If you're going to get frisky, you might just end up with more than a hickey. That's probably why if you're going to have your way with a lady, and don't intend to end up with a baby, you'll need a rubber and a good one at that. However, we're not going to delve into the dirty on those kinds of rubbers. We're instead all excited over the more conventional rubbers that we're accustomed to, the ones that wrap our ride's rims.
Text: Dinesh
At the end of the day, no matter how much power you bring to the table, your tyres will arguably make the biggest difference when its crunch time and you need to lay that power down to the ground. We know it's been said time and time again but there's a reason your tyres are perhaps the most important component of the automotive equation because it's the only area of contact between your car and the surface it has to grip.
So without wanting to sound like a broken recorder, we'll just move onto the not one, but two new ultra high performance (UHP) tyres that Goodyear have just launched. One of the duo is the successor to the highly acclaimed Eagle F1 Asymmetric, creatively dubbed the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2. Completing the pair of new tyres is the Eagle F1 Directional 5.
Although both place in the UHP tyre segment, the Asymmetric 2 inevitably places above the Directional 5, leaving the latter as a mid-UHP offering. Once we do roll the sleeves up and get dirty with the tyres, you'll see exactly why both the tyres are placed the way they are and how precisely they serve their intended target market.
Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2
To start with, the Asymmetric 2 is targeted at luxury performance cars. That places it, as mentioned, as the leading UHP tyre offering from Goodyear. Therefore, it has plenty to live up to. Judging from the technology infused into it, it looks to bring plenty to the table but once computers are traded for corners it's a whole new ball game.
One of the key tech advantages is the ActiveBraking Technology that has been incorporated into the tyre. ActiveBraking consists of namely three distinct elements that give the tyre improved braking performance as well as handling over not only its predecessor but the competition as well.
So what exactly is ActiveBraking Technology you might be pondering? Well for starters, it's made up of spherical-shaped tread blocks on the surface, a cross ply weave on the carcass of the tyre and a 'race' inspired compound as the material.
Breaking it down, we'll start with the spherical-shaped tread blocks. Each of the tread blocks on the surface of the tyre are slightly spherical. This allows the contact surface of the tyre to increase under high load conditions such as braking, effectively increasing the contact patch.
Next up is the dual cross ply carcass that is weaved at an 86 degree angle. It increases torsional stiffness during braking, hence reducing the deformation of the tyre and allowing more braking torque.
Lastly, the highly molecular weight polymers and 'race' inspired compound provides for high energy dissipation at high frequency deformation. Taking it to a microscopic level, the unique compound allows for a stiffening effect under load.
Furthermore, the weight of the tyre has also been reduced by around five per cent over its predecessor. As we all know, a lower weight allows for a lower unsprung mass, giving the car improved handling and steering response.
So how does all that reflect in some real world testing? In testing conducted by the TUV SUD, an international testing and certification body, the Asymmetric 2 did indeed come out tops over its competitors, especially in the wet braking and handling department.
There was also some track time and demonstrations arranged during the regional launch in Thailand at the Kaeng Krachan Circuit in Hua Hin. Fitted to various specs of the BMW E90 3 Series, the Asymmetric 2 came out tops in the live wet braking and noise tests as well.
It was a pity though that the personal testing of the tyre couldn't be done back to back with a competitor to really gauge the advantages it held over its peers.
Eagle F1 Directional 5
Next we move onto the Directional 5 tyre that slots in below the Asymmetric 2 as a mid-range offering in the UHP tyre segment. This roller is a very unique offering as it was made with cosmetic as well as performance goals in mind. Aimed at the mid-sports performance cars, the Directional 5 is still a performance tyre but it also took into consideration style and cosmetic appeal due to the intended nature of its target market.
On the tech front, the Directional 5 comes with SportGrip technology. Similar to the ActiveBraking in the Asymmetric 2, SportGrip encompasses three distinct elements that come together and give the tyre the highly rated performance it users will demand.
So what are those three elements that make the cocktail that is ActiveGrip? The answer is the solid center line rib, continuous shoulder rib and once again, a 'race' inspired compound as the material.
First up is the solid center line rib. It serves to enhance the tyre's grip on straight line acceleration. The directional tread of it is the key factor in increasing grip on the straight and narrow.
Secondly is the continuous shoulder rib that runs down the sides of the solid center line rib. The shoulder ribs come into play when the straight and narrow turns into the twisty and curvy. The shoulder ribs improves cornering performance by reducing deformation of the tyre during cornering.
Lastly, we come back to the highly molecular weight polymers and 'race' inspired compound. Just to recap, the molecular polymers and compound are tops at dissipating increased energy during high frequency deformation and provides a stiffening effect under load.
As we mentioned, the Directional 5 was designed with cosmetic and style in mind. Aimed at the mid-range performance car owners, looks matter as much as performance for them. This explains the directional V-tread design that is an evolution of its predecessor, the Eagle F1 GS-D3. Furthermore, it surpasses the wet braking as well as mileage and noise performance of the GS-D3.
It has to be taken into consideration too that the Directional 5 has its crosshairs locked firmly on those that are looking to bump up an inch or two on wheel size for their cars. Goodyear are embracing the aftermarket approach that the owners of these cars will inevitably delve into. Apart from just increasing their wheel size, lowered suspension and adjustable alignment geometry will become a huge part of the mix. Therefore, the Directional 5 was designed with lowered ride height and altered alignment setups into consideration as well.
Some live testing was also done as well as personal testing at the same venue as both tyres were launched regionally simultaneously. Fitted on Mitsubishi Lancers, the Directional 5s topped the competitor's tyres in the wet braking and noise test. However, without a competitor's tyre on the personal testing for back to back feedback we're not well placed to judge just how much ahead, if at all, the Directional 5 is over its peers.
Conclusion
Goodyear are really stepping up their game this time around with the launch of two new tyres. Building and improving on the highly acclaimed Asymmetric with the Asymmetric 2 shows that they are pushing the boundaries in UHP tyre tech for better performance and safety with no-holds barred technology.
On the other hand, the Directional 5 indicates that Goodyear are not shying away from the aftermarket influence on car owners. They're taking it into consideration and infusing cosmetic styling where possible because sometimes, that's just what the buyers want.
