Geneva Debut for Yokohama’s C.drive2

“We respect the Environment…” is a new slogan in use at Yokohama Rubber, and the Japanese manufacturer will be showing this respect in tyre form at the Geneva International Motor Show with the European premiere of its “C.drive2” high performance eco tyre. This new product will be presented alongside the company’s flagship eco tyre, the “dB super E-spec”, which was released in Europe during summer 2009.

Scheduled for a March release, the C.drive2 replaces the high-performance and comfort “C.drive” tyre in the “.drive” series – a product Yokohama states has already gained popularity in Europe. The new tyre will be available in 26 sizes for 14 to 17-inch rim diameters, with a further 11 sizes to be added in summer 2010. According to Yokohama, the new tyre delivers excellent performance on wet surfaces as well as fuel efficiency. The C.drive2 joins three other tyres in the .drive range, the sports oriented ‘S.drive’, the all-round standard ‘A.drive’ and the cold weather ‘W.drive’.

The manufacturer says the C.drive2 represents a “basic change” from the original C.drive model, which has now been available for six years. While it retains the basic concept behind the previous model, which Yokohama states was grounded in the delivery of confidence in the rain and superb handling capabilities, the C.drive2 was developed to provide better wet grip while maintaining a low rolling resistance. Furthermore, Yokohama reports handling stability under both dry and wet conditions has been heightened to meet European safety requirements.

As for the dB super E-spec, Yokohama declares it to be “the ultimate eco tyre” and a product “designed in all respects to help protect the global environment”. Sold in Japan as the DNA dB super E-spec, this top of the line environmental tyre contains a number of Yokohama’s latest technical innovations, including its next-generation ‘Airtex’ inner liner, said to provide superior air retention and through this improved fuel efficiency, and a “Super Nano-Power Rubber Compound” containing orange oil, intended to enhance both fuel efficiency and grip.