Winter Tires Solve the SUV Paradox for Safer Winter Driving / SUV Drivers Have an Extra Reason to Feel Safer: Goodyear's UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen-1 Winter Tire Delivers Shorter Braking Distances on Dry, Wet and Icy Roads[1]

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM--(Marketwired - May 26, 2016) - Continuously improving its top-notch winter tire technologies, Goodyear launches a new tire aimed at SUVs: the UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen-1. The newest member of the UltraGrip winter tire family is available from May 2016.

SUV drivers often feel safer in their bigger vehicle, particularly when equipped with four-wheel drive, hence tending to think they do not need winter tires. However, it is even more important for these vehicles to be equipped with appropriate tires in winter conditions. 

Making SUVs actually safer
Due to their size, SUVs and 4x4's increase the drivers' confidence. Nevertheless, these vehicles are heavier and their center of gravity is higher than that of passenger cars. As a consequence, forces exerted on the tire are stronger, making braking and handling more challenging. A paradox that Goodyear has solved.

Alexis Bortoluzzi, Goodyear's Marketing Director Consumer EMEA: "With SUVs, we were facing a real paradox. So we leveraged both our experience in SUV tires and our top-notch winter tire technologies and we enhanced our award-winning UltraGrip Performance line for SUVs. Thanks to its modified design, the UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen-1 delivers enhanced[2] grip and therefore safer driving on wintery roads."

Main technologies and features of the UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen-1

1. Interlocking sipes and tread design
Technology: 3D BIS (Block Interlocking System)
Benefits: Better balance between dry handling and snow performance

Benefits: Enhanced braking and traction on snowy and icy roads

3. Optimal road contact patch
Goodyear's engineering explained: As the vehicle is heavier, the load on the tire is higher. In order to work against these bigger forces, the tire width ("footprint") has been increased compared to its predecessor[3]. Having more rubber on the road means more surface contact, which improves stability.
Technology: ActiveGrip
Benefits: Enhanced grip and braking performance

4. Tread optimal performance indicator
Goodyear's engineering explained: During the life of the tire, the snow symbol designed on the tire gradually disappears. Once completely erased, the tire needs to be replaced to ensure optimal winter performance.
Technology: TOP Indicator
Benefits: Allows the driver to change tires at the correct interval to ensure optimal winter performance

45 years of excellence in winter tires
Goodyear launched its first UltraGrip tire in 1971, a winter tire range that engineers have continuously been improving. Continued innovation over the last 45 years has made Goodyear one of the leaders of the winter tire market. Consumers have embraced the UltraGrip family with over 60 million tires bought since its launch[4]. The SUV and 4x4 car production has increased sharply in EMEA since 2012[5] and is expected to grow steadily in the coming years. With the launch of this UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen-1, we can anticipate we will be able to fulfill this growing demand.

Goodyear's UltraGrip once more TÜV's performance leader
The UltraGrip family has been lauded over and over in tests conducted by renowned automotive and test magazines and independently run tests. Reiterating the success of the UltraGrip family in tire tests, Goodyear's UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen-1 outclassed the competition during TÜV tests[6] for braking on wet, dry, icy and snowy roads.

The test results demonstrated the following performances:

• 1.9 meters shorter braking distance on wet roads (7% better performance)
• 2.3 meters shorter braking distance on dry roads (5% better performance)
• 4% better braking performance on icy roads
• 2% better braking performance on snowy roads, representing the second best snow braking performance of the tires tested[7].

Practical Information
Goodyear's UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen-1 will be introduced in May 2016 and will be available in sixteen sizes, covering over 40% of the SUV car park[8].

The table below provides the tire sizes and their respective dates of availability, as well as examples of general vehicle fitment.

