The new Goodyear Assurance

Don't let the name of Goodyear's latest tyre make you think the company has gone into the insurance business because it has not. Though the name is a departure from the usual ones we've come to know - Wrangler, Ducaro, Eagle, NCT - it was chosen because it conveys the attributes which Goodyear wants customers to appreciate. Furthermore, 'Assurance' is a product name which has been used by Goodyear in North America already and now comes to the Asia-Pacific region for an entirely new type of tyre.

The Assurance, to be available in tyre shops shortly, is said to be designed for discerning drivers across Asia, and is claimed to set new standards for safe and reliable rides in varied road conditions. According to DP Singh, Regional Marketing Director for Consumer Tyres at Goodyear, the brief for the development of the tyre was based on consumer insights which revealed that the top key attribute most sought after in tyres is safety. 

"For consumers in Asia, safety means excellent grip on wet or dry roads above all, and durability in terms of resistance to road hazards," he said at the international press preview held in Kuala Lumpur and the Sepang Circuit this morning. "Understanding these primary needs is what inspired us to develop Goodyear Assurance with ArmorGrip Technology.  This new tyre is designed to meet and exceed the safety demands consumers have for their tyres."

New Waffle Blade system (left) improves grip while Kevlar layer adds strength

Grip on wet surfaces is claimed to be a strong point

The Armorgrip Technology is a Goodyear innovation and consists of two parts. First is the 'Armor' which refers to the stronger construction of the tyre through the use of Kevlar, a material which is used for bulletproof vests and military helmets. This material, said to be 5 times stronger than steel, is not a hard plate as many may imagine but is actually a lightweight fabric-like layer which literally 'catches' a bullet and disperses the shock wave of the impact (which is why a person with a bulletproof vest can still get knocked out for a while after being shot).

Because it is fabric-like, it can also be used in a tyre, endowing it with extra strength and durability over rough roads which are also found in many parts of the Asia-Pacific region. Of course, it is unlikely to make the Assurance 'bulletproof' as well and for those who do need such a capability, Goodyear would recommend its special run-flat tyres. In addition to Kevlar, the Assurance has a silica-reinforced Durawall compound in the sidewall to provide increased resistance to cuts and tears.

As for the 'Grip', the Assurance has new technology claimed to offer superior grip through two key elements   the new Waffle Blade System and advanced silica-based tread compound.

The Waffle Blade System is a new generation 3-dimensional blade system, which evolved from Goodyear's previous Bubble Blade System.  This new system is designed to provide better braking and grip on wet and dry roads while maintaining lateral block rigidity. It provides improved lateral interlocking power and maximized circumferential de-coupling, reducing braking distances on wet roads without compromising handling performance.

Goodyear had a bridge in Putrajaya closed off for the demonstration of braking distance with the new tyre (car on left was on another brand)

Besides the new Waffle Blade System, the Assurance also features an advanced silica-based tread compound to increase its grip levels. Silica is a component that is generally used in high-performance tyres where grip is absolutely essential and works by increasing chemical bonding with rubber polymers for improved grip.

Other aspects of tyre performance such as comfort and noise levels are not highlighted as being superior to the equivalent tyres of other brands and a Goodyear engineer would only state that these were 'competitive' enough  (however, it is said that the Kevlar layer also provides some sound dampening). The focus therefore is on the grip and durability aspects as well as a price point which positions the Assurance between the Ducaro and the NCT5.

The Assurance is priced between RM170 and RM300 depending on the size, of which the Malaysian market will initially get 9 sizes: 195/60 R15 88H, 195/65 R15 91H, 195/55 R15 85V, 195/60 R14 86H, 195/70 R14 91H, 205/60 R15 91H, 205/65 R15 94H, 195/50 R15 82V, 205/55 R16 91V.

Commenting on the range of sizes available, Goodyear Malaysia's MD, Tuan Haji Zakariah Ahmad said that it covers many popular models on Malaysian roads from the Toyota Unser to even a BMW 325i. The 195/50R15 size is offered for those who would like to upsize from 185/60R14.

"Sun, rain or road hazards, the Assurance offers the motorist with the safety and security of a technologically advanced tyre and in general, we can say that this new tyre offers the best Grip plus a unique 'Armor' feature which no other passenger car tyre has," he said, adding that there is a 'Risk-Free Trial' for the new Goodyear tyre whereby customers can exchange their tyres for another set of Goodyear tyres if they are not 100% satisfied (subject to terms and conditions).