The Yokohama Bluearth AE01 summer tire is another representative of a whole family of models developed within the "Blue Earth" concept. Its goal is to create a car tire that would cause minimal harm to the environment during production and operation. To achieve this, Japanese tire manufacturers had to develop a range of technologies, applying which they were able to create one of the most energy-efficient tires in the world.
It is designed primarily for passenger cars of small and medium classes. Its size range consists of 35 types with a profile height of 55 to 80% for wheels with a landing diameter from 13 to 16 inches. Despite the fact that during the development of the tire, the main attention was paid to ensuring energy efficiency, it has remarkable coupling properties, as evidenced by the high speed indices assigned to it. Depending on the size, this can be S, H or V.
Symmetrical non-directional tread pattern
This model is equipped with a classic symmetrical tread pattern. Its key feature is a reduced number of functional zones - there are only four of them. Two longitudinal ribs are located in the central part of the tread, surrounded on both sides by shoulder zones. The reduction in the number of functional zones had a beneficial effect on the rolling resistance and uniformity of the external pressure distribution over the contact patch.
In addition, this made it possible to significantly increase the area of the contact patch, at the same time giving it a practically rectangular shape. As a result, the Yokohama Bluearth AE01 tire demonstrates excellent coupling properties, especially on dry pavement.
The shoulder zones of the tread are distinguished by increased sizes. In fact, they occupy more than half of the entire area of the tread pattern. This was done with several goals in mind. First of all, the more rigid shoulder zones contribute to an increase in the durability of the tread to uneven wear. This extended the life of the entire tire. In addition, the wide shoulder zones provide more reliable behavior when performing sharp maneuvers.
Nano Blend rubber compound
This tire has become another model of the Japanese company, where a unique development was applied - the Nano Blend technology. It has three main goals: improving fuel economy; improving coupling properties on a wet road and increasing the lifespan of the tire. One of the key features of the innovative rubber compound was the inclusion of orange oil in its composition. In addition to reducing the harmful impact on the environment, the new component significantly increased the durability of the tread to cracking, thereby ensuring a significant reduction in rolling resistance. It is also impossible not to note the increased content of silicon-containing substances. Thanks to this, the tread has become much better at smoothing out all the irregularities on the road surface, which made it possible to significantly improve the coupling, especially on a wet road.
Main features of the Yokohama Bluearth AE01 tire
- exceptionally low noise level, thanks to the 5-step arrangement of the tread elements;
- the innovative Nano Blend rubber compound provides increased coupling with a wet road, reduced rolling resistance and a long service life;
- large contact patch sizes, thanks to which the tire demonstrates excellent coupling on dry roads;
- increased stiffness of the shoulder zones, which has increased stability when cornering;
- a rectangular contact patch shape that promotes more even distribution of external load on it.
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