Goodyear launches quick-braking Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2

Goodyear has launched its follow-up to the popular Eagle F1 Asymmetric tyre at a brand event in Seville, Spain. The UHP tyre was three years in the making; a response to development requirements set by the company to improve braking in dry and wet conditions, reflecting the company’s safety-conscious branding. Goodyear has introduced its “ActiveBraking Tecnology” in this tyre, a tapered edge tread block design that “develops more surface area” under braking load, helping the “high surface silica tread compound” to work over a larger contact area – around 30 per cent more than before – to bring vehicles to a standstill in less time.

Tested by TÜV-SÜD Automotive in tests replicated at the launch against three leading competitors, the tyre slowed from 80-20kmh in between 2 and 3.4m fewer than the average of the other three tyres tested – the Bridgestone Potenza S001, Continental’s SportContact 5P and Pirelli’s PZero. The tests were completed in December 2010 at TÜV-SÜD’s Mireval, France and Garching, Germany testing facilities in size 255/40R19 fitted to an Audi A7.

The Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 was also quicker to brake in three tests than the best of its rivals. In low friction coefficient wet braking, the new Eagle F1 AS.2 reached 20kmh in 36.3m, while the SportContact 5P managed 38.2m. With higher friction wet braking, the tyre decelerated to 20kmh in 29.2m, 2.1m ahead of the Potenza S001. Finally in dry braking, which is measured in how great a distance is used getting to 0kmh from 100kmh, the Eagle F1 AS.2 travelled 32.4m, while the PZero did it in 33.9m. A full report from the launch will appear in Tyres & Accessories’ March issue.

The tyre is available in 29 sizes (listed below) this year, while a further 21 will be added in 2012.
235/50R18 XL 101 Y
215/45R17 87 Y
215/45R17 XL 91 Y
225/45R17 91 Y
225/45R17 XL 94 Y
235/45R17 94 Y
235/45R17 XL 97 Y
235/45R18 XL 98 Y
255/45R18 XL 103 Y
245/40R17 91 Y
245/40R17 XL 95 Y
225/40R18 88 Y
225/40R18 XL 92 Y
235/40R18 XL 95 Y
245/40R18 93 Y
245/40R18 XL 97 Y
255/40R18 95 Y
255/40R19 XL 100 Y
245/35R18 XL 92 Y
255/35R18 XL 94 Y
265/35R18 XL 97 Y
225/35R19 XL 88 Y
235/35R19 XL 91 Y
245/35R19 XL 93 Y
255/35R19 XL 96 Y
285/35R18 97 Y
255/30R19 XL 91 Y
265/30R19 XL 93 Y
275/30R19 XL 96 Y