New Goodyear Performance Tire Targets 'H' Crowd

AKRON, Ohio, July 11 -- With race-inspired design elements and a continued emphasis on the healthy high-performance tire market, Goodyear has introduced a new H-speed rated tire designed for the enthusiast who demands high performance but also insists on value.

The Goodyear Eagle GT-HR radial replaces the popular Eagle HP line and 18 sizes of the Eagle GT II, providing instant upgrade capabilities for motorists in the H-speed rating segment. The new Eagle GT-HR delivers a series of performance improvements versus the previous generation tires, plus it is attractively priced and provides longer treadlife.

For a high level of grip, the tire's directional tread pattern provides all-season traction on wet and dry road conditions. A computer-optimized footprint ensures consistent load distribution across the tread face, which provides drivers with responsive and agile handling -- without compromising tread life.

A new feature, RaceWrap(TM) construction technology, was developed by Goodyear for Eagle race tires used in NASCAR. Similar to Eagle race tires, the Eagle GT-HR is built with a robust envelope ply construction. The ply wraps from the center of the tread, down around the bead, up the sidewall and back up under the steel belts.

"It is a technology that ensures that each tire will deliver exceptional durability, essential for optimum high-performance driving," said Bob Toth, marketing manager for Goodyear high-performance tires.

Toth said the new tire is aimed at consumers who view themselves as demanding drivers. In terms of applications, the Eagle GT-HR is built for late-model performance cars and sport sedans.

"We have recognized the growing demand for an attractively priced, H-speed rated tire, and the Eagle GT-HR is the result. It offers consumers the chance to experience the thrill of driving on a race-bred tire," said Toth.

In 2002, 20.7 million H-speed rated tires were sold in the U.S. Compared with 2001, that's up 24.4 percent, or 4 million units in one year.

By replacing the Eagle HP -- originally launched in 1997 -- and 18 T-speed rated sizes of the Eagle GT II, the Eagle GT-HR upgrades the high-performance category for Goodyear and its customers.

The tire also carries a 50,000-mile tread life limited warranty. It is available initially in 20 high-performance sizes.

"These customers demand solid performance, H-speed capability and great styling, but price also is an extremely important consideration," Toth said.

"Eagle GT-HR is the ideal product for the auto enthusiast who is looking for high-performance value," he said, "and it plays a vital role in updating our overall family of Goodyear Eagle performance tires."

The Eagle GT-HR joins Goodyear Eagle RS-A, LS and GT II tires as choices in the high-performance segment. In Ultra-high performance, Goodyear's selection includes Eagle F1 GS-D3, F1 Supercar, F1 GS and HP Ultra Plus.

For more information about Goodyear's broad selection of tires for cars, light trucks, SUVs, and more, visit www.goodyeartires.com.