Goodyear updates mid to high-end tyre range

Goodyear says its new Asymmetric 2 tyre goes some way to resolving a fundamental conflict facing tyre makers: the natural trade-off between performance and fuel-economy.

In its essential form, this conflict sees performance and handling benefiting from softer compounds and a bigger surface contact area at each corner of the vehicle, while fuel economy benefits from lower rolling resistance care of harder compounds, stiffer sidewalls and smaller shoeprint.

The key lies in reducing rolling surface in motion until braking.

To that end, the company has looked to new full-silica compounds and denser polymers conceived to improve response to road surfaces during deformation in both wet and dry conditions. It has remodelled the tyre around a spherical tread block surface whose contact area expands during braking. A redesigned carcass structure serves to increase torsional stiffness, helping direct deformation to serve that purpose during harder braking.

Goodyear claims reductions in rolling resistance of up to 10 per cent, while independent testing by German technical certification specialist TÜV SÜD saw the Asymmetric 2 deliver an advantage over three big-name competitors of up to three metres in the wet and two metres on dry surfaces, pulling an Audi A7 up from 80km/h. TÜV's track testing produced lap times "far above the average of the competitors" in both wet and dry conditions, the company added.

Former racing driver and two-time Bathurst winner John Bowe, a long-time Goodyear and Dunlop endorser, told motoring.com.au he's been able to verify the company's claims of improved fuel consumption for himself.

"I stuck a set on my [BMW] 330d sedan a few weeks ago," said Bowe.

"I've seen my average fuel consumption drop from 5.9 with the original tyres to 5.6 with the Asymmetric 2s. And it's not like BMW doesn't equip its higher end 3s with decent rubber."

Mercedes-Benz has announced it will fit the Asymmetric 2 as original equipment on its new CLS lineup. Goodyear spokesman Xavier Fraipont said in a statement that Benz's announcement appears set to continue in a tradition set by the tyre it supercedes.

"The previous F1 Asymmetric was fitted to vehicles such as the Ferrari California, Porsche Cayman, Boxster and Panamera, Mercedes-Benz E-Class plus the Audi A7 and A8," said Fraipont.

"That fact that [the Asymmetric 2] can be found on the latest Mercedes-Benz model so soon after the tyre's own release signifies the newest Eagle F1 Asymmetric's outstanding performance and quality".

The Benz announcement is one of 30 such deals being nutted out for the tyre.

The midfield Eagle F1 Directional, meanwhile, has foregone its predecessor's distinctive V-tread for a new directional design aimed at boosting steering feel and response as well as water dispersion for better grip and performance on wet surfaces.

Speaking at the media launch for the new tyre's, Goodyear Dunlop's general manager of sales, David Petrie, told media:

"[The tyre's] target market – think of the aftermarket tuner segment – is particularly conscious of visual appeal. That's what made it's predecessor (the Eagle F1 GS-D3) such a success – the V-tread was really sharp looking."

The company claims the Directional 5 outperforms the D3 on virtually every front. Handling and braking on wet and dry surfaces are better, with a particularly marked improvement in wet braking performance. It's also smoother and quieter and distributes wear more evenly for more consistent performance through a longer lifespan.

Goodyears Asymmetric 2 is available for 17 to 19-inch rims from $269 to $970. The Directional 5 is available for 15 to 19-inch rims from $162 to $604.

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