They also copped a pounding on some of the narrower tracks we encountered, with tree roots and rocks attacking the sidewalls at every opportunity but inflicting no visible damage – not even a scratch. The MT/Rs did not disappoint, offering good traction no matter the surface. Just look at the overall tread pattern and it’s quite clear to see what the Goodyear engineers have tried to achieve with this asymmetric design: a combination of off-road grip and on-road performance. And while the outer half of the tread pattern is also quite chunky, there’s an obvious longitudinal channel and a lot more siping in the tread blocks, clearly aimed at maximising water dispersion when driving on wet roads. There are few sipes on the inside tread blocks, which are chunky items spaced far apart, no doubt aimed at gaining purchase in slippery off-road conditions, as well as quickly clearing away mud. The next day I got to sample the MT/Rs on wet bitumen and gravel roads, and Goodyear has obviously gone to great lengths to ensure they perform well in such conditions with their unusual asymmetric tread pattern. Sure, muddies generally get louder with age when the edges of the tread blocks start to flare, but the MT/Rs were too new exhibit this type of wear. This leisurely cruise on the highway, with a freeway section thrown in, didn’t yield much information when it comes to on-road grip, steering and braking, but it did highlight the noise generated by the MT/Rs which, while not excessive, seemed more noticeable than some other new muddies we’ve tested before.
#GOODYEAR WRANGLER MTR WITH KEVLAR SERIES#
The new tire series will officially go on sale in March and will be offered in no less than 30 sizes for 1/2-, 3/4- and 1-ton trucks such as Hummer H2 and H3, Nissan Xterra, Toyota FJ Cruiser and Jeep Wrangler.My first taste of the MT/Rs was on dry roads, firstly commuting through Melbourne and then, once off the Spirit of Tasmania I, on the highway from Devonport down to Longford. Rim Lock, to help prevent wheel slip for minimal balancing throughout the life of the tire.Rim Protector, to help protect wheels from accidental curb-like damage.Durawall Rubber, a Goodyear exclusive, which offers rugged toughness and helps resist cuts and punctures in the sidewall.Staggered Sidewall Shoulder Blocks, to help provide enhanced traction on rocks and in deep mud.Ramped Tread Blocks, for toughness in off-road driving.Three-Ply Sidewall, with opposing cord angles for enhanced side wall cut- and puncture-resistance.Traction Blocks, to help provide additional biting edges on rocks, mud, dirt and sand.Advanced Mud-Flow Geometry, to help provide self-cleaning and traction in mud.Tread Guards, to help resist cuts from stones."This new tire will certainly get the attention of anyone who takes off-road traction seriously."īeside the sidewall toughness, the new Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar tire also excels in a number of different areas, mostly thanks to its next-gen features, as it follows: "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. And best of all, it can be also driven on regular pavement, not only in off-road environments. In essence, Goodyear says the Kevlar makes the tire a lot stronger than regular units (about five times stronger than steel), which results in advanced "sidewall cut- and puncture-resistance" to a certain part of the tire in need of extra toughness. Well, the guys over at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company claim they've developed the first off-road tire built "with the rugged toughness of DuPont Kevlar", a feature that brings enhanced sidewall puncture resistance, as the manufacturer mentioned in a press statement. Tires are undoubtedly some of the most important components when going off-road, together with all-wheel drive capability and extraordinary driving skills.
0 kommentar(er)
