BFGoodrich launches new all terrain tire for 2018 Dakar

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Building on the performance of its 2017 Dakar, BFGoodrich has unveiled a bespoke new tire: the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KDR2+. The new tire incorporates the latest technologies developed by the American brand to deliver, what it claims, ‘even greater versatility and resistance than its predecessor’.

“For the drivers, a good tire is one that enables them to showcase their ability,” said Matt Hanlon, the engineer in charge of the BFGoodrich KDR2+ project. “To achieve this, a tire must be capable of responding perfectly to input via the steering wheel and playing a part in maximising the efficiency of the vehicle’s suspension. It also needs to perform consistently in a wide range of weather conditions and over a broad spectrum of surface types. A good tire also needs to be reliable so that the drivers can focus on their speed and navigation.”

During the BFGoodrich KDR2+’s design, the development team’s work focused on the two essential priorities for a Dakar tire, namely versatility and reliability. The end-result is an all-new tire that addresses the needs of two- and four-wheel drive cars alike.

The KDR2+ tire has been engineered to combine enhanced grip with improved steering response and traction – especially on muddy ground. At the same time, it carries over the very best of its predecessor to guarantee optimal efficiency when running on hard-packed or sandy terrain, climbing dunes or driving along aggressive, rocky trails in extreme temperatures.

Improvements made to the tire include a new, more open tread pattern, while the casing has been reinforced to provide added protection against punctures. For the first time on the 2018 Dakar, the KDR2+ tire will equip both two- and four-wheel drive vehicles and deliver the same level of performance for all the brand’s partner teams, irrespective of the type of vehicle they run.

Compared with the 2017-generation BFGoodrich KDR2 tire for two-wheel drive vehicles, the KDR2+ features a more open tread pattern – especially along the shoulders – for enhanced performance on mud and soft ground. In comparison with its predecessor, which was available for four-wheel drive vehicles in 2017, the KDR2+ stands out through its flatter profile which ensures a bigger contact patch, while its overall diameter has been increased by two millimeters. At the same time, the new KDR2+’s construction has been strengthened to cope even more efficiently with aggressive conditions.

For each of the sizes in which the BFGoodrich KDR2+ tire is available (two-wheel drive vehicles: 37/12.5-17 / four-wheel drive: 245/80-16), there is a choice of two compounds: soft (S) and medium (M). This will allow the brand’s partner teams to run different strategies as a function of the stages’ respective profiles and the prevailing weather conditions.

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John joined UKi Media & Events in 2012 and has worked across a range of B2B titles within the company's automotive portfolio. Prior to joining the company, John worked for leading automotive design website, Car Design News. Currently editor of Engine Technology International, Professional MotorSport World, Professional MotorSport Circuit, and Transmission Technology International, John co-ordinates the day-the-day operations of each magazine, from commissioning and writing to editing and signing-off, as well managing web and social media content. Aside from the magazines, John also serves as chairman of the annual Professional MotorSport World Awards.




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