Goodyear Launches New Tyres at Dealer Meeting

(Akron/Tire Review) At the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. dealer meeting today in Orlando, Fla., Goodyear introduced the new ultra-high performance Eagle F1 all-season tyre, an “expanded” Wrangler SR-A tyre as well as the new Ultra Grip Performance and Ultra Grip SUV winter tyres.

The Eagle F1 all-season tyre features carbon-fibre-reinforced inner and outer sidewalls that help the tyre maintain contact with the road during hard turns. In addition, the tyre incorporates an ultra-high performance zone with aggressive shoulder blocks and continuous center rib for handling and steering precision as well as an all-season zone with aquachutes. The tyre’s “TredLock technology” allows the tyre to grip in all weather conditions, the tyremaker said. The tyre also features a layer of Kevlar, a rim flange protector and Goodyear’s PermaBlack compound.

The Eagle F1 all-season tyre will begin shipping this summer and be available to consumers in July in 22 initial sizes, with 16 more to follow.

Most commonly known as a popular OE fitment on pickups and SUVs, the Wrangler SR-A tyre will expand its presence in the replacement market with an additional 25 sizes this fall. The tyre will also carry a 50,000-mile treadlife limited warranty on all P-metric sizes. The Wranger SR-A has been enhanced with “WetTrac technology,” which uses “zig-zag microgrooves” to provide traction on wet roads, according to Goodyear.

Finally, Goodyear introduced dealers to two new winter tyres — the Ultra Grip Performance and the Ultra Grip SUV, both of which will become available before the 2007-2008 winter season. The Ultra Grip Performance tyre features “TredLock technology” and is intended for performance drivers who want enhanced traction and control in winter driving conditions, Goodyear stated. The Ultra Grip Performance tyre will be available to North American consumers in 17 V-speed rated sizes, designed to fit a broad range of touring and performance vehicles.

The Ultra Grip SUV winter tyre, designed for SUV and crossover-vehicle owners, features an aggressive, directional, V-shaped tread pattern with wide circumferential grooves for wet traction and silica technology for grip in winter driving conditions.