Goodyear develops Ultra Grip Performance winter tyre fitted for SUVs

Goodyear has put the best of its winter expertise in the development of an Ultra Grip Performance tyre fitted for SUVs.

The tyre technologies have been further improved to meet the specific requirements of extreme winter countries and of SUVs – the tread compound, for instance, creates special stickiness adapted to very cold temperatures.

Better braking on icy roads

In the arctic region, specific tyre features are required to deliver grip in extreme winter conditions. One of those key features developed by Goodyear’s engineers is the IceGrip compound. This soft compound maintains high flexibility at very low temperatures – which means low stiffness and more stickiness, therefore delivering optimal driving performance with strong grip on ice and snow.

Next to adapting the tyre for ice surfaces, Goodyear looked into the specific requirements for SUVs. These vehicles are heavier, increasing the load on the tyre, with particular features needed to help ensure grip and handling.

This is where the ActiveGrip Technology plays an important role. In order to resist these bigger forces, the footprint has been increased. More rubber on the road means more surface contact, leading to improved stability and enhanced grip and braking performance.

Moreover, the tread pattern has been adapted for SUVs to deliver optimal braking and traction on snowy and icy roads: the tyre blocks are now angled – as opposed to the previous straight shape -, a feature which is designed to improve grip.

Finally, the UltraGrip Ice SUV is also equipped with the TOP Indicator Technology: a snow symbol on the tyre, which gradually disappears with tyre usage. Once completely erased, the tyre needs to be replaced to help ensure optimal winter performance.