May 2012: Goodyear New EfficientGrip SUV Tyre

The European automobile market has recorded an increasing demand in 4x4 automobiles during the past years. This is a demand which specialists consider that will materialize in several million of units sold by 2014. Goodyear has decided to showcase its new EfficientGrip SUV tyre in Portugal, designed to accommodate a large array of vehicles, from standard to sub-compact.

Goodyear representatives have declared that the new 4x4 tyre production of the company focuses on better responding to the market demands which imply: increased environment awareness, lower fuel consumption, increased handling and braking in both wet and dry driving conditions and soft and quiet driving experience.

The Technology

To comply with the consumer demands, Goodyear has developed numerous technologies which have made the EfficientGrip a complete SUV tyre.

To be able to lower the CO2 emission and at the same time offer a softer and quieter drive, Goodyear has improved the tyres design from the contact with the road point of view, by adding 3D blades in the tread. This technology also improves the braking results of the tyres, reducing the braking length of the car by a couple of meters.

To improve the handling during especially wet conditions, but also dry ones, Goodyear has integrated a tread compound in the tyre’s structure. It uses traction resins which improve braking in wet asphalt conditions. Furthermore, the block design used significantly decreases noise.

To minimize fuel and concomitantly decrease CO2 emission the company used a new and innovating FuelSaving Technology which focuses on the use of a certain type of polymer that improves rolling resistance.

To improve the mileage that the tyre can offer Goodyear has used their latest development in the IT field. The tyre has been projected with the aid of computer generated models to ensure that it will offer even stiffness as well as higher pressure distribution. Also, the tyre itself is considerable lighter than its predecessor and subsequently this means better handling of the SUV.

Great Acceptance

The EfficientGrip SUV tyres are relatively new on the market, but they have been quite well received by some important manufacturers in SUV niche. Goodyear has declared that Audi has decided to use the EfficientGrip 16’’ tyre, 215/65 R16 98V size for the Q3 automobile. The Q3 is 5-door compact coupe crossover that entered the market in 2011 for the lifestyle/sports niche.

Another prestigious acceptance of the Goodyear EfficientGrip SUV is the Ranger Rover Evoque which was launched on the market in the last quarter of 2011.

The SUV was designed for a completely new consumer niche. It was the first of the Range Rover brand that focused on decreasing CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. The fact that Range Rover has opted for the EfficientGrip is quite an honour for Goodyear, since Evoque is an internationally acclaimed SUV that won more than 100 international awards. The tyre with which the Evoque will be equipped is the size 235/55 R19 105V and it will equip the Prestige model. Moreover, Goodyear EfficientGrip tyre will come as an option for all Evoque models sold internationally, except for North America.