Goodyear Releases first Kevlar Reinforced 4×4 tyre

In the US Goodyear has released its first off-road tyre containing DuPont’s Kevlar. The para-aramid fibre is used in the sidewall area of its new Wrangler MT/R range for enhanced puncture resistance. The utilisation of Kevlar, a material that is, pound-for-pound, five times stronger than steel, brings improved sidewall cut- and puncture-resistance to an area of the tyre that demands extra toughness when driving off-road – it also helps reinforce the sidewall in case of any kerbside incidents on the drive home.

“The new Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar updates the legendary off-road performing namesake, which has had a great reputation among serious off-roaders,” said Melissa Montisano, Goodyear’s general manager for light-truck tyres. “This new tyre will certainly get the attention of anyone who takes off-road traction seriously.”

The Kevlar-reinforced sidewalls in the new tyre help increase sidewall puncture resistance by 35 per cent, compared to the original Wrangler MT/R. However, sidewall toughness is not the only feature of the new MT/R. It also includes a “wraparound” tread for enhanced sidewall traction in deep mud, sand and rocks; an asymmetric tread design that offers strong off-road traction while maintaining handling on the road; and rubber silica in the tread for superior off-road and wet traction. The Wrangler MT/R also comes with tread guards to defend against stone cuts and an asymmetric tread block arrangement that facilitates self-cleaning, a rim protector to help protect wheels from accidental damage and rim lock, to help prevent wheel slip for minimal balancing throughout the life of the tyre.

Available in March, the new tyre is offered in 30 sizes, fitting vehicles such as 1/2-, 3/4- and 1-ton pickups, Hummer H2 and H3, Jeep Wrangler, Nissan Xterra, Toyota FJ Cruiser and more. And the market for the new tyre is by no means small: According to Goodyear research, there are more than four million drivers in the light-truck tyre segment who use their vehicles primarily for off-road travel.