Goodyear launches ‘ultimate all-rounder’ and new super car tyres

New Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 and Supersport unveiled at Ascari

Goodyear has officially presented its next-generation Ultra High Performance (UHP) road tyre, the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5. Billed as “the ultimate all-rounder”, the tyre uses new technology to produce “significant improvements in wet braking and dry handling without compromising ride comfort or road noise”

A key example of the latest generation’s improvements is the upgraded contact patch designed to extend when braking. As a result, wet stopping distances are some 4 per cent shorter compared to the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3.

The new tyre caters for the growing Ultra High Performance (UHP) market, with 61 SKUs arriving between February and December 2019 with fitments from Volkswagen Golf to Porsche 911. Goodyear reports that the company will introduce 51 SKUs between February and May 2019, with a further 10 arriving between June and December 2019.

The firm will offer the tyres in 17 to 22-inch diameters, 205 to 315 mm widths, and 50 to 25 side profiles, with intended fitments ranging from cars such as the Volkswagen Golf, through more luxurious cars such as the Mercedes C-Class and the BMW 3 series to the standard versions of the Porsche 911.

This positions Goodyear to exploit the 8.3 per cent year-on-year growth experienced by the 17-inch and above UHP tyre segment since 2012, now accounting for 22 per cent of overall summer volume.  Upper segment vehicle sales are also forecast to increase from 17.5 to 18.2 percent by 2023, while UHP demand from north-east and south-east Europe expanding 18 and 25 per cent year-on-year since 2012 further increases the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5’s relevance to the market.

And for ultra, ultra high-performance cars

At the same time released its Eagle F1 SuperSport range, which is unashamedly pitched at the ultra, ultra-high performance segment (UUHP). The range is comprised of three tyres for the three main sub-sections of the UUHP segment – the Eagle F1 SuperSport, the SuperSport R and the SuperSport RS.

Here Goodyear draws on racing experience to provide superior grip and handling. Responsive directional changes are ensured through the stiff tread ribs while a massive closed outside pattern, used on the tyre’s shoulder, provides control during load transfers in corners.

25 Eagle F1 SuperSport SKUs will be introduced between February and May 2019, with possible fitments ranging from 18 to 21-inch diameters, 205 to 305 mm widths and an aspect ratio ranging from 45 to 30.

The Eagle F1 SuperSport is intended for hot hatches like the Volkswagen Golf GTI, high-performance saloons including the BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63, and everyday supercars such as the Porsche 911 Turbo.

The Eagle F1 SuperSport R further increases grip levels and steering precision on and off track. 10 Eagle F1 SuperSport R SKUs are slated for release between February and November 2019, ranging from 18 to 21-inch diameters, 205 to 305 mm widths and an aspect ratio ranging from 25 to 40.

And finally, the Eagle F1 SuperSport R has been developed for performance-focused vehicles, such as the Volkswagen Golf Club sport, BMW M4 CS and Porsche 911 GT3. As such the Eagle F1 SuperSport RS is Goodyear’s most race-focused tyre, designed to push the limit on track while remaining road legal. Two SKUs will be introduced in March 2019 – 265/35 ZR20 and 325/30 ZR21.