Goodyear is celebrating its 125th anniversary with the regional debut of four new tyres here in Malaysia today, including the all-new Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, the Assurance Maxguard, Wrangler Duratrac RT, as well as its first-ever tyre designed specifically for electric vehicles (EV), the ElectricDrive.
Currently, only the Goodyear Assurance Maxguard is available here for our Malaysian market. The other three offerings will make their way into Malaysia at a later date before the end of 2023, according to a Goodyear Malaysia spokesperson.
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 is the latest iteration of the brand’s popular Eagle F1 Ultra-High Performance (UHP) tyre series, utilising their latest technologies to provide enhanced grip levels in both dry and wet conditions, alongside a sporty handling feel, and improved noise levels performance.
Dry and wet braking have both also been enhanced on the Asymmetric 6, thanks to the use of the ‘Dry Contact Plus Technology’ tread design that maximises contact patch and optimises the tyre’s cavity shape in various high-load situations, as well as a new ‘Wet Braking Pro Technology’ cap compound that increases micro-contact between the tyre and the damp road surfaces.
The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 is available in multiple sizes for rims ranging from 17- to 22-inches in diameter, suitable for “luxury and sports cars”.
Goodyear Assurance Maxguard
The Goodyear Assurance Maxguard is the latest member in the brand’s Assurance passenger car tyre range designed for mid-level sedans such as the Honda City up to the Toyota Corolla, promising “2-in-1 protection” – namely “grip protection” and “impact protection”.
The former is courtesy of a new ‘ActiveGrip Technology’ tread pattern, with additional water channels to help disperse standing water. Together with the improved cavity shape and a reworked full-silica compound, the new Assurance Maxguard promises improved braking distance especially on wet roads for a more confidence-inspiring drive, especially here in our Malaysian climate.
Impact protection meanwhile is achieved by a new DuraGuard Technology two-layer carcass ply and twin belt construction, ensuring extra robustness and protection against cuts and impacts. The Assurance Maxguard also boasts better wear resistance and longevity, thanks to the additional wearable rubber volume and polymer matrix in the compound.
As mentioned above, the Goodyear Assurance Maxguard is the only tyre amongst the four that is currently offered in our market. Size availability for the Goodyear Assurance Maxguard here in Malaysia ranges from 15- to 17-inches, priced between RM250-485 per piece
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Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT
The Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT (rugged terrain) is designed primarily for pick-up trucks (and the rare SUVs), specifically optimised for off-road use thanks to its improved durability. It utilises an “uncommon” three-ply sidewall construction that increases resistance against cuts and punctures, while the tread compound itself is also more resistant to chipping, ensuring long-lasting robustness off the beaten path.
Improvements have also been made in the tread pattern design, with solid tread blocks and more biting edges for enhanced grip and traction in mud, snow, and rugged conditions. The deep tread also extends past the tyre shoulder, which not only enhances its aggressive looks, but also provides extra protection and traction, especially against rocks.
The Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT will be offered in 20 sizes, ranging from 15-20 inches.
Goodyear ElectricDrive
The ElectricDrive is Goodyear’s first-ever tyre designed specifically for EVs, with a focus on grip performance and quietness – the latter is a feature specifically requested by EV drivers according to their own research. Built with sustainability in mind, the Goodyear ElectricDrive boasts an electric racing-inspired high-tech cap compound, alongside unique and patented circuit board-like tread pattern, both optimised specifically for the instant torque output of EVs.
The tread pattern also features increased pitches, which – alongside the full barrier gum and noise and vibration absorption layer – help improve the NVH performance of the tyre, while its construction has also been optimised to handle the higher loads of an EV and their heavy battery packs.
Goodyear’s EV-specific ElectricDrive tyre will be offered in 15 different sizes, ranging from 17-21 inches in diameter.
