falken Tire. So comparably, I could see it being very close to one of these other variants offered by them. I sure hope the ZII lasts longer, that was my only complaint with the originals on my DD track car.