Goodyear fixes noisy run-flats

The Goodyear Urban Crossover concept tyre unveiled in Paris earlier this month embraces a host of advanced technological features.

But the one that seems to offer the most promise is a pretty simple idea – a polyurethane lining inside the tyre that "dampens the tyre cavity resonance sound peak that is generated when the tyre rolls over a surface, enabling the vehicle's cabin to be extremely quiet."

In a press release issued by Goodyear last week, the company stated that the idea, named "Sound Comfort Technology", would reduce the road noise inside the cabin of the car, thus improving the enjoyment of listening to music or conversing with other passengers. Goodyear describe this lining as an "open-cell polyurethane foam element attached to the inner surface of the tyre".

Goodyear was commissioned by Lexus to develop the concept tyre for the UX Concept, which is believed to preview a production SUV that will sit in the range beneath the RAV4-based NX. Should the UX enter production, it will likely share platform and mechanicals with Toyota's C-HR model, which has been confirmed for Australia and will be powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged engine.

The tyre developed for the UX is a run-flat type, but as with all such tyres, is limited to 80km/h top speed and 80km/h distance without air pressure. However, the concept tyre features a chip-in-tyre facility that can relay tyre pressure and temperature information to the car's on-board computer. Based on this information, sent independently from each tyre, the computer can assess and respond to changed driving conditions.

Not only is the tyre an example of integrated technology, but Goodyear has also used leading edge technology, in the form of laser carving, during the design phase to create the Urban Crossover concept. A major visual feature of the tyres is the continuation of the alloy wheels' spoke theme into the tyre sidewalls.

"We were extremely proud to introduce the Goodyear Lexus 'Urban Crossover' concept tyre at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, which represents our global product innovation capability to deliver the latest in tailor-made solutions for OEMs," says Cat Parker, Goodyear's General Manager of Digital, IT, Marketing & Data.

"It also demonstrates the ability of our world-class designers to develop a tyre with the Lexus design philosophy in mind, while addressing consumer needs for comfort, driving pleasure and safety using our Sound Comfort Technology and RunOnFlat Technology."