Goodyear introduces Kevlar off-road tyre

ERJ staff report (RD)

Akron, Ohio - The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has introduced the company's first off-road tyre using DuPont Kevlar material to enhance sidewall puncture resistance, the company announced 20 Feb.

"The new Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar updates the legendary off-road performing namesake, which has had a great reputation among serious off-roaders," said Melissa Montisano, Goodyear's general manager for light-truck tires. "This new tyre will certainly get the attention of anyone who takes off-road traction seriously."

According to Goodyear, the Kevlar-reinforced sidewalls help increase sidewall puncture resistance by 35 percent, compared to the original Wrangler MT/R. Other features include:

• Tread Guards, to help resist cuts from stones
• Advanced Mud-Flow Geometry, to help provide self-cleaning and traction in mud.
• Traction Blocks, to help provide additional biting edges on rocks, mud, dirt and sand.
• A Three-Ply Sidewall, with opposing cord angles for enhanced side wall cut- and puncture-resistance.
• Ramped Tread Blocks, for toughness in off-road driving.
• Staggered Sidewall Shoulder Blocks, to help provide enhanced traction on rocks and in deep mud.
• Durawall Rubber, a Goodyear exclusive, which offers rugged toughness and helps resist cuts and punctures in the sidewall.
• Rim Protector, to help protect wheels from accidental curb-like damage.
• Rim Lock, to help prevent wheel slip for minimal balancing throughout the life of the tyre.

According to Goodyear research, there are more than four million drivers in the light-truck tire segment who use their vehicles primarily for off-road travel. Available in March, the new tyre is offered in 30 sizes, fitting vehicles such as 1/2-, 3/4- and 1-ton pickups, Hummer H2 and H3, Jeep Wrangler, Nissan Xterra, and Toyota FJ Cruiser.

This is an external link and should open in a new window. If the window does not appear, please check your pop-up blocking software. ERJ is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Press release from Goodyear