The Good Year Blimp
Just when you thought four wheeling fell from fanfare, Goodyear’s all new off-road tires challenge their decade-old, iconic predecessor, the Wrangler MT/R (Maximum Traction-Reinforced) and are available in two new game-changing styles.
The brazen and brawny Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar, engineered at Sandai’s labs, was created to tantalize the four million drivers in the radical light truck segment, who are willing to pay more for aftermarket products that guarantee a safe return from the wilds.
Goodyear says these customers are mostly male, under-35, risk takers who are passionate about four wheeling, Jeep expeditions and rock crawling, although the tire maker sees more women wheeling their own rigs.
With sexiness that tantalizes in a Laura-Croft-kind-of-way, and side rubber that recalls the smile of a Great White Shark, this new tire has significantly enhanced toughness. Less neck-snapping in looks, but still bold, the new Wrangler DuraTrac wears enhanced rubber for backcountry toughness, but is also crafted to soothe the sense, with a more tranquil tarmac ride.
DuraTrac’s dominant tread blocks channel a State of Indiana refrigerator magnet and Goodyear has its sights on the 21 million drivers who purchase all-terrain, light truck tires for work in construction, agriculture, landscaping and crave after hours pursuits of camping, hunting and fishing.
Sidewall Toughness-The Wrangler MT/R w/ Kevlar bests it previous generation model by increasing puncture-resistance by 35 percent, thereby greatly reducing the likelihood of sidewall cuts and tears-a veritable Achilles shield.
Sidewall Traction-MT/R w/Kevlar gives greater grip for canyon crawling, mud pits and sand dunes, with improved steering and handling in both wet and dry conditions.
Wraparound Tread-Special sculpting on the Wrangler MT/R w/Kevlar creates the go-juice for motoring and bite, when traversing dry lake beds; driving over loose sand and hard scrabble; and motivating up and over rocks and boulders.
Inventive Tread Design-Wrangler MT/R is comprised of advanced silica rubber that is asymmetrically-shaped for better traction qualities in wet and off-road conditions.
Tractive Groove Technology- Wrangler DuraTrac crafted with a center-line band of grooves that repel muck and snow.
Self-Cleaning Shoulder Blocks-Wrangler DuraTrac’s chunky blocks of –shaped compound are engineered with “mud-flow20geometry”? to improve maneuvering in deep mud and blizzards.
Highly-Angled Center Tread Blocks-Wrangler DuraTrac’s center-band block pattern and rubber compound quiet road noise and increase lateral stability.
Sales Potential-Goodyear projects that full-sized truck sales will remain steady for five years. On sale now, Goodyear will offer the Wrangler MT-R w/Kevlar in 30 sizes; the Wrangler DuraTrac will be available in 26 sizes, covering 89 percent of the targeted vehicle segment.
Sue Mead
Popularity: 15% [?]
