What’s it like working at Goodyear? It’s very tiring. Jokes aside though, the Goodyear Malaysia people must be burning the midnight oil as they prepare to introduce the latest tyres into its Ultra High Performance (UHP) Eagle F1 range.

The new rubbers are the SuperSport, SuperSport R, SuperSport RS, Asymmetric 5 and Asymmetric 3 SUV that’ll fit a majority of sports cars, luxury sedans and SUVs.

Just as a recap though, the Goodyear family sold in Malaysia comprises the Assurance, EfficientGrip, Wrangler and aforementioned Eagle F1 range that pretty much covers all the rolling needs of vehicles here.

The Assurance range comprises the:
- Duraplus 2 – This tyre is positioned as an entry-level piece for the budget -conscious that prioritises good mileage and safe handling. You’ll find it perfect for cars such as the Perodua Myvi and Proton Saga

- TripleMax 2 – This is a step but still within the same parametres with more emphasis on wet braking courtesy of the Goodyear HydroTred technology and less road noise. Even the vehicles that it caters for are a level up in the B-segment such as the Honda City and Perodua Aruz

As for the EfficientGrip range:
- EfficientGrip Performance – Improved compounds for dry and wet grip as well as braking performance work together with the QuietTred Technology for less noise, making it perfect for D-segment and entry-level premium vehicles in the mould of the Toyota Camry and Audi A4

- EfficientGrip Performance SUV – As the name suggests, this model gets the FlexContact tech to deal with heavier loads and reduces vibrations. You’ll find it perfect for SUVs like the Proton X70 and Honda CR-V

Performance is the forte of the Eagle F1 range:
- Asymmetric 5 – As entry into the Eagle F1 family, this tyre has a refined silica compound and Goodyear’s Impulse Control Compound Technology that results in better braking and grip in the wet. Premium and performance cars such as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A5 will benefit the most

- Asymmetric 3 SUV – Again, as the name makes perfectly clear, it further gains ActiveBraking tech for improved stopping distance in addition to the underlying focus on fuel consumption and low rolling resistance. The likes of the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE will find it a good match

- SuperSport – Here you’ll find that the primary focus is on delivering maximum grip and handling on dry surfaces. The BMW M2 and Mercedes-AMG C63 are perfect candidates for this rubber

- SuperSport R – Outright performance in the dry for supercars that spend a majority of their time on the road but also make occasional circuit sojourns, this tyre is aimed at the upper echelons of sports machinery like the Porsche 911 GT3 and Ferrari F8 Tributo

- SuperSport RS – This is a proper track tyre for dry conditions. Racing machines are the best bet to fully exploit the tyre’s capabilities

Last but not the least is the Wrangler range:
- AT Silentrac – Designed for use mostly on-road, it’s still perfectly capable on mild off-road conditions that makes it suitable for pick-up trucks and light commercial vehicles

- Duratrack – the opposite of the AT Silenttrac, the Duratrack prioritises off-road use but is composed enough for on-road applications although more at home on the path less traversed. Still aimed at pick-up trucks and light commercial vehicles but for those that see more gravel than asphalt

Although pricing has yet to be determined, Goodyear Malaysia is looking to introduce the new rubbers by the middle of 2020 and will even announce a new model that takes over from the Asymmetric 5 as the Eagle F1 entry-level tyre