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Availability Tire size            Examples of general vehicle fitment       
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01/05/2016   235/55R19 105V XL    Land Rover Discovery Sport, Land Rover    
             (New SKU)            Evoque, Range Rover                       
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             235/60R17 102H       Jeep Cherokee, Opel Antara                
             (New SKU)                                                      
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             235/65R17 108H XL    Range Rover Sport, Porsche                
                                  Cayenne,Volkswagen Touareg                
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01/06/2016   215/60R17 96H        Audi Q3, Jeep Renegade, Renault Kadjar,   
                                  BMW X3, Jeep Patriot, Nissan X-Trail,     
                                  Volkswagen Tiguan                         
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             215/70R16 100T       Opel Antara                               
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             225/60R17 103V XL    Lexus RX, BMW X1, BMW X3, BMW X4          
             (New SKU)                                                      
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             225/65R17 102H       Audi Q5, Nissan X-Trail, Toyota RAV4,     
                                  Lexus NX                                  
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             235/60R18 107H XL    Audi Q7, Land Rover Discovery Sport,      
                                  Porsche Cayenne, Volkswagen Touareg       
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             255/50R19 107V XL    BMW X5, BMW X6, Porsche Cayenne, Porsche  
                                  Cayenne Turbo, Volkswagen Touareg         
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             255/55R18 109H XL    BMW X5, Land Rover Discovery, Volkswagen  
                                  Touareg, Mercedes-Benz G Class            
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             255/55R19 111V XL    Land Rover Discovery 4, Range Rover       
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             275/40R20 106V XL    Porsche Cayenne, Porsche Cayenne Turbo    
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             275/45R20 110V XL    Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GL, Porsche        
             (New SKU)            Cayenne, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Volkswagen
                                  Touareg                                   
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             275/45R21 110V XL    Range Rover                               
             (New SKU)                                                      
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01/07/2016   235/65R17 104H       Audi Q5, BMW X5, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep
             (New SKU)            Cherokee, Jeep Commander                  
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             255/55R18 109V XL    Audi Q7, BMW X5, Range Rover Sport,       
             (New SKU)            Porsche Cayenne, Porsche Cayenne Turbo,   
                                  Volkswagen Touareg                        
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About Goodyear
Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs approximately 66,000 people and manufactures its products in 49 facilities in 22 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear or its products, go to www.goodyear.eu. 

For additional pictures, visit the online newsroom: http://news.goodyear.eu.

You can also follow us on Twitter @Goodyearpress and join our ThinkGoodMobility group on LinkedIn.

[1] Compared to the average performance of 3 latest designs for main competitors for Winter SUV HP segment. Tested by TÜV SÜD Product Service GmbH in Feb - Mar 2016 by order of Goodyear Dunlop. New Winter HP SUV, Tire Size: 235/65 R17; Test Car: Audi Q5; Test Locations: Mireval (F), Saariselkä (FIN); Report No. 713074748 -02. Scores for snow braking: Michelin Latitude Alpin - 100.1; Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen-1 - 100; average of leading competitors - 8.1. Part of test specified above with report No. 713074748-02.

[2] Compared to predecessor Goodyear Ultragrip +SUV

[3] Predecessor: Goodyear Ultragrip SUV+ 

[4] Goodyear internal data.

[5] Global Insights / IHS EMEA 2015. SUV / 4x4 Production and Car Park Evolution EMEA 2012 - 2022.

[6] Compared to the average performance of 3 latest designs for main competitors for Winter SUV HP segment. Tested by TÜV SÜD Product Service GmbH in Feb - Mar 2016 by order of Goodyear Dunlop. New Winter HP SUV, Tire Size: 235/65 R17; Test Car: Audi Q5; Test Locations: Mireval (F), Saariselkä (FIN); Report No. 713074748 -02.

[7] Scores for snow braking: Michelin Latitude Alpin - 100.1; Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen-1 - 100; average of leading competitors - 98.1. Part of test specified above with report No. 713074748-02. 

[8] EUROPOOL 2015 - 2016 - SUV Winter Standard Non Studded. Non Nordics, at size, load and speed index

Name: Jeroen Rigole
Title: Director Brand PR & Events, EMEA
T: [phone]
E: [e-mail]