Cooper Unveils its First Low Rolling Resistance Tyre

Cooper Tire & Rubber has announced that, in response to consumer demand for greater vehicle fuel efficiency, it has launched its first low-rolling resistance tyre line – the Cooper GFE (Greater Fuel Efficiency). The new range is already available in dealerships across the US.

“With the recent volatility in gasoline prices, customers are looking for ways to improve their vehicle fuel economy,” said Chuck Yurkovich, Vice President of Global Technology. “Tyre rolling resistance has a significant impact on vehicle fuel economy, so Cooper responded with a new tyre specifically designed for fuel-efficient vehicles.”

A mixture of advanced design and materials technology have gone into creating a tyre that maximises fuel economy and saves money at the pump while providing excellent traction and treadwear, comments Cooper. The GFE is a touring tyre offered in eight sizes. The range is aimed at drivers of fuel-efficient vehicles, but also includes popular mainstream sizes. Key fitments include the Toyota Prius, Corolla, Yaris and Echo, plus the Honda Civic and Fit.

The GFE showcases Cooper Energy Return Technology (CERT); the tyre maker explains CERT as being a new tread stock made from a silica technology married with a specialised polymer in order to provide very low-rolling resistance while maintaining outstanding wet grip and long tread life.

The GFE also employs unique mould technology using traction compensating sipes. These sipes increase in length as the tyre wears. According to Cooper, the interlocking action of the sipes helps provide more stable handling when the tyre is new, then adds length to the biting edges throughout the tyre’s life. This technology helps maintain wet and winter traction as the tread wears.

In addition, the GFE has a T speed rating, which meets or exceeds the original equipment requirements of many cars, minivans and crossovers. The all-season design also employs a computer-enhanced, sound-quality system that optimises the tread pattern to produce a quiet ride. The appearance of the GFE is enhanced by the use of engraved segmented moulds, Cooper adds.