Detroit Auto Show: Goodyear Provides Concept Car Tires

DETROIT, Jan. 7, 2003; There may be sleek, Italian- designed products, some sturdy models made to tackle any kind of rugged terrain, and others intended for a sporting appearance. But no one would confuse this year's North American International Auto Show as being the world's foremost display of the latest shoe styles.

Except Goodyear.

While many media and public attendees of the traditional NAIAS showcase will be drooling over the latest and greatest automotive designs, the engineers from Goodyear know that their handiwork -- the rubber "shoes" on those vehicles -- also will turn some heads in the next two weeks.

"As vehicle technology and styling continue to improve at an unbelievable pace, any auto enthusiast still knows that most important is what provides the grip -- the tires. That is the part of a vehicle that comes in contact with the road, and it is where the energy transfer occurs," said Bill Egan, Goodyear's chief engineer of advanced product technology.

Aside from function, a tire's form also plays a part, especially at the high-interest auto shows. A tire's size and tread design really do matter to show-goers.

This year, Goodyear's tire rim diameters at the Detroit show range from 17 to 22 inches; tread section widths spread up to 325 mm, or more than a foot wide.

"With vehicle design trending toward larger tires and wheels to fill the fender area, the challenge has been presented to us to create these works of art that seem larger than life," Egan said. "For the automakers, bigger is better in tires."

Production vehicles reflect the trend of large-diameter concept tires. Larger tires allow vehicle designers to make stylized wheels part of the package. In addition, larger brakes can be engineered for improved stopping capability.

Take the new Ford SVT Lightning concept truck, which sports huge Goodyear 22-inch hand-carved tires. That is a lot of rubber to keep the truck planted firmly on the pavement.

The unique P295/45R22 (front) and P325/45R22 (rear) tires "certainly look the part. Blocky, yet aesthetically pleasing, tread elements and aggressive shoulder styling accentuate the image portrayed by this incredible performance truck," Egan said.

On the Detroit show floor, Goodyear's considerable presence is evident across several automotive manufacturers. Egan said attention-grabbing concept models such as the Pontiac G6 and the Dodge Durango Hemi RT are great showcases for Goodyear tire technology.

Additionally, Goodyear-designed run-flat tires appear this week on various concept vehicles, including the Audi Pikes Peak and the Ford Freestyle FX.

With more than 100 run-flat tire programs underway worldwide, Goodyear hints that run-flat tires will change the tire and automotive industries. Egan said the federal Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation (TREAD) Act might drive run-flat tire development. The act mandates new safety standards for tires, including the installation of pressure-monitoring systems in 2003. The systems are required when run-flat tires are used.

Seemingly futuristic run-flat tires and wild-looking concept tires from Goodyear aren't just the result of a tire design engineer's twisted imagination. They are requested components for some of most popular concept vehicles displayed at auto shows, and those vehicles often evolve into reality in the form of production models.

The Dodge PT Cruiser, Chevrolet SSR roadster pickup and Ford GT sports car are all examples of concept designs that garnered praise at past auto shows, clinching enough votes to be given the green light as production vehicles. And like most high-image concept autos, all three are outfitted with Goodyear "footwear."

"Concept tire development is important, because it allows us to contribute to automotive design trends that soon may be coming down the road. Communication between the automaker and tiremaker is paramount to keeping image and messages consistent through design," Egan said.