The winter non-studded tire Goodyear UltraGrip 7+, like its predecessor, the UltraGrip 7 model, is designed for the widest range of modern passenger car models of various classes. This model is released in a huge number of sizes, which provides excellent applicability. This tire is a further development of the UltraGrip 7, which at one time was considered one of the best non-studded winter models, which has been proven by independent tests more than once.
This model stands out for its exceptional concentration of technological innovations available to this North American manufacturer.
V-TREAD Tread Pattern
This tread pattern, in one version or another, has been used in all winter tires of the company since the 2000s, remaining quite competitive to this day. Its characteristic feature is the V-shaped arrangement of tread ribs and blocks. The main advantage of this scheme for placing tread elements is the excellent efficiency of the drainage system, which perfectly handles the removal from the contact patch of not only water but also a more dense mixture of meltwater and mud. This was achieved due to the numerous drainage grooves directed backward relative to the wheel rotation.
In addition, it is also worth noting the presence of long curved tread blocks that form very powerful edges located at a sharp angle relative to the direction of movement. In combination with the double V-shaped grooves and the new rubber compound, this made it possible to achieve excellent handling and traction characteristics on any winter surfaces, while also increasing the level of acoustic comfort.
Additionally, the large size of the drainage grooves allows them to capture impressive amounts of snow, which makes it possible to provide excellent traction on snowy surfaces. Additional traction is provided by the numerous tread blocks with which this tread pattern is equipped. These blocks have a complex shape, rich in sharp edges, located in different directions. Thanks to this, the tire demonstrates excellent directional stability.
Waffle Blade Prism Lamellae
The Waffle Blade technology is a further development of the 3D-BIS lamellae used in most of Goodyear's winter tires. This three-dimensional system of interlocking tread blocks made it possible to significantly increase the number of lamellae without compromising their stiffness. These lamellae form additional numerous sharp edges, which ensures more reliable traction with icy and snowy surfaces.
The prism lamellae are distinguished by the presence of special protrusions and depressions on the inner walls. When in contact with the road surface, these protrusions fall into the depressions located exactly opposite, which ensures reliable closure of the tread block sections between themselves. As a result, the block becomes very rigid, which ultimately made it possible to significantly improve the handling characteristics not only on winter surfaces but also on asphalt.
New Generation Rubber Compound
The Goodyear UltraGrip 7+ tire was one of the first to use a new rubber compound with a high-tech composition called "Silica-Tread". Thanks to the presence of polymers and silicon-containing components, the tire maintains an optimal level of elasticity in a very wide temperature range. This design feature made it possible to provide more reliable traction on any winter surfaces, regardless of weather conditions.
Optimized Carcass Design
Among the numerous changes, the company's specialists have significantly modernized the carcass design, which has become much lighter and stronger. In particular, the carcass has become more rigid and has received a new breaker layer, which distributes external pressure in an optimal way over the entire contact patch area. This made it possible to significantly improve the traction characteristics on winter surfaces. Additionally, this technical solution led to a significant improvement in the resistance of the tread to uneven wear, which increased the service life of the entire tire.
Main Features of the Goodyear UltraGrip 7+ Tire
- Prism lamellae provide excellent traction on snow and ice, and due to the increased stiffness of the tread blocks, they improve handling on asphalt;
- The optimized shape and arrangement of the tread blocks have significantly reduced the level of resonance noise, which, in turn, has significantly increased the level of comfort;
- The new generation rubber compound adapts to changes in the environment, providing optimal elasticity in a wide temperature range, which allows the tire to demonstrate excellent traction, regardless of weather conditions;
- Double V-shaped drainage grooves provide excellent resistance to slushplaning and aquaplaning, which made it possible to achieve excellent traction on wet roads and excellent traction and coupling characteristics in snowy slush;
- The lightweight carcass design has made it possible to reduce rolling resistance, while providing more even distribution of external pressure over the contact patch, which, in turn, has increased stability and reliability of traction.
