Goodyear’s ‘anti-ageing’ rubber

19th October 2008

Evolution with every revolution – that’s the bold claim Goodyear is making about its new OptiGrip tyre. The rubber is said to provide consistent performance, even as the tread depth decreases.

It’s all down to the clever SmartWear technology, which sees the grooves get wider as the tyre wears, for consistent water dispersal. The unique pattern comprises inverted V-shaped channels made up of two layers. As the outer compound wears, a second – giving improved wet grip – is gradually exposed.

The result is a tyre that with only 3.5mm of tread stops a car on a soaking road just as well as it did when new with 8mm. Tests by independent body TüV SüD revealed OptiGrip had better resistance to aquaplaning after 20,000km (12,427 miles) than new tyres from two major rivals, and 20 per cent better wet braking after 30,000km (18,641 miles).

It comes in 16 sizes for 15 to 17-inch rims... but is five per cent pricier than the HydraGrip it replaces.