The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising two spaced inextensible beads; a ground contacting tread portion; a pair of individual sidewalls extending radially inward from the axial outer edges of said tread portion to join the respective beads, the axial outer edges of the tread portion defining a tread width; a supporting carcass for the tread portion and sidewalls; and at least one damping strip disposed radially inwardly of the carcass and exposed to the inner cavity of the tire, the damping strip comprising a co-vulcanized rubber composition having a density ranging from 2 to 15 g/cm3.