Think about it, if you’re driving a hybrid SUV, odds are you haven’t completely given up on the idea of dynamic handling. The good news is, Falken doesn’t think you should.
As hybrid SUVs evolve into both efficient and performance oriented vehicles, future tires should be able to meet both of those demands without you having to choose which of these two characteristics you want to sacrifice.
This new tire is inspired by motorcycle rubber and it offers both low rolling resistance as well as sharp and sporty dynamics, which is what we’ve always wanted. The best of both worlds is always better than having to split them up and alternating.
Falken’s concept tire will debut this month on Mitsubishi’s XR-PHEV II SUV concept, bringing with it a low rolling resistance slick surface with intelligently placed water dispersion grooves that prevent hydroplaning and enhance grip in wet weather conditions.
As for better cornering grip, the inner third of the tire features a curved surface that comes in greater contact with the road while you’re pushing the car harder – just like with a motorcycle.
There’s no production date as of right now, but Falken believes that this type of tire technology will become the new norm in terms of tire design. As Matt Smith, Falken’s UK director states “Expect to see more bespoke tires to extract the best all round performance for a car.”
They’ve already announced earlier this month that they’ll be producing a bespoke version of their tires for the new VW Passat.
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