Goodyear launches new SUV tyre
Continuously improving its top-notch winter tyre technologies, Goodyear launches a new tyre aimed at SUVs: the UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen-1. The newest member of the UltraGrip winter tyre family is available from May 2016.
SUV drivers often feel safer in their bigger vehicle, particularly when equipped with four-wheel drive, hence tending to think they do not need need winter tyres. However, it is even more important for these vehicles to be equipped with appropriate tyres in winter conditions.
Due to their size, SUVs and 4×4’s increase the drivers’ confidence. Nevertheless, these vehicles are heavier and their center of gravity is higher than that of passenger cars. As a consequence, forces exerted on the tyre are stronger, making braking and handling more challenging. A paradox that Goodyear has solved.
Alexis Bortoluzzi, Goodyear’s Marketing Director Consumer EMEA: “With SUVs, we were facing a real paradox. So we leveraged both our experience in SUV tyres and our top-notch winter tyre technologies and we enhanced our award-winning UltraGrip Performance line for SUVs. Thanks to its modified design, the UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen-1 delivers enhance grip and therefore safer driving on wintery roads.”
Goodyear’s engineering explained: In order to balance the higher load (or weight) of the vehicle, the tyre needs to be more rigid (“stiffness”). This bigger stiffness of the tyre blocks enhances, amongst other benefits, the handling on dry roads. Despite the stiffness, however, the blocks remain flexible (due to the particular design of the sipes), which enhances grip on snow.
Technology: 3D BIS (Block Interlocking System)
Benefits: Better balance between dry handling and snow performance
SUV-optimized sipe and block arrangements
Goodyear’s engineering explained: The blocks are now angled, instead of being totally straight, which improves grip on snow.
Benefits: Enhanced braking and traction on snowy and icy roads
Optimal road contact patch
Goodyear’s engineering explained: As the vehicle is heavier, the load on the tyre is higher. In order to work against these bigger forces, the tyre width (“footprint”) has been increased compared to its predecessor. Having more rubber on the road means more surface contact, which improves stability.
Technology: ActiveGrip
Benefits: Enhanced grip and braking performance
Tread optimal performance indicator
Goodyear’s engineering explained: During the life of the tyre, the snow symbol designed on the tyre gradually disappears. Once completely erased, the tyre needs to be replaced to ensure optimal winter performance.
Technology: TOP Indicator
Benefits: Allows the driver to change tyres at the correct interval to ensure optimal winter performance
45 years of excellence in winter tyres
Goodyear launched its first UltraGrip tyre in 1971, a winter tyre range that engineers have continuously been improving. Continued innovation over the last 45 years has made Goodyear one of the leaders of the winter tyre market. Consumers have embraced the UltraGrip family with over 60 million tyres bought since its launch. The SUV and 4×4 car production has increased sharply in EMEA since 2012 and is expected to grow steadily in the coming years. With the launch of this UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen-1, we can anticipate we will be able to fulfill this growing demand.
The UltraGrip family has been lauded over and over in tests conducted by renowned automotive and test magazines and independently run tests. Reiterating the success of the UltraGrip family in tyre tests, Goodyear’s UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen-1 outclassed the competition during TÜV tests for braking on wet, dry, icy and snowy roads.
The test results6 demonstrated the following performances:
1.9 meters shorter braking distance on wet roads (7% better performance)6;
2.3 meters shorter braking distance on dry roads (5% better performance)6;
4% better braking performance on icy roads6;
2% better braking performance on snowy roads, representing the second best snow braking performance of the tyres tested.
Goodyear’s UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen-1 will be introduced in May 2016 is available in 16 sizes, covering over 40 per cent of the SUV car park.