The Goodyear Ultra Ice 2 winter tire is the result of three years of intense labor and an attempt to close the gap with European competitors in this segment of tire products. Judging by the first tests conducted by independent specialized media, it has proven to be more than successful, as this model has demonstrated a significant advantage over analogs that previously occupied the top positions in various ratings. Most potential buyers will be able to verify the excellent performance of this tire very soon. It is already on sale, and its size range, consisting of 29 sizes, provides it with excellent applicability.
"Cryo-adaptive" rubber compound
One of the most notable innovations of this North American novelty is the rubber compound, which the manufacturer's marketers loudly call "cryo-adaptive". This term, translated into more understandable Russian, means that the tire's tread remains elastic even at very low temperatures, which in North America are considered values exceeding minus 25 degrees Celsius. This was achieved thanks to new components of the rubber compound, which gained the ability to maintain elasticity at an optimal level in a very wide temperature range without compromising other important characteristics, primarily resistance to high-temperature effects and abrasive wear.
New V-shaped tread pattern
For several decades, Goodyear has been producing winter tires exclusively with a V-shaped tread pattern design. This model is another step forward in this direction, as it is largely due to the tread pattern that it surpassed its predecessor in terms of traction on snow and ice.
Most of the innovations were in the central part of the tread pattern. It lost its longitudinal ribs, which gave way to numerous arrow-shaped blocks that stretched from one shoulder zone to another. During movement, these tread blocks form a multitude of very long edges of adhesion, located at a significant angle to the direction of wheel rotation. Here, one cannot help but note the high structural rigidity of these tread elements. Such a design of the central part of the tread gives the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 tire a whole range of very important qualities. First and foremost, these are very high traction properties in the longitudinal direction, excellent directional stability, low noise level, and rolling resistance.
Original shoulder zone design
Another innovation of this model was the changed design of the shoulder zones. They contain far fewer individual blocks than the predecessor, which allowed them to significantly increase in size. In combination with the design of the central part, this design feature provides a much more even distribution of external pressure over the contact patch, which, in turn, had a very favorable effect on a number of very important operational characteristics. The main one is handling, which thanks to this has become very stable regardless of road and weather conditions.
Multifunctional drainage system
It is also impossible not to note the significant changes in the design of the drainage system. It still consists of longitudinal and transverse grooves, but their number and size of some of them have been significantly increased, which, in turn, significantly expanded their functional capabilities. In particular, the cross-shaped grooves located in the shoulder zones of the tread have gained the ability to capture very large volumes of snow, which improved traction. In addition, the tire demonstrates exceptional resistance to both aquaplaning and slushplaning.
Key features of the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 tire
- The tire was specifically designed for countries where climate conditions assume frequent temperature drops below minus 25 degrees Celsius;
- The "cryo-adaptive" rubber compound of the tread provides it with the ability to maintain excellent elasticity even at very low temperatures of the environment;
- The arrow-shaped tread blocks in the central part of the tread pattern form very long edges of adhesion, allowing the tire to demonstrate excellent traction properties in the longitudinal direction when moving on snow;
- Stable handling in any weather conditions due to a very even distribution of external pressure over the contact patch;
- The large volume and number of longitudinal and transverse drainage grooves give the tire exceptional resistance to aquaplaning and slushplaning, ensuring a high level of safety when driving even in the most unfavorable weather conditions.
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