On February 20, Goodyear announced the introduction of the company’s first off-road tire incorporating DuPont Kevlar para-aramid fiber to enhance sidewall puncture resistance. According to the company, the use of Kevlar, a material that is, pound-for-pound, five times stronger than steel, greatly improves sidewall cut- and puncture-resistance, a critical feature for off-road tires. It also helps reinforce the sidewall for conventional highway driving. The Kevlar-reinforced sidewalls in the new tire help increase sidewall puncture resistance by 35 percent compared to the original Wrangler MT/R.
The tire also includes a “wraparound” tread for better sidewall traction in deep mud, sand and rocks; an innovative asymmetric tread design to improve off-road traction while maintaining handling on the road; and advanced rubber silica in the tread for better off-road and wet traction.
Available in March, Goodyear is offering the tire in 30 sizes, fitting vehicles such as 1/2-, 3/4- and 1-ton pickups, Hummer H2 and H3, Jeep Wrangler, Nissan Xterra, Toyota FJ Cruiser and more. 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.
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