It was just 4 months after the clock struck 12 midnight signifying the beginning of a new year that is 2011, a new start for most of us to focus on our own newly drafted new year resolution. It seems that for this year, Goodyear's 2011 resolution were to unveil 2 new tyre tread pattern dedicated for high performance, by that i meant drivers that are addicted with the adrenaline rush from driving on the edge. For this post, i will discuss about the pros and cons of just one tread pattern from the mentioned 2. The tread pattern in focus would be, Goodyear Eagle F1 Directional 5, well the designated pattern name maybe a mouthful but the tyre itself is loaded with physical attributes that may (in a sense) actually save your life and pocket all under the same time.
Specification;
Tyre Model: Eagle F1 Directional 5
Tyre Size: 205/45R16
Tyre Load Index: 83 = 487Kg
Tyre Speed Index: W = 270Km/h
because Eagle F1 Directional 5 is meant for middle range high performance vehicles, therefore it's smallest available size by its width and diameter is 195/55R15 85W with maximum tolerable load to 515Kg with a maximum tolerable speed of 270Km/h
The largest available size would be 225/40R18 92Y with maximum tolerable load to 630Kg with a maximum tolerable speed of over 300Km/h
So Why Goodyear Eagle F1 Directional 5?
By the turn of 2011, Goodyear has been infusing most of their brand new tread pattern with a slick substances they call the Black Carbon that acts as a catalyst in offsetting the rolling resistance. This means that in the event the car were shifted to neutral from it's initial drive position, the car will be in motion for a significant distance until it arrives to a stationary position. For Eagle F1 Directional 5, Goodyear came up with another race-inspired tread compound known to be SportGrip Technology where this compound have higher molecular chain and high thermal conductivity to dissipated heat generated from kinetic friction and provides outstanding grip on wet roads.
One main key feature in the new Eagle F1 Directional 5 tread pattern was the additional solid centre line rib (as illustrated in the left picture)
Imagine a fish swimming in the pond, as we all may have known fishes have one large bone on its centre, this bone was instrumental for a fish in providing support and acts as a propeller where the centre bone moves side to side to push the fish forward and also any direction the fish may want to travel to.
The same concept applies to Eagle F1 Directional 5 Solid Centre Line feature. the centre mass will deformed slightly in respect to the direction of the car being driven to. This slight deformation ensures that more surface area of the tyre were in contact with the road to generate higher kinetic friction for a better grip and handling.
Cornering with Eagle F1 Directional 5 installed was relatively a smooth one even during high speed. This is all thanks to the Continuous Shoulder Rib (as seen on the illustrated picture to the left)
Continuous Shoulder Rib act as a buffer zone for the deformation to occur on rather than other parts of the tyre that is not in constant contact with the road. As a result, more surface area in contact with the road thus ensuring better grip and vehicle handling.
Eagle F1 Directional 5 truly a tyre design to be a balance between stylish and performance.
Not to mention, Eagle F1 Directional 5 overall design helps increase mileage with its Optimized Cavity Shape that evenly distribute pressure on the tyre to ensure a continuous road contact and resilient to wear and tear. A Quieter Ride with its Closed Shoulder Design to reduce overall noise emissions for a smoother and quieter ride
The only drawback of Eagle F1 Directional 5 is that the smallest available size is 15 Inch, a very bad news to compact car owners. Maybe its time to consider for a middle range high performance car. Ya?
Experience an exhilarating drive like no other, with Goodyear Tyres.
