New Yokohama Tyre Low in Petroleum, Rich in Vitamin C

Yokohama Tire Corporation has effectively re-invented the tyre. This bold statement, made in a company press release, refers to the US market launch of Yokohama’s dB Super E-spec passenger car tyre, winner of a Popular Mechanics Editor’s Choice Award at the Last November’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The new tyre, which Yokohama refers to as “the world’s first orange oil-infused passenger tyre,” is composed of 80 per cent non-petroleum based materials. These are, specifically, a mixture of sustainable orange oil and natural rubber.

“The dB Super E-spec is also much lighter and conserves gasoline by reducing rolling resistance by up to 20 per cent,” said Jim MacMaster, Yokohama executive vice president, Business Division after its Sema showing. This rolling resistance reduction is said to be achieved through the use of a compound featuring Yokohama’s proprietary ‘Super Nano-Power Rubber’. Furthermore, the dB Super E-spec features an inner liner that minimises tyre weight and reduces air loss, thereby helping the tyre remain at the correct inflation level.

Combining oil from orange peels together with rubber in an idea with its roots in the company’s racing involvement, says Yokohama. The Advan ENV-R1TM racing tyres for Porsche GT3 cup cars use orange oil to improve the tyre’s road grip qualities.

The dB Super E-spec will initially be available in four sizes: 185/65R15 88H, 195/65R15 91H, 195/55R16 86V, and 215/60R16 95V, sizes used by hybrid vehicles such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Accord Hybrid.