Nov 9 2006
An innovative tire from Goodyear, with elements such as carbon fiber and DuPont(TM) KEVLAR(R) inside, has been named one of the "100 Most Innovative Products of the Year" by Popular Science magazine.
The Goodyear Eagle(R) featuring ResponsEdge Technology(TM) leads the list of products named to Popular Science's "Best of What's New" in the Automotive Technology category. The tire is featured in a special section of the December issue, which is available this month, along with special coverage at the magazine's Web site, www.popsci.com.
"We are pleased to be honored by the editors of Popular Science for the innovation represented in the Eagle ResponsEdge tire," said Larry Mason, Goodyear's North American president, consumer tires. "Our product development process follows a market-back path - learning what consumers want and then designing tires that deliver the benefits.
"Goodyear scientists and engineers work with our marketing team to make sure the technology is relevant to the consumer's needs. Honors such as this, and the complementing strong consumer demand for our tires, confirm that direction."
Mark Jannot, editor of Popular Science, said, "Best of What's New is the ultimate Popular Science accolade, representing a year's worth of work evaluating thousands of products. These awards honor innovations that not only influence the way we live today, but that change the way we think about the future."
In the Goodyear Eagle featuring ResponsEdge Technology, the outboard sidewall of the tire is reinforced with a high-tech carbon fiber insert that provides stiffness for responsive handling and steering precision. Combined with conventional tire construction on the inboard sidewall, the ResponsEdge tire delivers a smooth, comfortable ride.
Over the top of the belt package, the ResponsEdge also sports a sound-and shock-absorbing InsuLayer(TM) made with KEVLAR, to help provide a smooth, quiet ride, along with promoting even treadwear.
According to Mason, a high-performance tire with carbon fiber and KEVLAR offers consumers relevant technologies that enhance the total driving experience for high-performance touring sedans. Such drivers are interested in innovative technology, especially if it provides them with responsive handling, a good feel for the road and a ride that is smooth and quiet.
Each year, the editors of Popular Science review many products in search of the top 100 technical innovations of the year; breakthrough products that represent a significant leap in their categories. The winners - the Best of What's New - are awarded inclusion in the much-anticipated December issue of Popular Science, the most widely read issue of the year since the debut of the Best of What's New in 1987.