DUNLOP DENOVO RUN-FLAT TYRE
It’s half a century since Dunlop invented what potentially was just as vital as the safety belt. Having a tyre blowout at speed is still a big worry for many but Dunlop’s radial ‘Total Mobility
Tyre’ seemed to allay such fears. Denovo featured a special rim with an inbuilt canister sealant so allowing a motorist to keep control and drive on at reduced speeds uninhibited until the tyre could be repaired or replaced.
Denovo’s first recipient was British Leyland, who made them standard fitment on the Mini 1275 GT (albeit it with 12in wheels) and an option on the P6 Rover saloon. Later models included the Princess and the Maestro but never Jaguar – and here’s why. A laudable idea but sadly excessive road noise and a too harsher ride were some of Denovo’s side effects which were never ironed out. Dial in higher replacement costs and it led to many second or third owners to revert back to conventional tyres.
