The Dunlop SP Sport 01 is an ultra-high performance summer tire released in 2005, designed for drivers who prefer aggressive driving styles across a wide range of vehicles from compact cars to luxury sedans. This tire served as original equipment for premium vehicle manufacturers including BMW, Mini, Audi, and Jaguar, demonstrating its capabilities for demanding performance applications. The SP Sport 01 incorporates silica-based tread compound formulation delivering superior braking, cornering, and handling in both wet and dry conditions, combined with Jointless Band Construction (JLB) ensuring the tire retains optimum shape during cornering for maximum steering response. The asymmetric tread pattern enhances cornering capabilities while retaining straight-line stability, with effective water dispersion channels maintaining wet weather traction. Available in sizes ranging from 14 to 21 inches, the SP Sport 01 targeted enthusiast drivers seeking confident performance across varied conditions.
The Dunlop SP Sport 01 delivers mixed user experiences with reviews averaging 68% across 2.4 million miles driven. Positive feedback consistently praises good all-around performance in dry and wet weather with solid grip characteristics, with some users achieving over 70,000 kilometers of service life, while describing it as flexible and low noise with excellent performance capabilities. However, significant concerns emerge including very limited snow performance reflecting old technology summer tire characteristics, and notably mixed feedback regarding noise levels with some users reporting very noisy operation including wheel bearing-like sounds. The tire represents earlier generation ultra-high performance summer technology that excels in dry and wet conditions but lacks the refinements and winter capabilities of newer alternatives. The SP Sport 01 served drivers prioritizing summer performance and OE-quality replacement specifications for premium vehicles, though its age and mixed reviews regarding noise characteristics suggest modern alternatives may offer superior overall capabilities with more recent tire technology developments and compound formulations.
