NEWS: Fiat Panda & Goodyear 'EfficientGrip' Rubber

The all-new Fiat Panda will be shod with Goodyear’s new FuelSaving Technology 'EfficientGrip' tyres. Pandas with the popular 15 inch fitment will all get the EfficientGrip tyres, which Goodyear say will "deliver high performance on grip and braking, and incorporate the company’s advance FuelSaving Technology." The Fiat Panda joins a long line of Fiat Group brands on Goodyear tyres, which is already being fitted on models like the Fiat 500 TwinAir, the new Lancia Ypsilon, the Fiat Bravo, Alfa Romeo 159 and the Lancia Delta. Goodyear’s new EfficientGrip is the company’s leading Ultra High Performance (UHP) tyre – specifically designed to help reduce fuel consumption thanks to its FuelSaving Technology. Recent independent tests on the performance of Goodyear’s EfficientGrip, conducted by TÜV SÜD Automotive (a leading European testing and certification organization), revealed the tyre’s rolling resistance is 13% lower than the average results of its tested competitors, enabling an improve transfer of power from engine to the road. Fuel tests show an average 1.9% reduction in consumption when driving on EfficientGrip while braking distance on wet and dry were reduced by 2% as compared to the average of the three tested competitors. Further testing also showed excellent results for the potential mileage of the tyre, with a car equipped with EfficientGrip managing, on average, up to 8% more distance on the drive wheels and 49% more on the driven wheels, delivering another significant advantage for motorists and the environment above. Additionally, the EfficientGrip tread compound is built on the company’s latest generation of polymers and weighs 10% less than its predecessor. And the tyre also uses less material for the construction of the tyre, helping to reduce the use of resources and emissions during production. "The low rolling resistance is the key indicator telling us whether we will achieve lower power consumption and reduced CO2 emissions," says Elena Versari, Head of Car Marketing for Goodyear Dunlop Tyres in Italy "Our objectives in terms of benefits for the consumer were extremely ambitious and have been achieved by using advanced materials and the latest developments in production techniques. With the new FuelSaving Technology we are now able to present a more environmentally considerate tyre, with very low rolling resistance, that meets both our stringent performance requirements of Goodyear as well as some of the toughest regulatory requirements," Versari adds. “The new Fiat is a car with some significant heritage, and we are proud to have been selected to fit Goodyear’s EfficientGrip tyres on this almost legendary vehicle’, states Hugues Despres, Goodyear’s Marketing Director EMEA. “Reducing a car’s impact on the environment is a common priority for the entire automotive industry and we will continue to play our part in helping the industry achieve new standards. EfficientGrip is our latest answer to meeting this need.” Impressed? We are...